Duke of Edinburgh Award
By: Alessia P., Student
Reporter
Cathlin Sullivan, Duke of Ed Award Officer, addresses
Loretto Abbey Duke of Ed participants
Are you interested in learning new skills, volunteering, and
exercising? If the answer is yes, then you should consider joining the Duke of
Edinburgh’s Award. This is a global program that
aims to challenge, empower, and recognize young people between the ages of 14
and 24.
“The Duke of Edinburgh’s
Award is a great way to grow as a well-rounded student by doing extracurricular
activities, physical recreation, learning new skills, and also going on an
adventurous journey,” said Ariel Corsano, a Grade 12 student and Duke of
Edinburgh Silver Award recipient.
This program has three levels (Bronze, Silver, and Gold)
allowing participants to have the continued opportunity to develop skills
throughout their lives. The award helps students challenge themselves, channel
their motivations, and realizee their goals.
“The Duke of Edinburgh's Award is a really great way of getting
active, helping out in your community, and learning new skills,” said Hilary
Bassi, a grade 10 student currently pursing her Bronze Award.
So what is the difference between each Award level? For the
most part, each level has similar requirements, but the time commitment for
each award is increased the farther you go in the program with Bronze taking 26
weeks, Silver 26 (if you have already completed Bronze), and Gold lasts 56
weeks (if you have earned the Silver Award).
In addition, the Gold Award requires a longer adventurous journey and a
residential project. If you earn your Gold Award, you will be invited to a
special Gala where a member of the Royal Family will present you with the
Award. At this year’s Gala, Prince Henry personally gave out the Awards.
“The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is a fun and engaging program
where I get to complete my volunteer hours,” said Kathleen Britton, a Grade 9
student, who is currently completing her Bronze Award requirements and is quite
happy with how the Award is helping her.
According to Sophie Harriman and Lily Downing-Saliani, two
Grade 11 students working on their Silver Awards, this program not only helps
to recognize activities students are doing outside of school, but also helps
them to maintain commitments to these passions.
The mission of the program is to give youth a non-competitive
environment that builds self-confidence and awareness of social issues to
become active citizens and make positive changes in their communities. The Duke
of Edinburgh program is definitely accomplishing its mission at Loretto Abbey.
For more information about the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award visit https://www.dukeofed.org