The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award ceremony was held at the Badlands Community Facility Tuesday night, April 15.
The event was emceed by Staff Sergeant Art Hopkins of the Drumheller detachment’s Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
The teenagers were recognized for their achievements through the program, receiving their bronze pins and certificates.
Recognized for the achievements: Moriah Ohlhauser of Carbon, Amy Adams, Kyra Koustrup and Erica Nelson of Starland County
From Drumheller, Sarah Armstrong, Madison Colberg, Ryan Hingst, Liam McDougald and Avril Wilson. Megan Rowbottom was absent.
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is for youth 14 to 24 years of age that challenges them to challenge themselves in the areas of service, skills, adventurous journey, and physical fitness.
Fifteen year-old Liam McDougald said in working toward the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, he’s had some great experiences, and said there’s great people you can meet.
McDougald recommends kids go on the bike tour held in the summer by the local RCMP - he didn’t think it would be as much fun or as easy as it was.
Participants working toward a level keep a record of their events, such as the bike tour, for at least a six-month period, and it surprised the youth.
“I had to put in a lot of volunteer hours. I didn’t realize how many I had until I had to write them down.”
McDougald volunteered with 4-H, Communities in Bloom, Drumheller’s PeeWee football team the Terrapins, and in the kitchen at church camp last summer.
McDougald said he plans on next working toward the silver award.
Staff Sergeant Hopkins noted in his opening remarks that the youth receiving their bronze awards put in volunteering work over double the requirements of the program.
Hopkins thanked all the sponsors of the achievement program, saying it would not be possible without their support.
Chelseay Dawes, Program Manager for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award for Alberta and the Northwest Territories has high praise for ASSET Development Committee as the local project mentoring group.
“The entire community is behind the program - it’s absolutely amazing to see.”
She said Drumheller’s mentoring program is self-sustaining, whereby if they lose a member ASSET is able to support the change and have another member take over.
Dawes said previously the program was targeted mainly toward urban youth.
Three years ago, the RCMP selected Drumheller and Ft. McLeod as the pilot sites for the community youth challenge in rural communities.
Tuesday night’s awards were the second Bronze Award presentations held in Drumheller since its start here in 2011.
