Twice in the past week, I was impressed by the efforts made in regard to our youth, in two very different ways — but my overall impression was that it really is worth the efforts it takes to reach and give opportunities to our youth to grow and experience new things.
The first instance involved Brett Jones, our Weyburn representative in the NFL, as he plays center for the New York Giants.
He was in Weyburn for a few days last week, and put on two different events, including a fun non-contact football camp for younger kids, and then a two-day full-contact football camp for players with Minor Football and the Comp Eagles.
As I spoke with him about the camp, he noted he wanted a chance to give back to the community and to the Minor Football program that helped give him his start in the game. He has given back in various ways before to the community, and I have to say, it’s a testament to his generosity and attitude that he is continuing to do this, to put in the time and effort to work with the young players to help them.
Who knows what dividends this time and effort will pay down the road? As he said, there are benefits to the young person they will see out of the training they’re getting, whether on the football field or in the classroom as they apply themselves to their school work.
The other instance was not in sports, but with the Rotary Club’s student exchange program. Each year, the Weyburn club hosts a student from another country, and most years the club sponsors a Weyburn student to go out and have a year-long experience abroad. In the past year, Hannah Bitz was on an exchange to Belgium, and next year, Brayden King will be in that country for an exchange.
The club in Weyburn hosted Liza Biard for the past year, a charming and talented young lady from France. She brought her smiles and her enthusiasm to every meeting with the club, and to her classes at the Weyburn Comp, and in hearing her speak, it’s clear this year has made quite an impact on her in many ways.
At her final presentation to the club on Thursday evening, she spoke about the experiences and lessons learned, along with observations about her life in France in the school system and with her family. While earlier in the year, she spoke of a wish to be an actress, by the end of the year she said she wants to give of her time to help other people in any way she can, plus she really wants to travel more and meet new people as she has been doing this year based in Weyburn.
She is one of many, many young people who have benefitted from this program, and it made an indelible impression on her life. It will be interesting to see where she goes in her life.
