Yet another St. Paul youth has been recognized for her community involvement and activity, with Heba Iftikhar receiving a silver Duke of Edinburgh's International Award from Lt. Governor Lois Mitchell last Friday.
Yet another St. Paul youth has been recognized for her community involvement and activity, with Heba Iftikhar receiving a silver Duke of Edinburgh's International Award from Lt. Governor Lois Mitchell last Friday.
“It helps a person be more well-rounded, and it helps me be more involved in my community, and connected to my community as well,&” says the Grade 12 Regional High School student about the award. She encourages other youth to look into the awards, to “open yourself to new opportunities you never thought you would experience.&”
The Duke of Edinburgh awards encourage youth to set themselves personal challenges and grow by meeting them, developing skills and a positive lifestyle along the way.
Youth must meet different targets to achieve awards, but must show that they have participated in several hours of physical activity, practiced a new skill, done community service, and taken part in an adventurous journey.
Heba moved to St. Paul from Edmonton five years ago, with her family previously living in the United Arab Emirates. Her father's work brought them to the country, with Iftikhar working as a surgeon at the local hospital.
After moving and settling in, Heba got involved in Girl Guides; her leaders, Deanna Michaels and Janine Legare, told her about the Duke of Edinburgh awards, encouraging her to get involved, and so she did.
She took karate as a physical activity and for her community service, on her father's advice, got involved as a volunteer at the hospital. She volunteers at the Auxiliary, where she helps residents at mealtimes, plays games like cribbage and is part of story time.
“I like helping other people's day be better . . . and having a positive impact on other people's lives,&” she said, adding the experience has solidified her interest in going into the medical field when she starts courses next year at the University of Alberta.
For her skill, she took courses through Islamic School online, which helped her stay connected to her roots and Muslim religion. For the adventurous journey, Heba says she got a chance to have a new experience that ended up being her “favourite part&” of the Duke of Edinburgh award experience.
“I've always wanted to go camping as a kid, and never had the chance,&” she said, adding that she first tried out the activity with the Girl Guides in Grade 10. For the award, she went with her school's Outdoor Club on a hiking trip to Jasper, for walks in the mountains and connecting with nature.
“That was one of the most amazing experiences,&” says Heba.
She expressed her gratitude to those that have helped her meet her goals for the silver award, including her parents, teachers, leaders and karate sensei.
As she prepares to leave St. Paul for school, Heba says she is now setting her sights on the Duke of Edinburgh's gold award. She'll have to learn a new skill - “I want to learn to play the saxophone, that'd be fun&” - and will take on new experiences and community service.
“Even though I won't be living in St. Paul, I still want to help whatever community I'm in and make a difference.&”
