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Leading by example

New program shines spotlight on Annapolis Valley youth

JASON MALLOY VALLEY JOURNAL-ADVERTISER jason.malloy@saltwire.com @JasonMa47772994

Annapolis Valley youth recently had a chance to share what leadership means to them. It was part of the Annapolis Valley Apple Blossom Festival’s Youth Leadership Spotlight. The program replaced the leadership competition that led to the crowning of Queen Annapolisa.

During the six-day festival, the youth, aged 17-23, had the opportunity for networking, mentorship, volunteering and public speaking. A draw will determine which youth receives a $500 education bursary or donation to a charity of their choice.

A new youth leadership program will be in place for the 90th festival in 2024.

“Their involvement in the festival is paramount in showcasing the amazing talent that we have in our community,” festival president Logan Morse said May 24.

Four of the five youth involved in the program gave speeches at the opening ceremonies. Charlotte Peng, a Wolfville resident studying biology at Acadia University, was unable to attend the opening ceremonies.

Here’s some of what the youth had to say.

Nyx Kucharski

Nyx Kucharski is a regional premier with the Nova Scotia Secondary School Students’ Association (NSSSA) — a student-led organization that held its annual conference earlier this month.

“It was this conference that confirmed for me the two most important aspects of being a leader — being a role model and building a community.”

One person told the 17-year-old from Bridgetown she was inspired to be more extroverted and another said they learned to stop judging others and be more open-minded.

“It was in hearing these heartfelt comments and confessions that I realized the true power of leading through being a role model. I had changed more than one person’s life for the better simply through being myself and modelling the behaviours I want to see in others,” Kucharski said, noting the important role NSSSA has played.

“I found myself, my purpose, who I want to be and my passion for leadership in that community and that is why involving myself in the Apple Blossom Festival this year was so important to me.”

Payton Tupper

Payton Tupper is going into her third year studying English literature at the University of New Brunswick.

“For someone who spends a lot of time studying words and their meanings, leadership is a term that I believe is the hardest to define,” the 19-year-old from Digby said. “Attempting to explore what a leader is, what qualities a good leader should have and the types of behaviours a leader should emulate is difficult to define in just a few sentences.”

She said leadership should be looked at as an individual journey and personal definition. Her leadership journey began in junior high school when she joined student council. She has also taught swimming lessons and coached youth soccer.

“Leaders are just as important in the spotlight as they are behind the scenes,” Tupper said. “The way you define leadership and your continuing journey to becoming leaders is uniquely yours.”

Emily Redmond

Emily Redmond said leaders are often considered the front person, like the lead actor in a musical.

“I disagree. I think that the leaders are the people in the back that aren’t seen, the people that help,” said the 17-year-old from Aylesford.

Redmond said she did what most teenagers would do when asked what leadership means to them.

“I jumped to Google,” she said. “I have been googling it for three days and I don’t think that helped at all.”

What she determined is a leader is not a single person.

“Leadership is made up of a group of people that all come together to make something incredible like this Apple Blossom (Festival),” Redmond said.

Redmond coaches gymnastics and is involved with many different clubs at West Kings District High School.

Leah Asbury

Leah Asbury is a Grade 10 student at Middleton Regional High School.

“I am attempting to make a difference,” said the 15-yearold from Middleton. “I am a boxer, a painter and a leader.”

Two years ago, Ashbury helped start a 2SLGBTQIA+ club at the school, providing a safe space for everyone to be who they are. Asbury said she has learned how to communicate and solve problems and find ways to advance projects when people initially tell her no.

“Leadership is being different and unique,” Asbury said. “I believe that being a leader isn’t being above everyone or having a big ego. It’s believing everyone is equal and allowed to have their own voice.”

Originally from Alberta, Asbury is proud to be of the Cree First Nation.

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2023-05-30T07:00:00.0000000Z

2023-05-30T07:00:00.0000000Z

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