Sierra Gustafson, 17, and in Grade 12 at Aldergrove Secondary, was one of the Swensson Award nominees for her community service. When Sierra began high school four years ago, she joined every club she could.
“I was really excited to get out there and participate,” she explained.
And she found her way with student leadership, now serving as student council president.
“I think it is a really powerful way for students to have their voice heard. I think it is really good practice for being out in the real world,” she said.
“I believe it teaches you self confidence, public speaking, goal setting, how to organize people into a group, and I think that is one of the most important things that student leadership sort of shows you, how to get people to work together even if they may not get along well.”
“And I also think it is really important for people to realize that they have a voice, sort of a stand in their education.”
She has won several outstanding student awards for her academics and a district leadership award in her Grade 11 year.
Athletically, Gustafson plays both club and school soccer, as well as on the Aldergrove rugby and volleyball teams, earning hardest worker and most inspirational awards along the way.
She plans on attending university after high school, perhaps to Simon Fraser University, and hopes to study social sciences with an eye on either a career in law or social work.