Living the Dream, Sarah’s Award Story

Meet Sarah, a Gold Award achiever from Saskatoon, SK. The Award has impacted how Sarah sets goals, is active in the community, and has developed passions. Sarah is now self-motivated and excited for the opportunities to come.   

“Hello, my name is Sarah, and I received the Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award in 2022! I am also a fashion design student, and my library card is my most prized possession! While in high school, I recall my mom discovering the Duke of Edinburgh Award. She was pretty excited. We printed out the framework from the Award website, and I started to fill it out. It seemed like something out of reach at the time. We decided to wait. My youngest sister turned sixteen and was old enough for the Silver Level. At this time, I was in the Gold Level age range, along with my other sister and one of my brothers. Our mom had been waiting for this strategic moment since the Adventurous Journey required a team of four. Thus, on my sister’s birthday, the four of us were signed up for the Duke of Edinburgh Award.  

As Virtual Award Centre participants, it was beneficial for us to enroll together. We each have experience homeschooling, so we were used to working together in alternative educational settings. This could also be the reason why the pandemic did not have a significant impact on what we were able to achieve. The Award has allowed me to get out of the house and have some adventure! I could participate in activities that I never dreamed I would, and that was during a pandemic, too. For example, without leaving the country, I was blessed by Pope Francis while volunteering at the 2022 Lac Ste Anne Pilgrimage for my Gold Project. It was an extraordinary moment for me. 

Developing Infinite Potential 

The Award has given me the confidence to follow through with my goals. I have a habit of getting stuck in the planning process. By setting Smart Goals with built-in deadlines, I have a more substantial chance of accomplishing my dreams. The Award has reinforced my belief that anything is possible! It gives the concrete structure to achieve goals and accept opportunities. 

I look forward to a future where I am challenged, but I know I can be positive, compassionate, and learn despite difficulties. 

Developing a Passion through Progress 

I am passionate about writing and learning. Throughout the Duke of Edinburgh Award, I used my love for the written word to keep track of my progress in the Online Record Book. Looking back and seeing where I started helped me gauge my progress in each activity over the course of the Award.   

The Award’s Impact 

Even as a very self-motivated person, the Award has given me the structure to accomplish my goals and set high standards for myself in the first place. Through the Duke of Edinburgh Award, I made mixed-media art for 78 weeks, baked and donated muffins, stayed active with weekly hikes, and even saw Pope Francis! These activities would seem unrealistic to me without the added support of the Award.  

Gold Project 

My siblings and I collected blessed water from the lake during our Gold Project at the Lac Ste Anne Pilgrimage. Then, afterward, we shared our experience by distributing the Holy Water with our community and relatives. It was notable for us to touch lives this way and pass on our knowledge at the 2022 Papal Visit.   

I am still highly amazed that I was able to participate in the Lac Ste Anne Pilgrimage and volunteer during the 2022 Papal Visit. It seems unreal. There was so much uncertainty surrounding this event and whether my siblings and I could participate as volunteers. We started the application process before the Pope’s visit to Canada was even confirmed. It was a long waiting process, and we had our doubts, but I was so happy when the phone call came that we had been accepted.   

Teamwork 

I worked with my brother and sisters throughout the Award, and we learned to become a strong team, especially during our hikes and Adventurous Journey. We all looked out for each other, paced ourselves accordingly, and benefited from shared observations. While making a weekly donation of freshly baked muffins to our local soup kitchen, we formed a link in the chain of people helping to feed the hungry of Saskatoon. I enjoyed making deliveries to the staff at the Friendship Inn, who would often enjoy the muffins as a treat. As a volunteer for the Lac Ste Anne Pilgrimage in 2022, I was part of an ecosystem of thousands of participants and volunteers as they gathered at the historic site. Everyone needed to interact with compassion.   

Life After the Award  

While working on the Award, I worked on art weekly and became passionate about mixed media. Since completing the Award, I have continued exploring new techniques and branched off into textile art. I enjoy using my skills to make birthday cards for my family.   

I love learning new art techniques and sharing my creativity with others. While learning mixed-media art as my Skill, I discovered textile art, which is a great way to use fabric scraps. Recently, I made my mom a birthday card using techniques I developed during the Award.  

During the Award, I was put in the position to practice and develop my communication skills. Communicating effectively has allowed me to have some fantastic experiences and will doubtlessly be important in my future. 

Purpose  

The Award has helped me realize the benefits of having variety and balance in my life. I understand the importance of volunteering and giving. Part of my purpose is always to find ways to share my talents and gifts, even if it is just a small way.   

Unexpected Benefit 

Throughout the Award, I am naturally inclined to be in charge of organizing activities. This is unexpected since I am an introvert, and I learned that I sometimes need to step aside, so others get to have a say and share their unique abilities.   

I did not expect the Award to give me a sense of openness, and I now have the confidence to step outside my comfort zone more often, which is liberating, rather than scary. This could mean going on more backcountry adventures or saying “yes” to new opportunities.   

Join the Award 

Everyone has something unique to offer this world. They may already know what it is and need support to develop it, or maybe it is yet to be discovered. Regardless, the Duke of Edinburgh Award advocates for making the world a better place. My assessors provided me with support and encouragement.   

There are so many benefits the Award gives not only to participants but also to the people they interact with, including assessors. The Duke of Edinburgh Award is an invitation to get involved in life and accomplish amazing things. When people connect through shared interests and common goals, the world becomes more exciting and fruitful. I am more open to meeting new people, sharing my gifts, and stepping outside my comfort zone.”  

• Sarah 

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