Marian College student Karen Wedi is the winner of the 2012 Sunshine Lions Youth of the Year Competition. 89479 Picture: KRISTIAN SCOTT
By VANESSA VALENZUELA
FOR Sunshine West resident Karen Wedi, good leadership is about motivating others to reach their full potential.
The Marian College student was recently named the winner of the 2012 Sunshine Lions Youth of the Year Competition which encourages student interest in leadership and the qualities required to take an active role in the community.
Karen, 17, said the competition gave her a chance to discuss important issues with fellow students and also improve on her public speaking skills.
The Year 11 student has always enjoyed taking on leadership roles and believes a great leader is someone who provides encouragement and moral support to others.
“I think it’s something I’ve been happy about, that people can count on me and can come to me about things,” Karen said.
“I guess if people didn’t enjoy being around me, then I wouldn’t be doing all these leadership roles. I get along with pretty much everyone, which is a good thing.”
The inspiring student said it is important to always try and be a positive role model for others, even if you are facing your own personal hardships.
“The hardest part is always having to keep a smile on your face, but it is also the best part, because it allows you to show your strength,” Karen said.
“It’s really easy to notice and it’s hard to go to meetings if I am not feeling 100 per cent. But my friends are always there for me so everything usually turns out ok.”
Karen, who hopes to become a primary or secondary school teacher one day, said the key to becoming a good leader is learning how to juggle different tasks and commitments.
“At times it gets a lot to handle, because you have to handle VCE with extracurricular activities. But I sort of enjoy the chaos, because it’s a lot of fun balancing everything.”
