Five youth awarded bronze Duke of Edinburgh level

Five students from Queens County have reached the first level of the prestigious Duke of Edinburgh awards.

Jordyn Duffney, Ellen Raddall, Georgia Williams, Keegan Oickle and Ella Stevens all received their bronze level of the Duke of Edinburgh awards on Dec. 6, in front of a crowd of proud parents and friends.

The awards combine volunteer work, physical activity, skill development and adventure journey, and is guided by mentors from the community.

Troy Smith, the local leader of the Duke of Edinburgh program in Queens, said the it challenges each of the youth in different ways.

“An aspect of the youth program that is fantastic. It has parts that will challenge all youth,” says Smith.

All the students said they would work towards their silver level.

The program is sponsored through the Region of Queens, the first time the Duke of Edinburgh program has been sponsored through a municipality in Nova Scotia. Normally the program is done through the school or youth program, however the youth must be a part of the school or program to sign up. By running it through the municipality, Smith says it opens up the program to anyone of age in the county.

Ellen Raddall,Jordyn Duffney, Keegan Oickle, Georgia Williams, and Ella Stevens all received their bronze level of the Duke of Edinburgh awards on Dec. 6.