Photos: DoE Participants Receive Gold Awards
Thirteen participants of the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award recently received their Gold Certificates and Pins from the Governor, with the organisers noting that “achieving the Gold Award is the culmination of countless hours of hard work and commitment.”
A spokesperson said, “On Wednesday 7th July, The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award, Bermuda, and Her Excellency the Governor, Ms Rena Lalgie, Patron of the Award, awarded thirteen young participants their Gold Certificates and Pins.
“The thirteen Gold Awardees completed their Gold Qualifying Journeys and Residential Projects in Bahamas and Cat Islands 2018, Lusaka Zambia 2019 and Castle Harbor Bermuda 2020/2021. These thirteen Gold Awardees have given over to 3,500 hours of community and activity hours in our community.
- Natalie Calderon – Tri-Holder
- Cree Dunn – Tri-Holder
- Linnea Kuruvilla – Tri Holder
- Genevieve Lau – Tri Holder
- Tommy Marshall – Tri Holder
- Ryley Mason – Tri Holder
- Hailey O’Donnell – Tri Holder and Emerging Leader
- Daniel Osset – Tri Holder
- Jaime Procter – Tri Holder
- Brianna Smith – Tri Holder, Award Leader/Assessor and Participant Representative on the Award Council
- Emma Stegmann – Tri Holder
- Robin Stempel – Tri Holder
- Kieran Swann – Direct Entrant
Programme Director of the Award, Karen Simmons, stated, “I am particularly pleased to be able to celebrate these young individuals who worked hard to complete the Gold Level of the Award during unprecedented times. These 13 Gold Awardees dug deep and invested in developing themselves toward their physical fitness, skill development, voluntary service in the community and a sense of true Adventure.
“We all know that over the past two years the world has been in a state of change and uncertainty and Bermuda was no exception. The National Award Office and Standards and Training Committee were diligent that it wanted to continue to afford the 2020 and then 2021 Gold cohort the opportunity to experience an overseas Adventurous Journey as we had done in 2018 and 2019.
.
“As an organization we quickly “pivoted” and found that we have the professional skill set to offer a comparable and challenging waterbased Gold Adventurous Journey and Residential Project right her in Bermuda through one of our Approved Activity Providers – USail Bermuda.
“In 2020 the Award piloted an Emerging Leader Development Programme [ELDP] with new Gold Award Holders to engage with participants at the Gold Level. Thanks to the support from the Bermuda Community Foundation, in 2021 we were able to launch the ELDP in full with 10 Gold Award participants.
“I would like to recognise Brianna Smith who successfully completed the programme and is now an Award Leader and Assessor. The ELDP provides various pathways for Gold Level participants and Alumni to develop their skills and knowledge to become the future leaders and ambassadors of the Award Programme in Bermuda.
“The development of passionate and experienced young leaders will ensure the Award continues to strengthen and grow as an organisation. The ELDP offers various areas for participants to develop and gain qualifications, such as, working with young participants as Award Leaders and Assessors, gaining Council and/or Board experience or helping in other areas such as fundraising and/or events, Alumni Recruitment or Standards and Training. This is accomplished by providing training and practical experiences, both locally and internationally.
“I would also like to highlight the new Gold Level Awardees as they transitioned through the Award levels offered here in Bermuda. The Award is designed to be progressive and challenging as you move from one level to the other. In this group of 13 participants:
- 12 are Tri-Holders [who earned their Bronze, Silver and Gold levels]
- 1 Direct Entrant – meaning they did not complete any other level before the Gold Level
- 1 – was elected to sit on the Award Council as the Participant Representative and has completed the ELDP
- 1 – Emerging Leader in Training to be an Award Leader for the Bronze Level
- Skill Development Hours – 1,038
- Voluntary Service Hours – 1,030
- Physical Recreation Hours – 1,414
“I have had the privilege of being a part of each of these young people’s lives in one way or another and I am honored to congratulate these inspirational young people who are #worldready.”
Chair of the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award, Jovanna Douglas, said, “On behalf of the Award Council, I would like to congratulate all the Gold Awardees. Achieving the Gold Award is the culmination of countless hours of hard work and commitment. The Gold Award recognises the efforts made over a lengthy period and Award recipients, their family, friends and supporters can and should be justifiably proud of their achievements. I know this experience will contribute greatly to their individual growth and future success.”
Jovanna Douglas concluded by saying, “We owe a huge debt of thanks to those individuals that volunteer their time and commitment in Bermuda to deliver the Award. Without the countless hours of time devoted by our Award volunteers/assessors and staff, we would not be able to celebrate these achievements today. As with the Award’s volunteers, we must also thank all those that support the Award financially. In particular, a grateful thanks to the Award’s Gold Award Donor Partners: The Centennial Foundation, The Bermuda Community Foundation and AXAXL Foundation for their support and generous donations.”
If you are interested in getting involved in the programme or would like to donate, please email fiona@theaward.bm or call 737-8959.
Click to enlarge photos:
