A South Delta teenager was the youngest of 32 people recognized by the provincial government last week.
Ladner's Morgan Leung, who is in Grade 12 at Southpointe Academy, was among those honoured at the 11th annual British Columbia Community Achievement Awards ceremony.
Leung was recognized for her dedication to helping others. She is a top youth fundraiser for the B.C. and Yukon Heart and Stroke Foundation, a volunteer student ballet teacher, an active school leader in developing programs such as We Scare Hunger and an advocate for Me to We and Free the Children.
In 2012, she spoke at We Day, taking to the stage at Rogers Arena to share her message of community involvement with thousands of students from around the Lower Mainland. Other guests that year included Archbishop Desmond Tutu, basketball legend Magic Johnson and Justice Sinclair, chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and Manitoba's first aboriginal judge.
Leung started the Bracelets for Baby Food campaign back in 2011. Selling handmade woven bracelets for $1, she used the money to buy 1,000 jars of baby food for the local food bank.
"Ladner's Morgan Leung was the youngest award recipient, yet she has already left a remarkable mark in our community with her student leadership, fundraising and volunteer contributions to great community organizations here in South Delta and with the needy in the Downtown Eastside," said Delta South MLA Vicki Huntington, who was on hand for the award presentations at Government House in Victoria. "She is a fantastic role model for us all."
Leung is the first second-generation winner of the award. Her mother Kimberley Arthur-Leung, a long-time local lawyer who was appointed a provincial court judge in 2008, received the award in 2004.
Leung is planning on attending the University of Ottawa in September where she will focus on peace and conflict studies as well as human rights.
She has received $21,000 is scholarships and is the recipient of the University of Toronto National Book Award, which is awarded annually to a Canadian student who has a high academic average and strong community values.
Leung wasn't the only local award recipient. Ladner's Jason Min was honoured for his contributions to pharmacy practice and education in B.C. Min, along with fellow award recipient Larry Leung of Burnaby, founded Clinicare Pharmacists.
The recent UBC graduates created the non-dispensing pharmacy that provides enhanced patient-centered care through collaborative work with physicians, nurses and other health professionals.
Min and Larry Leung have already successfully incorporated this model in several aboriginal communities where access to pharmacies is limited.
"Morgan Leung and Jason Min deserve to be recognized for their dedication to their fellow community members and to the wider community as a whole," said Delta North MLA Scott Hamilton. "Their volunteer service has made Delta a better place to live."
