Kerala Hough Brendon has garnered the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award.
The 20-year-old Stoney Creek native is among 54 Canadian students who picked up the award at the gold level during a special ceremony on Sept. 15 at the Ismaili Centre in Toronto. She received the award from Gov. Gen. David Johnston.
"It was really inspiring to be surrounded by similar-minded young people like me who have all tirelessly worked towards the goal of completing the award's requirements," Brendon said. "It was also very exciting and an honour to receive the award from His Excellency, the Right Honourable David Johnston."
The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award encourages young people aged 14 to 24 to set and achieve goals, with an aim of helping to equip them for success in life.
The award recognizes participants' milestones at the bronze, silver and gold levels, with youth challenging themselves in four areas – community service, skill development, physical recreation and an adventurous journey. At the gold level, they also complete a residential project.
The program was founded by Prince Philip in 1956 and was established in Canada in 1963.
Brendon, who's a third-year McMaster University computer science student, was recognized for her community service in the university's psychology department, high school as a music council president and hockey as a coach, as well as with Battlefield House Museum and Park.
She also was recognized for her skill development on the keys, having achieved her Royal Conservatory of Music Grade 8 piano.
Brendon's physical recreation included hitting the court at the Stoney Creek Tennis Club and ice with the Stoney Creek Girls Hockey Association.
Her adventurous journey entailed going on a six-day, five-night group canoe trip through Algonquin Provincial Park, while her residential project included attending an inter-provincial music camp, where she played cello in the Symphonic Orchestra and met many other young musicians.
Brendon said she learned about the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award from a family friend.
"After doing some research, I realized all of the requirements were activities I was already participating in or was very much interested in pursuing," she said. "I decided to apply and challenge myself even more."
Brendon said the award program is important because it encourages young people to give back to their community and discover and diversify their interests, while also increasing their self-esteem and confidence.
"Many participants, including me, continue to volunteer and pursue interests they discovered during the award program," she said. "Through its various areas, young people learn the importance of community, hobbies, physical activity and adventure, and how to include them in their lives."
Brendon said she learned many things through the experience, including how to be independent and manage her time efficiently.
"I also learned how to be a leader and work as a team through playing sports, participating in the group canoe trip and being part of the orchestra," she said. "All of these skills have helped me in my current endeavours and will no doubt continue to help me in my future ones."
For more information on the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award and its requirements, visit dukeofed.org.
Kerala Hough Brendon has garnered the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award.
The 20-year-old Stoney Creek native is among 54 Canadian students who picked up the award at the gold level during a special ceremony on Sept. 15 at the Ismaili Centre in Toronto. She received the award from Gov. Gen. David Johnston.
"It was really inspiring to be surrounded by similar-minded young people like me who have all tirelessly worked towards the goal of completing the award's requirements," Brendon said. "It was also very exciting and an honour to receive the award from His Excellency, the Right Honourable David Johnston."
The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award encourages young people aged 14 to 24 to set and achieve goals, with an aim of helping to equip them for success in life.
The award recognizes participants' milestones at the bronze, silver and gold levels, with youth challenging themselves in four areas – community service, skill development, physical recreation and an adventurous journey. At the gold level, they also complete a residential project.
The program was founded by Prince Philip in 1956 and was established in Canada in 1963.
Brendon, who's a third-year McMaster University computer science student, was recognized for her community service in the university's psychology department, high school as a music council president and hockey as a coach, as well as with Battlefield House Museum and Park.
She also was recognized for her skill development on the keys, having achieved her Royal Conservatory of Music Grade 8 piano.
Brendon's physical recreation included hitting the court at the Stoney Creek Tennis Club and ice with the Stoney Creek Girls Hockey Association.
Her adventurous journey entailed going on a six-day, five-night group canoe trip through Algonquin Provincial Park, while her residential project included attending an inter-provincial music camp, where she played cello in the Symphonic Orchestra and met many other young musicians.
Brendon said she learned about the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award from a family friend.
"After doing some research, I realized all of the requirements were activities I was already participating in or was very much interested in pursuing," she said. "I decided to apply and challenge myself even more."
Brendon said the award program is important because it encourages young people to give back to their community and discover and diversify their interests, while also increasing their self-esteem and confidence.
"Many participants, including me, continue to volunteer and pursue interests they discovered during the award program," she said. "Through its various areas, young people learn the importance of community, hobbies, physical activity and adventure, and how to include them in their lives."
Brendon said she learned many things through the experience, including how to be independent and manage her time efficiently.
"I also learned how to be a leader and work as a team through playing sports, participating in the group canoe trip and being part of the orchestra," she said. "All of these skills have helped me in my current endeavours and will no doubt continue to help me in my future ones."
For more information on the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award and its requirements, visit dukeofed.org.
Kerala Hough Brendon has garnered the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award.
The 20-year-old Stoney Creek native is among 54 Canadian students who picked up the award at the gold level during a special ceremony on Sept. 15 at the Ismaili Centre in Toronto. She received the award from Gov. Gen. David Johnston.
"It was really inspiring to be surrounded by similar-minded young people like me who have all tirelessly worked towards the goal of completing the award's requirements," Brendon said. "It was also very exciting and an honour to receive the award from His Excellency, the Right Honourable David Johnston."
The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award encourages young people aged 14 to 24 to set and achieve goals, with an aim of helping to equip them for success in life.
The award recognizes participants' milestones at the bronze, silver and gold levels, with youth challenging themselves in four areas – community service, skill development, physical recreation and an adventurous journey. At the gold level, they also complete a residential project.
The program was founded by Prince Philip in 1956 and was established in Canada in 1963.
Brendon, who's a third-year McMaster University computer science student, was recognized for her community service in the university's psychology department, high school as a music council president and hockey as a coach, as well as with Battlefield House Museum and Park.
She also was recognized for her skill development on the keys, having achieved her Royal Conservatory of Music Grade 8 piano.
Brendon's physical recreation included hitting the court at the Stoney Creek Tennis Club and ice with the Stoney Creek Girls Hockey Association.
Her adventurous journey entailed going on a six-day, five-night group canoe trip through Algonquin Provincial Park, while her residential project included attending an inter-provincial music camp, where she played cello in the Symphonic Orchestra and met many other young musicians.
Brendon said she learned about the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award from a family friend.
"After doing some research, I realized all of the requirements were activities I was already participating in or was very much interested in pursuing," she said. "I decided to apply and challenge myself even more."
Brendon said the award program is important because it encourages young people to give back to their community and discover and diversify their interests, while also increasing their self-esteem and confidence.
"Many participants, including me, continue to volunteer and pursue interests they discovered during the award program," she said. "Through its various areas, young people learn the importance of community, hobbies, physical activity and adventure, and how to include them in their lives."
Brendon said she learned many things through the experience, including how to be independent and manage her time efficiently.
"I also learned how to be a leader and work as a team through playing sports, participating in the group canoe trip and being part of the orchestra," she said. "All of these skills have helped me in my current endeavours and will no doubt continue to help me in my future ones."
For more information on the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award and its requirements, visit dukeofed.org.