Cape Bretoner recognized

Taylor Linders receives Duke of Edinburgh award

One Cape Bretoner was honoured Thursday afternoon in Halifax as part of the Duke of Edinburgh’s award ceremony at Government House.

Taylor Linders of Sydney was one of 18 young people to be presented with the Duke of Edinburgh’s silver certificate of achievement by Lt.-Gov. J.J. Grant

The award is designed to encourage young people, ages 14-24, to develop into responsible adults who will continue to learn new skills, stay healthy and contribute to their community.

“This award exemplifies and rewards those who are engaged in building their character, who contribute to their communities in meaningful ways and who practice good citizenship,” said Connie Miller, the Nova Scotia executive director of the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award.

Linders and the other recipients followed a non-competitive and self-directed program that challenged them in four areas — physical fitness, community service, skill development and outdoor expeditions.

Over a collective six-to-12-month period, the 18 young people involved volunteered 1,221 hours of community service to the province.

Miller said she’s proud of what Linders and the group of 18 silver award achievers have accomplished.

“It’s not hard to imagine the significant contributions these young people have made and will continue to make to Nova Scotia because of their participation in the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award.”

Linders and the other award winners join more than eight million youth from 143 countries throughout the world that have participated in the program.

Also at the ceremony, four adult volunteers were honoured for their years of service to the award in Nova Scotia. Stephanie Jackson and Bruce Jarvis received silver service awards and Heather Aucoin and Liz Punshon received gold service awards.