SMC to offer Duke of Edinburgh Young American’s Challenge Awards Program

Spartanburg Methodist College’s Office of Student Activities and Leadership Development is proud to offer a new awards program to students, The Duke of Edinburgh Young American’s Challenge.  Most societies across the globe place great pressure on young people to succeed academically, but the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award allows youth to develop character and integrity in a non-competitive environment.

The Four Tenants of the Award – Community Service, Physical Fitness, Special Skills, and Adventurous Journey – provide participants with a rare opportunity to better themselves while helping others. The Award program is an incredible growing experience for all who take the challenge to achieve this prestigious honor. Each participant’s Award initiatives are unique to their interests, ensuring the experience is enjoyable and worthwhile.  The Award attracts operational and corporate partners from around the world in recognition of the Award’s values and the incredible lessons it transcends to young people and to their own young corporate employees.

The Award is a unique, daring, and exciting self-development program available to all young people worldwide ages 14 to 25, equipping them with life skills to make a difference within themselves, their communities and the world.  The Award program enjoys success through:

·         Igniting passion and increasing motivation, which improves school attendance.

·         Developing skills and acknowledging achievement in non-academic settings.

·         Encouraging young people to make positive life choices by reducing their vulnerability to drugs, crime, anti-social behavior, HIV/AIDS, and obesity.

·         Instilling confidence and self-worth within every participant through fostering good self-esteem in a fun, nonthreatening atmosphere.

·         Introducing young people to the world around them by making participants aware of their individual contributions and showing how their efforts benefit others.

Over 7 million people from over 132 countries have been motivated to undertake a variety of voluntary and challenging activities through the International Award program.  The Award began in 1956 in the UK but has spread across the globe, and the fundamental philosophy and the Four Section operational format have proved resilient, attractive, and adaptable to many cultures, languages, and climates. The Award remains as relevant today as ever before and experiences record levels of interest each year. Last year, more than 140,000 participants earned a Bronze, Silver, or Gold Award.

SMC is currently recruiting students to participate.  Dedicated participants must spend 6 months completing the requirements for the award.   Information sessions will be held on Monday, September 30th at 5:30 pm and Wednesday, October 2nd at 3:30 pm in the Fireplace Room of the SMC Student Center.  For more information, contact Kim Caton at catonk@smcsc.edu or (864) 587-4006.

Two SMC students have received their Bronze medal for the Duke of Edinburgh award through the Miss South Carolina program.  Both Nacolle Williamson and Bonnie Walls participated during their reigns as Miss SMC.