“The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few, or the one.”
These words were once made famous by fictional character Mr. Spock from the original Star Trek series and movies.
But the message represents a real-life philosophy that is followed by selfless individuals such as the River Valley School student recently named a recipient of the Sovereign's Medal for Volunteers, which recognizes the exceptional volunteer achievements of Canadians from across the country in a wide range of fields.
“I like helping people,” said Taya Young, a Grade 6 student who has been involved in the school's Me to We Club since she was in Grade 2. People might be surprised by how much better it feels to make an effort to help someone other than themselves, she said.
“It's kind of the whole focus of our group — not to think just about ‘me' but to think about ‘we',” said Tanya Braybrook, vice-principal, who nominated Young.
The Me to We Club is a social justice program open to students between grades 2 and 8. Among the activities its members get involved with are the We Scare Hunger campaign, candy cane gram sales that support the annul Sundre Santa's Anonymous program, as well as raising funds and awareness, said Braybrook.
“We have guest speakers come in and share stories of being immigrants or newcomers to Canada.”
Young told the Round Up during an interview in a conference room at the school's office that she initially got involved with Me to We following a close friend's glowing recommendation of the club.
“Jordyn (Roberts, Grade 6) went the first time and she told me how cool it was, so I came and joined,” she said.
One of her favourite projects to be involved with is the annual and currently running Christmas shoebox program. Young said she finds joy in preparing gift packages for less fortunate children.
“I send most of mine in with the church,” the 11-year-old said, adding she is also involved with many activities at the Garrington Community Church. Her Pastor, Ed Peters, was one of the references who supported the student's nomination.
Volunteers are not always readily available, and Young encourages anyone with a penchant for providing assistance to consider getting more involved in his or her community.
“If they like helping out then they might want to join” a club or organization such as Me to We, she said.
When she has time to herself, Young said she enjoys horseback riding, reading a good mystery novel as well as drawing. She lives east of Sundre on a family farm with her parents Lindsay and Dale as well as her younger brother Daxton, who is in Grade 3.
The soft-spoken student was one of 10 Albertans to be presented with the award at an event called Evening of Inspiration, which was held on Oct. 25 at Chinook Centre in Calgary. The function was hosted by a Canada-wide organization called Free the Children — a partner with Me to We, said Braybrook.
“We do local and global projects,” she said.
As far as the vice-principal was aware, there has never before been a River Valley School student named among the recipients of the Sovereign's Medal for Volunteers.
“We're really proud of her efforts, and we're excited to see what impact she continues to make not only in our community but also around the world.”
