Mrs. Harrison's Grade 12 Leadership class spent time this year finding and writing about Neighbourhood Heroes. Aviva Stein-Wotten and Laura Fedoruk wrote about two of their peers.

Aviva Stein-Wotten wrote: This year, and in years past, students in the grade 12 Entrepreneurship class at Dover Bay Secondary School have been true Neighbourhood Heroes. They have created and run a school store that sells such things as muffins, candy and even ballpoint pens.

The store is definitely popular, with kids lining up every day at lunch to buy an assortment of goods. But the students don't just pocket the money, oh no! They put it into others' pockets instead, pockets of less fortunate children in Romania, for instance. They also present an annual bursary to the top Dover Bay business student.

This class, which is taught by Ms. Tyson, an amazing teacher and person, has made and continues to make a distinct impact and uplifting change in many lives.

Last year I watched these kids pull a cart that served as their store, back and forth from their classroom to the atrium. This year with monies earned in previous years, the class built their own store under the stairs in the atrium.

Year after year this class teaches students that hard work and determination pays off. They also learn that it always feels good to help others and all the while they are learning valuable skills for life after school.

I'd like to congratulate all my fellow students in this remarkable class and I wish them all the best of luck in what will no doubt be the brightest of futures!

Laura Fedoruk wrote: In this day and age, many high school students can say that they have been to Mexico over their holiday breaks. My Neighbourhood Hero, Kate McPherson, can make this same claim ... but her reason for going is much more inspirational than a simple family vacation.

This past summer, along with a group of Nanaimo citizens, Kate traveled to Mexico where she helped to build homes for underprivileged Mexican people. Kate describes her experience as extremely exciting and gratifying.

"Helping others has made me learn about myself," she says. "It has increased my gratitude and thankfulness for my situation." Kate tells a story about a little girl she met who had to stay home from school because her mother could not afford to send her. After a few months away, the little girl was able to go back to school. She was so excited about it, even about making up missed work.

"She did her schoolwork as if it were her favorite game," Kate smiled.

Not only does Kate help others from around the world, she helps people right here in Nanaimo too.

She is a youth leader at Awana, a group for children aged two to twelve who may not be able to afford participation in other organizations such as Cadets or Scouts. She even volunteers her time at the soup kitchen every week. This past year Kate was one of thirty Dover Bay runners who raised 1,119 dollars for cancer research and next year she will be heading the team.

When asked why she feels the need to do so much volunteering Kate said, "There are so many places where volunteers are needed, I don't have money to give, but the most valuable thing that I can give is my time."

Kate got involved in these activities by reading posters, talking to friends, family, church members and asking people who were already volunteers.

Kate McPherson is definitely another of our teenage Neighbourhood Heroes.