Going for the gold

It was an evening to recognize the achievements of young people from across the province, made even more special with a royal greeting.

Princess Anne, the Princess Royal, presented Gold Duke of Edinburgh Awards to 150 Newfoundland and Labrador youth at a ceremony in the province's capital on April 23.

"It's a pleasure to be in St. John's today and present so many gold awards," said the princess. "I don't often get this pleasure, because between my father and my youngest brother, they seem to have it covered. So, it's a really nice opportunity to be able to do this."

Princess Anne's father, the Duke of Edinburgh, founded the award program in the United Kingdom in 1956. It currently runs in 126 countries, with bronze, silver and gold awards. Each level involves participant challenges in community service, expeditions, physical fitness and skill development. The gold award also has a five-day residential project.

"Recognize what you've achieved," said Princess Anne. "Do understand that it is an achievement and it is recognized as such. And I know from my experience, talking to employers for instance, that they really do appreciate to know that young people are gold award achievers. It makes a real difference in their eyes and a real understanding of the person they are employing."

Other benefits

She noted the participants' work has a long-lasting impact, not only for themselves, but the people they have helped.

"I know I've met young volunteers from Duke of Edinburgh awards in a number of charities that I'm involved with in the UK, and they are extremely valued as volunteers for what they bring themselves, but also for the fact that many of them stay involved afterwards - and for many charities, that is their lifeblood for the future."

The princess noted she herself had participated in the Duke of Edinburgh Award program.

"I failed dismally to achieve your levels of success," she said. "I managed to do the bronze when I was at school, but somehow they ran out of enthusiasm about halfway through my school run and it was too late. ... But I know that my group of people and the age that we did the bronze award was a very important event for us and certainly broadened our horizons."

The princess thanked those who helped the youth achieve their gold award, and gave special praise to parents and program leaders for their support and commitment. She also encouraged award recipients to remain active with the Duke of Edinburgh Award program.

"I hope you will find the award will affect the way you do things in the rest of your life," she said. "But above all, remember the enjoyment you had from it, that sense of achievement when you got it, and really for you to want other people to be able to enjoy that too, because you can do that for them in the future."

Local honourees

Thirty-eight youth from the Bay St. George area attended the ceremony to receive their award from the Princess Royal. Among them were Erica Noonan and Stephanie O'Quinn.

"I really gained new leadership skills," said Ms. Noonan when asked about the benefits of completing her gold-level award. "I did piano as well, learned hiking skills, meal planning, the wilderness code, and I got my first aid [certification]."

She noted it was exciting to meet the princess.

"When she shook my hand, she shook my prosthesis and she said, 'Does that work well for you?' And I said, 'Yes it does,'" recalled Ms. Noonan, with a chuckle.

Ms. O'Quinn said completing her gold-level award helped her gain confidence, improve her personal skills, and expand her volunteer work."She asked me when I completed the gold award and then she asked me what I was doing now," said Ms. O'Quinn upon meeting Princess Anne. "I said I was volunteering at a women's centre."

Their Duke of Edinburgh Award leader, Dianna Kung, has been involved with the program since 2003.

"For me, I just love to seem them excel," said Ms. Kung of the local participants. "It's like they're my own children - I'm very excited and very proud."

Ms. Kung said building confidence and increased maturity are some of the main benefits of the program.

"When they first start out, they're a little reluctant," she said. "They don't know if they can do the hike, they don't know if they can do all the volunteer work and maintain their extra curricular activities and their academics. But each year, you seem them grow and mature, and that's amazing."

editor@thegeorgian.ca