Two Holy Trinity Academy students have been recognized for their contribution to the community.
Katrina Elliott, who graduated in June, and Allison Hill, who just completed Grade 10, were recipients of Leaders of Tomorrow high school awards, given by the Town of Okotoks and the Okotoks Rotary Club, for their respective volunteer efforts.
Elliott, who is planning to attend Carleton University in the fall to earn a degree in immigration law and eventually work her way into politics, said the recognition was a “huge honour and a super lovely gesture."
“I never thought I’d receive an award for simply doing the right thing,” she said. “Helping others and those less fortunate than myself is never something I expected to be praised for on this kind of scale but it feels super good and really cements that people appreciate the kind of work I am doing.”
Elliott was nominated by HTA’s career practitioner, Michelle Sande, for her work with Feed the Hungry, the Mustard Seed, Rowan House Emergency Shelter, Inn from the Cold, Magic of Christmas, St. James Parish, the Town of Okotoks, and the school’s St. Vincent de Paul committee, in addition to other non-profit organizations..
“Basically if there is an event that needs bodies in the community I have tried to make myself available as best I can,” said Elliott.
What she loves about volunteering isn’t specifically the non-profit groups or activities she has been part of, but the people she has the opportunity to meet and interact with while in the community.
She said it’s impossible to choose a favourite group to work with as each organization and event provides a new experience, but Feed the Hungry is one she always looks forward to.
“It’s because of the stories and conversations I’m able to have with the individuals who come in for a meal or a warm drink that I don’t think I’d be able to have elsewhere,” said Elliott.
Many influences have driven her passion for volunteering, including her time at HTA, where she said one of the most valuable lessons she learned was the importance of giving back – it’s even part of the school’s graduation requirements, with students acquiring a minimum of 30 service hours prior to getting their school diploma.
Elliott took the messaging to heart and decided the best way to improve and challenge herself was to offer her services to those in need.
Volunteering isn’t always pretty – it can be difficult and painful to see those who suffer from homelessness or illness, but she said it’s worthwhile to know she’s making a difference in their lives. Elliott said her time with different organizations and projects has impacted her life and changed her outlook.
“I think for young people especially it forces us to remove those rose-coloured glasses of privilege and re-evaluate if we are really doing the best we can with the resources we have,” said Elliott. “My experiences have inspired me to think bigger and try to help out on a scale much larger than I can now.”
For Hill, the recognition came as a shock.
“I’m honoured,” she said. “I didn’t think this would happen.”
Hill has spent the past three years volunteering at the Okotoks Recreation Centre with the aquatics department, assisting lifeguards with children’s swimming lessons. In addition, she has spent countless hours volunteering with her church – Southview Alliance in the Walden neighbourhood of Calgary – in various capacities, such as leading summer camps.
Her time with young swimmers is her favourite.
“I think it’s really valuable to help teach people how to swim,” said Hill. “I enjoy passing on the skills I’ve learned to the kids.
“It’s really nice to be able to teach kids how to swim and to give back to my community in that way.”
Hill was nominated by aquatics senior Jennifer Bruch, who said the high school student was a welcome addition to the team and an asset to the organization, and someone she hoped would become a staff member one day because of her valuable contributions.
Turning her volunteer work into a job was part of the plan for Hill, who could have started her lifeguard training when she turned 16 in May but COVID-19 has delayed the process. Her volunteering started three years ago because Hill had already completed the courses necessary to reach the lifeguarding stage but needed to wait until she hit the minimum age.
“I wanted to be in the water and keep myself familiar with how the pool works,” said Hill. “I only expected to be doing it for a short time, but after doing it I realized I actually really enjoyed helping the community and being in that kind of environment, even though I wasn’t technically working there.”
Her main task is to help instructors with children who may be shy, difficult, or struggling in the pool, which helps take the burden off lifeguards as they teach a class.
Volunteering has given Hill a sense of responsibility and insight into what it may be like to have a “real job.”
“For me personally, it’s taught me a lot more about responsibility and a lot more about what I want to do later in life,” she said, adding she’s torn between taking her skill into either physiotherapy or marine studies.
“It makes me feel really good going and teaching the children those skills that they need.”
Krista Conrad, OkotoksToday.ca
COVID-19 UPDATE: Follow our COVID-19 special section for the latest local and national news on the coronavirus pandemic, as well as resources, FAQs and more.
