Be active, try new things and follow your dreams … those are what make the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award such a challenge and such a reward unto itself.
The international program was founded by His Royal Highness Prince Philip in 1956. It challenges young people aged 14 to 25 to experience life to the fullest by promoting volunteerism, healthy living and active pursuit of personal goals.
This week, two St. Albert residents were acknowledged as champions of their communities and masters of themselves during a formal ceremony in Calgary. Thomas Foster and Mary Curtain both personally received their gold level awards from Governor-General David Johnston. While Foster, 17, is in his graduating year at Paul Kane High School, Curtain, 25, arrived just in the nick of time before she reached the cut-off point for the age limits.
There are three levels of awards just like the Olympics: bronze, silver and gold. Each requires the participant to go through progressive degrees of personal development and public involvement. The gold level takes at least 18 months to accomplish, but only a full year of activity for the silver level and six months for the bronze.
Curtain is now the owner of the Gel Nail Bar, but she started with the Duke program several years ago when she was in the local Air Cadets group, 533 Sabre Squadron. She calls the program and her award a bright spot in her career and her life.
“It’s a fair challenge but it’s designed that it’s spread over a period of time so that it impacts the person doing the activity in a more meaningful way. It’s not just a weekend of volunteering activity. It’s meant to create a lifestyle out of volunteering and effectively create better citizens.”
Her efforts took her to help out with her cadets group, as well as initiate and be one of the leaders of Beautiful Flowers, a club for young girls aged 9 to 12 in St. Albert. That monthly program helped the girls to develop good personal habits.
She added that she tries to be a good role model, and she even practiced her curtsy to the Governor-General.
“It was optional but because he is the Queen’s representative in Canada, it was the most formal event I’ve ever attended.”
There is a Duke of Edinburgh alumni group that she plans on participating in so that she can mentor others in the program. After meeting with some of the other gold medal recipients, she sees this as a great jumping pad to do more with her life.
“This was the cream of the crop for young achievers in Canada. It was very interesting to meet them and see what their goals are and where they’re going with it, to maybe carry on and be inspired by my peers. That was really a delight!”
Foster, now in his fourth year with the program, feels similarly about the whole experience. He also volunteered with his cadet squadron, Fountain Park Recreation Centre and the Special Olympics. He still acts as a bowling coach and has no plans on stopping.
“With lots of youths today, it’s hard to get those skills before you become an adult. By going through the Duke program, it helps you achieve volunteering hours, keeping up your physical fitness and learning things like new skills and outdoor exercises. The skills I learned with the Duke program have helped me get part-time jobs, helped me with university applications, and as well, getting this award, especially from the Governor-General, it very much helps with the rĂ©sumĂ© for jobs later in life.”
