The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Jonathon Naylor Editor Young people often get a bum rap, but Melissa Wasylciw is proof they should not all be painted with the same brush. The Hapnot Collegiate senior is this year's winner of the Healthy Youth Role Model Award sponsored in part by CADAC and the Community Youth Resource Centre. 'I was shocked by winning this award and I'm glad that I got it for all my hard work that I've done,' said Wasylciw, 18, after accepting the honour Wednesday morning. Wasylciw met all the criteria, and then some, for the award, starting with the fact that she proudly leads a drug- and alcohol-free lifestyle. That is of course not always easy for young people, who are often exposed to intoxicants and peer pressure while coming of age. But for Wasylciw, it's not a big deal. 'I can do it. It's not hard as long as you keep positive,' she said. Beyond her healthy lifestyle decisions, Wasylciw is heavily involved both in her community and school. She is well known for her avid work with the Flin Flon Lions Club, with whom she serves as an honourary member. She also volunteers with the elderly and Meals on Wheels, among others. 'I just like to lend a helping hand,' said the modest Grade 12 student. Tiffany Ealey of CADAC said Wasylciw stood out among the nine young people in the Flin Flon area nominated for the award. 'In addition to our (nomination) form that gets filled out, there were two extra pages of paper of Melissa's accomplishments, her volunteer work, the things that she's involved in in the school and in the community,' she said. 'Basically the application spoke for itself.' Wasylciw's award consists of a personalized plaque, a $50 cheque and a box of gifts that includes a board game, t-shirts and a retail gift card. Hapnot will for the next year house a traveling plaque that lists Wasylciw as well as previous winners dating back to the award's inception in 2002. Ealey feels that it is important to celebrate young people who serve as positive role models. 'Not easy' 'It's not always easy to make the safe and healthy choices,' she said. 'Lots of times you're going against what (is) popular or the majority of your peers, and we want to recognize those that are making the choices for a healthy future and a healthy life.' The presentation of the award coincided with National Addictions Awareness Week, which continues today with a free swim at the Aqua Centre from 6:30-8 p.m. and 'student ticket night' at the Bomber game. Tomorrow's wind-up will be held at the Youth Centre in Denare Beach, where families are invited to play games together from 7-9 p.m. Other than CADAC and Flin Flon's Youth Centre, which now operates out of the Friendship Centre, the award is sponsored by the local National Addictions Awareness Week and FASD committees. As for Wasylciw, who will graduate from Hapnot in June, she is looking at going to school to become a welder. No matter her career choice, you can bet her dedication to her community will continue.
