Thirty-eight young people in B.C. and the Yukon who have been volunteering, developing new skills, and travelling far and wide over the past year were recently awarded with the prestigious silver level of the .

The awards are given to 14- to 24-year-olds, recognizing four areas: community service, skill development, physical recreation, and adventurous journey.

This yearB次元官网网址檚 honours were handed out Lieutenant Governor Janet Austin on May 25 at Government House in Victoria.

So inspired by the Silver Achievers at todayB次元官网网址檚 Duke of Edinburgh Awards. A true honour to celebrate these young British Columbians for exploring their passions while giving back to their communities. Congrats to all recipients!

B次元官网网址� Janet Austin (@LGJanetAustin)

Jennifer Lee of Burnaby recalls hiking the Chilkoot Trail in Yukon.

B次元官网网址淥ne of my proudest moments was standing on the summit of the Chilkoot Pass,B次元官网网址� Lee said. She remembered standing on the edge of the Canadian mountain range thinking, B次元官网网址淲ow, IB次元官网网址檝e come this far and I can see this huge expanse of wilderness in front of me.B次元官网网址�

The Duke of Edinburgh Award has encouraged Lee to continue trying new things and explore.

B次元官网网址淢y next big plan is to canoe the Yukon River and continue to be a better Canadian.B次元官网网址�

Kevin Javanmardi biked from Victoria to Sooke on the Galloping Goose Trail, which he described as a challenging task pushing his limits.

Despite the rain, he recalled making noodles with his father on a hot fire and looked to his older brother for inspiration on completing the trip.

B次元官网网址淚 kept in my mind that my brother did the same thing and I should be able to do it as well,B次元官网网址� he said.

Isabella Gonzalez Kaminski has been pursuing the award through high school, focusing on sustainability practises including recycling, working on awareness of invasive plant species in Greater Victoria, and playing on her senior basketball team.

She described the achievers as driven and B次元官网网址渄oing something bigger than themselves.B次元官网网址�

More than 15,000 youth participate in the program in B.C. and the Yukon, mentored by almost 1,000 volunteers through schools, community centres, and youth groups. ThereB次元官网网址檚 a special focus on low-income youth, youth with disabilities, Indigenous youth, new immigrant youth, and rural youth seeking new skills, adventures and challenges.

B次元官网网址淭hese young people accepted this challenge for the intrinsic value of achievement and we honour their leadership. They are the leaders of today, and tomorrow,B次元官网网址� said Sushil Saini, executive director of the award organizationB次元官网网址檚 B.C. and Yukon division.

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