STUDENT OF THE MONTH
Atrip to Tanzania in her Grade 10 year as part of a school humanitarian project had a profound impact on Cassidy Lindsay. Before Africa, she had taken leadership classes, but did the minimum. After Africa, everything changed.
“We worked so hard over there, meeting kids who had nothing yet were the most loving and caring people I had ever met. When I got back, I wanted to help more," said the Rotary Student of the Month recipient for January.
Co-ordinating the 10,000 Tonight program — a community food drive that raised 17,500 food items this year — was a way to help. At the food bank, she helped bag items and was amazed by the number of older people giving their time. She found the experience very rewarding.
“I didn’t know I liked being involved until I did! I like to see the impact of my work — it really pays off!”.
Lindsay, now a Grade 12 student at Princess Margaret Secondary School, runs a variety of programs beyond her academic good work.
She started playing hockey in Grade 3 and loves her team, the excitement of the game, and as a full-body sport she gains good exercise while relieving stress. Her team captain, she likes to help her teammates, whenever she sees a need. She even keeps score and trains scorekeepers.
She runs the “Maggie Fit” program, providing healthy breakfasts every Thursday. She gets to decide what will be served, shops for ingredients, sets up and leads the group of volunteers to make it happen. It is now the place for community time for students and staff. She is quick to recognize that full credit goes to the many who help, but there is no doubt that she leads.
She also became involved with the one-day support campaign for the cancer society with fun activities at the school to raise money, from dunk tank, to chuckwagon races, to runs/races, and more.
“Students don’t realize, it’s just a couple of bucks to have fun, but at the end of the day, they have given a good amount to support the society’s needs.”
Her next project is to organize a leadership workshop for Grade 5 students of Columbia Primary School. She believes that it’s good to start young, to learn team-building and problem solving.
“Cassidy leads from her heart and supports others so they can lead to the best of their abilities. She is a role model, change maker and advocate. She is not afraid to dream big and take small steps to get there”, said Princess Margaret vice-principal Sandra Richardson.
Following in the footsteps of her teacher parents, it is no surprise Cassidy’s goal is to be an elementary teacher and she hopes to go to UVic to pursue her studies.
“Africa showed me that I liked to teach, and make an impact. We had to surmount so many obstacles while we were there — emotional, physical, mental — very draining having to face the sadness of the people’s lives yet they were thankful for everything we brought for them, and everything we were doing. We changed their life for the better.”
Lindsay realizes that wanting to help and make people happy is not always easy and comes with a price. When she feels stressed, drained of energy, she turns to her father, her best friend who has a way of calming her down.
Shortly after Cassidy started school, her Mom was diagnosed with cancer and lost her battle to the illness six years later.
“She is my inspiration”, said Cassidy. “She was strong, and had the biggest heart, she never gave up on anything or anybody. I am who I am because of her”.
Student of the Month is a Rotary Club of Penticton Okanagan initiative.