‘Honoured and proud’
Charlottetown teen Lacey Koughan set to receive Young Humanitarian Award
Teen Lacey Koughan is her own boss.
She has been for a couple years, and plans to be for her entire career.
“I have always known that I was going to be doing my own thing,’’ says the 18-year-old Charlottetown resident.
“I’ve tried working for a lot of different people, like normal teenage jobs, but I always quit… I just want to be doing it my own way.’’
The young entrepreneur has already displayed plenty of business savvy.
Koughan drew on 13 years of dancing — she started when she was three — to open a school called 24 dancepei at the age of 16.
She was the youngest person to work out of the Start-Up Zone, which supports entrepreneurs in the early stages of their business.
She has since closed the school, but is still giving private dance lessons, as she focuses on a new pursuit called 24STRONG, a program to inspire girls and young women through channels including group discussions, yoga, meditation, mentorship and videos.
Koughan wants to encourage teens to be authentic and confident through programs that are relatable and honest.
“I really just want to grow 24STRONG as big as I can because it is just an extension of myself,’’ she says.
“I do want to do it forever. I am so passionate about it.’’
She is also set on writing an inspirational book based the strife and success of her young life.
“I feel like the things I’ve done and the experiences I’ve had are really worth sharing,’’ she says.
Her life to date, which includes dedicated community work, has certainly garnered attention.
The Canadian Red Cross will honour her with the Young Humanitarian Award tonight at the P.E.I. Convention Centre, where The Humanitarian Award will be presented posthumously to the late Tom DeBlois, who was widely respected as a leader in the P.E.I. food industry and for his dedication volunteering with a host of charitable organizations and causes.
“Lacey Koughan is determined to create change and help others, especially girls and young women needing a support network where they can safely share experiences, aspirations and talk about life’s challenges,’’ the Red Cross says in a statement.
Koughan says the award is humbling.
“Happy is the word,’’ she adds. “I feel very honoured and proud of myself for sure.’’