Prince of Wales Community Leader Scholarship Awarded
OTTAWA, December 5, 2001 -- Minister of Canadian Heritage Sheila Copps today announced the names of the recipients of the Prince of Wales Community Leader Scholarship.Scholarships have been awarded to 13 young Canadians, one from each province and territory, to recognize their outstanding voluntary service and contribution to their community.
"I congratulate these young role models of leadership and voluntary action, and thank them for giving of their time and energy for the benefit of others," said Minister Copps. "Volunteering is a demonstration of the importance we place on community, sharing and mutual responsibility. These values are an integral part of who we are as Canadians."
The winners are:
--Anita Vigeant of Watson Lake, Yukon
--Janet Wong of Yellowknife, Northwest Territories
--Ashley Dean of Rankin Inlet, Nunavut
--Aaron Chan of Richmond, British Columbia
--Greg Phelan of Lethbridge, Alberta
--Chandra Kasper of North Battleford, Saskatchewan
--Michael Dooley of Winnipeg, Manitoba
--Farah Alani of Richmond Hill, Ontario
--Sabrina MacDowell of Pincourt, Quebec;
--Kara Hachey of Fredericton, New Brunswick
--Emily Reid of Kingston, Nova Scotia
--Michelle Sencabaugh of Murray Harbour North, Prince Edward Island
--Karla Benoit of Stephenville, Newfoundland
Prime Minister Jean Chrétien announced the creation of this scholarship last spring, as a gift to the Prince of Wales, in honour of his visit to Canada and the International Year of Volunteers.
The thirteen one-time scholarships of $3,000 each are awarded to Canadian students enrolled full-time in the first year of a post-secondary program at an accredited university, college or CEGEP during the 2001-2002 academic year. The recipients have demonstrated a strong sense of social responsibility, a willingness to take positive action to address community needs, and an ongoing contribution to their community.
The scholarships were awarded today during a ceremony marking the end of the International Year of Volunteers.
Information:
Kerry Edmonds
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage
(819) 997-7788
BACKGROUNDER
THE PRINCE OF WALES COMMUNITY LEADER SCHOLARSHIP
RECIPIENTS' PROFILES
Created in honour of the Prince of Wales' visit to Canada during the International Year of Volunteers (IYV), the $3,000 scholarship recognizes Canadian youth for outstanding volunteer service and contribution to their communities. Canadian students enrolled full-time in their first year of a post-secondary program at a Canadian university, college or CEGEP during the 2001-2002 academic year were eligible for this award. The following scholarship winners are role models of leadership and voluntary action for all young Canadians:
Anita VigeantWatson Lake, Yukon
Anita's passion for volunteering is fuelled by a firm belief in the importance of community involvement and service to others. She has earned the respect and affection of both peers and children alike through her work as an academic tutor. She has also dedicated countless hours to the Recreation and Parks Department's sled dog races, as well as to her local library, leading their children's program. An active student council member, Anita served on several committees, including Students Against Drinking and Driving. According to her high school principal, her dedication to this cause was an inspiration to many. Throughout her academic career, she also volunteered at sport events and for the school lunch program. "Anita has always tackled any task with enthusiasm, efficiency and good humour. With all her skills, Anita will be an excellent citizen and a great representative of the Yukon," says her former principal.
Janet WongYellowknife, Northwest Territories
Janet has proven herself a role model for others through her involvement in soccer coaching, children's theatre, stop smoking programs and Students Against Drinking and Driving. She has also demonstrated unfailing drive and leadership in addressing global concerns. As part of the Stop Racism Youth Challenge, Janet lead the creation of a Youth Against Racism mural at her local YWCA. She was featured in a Walt Disney Studios documentary for her work to stop discrimination. She also led a campaign to fund the building of a school in Nicaragua, and is currently raising funds to pay the teacher's salary.
Ashley DeanRankin Inlet, Nunavut
Ashley's volunteer experience includes coaching children in figure skating and soccer; organizing special events for elders; teaching computer literacy; and working to stop racism. The two characteristics that mark Ashley's volunteer work are leadership and a long-term commitment to whatever she undertakes. "Ashley doesn't just jump on the bandwagon for a cause, but shows true commitment to the things she really cares about, overcoming road blocks and getting things done," says her former principal. "Ashley's leadership, grace and dignity not only make here a great volunteer, but a great ambassador for Nunavut," he says. Ashley herself states, "Working and communicating with people has taught me to become less shy and more open to new people. I encounter new ideas, thoughts, and activities that I can eventually build on for the next time I get involved with something."
Aaron Chan
Richmond, British Columbia
Too young for paid employment, Aaron began volunteering in grade nine to develop his skills while fulfilling an innate sense of social responsibility. His varied volunteer activities testify to his belief that volunteering is a unique and mutually rewarding experience. One of fifteen students throughout his province selected to participate in the Heart and Stroke Foundation Summer Student Research program, Aaron volunteered to research, learn and create awareness of heart and stroke disease. He subsequently received the Heart and Stroke Foundation Award for his involvement. Aaron also dedicates countless hours to his church, as a children's worship leader; to his school, as a peer tutor; and, finally, to the local senior's residence, as a recreational volunteer.
Greg PhelanLethbridge, Alberta
Greg's leadership, love of challenge and caring nature have immeasurably benefited his fellow students and community members. His idea to organize a high school blood donation challenge -- the largest campaign of its kind in the city -- recruited almost 80 new donors and was recognized nationally by Canadian Blood Services. Described as the first to take action, Greg motivates and inspires others to follow his example. He recruited new volunteers for the Chinook Health Region, then served as their mentor and peer support person. He also established a sustained fundraising campaign for the school breakfast program and organized a luncheon that brought local residents together to discuss ways to improve their community.
Chandra KasperNorth Battleford, Saskatchewan
Chandra is recognized both at school and in the greater community for her enthusiasm and her desire to fight for something she believes in. As the president of her student council, she led a student body protest to the local MLA's office, in support of the teachers during their job action. She was also active in the drama club, choir, photo club and Students Against Drinking and Driving. Her community involvement ranges from sport- and music-related activities to involvement in her local church, where she served as a board member and junior accompanist. For her outstanding volunteer contributions, Chandra was named North Battleford's Junior Citizen of the Year.
Michael DooleyWinnipeg, Manitoba
Although encouraged to volunteer through a mandatory program at his school, Michael far surpassed the minimum 20 hour requirement Ñ contributing an astonishing 600 volunteer hours during his final year of secondary school alone. Michael has received numerous awards for his leadership and involvement in school, parish and community activities. He is a regular visitor to the local nursing home, has organized countless food drives and coordinated his school's participation in a Cerebral Palsy fundraiser. He also participated on the student council and was a group leader for a student spiritual retreat program.
Farah AlaniRichmond Hill, Ontario
Farah is an exemplary leader, role model and inspiration for volunteers of all ages from all cultures and backgrounds. Wanting to share the satisfaction she gained from her first volunteer experience at a local nursing home, she started a club at school to encourage the involvement of others. In response to the student community service opportunities mandated by the Ontario government, Farah created the position of Minister of External Affairs on Student Council, to ensure a direct link between students and the community agencies in need of volunteers. While serving as the vice president of the Multicultural Club, she organized anti-racism campaigns and conferences. She also served as a youth counsellor and secured a permanent meeting place for the Ismaili youth in her community.
Sabrina MacDowellPincourt, Québec
Sabrina took to heart her secondary school motto: non nobis solum ( not for ourselves alone'). She far surpassed her school's minimum requirements for community service through her weekly volunteer work at the Hudson Animal Hospital and MacDonald College Farm, where she gained practical skills and knowledge toward her future career as a veterinarian. She also helped naturalists with wildlife programs at a nearby provincial park. Sabrina's commitment to serving others extends to people, as well as animals; she helped organize the park's children's recreational programs, and taught young children about horses at a local stable. She has become known in her community as the unofficial math coach-at-large to neighbourhood children, and served as an assistant leader with the Girl Guides. In addition to this extensive contribution to her community, Sabrina still found time to serve as the senior editor of her school yearbook.
Kara HacheyFredericton, New Brunswick
Thanks to the encouragement of teachers and family, Kara began to volunteer at a young age to ensure her abundance of energy would be channelled toward helping others. Not only has this early volunteering experience helped develop her strong sense of social responsibility, social conscience, and leadership skills, it has convinced her of the importance of encouraging other youth to volunteer. She served as chief student recruitment officer for volunteers at the high school level, and is now setting up a new volunteer service club at her university. Whether raising funds for orphans overseas, talking to youth about the importance of staying in school, or caring for children at her church, Kara firmly believes in the power of volunteering to enrich her own life and the lives of others at the local, national and global levels.
Emily ReidKingston, Nova Scotia
Emily is described as an excellent student leader who is committed to her school and her community. She has volunteered hundreds of hours to community-based organizations such as Heart Health, Kids Help Phone, Heartwood Camp, Red Cross, and the Nova Scotia Ballet Association. In addition, she made time to serve on the executive of her student council and the steering committee of a school-based teen health centre. She also served as the co-chair of Teens Against Drinking and Driving and vice president of the senior band. Finally, as a volunteer peer educator, she initiated a teen self-esteem group for young women in junior high, and organized peer education training for one hundred students from five high schools nationwide.
Michelle SencabaughMurray Harbour North, Prince Edward Island
Only eighteen years of age, Michelle Sencabaugh's volunteer work and experience is as diverse as it is impressive. She has provided peer counselling to students against drug and alcohol abuse; judged school science fairs; and volunteered as a children's camp counsellor. She was treasurer and chief fundraiser for her high school band and is currently a literacy volunteer, working with youth. Michelle says she has come to love volunteering. "By volunteering you get to meet and learn about a lot of fascinating people -- and you learn more about yourself as well," she says. "I volunteer because I want to help and support the people of my community. The organizations I am involved in have important messages. They benefit society and everyone they reach." Michelle's volunteer work with youth has even influenced her career choice: she is looking forward to becoming a teacher.
Karla Benoit
Stephenville, Newfoundland
Karla credits the many volunteer leaders and coaches she has encountered over her lengthy volunteer service for inspiring her community involvement. In turn, she is dedicated to serving as a role model for other youth and ensuring they benefit from the same experiences. An advocate for youth involvement in athletics, Kara created and then coached a girls' basketball league at school. As a member of her parish youth group, she organized and lead spiritual retreats for youth, and was selected to represent her community for World Youth Day, in Toronto, in 2002. Kara also recognizes the importance of local charitable organizations through which she raises funds, canvasses, and provides food and gifts for those less fortunate. She was named Stephenville, Newfoundland's Youth of the Year 2000.
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