- The Advocacy award finalists, From left to right: Myself, Tori Stosky, Connor Johnson and Loraleigh Kovacik from Rogers
I love the Red Cross and all the volunteer work I do for the Red Cross, because volunteering has helped me realized that “the smallest act of kindness is never wasted.” The feeling I get when someone smiles after I have mentored or assisted them gives me a contagious smile that is hard to lose and happy butterflies in my stomach. When you are able to assist someone, in your community, in your school, or across the world, why wouldn’t you? For me, I cannot turn away the call.
It was quite the honour to attend the ConocoPhillips Youth of Distinction Awards (YODA) ceremony as a finalist for the YODA Advocacy award as a youth engagement advocate, and even though I didn’t win, I left the ceremony with profound inspiration from the other fellow youth that were celebrated for the wonderful ways that they choose to live. This simply drove me to follow my passions more fervently and enthusiastically!
The ceremony was quite elegant and wonderfully exciting, as friends, family members and loved ones filled the Safari Lodge in the Calgary Zoo on a cloudy Saturday to come recognize the wonderful youth that show passion and dedication in their lives. Videos of an interview with each of the nominees were displayed upon a huge screen, and each of the nominees of each section were called to the front of the room for a quick photo shoot and to await a year’s worth of anticipation for the announcement of the recipient of the award.
I clearly remember the filming process for my interview for YODA, and I consciously watched my nervous self on the big screen, explaining my passion for being a youth engagement advocate and why (it was my first live camera interview!) I am quite proud of myself for being able share my passion with other members of the community, and I remember smiling at the videos of nominees that clearly showed a conviction and compassion for what they believed in. Quite inspiring and uplifting.
Classy music provided a wonderful background to the rambling of various table groups that were situated around an inviting dance floor. Great performances took place, which included an interesting Bollywood dance group that twirled and jingled magnificently (my only regret was that I was sitting on opposite side of the dance floor of the dancers and did witness only the backsides of this group), a very graceful and poised traditional Chinese dancer, and highlight of these performances was an amazing beat boxer. This beat boxer created pop songs purely from using his voice, which included all computer generated beats, rhythms, and vocals; he provided them all. He could even beat box holding the microphone to his throat! (Were we hearing a heartbeat boxer?!)
YODA 2011 was a wonderful ceremony that engaged the whole community to realize that the differences youth were making incredible leaps and strides in bringing about positive change in the lives of others and in their own self growth. It was a chance to see that the changes youth brought today would affect the future of tomorrow.
That sounds so interesting. I have a question: What do you do while volunteering at Red Cross?
Hi!
I'm a Humanitarian Issues Promotion volunteer for the Canadian Red Cross =)
I have organized my own grassroots fundraiser that raised the awareness of children affected by war,with the support and for the Canadian Red Cross, which has raised over a thousand dollars.
I also volunteered to make the volunteer certificates this year, and I am part of the Social and Community Responsibility through Education, Arts, and Music (S.C.R.E.A.M) team that organized the Global Youth Summit.
Currently I am their volunteer engagement coordinator.
Just some of the great things that I am so happy to be able to do for the Canadian Red Cross =)
Wow! Sounds that you're really "going out there". I'm interested in becoming a Red Cross Volunteer and I'm wondering if you have any suggestions on how I can join. Thanks. 😀