REGINA - Estevan's Rebecca Duncan has always been involved with the community, and her volunteer efforts have recently been recognized at a higher level.
The Literacy Awards of Merit were held at Government House on May 11, hosted by Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan Russ Mirasty and his wife Donna Mirasty. Duncan became the recipient of the provincial Youth Volunteer Service Award for her time and efforts given to the Estevan Area Literacy Group over the years.
Duncan spoke with the Mercury after receiving the award.
"It was amazing there and especially hearing other people's stories, what's they've been doing around their communities to receive the other awards as well," Duncan shared.
Not only was Duncan recognized for years of her volunteer work, but the award was actually inspired by her work and dedication three years ago. Back then Duncan was nominated to be recognized, but the Saskatchewan Literacy Network didn't have a youth volunteer award.
"I didn't actually receive the award; they made the award that year. Before no one was nominated as a youth volunteer, no one younger or around my age was ever nominated. So, they made that award kind of in dedication to me," Duncan explained.
The new award inspired by Duncan's work is dedicated to young people under the age of 24 who have volunteered their time to support literacy in their community. Youth volunteers are recognized for being role models for other young people, and for influencing other young people to volunteer.
The Saskatchewan Literacy Network said that the creation of this award was inspired by the dedication of Duncan, who has volunteered since the age of 11, as a program volunteer to inspire and assist other children in literacy programs after participating in them herself.
While the award was created in 2019, it hasn't been handed out to anyone over the past two years due to the pandemic. And from now on, other Saskatchewan youth will be recognized on the annual basis for their volunteer work to promote literacy in their communities.
This year, Grace Caputo with the Estevan Area Literacy Group nominated Duncan, and she was the first one to be recognized province-wide by this award.
Duncan said volunteering came into her life very naturally.
"I thought I'd just help out around in the community. So, it started out in Nature Smarts with the Estevan Area Literacy Group. I started with that [as a participant], and I really liked the activities. And then I got a little bit older, and I was like, 'Maybe I'll let the little kids try it out for themselves, so I'll hop around a little bit.' And then I really enjoyed helping little kids and seeing them learn and come a long way, especially from where they started to where they are now," Duncan shared.
She is also involved in many other community activities and currently dedicates a lot of time to volunteering for synchronized swimming, umpiring girls' softball and playing softball.
Duncan is graduating this summer and plans to move to Saskatoon to attend the University of Saskatchewan in the field of kinesiology. She said she plans to continue volunteering throughout the summer and then hopes to find some new opportunities, as she's always enjoyed it.
