Emily Anderson has earned gold with the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award program. The 19-year-old Powell River resident, who has previously received the bronze and silver awards, attended a recent ceremony in Vancouver presided over by Governor General David Johnston.
Awards were presented to community groups, military organizations, schools and independents. Anderson has completed all her awards as an independent.
“It feels great to achieve the award,” Anderson said, “especially because I was the only one in the program with a disability. I hope it will give other people with disabilities the encouragement to participate as well.”
Anderson, who uses a wheelchair, received the award for raising peacocks and building an enclosure for them. She continues with her program project, working with her peacocks at her grandparents’ property in Lund. Asked how many she has, she responded with a laugh. “I don’t even know how to answer that to be honest,” indicating the numbers are increasing.
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award was founded in 1956 by Prince Philip and came to Canada in 1963. It runs in 130 countries around the world and almost seven million young people, aged 14 to 25, have challenged themselves by participating.
The program encourages youth to be active, to participate in new activities and pursue current interests in four different areas, setting goals and achieving results. Areas are community service, personal skill development, physical recreation and adventurous journey.
A bronze level takes at least six months to achieve, silver is a minimum of 12 months and gold 18 months if entry is direct. If a young person has earned a silver award, the length of time is reduced to 12 months for gold as well.
More information is available online.
