Nov. 09, 2016
Maneet Kang, Grade 6 student at Monterey Park School
The Governor General of Canada has honoured Maneet Kang, a Grade 6 student at Monterey Park School, with the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers for her exemplary volunteer work. The medal recognizes the exceptional volunteer achievements of Canadians from across the country. It celebrates those individuals who have made a significant, sustained and unpaid contribution to their community, in Canada or aboard.
Maneet is a natural leader. This is clearly evident in the way she works with people, the way she communicates, and the way she lives her life.
When a difficult situation arises within a peer group, for example, Maneet is not only willing to stand up for what she believes is right, she is also able to effectively articulate her beliefs to her classmates. It is a skill she has honed, where she is able to grasp the elements of a dilemma, then offer solutions. Moreover, she is inclusive in her problem-solving, automatically including others to become part of the solution.
One could describe her as a confident and compassionate peace-maker.
Over the years, Maneet has and continues to demonstrate exemplary leadership in many areas of school life, such as:
- When she is a kind and engaged partner with her Grade 1 buddy during partner reading times;
- When she helps peer groups to work collaboratively;
- When she is a willing and responsible member of the school leadership team in all school-wide activities; and
- When she returns to the school in the evening to help parents navigate the new technology.
Her peers recognized her abilities when they nominated her for the school leadership group.
Maneet was nominated by her Grade 6 teacher, Mrs. Braaten. Students nominated had to typify exemplary volunteer initiative to better their local and global community. Ten awards were presented in Calgary and in total 80 were presented across Canada.
The award was presented on Oct. 25, 2016 at a WE volunteer appreciation evening before WE DAY on Oct. 26.
Congratulations Maneet and well done!
