A look at the 2015 nominees for the Pete Swensson Outstanding Community Youth Award.
The award is given to a Langley secondary student in recognition of their athletic, scholastic and community efforts.
Faith fuels Marieke De Vynck.
“A lot of it has to do with my (Christian) faith,” she said.
“I believe because of what Jesus did for me, I should serve others.”
The Langley Christian Grade 12 student has played soccer since she was five and volleyball since she was 11, and last year, she won her school’s Lightning senior athlete award.
She also excels in the classroom, earning honour roll status every year as well as winning the school’s math and science award and French award.
De Vynck has also spent the past two summers volunteering at Camp Qwanoes, doing the counsellor in training the first time and the leader in training program the second.
The camp experience was rewarding and challenging.
“It kind of took me out of my comfort zone and really taught me how to be a leader because I had to be an example for younger girls,” she explained.
“It taught me a lot about myself and about other people and how I can serve in different ways.”
De Vynck expects to attend either UBC or UVic next year and wants to study to become a doctor.
“I just want to do whatever I can to use those skills to help others,” she said.
