Teen recognized for his community involvement
Shannon LeClair
Times Reporter
Making a difference in his community is one of 17-year-old Strathmore High School student Jonah Zankl’s favourite things. On Jan. 21 Zankl joined the ranks of a few select Canadians, many of whom are a great deal older than him, as a Queens Diamond Jubilee Award winner.
“It was definitely a shock when I opened up the letter,” said Zankl.
He originally thought the letter had something to do with diploma exams but quickly realized it was something bigger when he saw the stationery the letter was printed on.
“I was shocked, and then it was just the honour that comes with getting that, it was unbelievable. I was the youngest by far, probably by a good couple decades, so I mean even just to be considered for it is so spectacular,” said Zankl.
“My parents were just overjoyed, it’s not something you could ever expect so I think it was just a shock to us.”
Strathmore-Brooks MLA Jason Hale wishes there were more medals to be awarded because he could have given hundreds of them out. When he had been told to select someone for the award he went with the recommendation of finding a deserving youth.
“I reached out to the councillors and Dwight Stanford and I just said I am looking for a youth to nominate for a Diamond Jubilee Medal and (I’m) looking for suggestions. He (Jonah) came very, very highly recommended for the work he’s done in town,” said Hale.
“If it wasn’t for volunteers our communities wouldn’t be half as good as they are.”
Volunteerism and community involvement are two of Zankl’s favourite hobbies. For the past five years he has been doing his part to make Strathmore a better place for everyone.
“I do it because I love it. It’s fun to get involved and to see the result in the end. That’s kind of the reward that I like, I don’t need the gratitude I do it because it’s cool to see the results,” said Zankl.
“I don’t think I could ever stop doing it…it’s my hobby, it’s what I enjoy doing, it’s what I fill my spare time with. I would rather be out doing something in the community then sitting at home bored.”
Zankl works with the Leo Club and the Strathmore Theatre Players. This year at school as part of the Student Leadership Council he helped organize the biggest food drive the school has ever seen. He is also a member of the Strathmore Assembly for Youth, and plans to begin training again soon for his second tour with the Ride to Conquer Cancer held in June.
Zankl may soon be leaving for college; he will either be going to Ottawa for Financial Mathematics and Economics or to Calgary for Actuarial Science. He doesn’t have a plan on what the end game will look like for him but said for now he plans to start here and see where that takes him.