Premier Darrell Dexter presented over a dozen Nova Scotians with Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee medals at the NSCC Waterfront Campus last Friday in recognition of their contribution to the province.
Nikolas Harris, a recent grad from Cole Harbour High was recognized for his volunteerism, including his work on the Base Y Generation Project, a community-based youth support centre for homeless and abused youth.
“It was a great honour,” Harris said. “I can’t even describe it. When I got the phone call, I just thought I was nominated for it and I actually had to ask if I had received the reward, and then I had my moment of freaking out.”
Harris said he was glad to see several other young people also receiving medals at the ceremony, adding that youth do more great things for the community than most people realize.
Marrisa West, another young winner and a fellow grad of Cole Harbour High, said it’s important for other youth to see that they can be involved.
"No matter how old you are you can still have a part,” said West, who is a co-founder of the Cav Awareness Youth Action Group, a humanitarian organization that raises awareness and funds for local and international causes. “I feel like volunteering has enriched my life and made me a better person.”
The medals are also in commemoration of Queen Elizabeth II’s 60th year on the throne. Dexter said the Queen embodies service and should be acknowledged for that.
“The Queen is a person who is noble in the very best sense of that word, in terms of giving of herself for 60 years to the people of the commonwealth,” said Dexter. “This celebration of her service is a chance to recognize the service of others, all of the recipients here are remarkably worthy.”
Dexter also said that Canada should maintain its ties to the British Crown.
“I have always believe that our collective society is big enough to accommodate the values and traditions of our parents and the aspirations of our young people,” he said. “They are not mutually exclusive.”
Hundreds of Nova Scotians will be given the Diamond Jubilee in honour of their service throughout the year.
Sixty thousand will be given all over Canada.
The Medal Recipients:
Mr. Rickey Wayne Clark (Cole Harbour)
Mr. Zachary Comeau (Dartmouth)
Ms. Agnes Elms (Cole Harbour)
Mr. Robert William Evans (East Lawrencetown)
Rev. Dr. Morley Allen Gibson (Dartmouth, formerly of Chester)
Ms. Hazel Lucretia Joyce (Eastern Passage)
Mr. Sidney Frank Lewin (Dartmouth)
Ms. Jessica McGrath (Dartmouth)
Mr. Nikolas Harris (Dartmouth)
Ms. Emma Jane Parker (Upper Musquodoboit)
Ms. Donna Colleen Sameoto (Dartmouth)
Ms. Aleena Shaukat (Dartmouth)
Mr. William Frederick Stratton (Cole Harbour)
Ms. Marissa West (Dartmouth)
