Students recognized for service
Sharing a sense of surprise that their contributions had been recognized, four Concordia students were presented with the Youth Medal by Quebec’s Lieutenant Governor on May 7.
“It was nice to be appreciated for work which I thought no one had noticed, but I guess they did,” says Arndell LeBlanc.
A journalism student, LeBlanc was nominated for his work establishing a mobile clinic in Haiti from July to September 2010. LeBlanc also founded Concordia’s chapter of Journalists for Human Rights, an international organization dedicated to educating citizens around the world about their rights.
Presented by Lieutenant Governor Pierre Duchesne, the Youth Medal recognizes Quebecers under the age of 25 who have demonstrated self-sacrifice and have had a positive influence on their community and the province.
“It was an honour, especially to be associated with all the other winners. It was probably one of the most flattering things that has happened to me,” says Kevin McLeod, a recipient from the Political Science Department.
A dedicated volunteer, McLeod got involved with the Alternative Spring Break program in 2010 and created heritage videos for a town on Quebec’s Lower North Shore.
Before helping at Concordia, McLeod says he caught the volunteering bug with Katimavik. A national youth service program, Katimavik sends young Canadians throughout the country on intensive six-month volunteer service projects.
“Before Katimavik I didn’t know what I wanted to do, but after that I was inspired to keep volunteering across Canada,” says McLeod. “It was a turning point in my life.”
Teresa Seminara didn’t believe she had won the award until she held the announcement in her hands and saw the Lieutenant Governor’s seal.
“I remember the Lieutenant Governor thanking the recipients for what they had done and for what they will do in the future. It just makes me want to work harder,” says Seminara.
A student in the School of Community and Public Affairs, Seminara was given the award for her work with Humanitarian Affairs, both at Concordia and abroad.
Humanitarian Affairs is a club that provides students with first-hand learning opportunities in developing countries to aid with relief and building programs. Seminara will be travelling with 13 Concordia students to Thailand later this summer as part of the project.
“They mentioned my work with the water-bottle-free campus when I was on the stage,” says Laura Beach, an anthropology and human geography student who founded TAPthirst and worked as the Coordinator of Sustainable Concordia’s Ambassador program.
“But hilariously at the reception afterwards there were huge tables covered with plastic bottles of water. I decided to leave it be, but I think I’ll send them a sustainable event guide for next year.”
Related Links:
• Journalists for Human Rights
• Alternative spring Break
• Katimavik
• Humanitarian Affairs Concordia
• Sustainable Concordia Ambassadors
• Lieutenant Governor’s Youth Medal