Lampman's Danielle Fleury calls the road to gold achiever status and royal recognition "a 10-year adventure."
Fleury, 28, completed the demanding Duke of Edinburgh's Award program as a 14-year-old and finished it when she was 24. Founded by HRH Prince Philip, the personal development program challenges youth ages 14-25 to work their way through Bronze, Silver and Gold Levels, setting and achieving goals in four areas: Community Service, Physical Recreation, Skill Development and Adventurous Journey. In addition, in order to achieve Gold Award status, participants must complete a residential project without their regular peer group(s) over five consecutive days.
Fleury was one of 24 Saskatchewan Duke of Edinburgh's Gold Award Achievers who received her award from HRH Prince Edward, the Earl of Wessex, in Regina on Sept. 18. Accompanied by her husband, Brian, and her mother, Fleury describes the experience as "surreal."
"We were told what to expect regarding meeting the Prince, but when we actually walked on stage, he actually talked to each of us and wanted to know what we did. He cared."
Fleury began participating in the program as a cadet while attending school in Lampman, where she worked through the program's Bronze and Silver levels. She then completed the Gold Award's requirements independently, as a post-secondary student in Brandon.
"For my physical, I did lane swimming and I taught aquafitness," says Fleury. "I also played the organ at church in Lampman and Bienfait. One of the coolest things I did was in 2006 in Brandon, when I volunteered for the Special Olympics through the mayor's office. That was an incredible experience."
"One of the toughest things for me to do was the adventurous journey for the Gold Award," adds Fleury. "I went with my sister and a friend and the three of us did a four-day, three-night hike at Narrow Hills Provincial Park, near Nipawin. We hiked around Gem Lakes and even further in the area. There were only three of us and our packs were so heavy. A lot of people do hikes with 10 or more people. That way, you can spread the weight out," she laughs.
"For my residential project for the gold, I did the Military Occupational Course for Cadet Instructors Cadre (CIC) in Edmonton in 2008. I was pretty committed to the whole process, once I started the Duke of Edinburgh's Award, and most of the things I did, were things that I loved to do."
"The volunteering was so rewarding," says Fleury. "I'm the Commanding Officer for Estevan #30 Wylie Air Cadets and although that's a paid position, I still volunteer with Cadets and at my daughter's preschool, Lampman Play School. It's nice to be there and see the groups succeed and be able to be a part of that."
Now married and the mother of Jenna, 4, and Kayden, 2, Fleury also works part-time as a pharmacy technician at St. Joseph's Hospital in Estevan. "I think I'm wired this way," she says.
"I don't know if she fully understands, but when she heard about the award, Jenna said, 'Wow, that's cool, Mom.' I'll be excited when they get old enough to do it themselves."
"I would like my kids to volunteer and to be physically active, even if they don't do the [Duke of Edinburgh's Award] program," says Fleury. "I don't want them to be playing video games all the time."
Although Fleury completed the program's requirements and officially reached Gold Achiever status in 2010, recipients are allowed to postpone the presentation of their award, if they choose to participate in an awards ceremony attended by a member of the Royal Family in Canada.
"I'm glad I did it this way," says Fleury. "The first thing my mom said was: "Am I invited? Can I go?' My husband says it was incredible that I was there. [Prince Edward] is so down-to-earth. At a reception after the ceremony, we shook hands, visited a little...It was surreal."
