VULCAN – Nobody had to convince Logan Nelson to do the kinds of things that earned him international recognition recently. They were already part of the active County Central High School student’s routine.
Nelson received The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, Bronze level, at a recent school assembly. The goal of the charitable organization is to inspire and promote lifelong improvement in youth aged 14-24 in an effort to further their growth as active, responsible citizens.
The 17-year-old heard about the prestigious award from a friend who had enrolled in the program, which is designed to develop the mind, body and soul. When they looked at the criteria, they saw it wasn’t much of a stretch for Nelson.
The rewards of the recognition made it worth formalizing what he was already doing.
“It sounded kind of cool and I thought it was a good opportunity to meet other people,” said the Grade 12 student, who will get to rub shoulders with other award winners from across the province at an upcoming banquet.
Although Nelson just received formal notification of his Bronze Award, he’s already submitted an application for the Silver, which requires still greater commitment. He’ll soon start working towards the Gold Award, which is presented at a special ceremony by either the Governor General of Canada or a member of the Royal Family.
“That’s another reason why I thought it would be cool too, because not many people get to meet a member of the Royal family,” said Nelson.
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award requires, among other things, an element of service. In Nelson’s case that was covered by his volunteer work as a Timbits hockey coach for the past three years. His high school baseball and hockey participation – he’s currently playing with the Wheatland Thrashers midget squad out of Hussar – took care of the required level of physical recreation.
The “adventurous journey” component piggybacked on his family’s love of camping, dirt biking and hiking in the Crowsnest Pass area. To receive credit he packed his own supplies – including healthy food choices – and recorded the activities he took part in on one of those family trips.
Several of Nelson’s friends have asked him about the program since he started and have signed up on their own. That includes his younger brother, now in Grade 10 at County Central.
For more information on The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, go to the Palliser website at http://goo.gl/Qr5hJ.