Student finds time to wear many hats
Maria Canton
Northern News Services
Inuvik (May 04/01) - Kristine McLeod is one outstanding volunteer.
It's a fact that was recognized at last week's NWT Outstanding Volunteer Awards ceremony in Inuvik.
The modest McLeod said doesn't know what she did to deserve the High Five Youth Award, presented to "an NWT young person to recognize outstanding youth volunteer service."
Perhaps it's her role as the Mackenzie Delta regional youth representative for the territory or the seat she holds as the youth representative on Inuvik Town Council.
Or maybe it's her work as the youth representative for the Aboriginal Sports Circle of the Western Arctic or that she is the vice-president of the Samuel Hearne graduation committee.
Not too mention the countless other groups and organizations she has held seats on and given her time to when she was just getting her feet wet in the world of volunteering a couple of years ago.
"I got started volunteering a couple of years ago and one thing got me involved with others," said the Grade 12 student during a rare moment of down time after school on Monday.
"I started getting to travel a lot and meeting people and that all led to getting on other boards. I just kept getting faxes asking me to do things and elected to boards."
As a youth representative, all of McLeod's work takes careful consideration as to the needs of youth in her region and in her community. She has to speak and act on behalf of everyone, not an easy task to master.
"On town council I don't get an actual vote, but I get to give my opinion on issues. There aren't many youth issues before council right now, but when there are, I have a say," she said.
"Being on all of these boards has opened my eyes to what I want to do after graduation."
The 17-year-old, who is set to complete high school this spring, has been accepted to two of western Canada's top universities -- the University of Alberta and the University of Calgary.
"I think I will study (liberal) arts first and go onto business and later law school," said McLeod. "Right now I am mostly interested in politics."
And that's not all. While wearing many hats in her community and being a successful student, McLeod still manages to find time to play soccer, work at her mom's store and hang out with her friends.
"This summer I'll also be working a lot to save for university," she said. It's all in a day's work for McLeod.
