 Saskatchewan Junior
Citizen of the Year
Saskatchewan Junior
Citizen of the Year 2008 Biographies
Rabiya Abdulkadir
Top...
Leader. Role
model. Zest for life. Rabiya displays grace in everything she does.
These
are a few of the words and phrases used to describe 18-year-old Rabiya Abdulkadir from Regina,
Saskatchewan.
Rabiya
is actively involved in school, community, and home. She is the first to volunteer for any task
that needs to be done. As president of the Student Leadership
Council in her school, she has planned
a variety of events including the Red Cross Blood Drive, Earth Week
Activities, and a Fashion show. She has volunteered at the Jingle Bell
Walk for Arthritis, and
participates each year in
the Cancer Society Relay for Life. Rabiya also voluntarily gathers
recyclable containers in the school, which in turn helps raise money
for
the school projects.
Along
with her parents and 7 siblings, Rabiya moved from Iraq
to Canada
as a child. Adjusting to anew
culture and learning a new language was difficult, but nothing challenged her
or her family more than the diagnosis of her brother?s brain
tumour. As he recovered from his
operation, Rabiya became a great
support to him, especially academically. The support still continues at home
where she regularly helps her parents by translating, assists her
siblings with their homework and works part-time to help support
the family. She also helps care for her
father who has several health concerns. Not once has she complained
about her duties.
In the
words of Rabiya?s principal: ?She displays grace and leadership in everything
she does and is a true role model for all our students and
people in the community. Her zest for life is contagious to students around
her.?
|
 |
Morgan Braun
Top...
At age 14, Morgan already has
shown more compassion than most people twice her age.
From Swift Current, Saskatchewan, Morgan is
not your typical teen who is driven by a need for materialistic possessions. She and her
family live in a temporary home until they can arrange for more
appropriate accommodation. This young
woman makes the best of the situation around her and strives
to improve the lives of others who are less fortunate.
For the last two Februarys,
Morgan has accompanied her parents to Vicente Guerrero, Mexico, to help build homes for families who live in poor
conditions. Even after experiencing the third world
realities of cold weather, minimal food, and accommodations that were far from ideal,
Morgan had a strong desire to return the following year. She even paid her own way by
getting a job at Tim Hortons, and is again putting money aside to return for a third time in February,
2009.
Morgan shoulders much
responsibility when it comes to helping out at home and never complains while performing
many household tasks. In the community, she is a peer-support worker at her school, saves
her money every year to purchase supplies and toys for a Christmas shoe box, is heavily involved with
volleyball and basketball, participates in various drama productions and assemblies,
volunteers in the nursery in her church,all while holding down a
part-time job and maintaining an above 85 per cent average.
In the words of her mother:
?She is a humble young lady who has a strong set of
morals and a desire to help
others, even if it means stepping out of her own comfort zone.?
For these reasons alone she is truly an inspiration.
|
 |
Justin Derkach
Top...
When life handed lemons to
Justin, he made lemonade!
Justin Derkach of Prince Albert has been
thrown many curve balls in life. Having never known his father and separated from his mother
when he was only 11, this young man spent many years of his life surrounded by
drugs and alcohol. He was even pressured to join a street gang, but
instead, he chose to make his life a success and make a difference in society.
In a speech Justin once gave
to his schoolmates and their parents, he said, ?During our lives we are faced with tough
decisions each and every day, some more important than others, but all must be
thought through to make the best choice.? Justin has done just that.For the past seven years,
Justin has been raised by is grandparents, both of whom are seniors.Through their guidance, along
with help from teachers and coaches, Justin has become an outstanding scholar and accomplished
athlete who excels in soccer, volleyball, basketball,badminton, and rugby. He was
part of Team Saskatchewan
at the national soccer event and was also named the male athlete of the year in
his school of 2100 students. Refereeing soccer to help with household expenses, Justin also
manages to maintain an average that is in the top 10 per cent of his class
of 600 students.
Justin has been faced
repeatedly with every opportunity to make the wrong decisions in his life. Despite that, he has
consistently made the right decisions. In the words of his nominator: ?Justin is a worthy young man of
modest means whose indomitable spirit and determination to succeed
against all odds makes him a deserving candidate for this award.?
We couldn?t agree more.
|
 |
Kyle Sokalski
Top...
Kyle is
an amazing 14-year-old young man from Regina,
Saskatchewan.
He has
been described as an exceptional citizen with a fighting spirit, and positive
attitude that has
become an inspiration to others.
Kyle is
active and dedicated to his school and community, despite being born with
Achronplasia, which
has limited the ability for his extremities to reach their full growth
potential. He has had to endure numerous bone-lengthening surgeries and
overcome tremendous physical hardships. Through it
all he has maintained an A average.
Kyle has
been involved with the Douglas Park Activity Council as a member of the
executive and a member of the Students Against Violence
Everywhere Team. He also volunteers in
his church and in the Santa
Maria Senior Citizens? Home. He looks at his physical limitations as a
challenge, not an
excuse, and he feels blessed. Kyle lives life to the fullest and faces
setbacks with and upbeat attitude and a smile.
In the
words of his nominator: ?Although he has been faced with numerous challenges in
his young life,
his positive attitude and inner strength have allowed these to become
opportunities for learning.?
|
 |
Junior Citizen of the
Year Archive
|
