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8 - The Canadian Champion, Tuesday, November 7, 2000 e87Laurier Am. ~878-2881ilo ~Milton u i ýMi1ton sea cadet brothers earn distincto Baxter teens complete criteria for coveted Duke of Edinburgh award By LISA CARTWRIGHT The Champion Two years of hard work paid off October 14, when the Baxter brothers were award- ed the Duke of Edinburgh's silver award at Queen's Park. The award was presented to Milton residents Matthew and Adamu Baxter, both 17, alier they complesed four sections of the program - ser- vice, expedition, skills snd fitness. "Service, you volunteer in thse community, expedition you go outdoors and lesen different skills," said Pam Swartz, administrator coordi- nator for the Ontario Division of the Duke 0f Edinburgh Award prograru. "SkiIIs can be anything - Iearning comput- ers, ieaening an instrument, Iearning a language and physical fitness is obviosisly for health." Ms Swartz said the programn creates weil- rounded individuals. Self improvement la key And that is what the awards are ail about - helping youths become better people, she said. "It's not a competition as ail," Ms Swartz said about the awards. The onIy one a participant bas to compete againt is hiruseif. Participants are nos awarded based on a set criterion, but rather on their individual effort and their improvement over the course of the program, Ms Swartz said. And whiie nos everyone receives an award as thse end, each person cornes away a besser per- son. -I think it creases seif-reliance a'nd indepen- dence and heiping others," she said. Matthew and Adam ssid the prograru aiso encouraged themn to volunteer in the community and increase their level of physical fitness. Nos that thse brothers required heip in either category. The Grade 12 E.C. Deury students have been members; of the Milton Ses Cadets since they were 10. As members, they attend training progrsms. assist with community events and parsicipate in a number of physicai activîties. They're alan invoived with a number of sports atsachool incistding wrestiing, rugby and volley- bail. Both play the guitar and squeeze in time to work part-time - Adamu as a lifeguard as the Leisure Centre, and Matthew ai Pizza Hut. School is also important to the brothers. Adam said he wants t0 go to university and take humant kinetics. He then wsnts to get his seaching degree so he can teach physicai educa- tion. Matthew wants to go to college for music and either teach or perform. Both agreed the award wiii look great on their resumé. The brothers said they were happy with the award. "St's a nationaliy recognized award," Matthew said. Adam agreed: "It's a cool award. Nos a lot of people have it." Worid-wide programt The award program was started by Prince Phillip in 1956 and now operates in 60 coun- tries. Also known as the International Award for Young People, there are more than 2.5 mil- lion participants inciuding 100,000 Canadians. Ise program is open to youths 1410o 25. There are thee levels of thse award - bronze, silver and gold - escis with an increasing level of commitment. Participants have the option of either complet- ing each of the three leveis one as s lime, or going directiy into either silver or goid. The Baxter brothers decided 10 go directly into the silver award. They are now working toward the goid and mut compiete ail the crise- ris iii 18 months. The goid award is presented by a member of the Royal Family. Last Juiy, an awards ceremo- ny was heid in Montreai with Prince Edward and Princess Sophia presenting the awards. Recommend program Both Matthew and Adam recommend other youths participate in the program as it gives them someshing to do as weli as increasing community invoivement and physicai fitness. Lt. Shaun Weatherhesd of the Milton Sea Cadets said the brothers are tise first people in the core to have won the award. "It think its fabulous," Mr. Weatherhead said. Mr. Weatherhead said wiie he was there to guide the boys during tise program, they had to do the work themseives. "he two kids sctuaiiy went out and pursued it (the award). They were tise first two wiso strove to get it. The fn-st two that realiy made it a priority," he said. Photo by GRAHAM PAINE Matthew (left) and Adam Baxter proudly dispiay their Duke of Edlnburgh Silver Awards progra m criteria Yotaths 14 10 25 are invited to accept thse Dueo dnburgh c hallege. e Those wishing to participate in thse pro- gramn, mus contact tise Ontario division office before beginning. - Participants receive a recordi book, whieh dessuls wisat activities they must compiete for each eategosy. -Youdss can complete ail tisree leveis of thse prograre or go direetly into silver or gold. - Tisere. is a minimum age to begits each level. Ail Ilirce levels mus be completed b>' thse lime tse participant reaches 25. - Eacis level bas fou categoriea to cosopiete. Tise categories inGlude service, expeditiotta, skilis and physicai flunss. - Participanits can custonsize thse proggmmto fit it into liseir seisedttles. Yossths do not have 10 do tise program contissuousiy. but can break it up over severai years. "It's supposed to be enjoyabie," said Pans Swartz, Ontario division coordinator of thse Duke of Edinburgis Award. "It is supposed to incorpotate into s lifeatyle.? - Youtiss submit their record book to tise Ontario division office, where it's assessed for its individual metiL - Awarda are presessted at ceremonies tbrougsout thse year. For details cal] tise Ontario division office as (416) 203-2282, or email at duke@dukeofed.org. "'~1P~P~P~ IP~PNMVIILTON COGECO ±l4 w wwwucogecomca NORTH HALTON STUDIO 21- Main Street North, Acton, ON L7J 1IV9