The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award was granted to three young leaders from the Foothills on Friday, October 28th.

In order to receive this award individuals have to volunteer, give back to their communities, complete outdoor adventures, sports and other extra curricular activities through the Duke of Edinburgh's Award program to help them become well rounded young adults.

Northern award officer Robin Webster says the high honour is great for these individuals in a number of different ways.

"The resume is the biggest take home from this award. Of course they gain confidence, th

Maya Lakhu of Okotoks. Photo Courtesy of Jodi O Photography. ey get to try new things, they've got to work towards goals that they've set but at the end of the day this is something you can put on your resume for your whole life. We've had alumni participants who to this day have been working 40 to 50 years and still have the Duke of Edinburgh's Award at the top of their skills and qualifications section on their resume."

Eli Chapman of Strathcona Tweedsmuir, Maya Lakhu of Okotoks and Arya Subramanian of De Winton were all honoured by the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta Lois Mitchell with other recipients, family members, mentors and others making up the 120 people in the audience.

Webster adds it's quite a feeling of joy when the participants are acknowledged for their accomplishments.

"You can tell by the smiles on their faces...and when they are being presented the award and afterwards it's quite a feeling of relief and pride at their own work and they've accomplished this all on their own. It's completely extracurricular, so quite a feeling of individual pride I would say."

If anyone ages 14 to 25 are interested in the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award they can click here for more information.

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Eli Chapman of Strathcona Tweedsmuir. Photo Courtest of Jodi O Photography.

 

Arya Subramanian of De Winton. Photo of Courtesy Jodi O Photography.