Journal staff
Liam Henderson wasn’t named Canada’s Smartest Person Junior, but his sportsmanship earned respect from viewers and competitors alike.
The sixth grader from Errol Road School was eliminated in the first episode of the CBC series last week, but showed generosity of spirit when a fellow contestant was overcome by the pressure.
Henderson and Zoe Devalia were vying for the last available spot into the next round and Henderson was far ahead when Devalia began crying.
Before a live and national TV audience the 11-year-old Sarnia boy leaned over and whispered to her, “Just take a deep breath, OK? You can’t think if you’re not calm.”
The advice worked. Devalia won the next three challenges and Henderson was eliminated in the process.
“Even though he was this close to winning, he still has the heart to turn around and say something that nice to me,” she said when interviewed.
Henderson didn’t appear overly disappointed, however. As the episode ended he triumphantly declared, “It’s OK, cause you know what? I’ve got bigger dreams. I’m going to be Prime Minister one day!”