You may have seen Outlook鈥檚 newest recipient of the Youth of the Year award on TV a couple of times.
That鈥檚 because Chastan Sim, a 17-year old Grade 12 student at LCBI, holds the province鈥檚 annual 20-hour TV telethon known as Telemiracle near and dear to his heart, and he鈥檚 performed onstage at the yearly event in addition to fundraising for it.
鈥淢y first time was much more personal and face-to-face as I went out to events and sang, such as singing to a crowd of people at the Kinsmen鈥檚 poor man鈥檚 lunch,鈥� said Chastan, sitting down with The Outlook during his lunch hour at school.聽 鈥淭his year, I took more of an online approach such as Facebook and other social media, and I was also putting posters up around town.聽 My mom was also a big contributor to helping get the word out.聽 I also did a 鈥楽erenade for Miracles鈥� campaign for Valentine鈥檚 Day, where I went around and sang to people who requested it.鈥�
Originally born in the Swift Current area, Sim and his family moved to this community when he was nine years old, so perhaps his upbringing in the Outlook area has helped shape him into the respectful and mature young man he is today.
Chastan says being awarded as the newest Youth of the Year was nothing short of a shock to him when he was told the news, but noted that it has helped give him a better sense of community and an idea of where he stands in it.
鈥淚 was shocked, that鈥檚 the first thing that comes to mind,鈥� he said.聽 鈥淚 was definitely surprised and speechless; bewildered might be a better word.聽 I don鈥檛 really know how else to describe it.聽 It just feels really good to know that I鈥檝e helped the community in such a way that people have taken notice, and it鈥檚 good to know that I鈥檓 part of the community.鈥�
As a young student on the go, much of Sim鈥檚 time is spent in the halls and classrooms of his school, but his passion for singing and performing takes him out into the community to share his talent with others.
鈥淚 spend a lot of my time at school here, and I鈥檓 in the middle of badminton right now,鈥� he said.聽 鈥淚n terms of volunteering, I go and sing to people who ask me to, and for example I sang at Luther Place for their Easter supper.聽 I also sing at the church and help out there from time to time, and other than that, I spend time with my friends and help out at the farm.鈥�
When it comes to giving himself and his time to volunteer efforts, events and organizations, Sim says he just likes to serve where he鈥檒l fit in.
鈥淚 just like to dedicate myself in helping people wherever I can and however I can,鈥� he said.聽 鈥淚t鈥檚 a reward on its own as I don鈥檛 expect anything in return, and it鈥檚 just good to know that I could be of service to people.
This being his last year of high school, Chastan is looking toward his future, and his professional goal still involves a classroom.
鈥淚鈥檝e been conditionally accepted into the College of Education at the U of S, so I鈥檓 pretty excited for that,鈥� he said.聽 鈥淚 want to be a senior math and science teacher, and maybe do something with music.鈥�
Having called Outlook and area home for almost a decade, Sim has grown up amongst the people who make up this community, and it鈥檚 them that he highlights as one of his favorite things about Outlook.
鈥淒efinitely the variety of people,鈥� he said.聽 鈥淭here are a lot of groups you can be a part of in the community, and there is a lot to do and a lot of people to talk to, and it鈥檚 friendly in that sense.鈥�
When asked how he would describe Outlook to someone looking to maybe call it home, Sim pointed to the variety of activity options and the strength of its people as major selling points.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a very nice place and a beautiful town,鈥� he said.聽 鈥淚t鈥檚 a good community with strong people to stand behind.聽 There are lots of sports and rec options, like the new swimming pool opening, which is going to be a great thing for this place.鈥�
Chastan Sim will be honored as the 2017 Youth of the Year along with the Citizen, Business and Group of the Year recipients at the Community Appreciation Awards banquet on Wednesday night, April 18 at the Outlook Civic Centre.
