Ashley Schmeisser,18, is the 2011 Prince George Youth of the Year.
The Grade 12 College Heights secondary school student was awarded the title at the annual Civic Appreciation Banquet on Saturday. The award recognizes youth who have made an outstanding difference to their community.
"I had no idea. It was very surprising," Schmeisser said.
Schmeisser's involvement in the community began in Grade 10.
"I signed up for a leadership class in Grade 10, and I've just kept with it from there," she said. "It's really rewarding to help your community and help global projects as well."
Schmeisser is the secretary for her school's Interact Club -a youth Rotary program.
She is also the board secretary for the Prince George Mobilizers, an offshoot of the international Me to We youth movement.
"With the Me to We organization, we did Halloween for Hunger. Instead of collecting candy, we collected canned goods for shelters in town," she said. "With Interact we did a big fundraiser for polio. We also did a fundraiser for St. Vincent de Paul."
When she's not volunteering with those two groups, she is a peer tutor for students with special needs in her school.
"I eventually want to be a special needs teacher," she said.
Being involved is personally rewarding and is a great opportunity to meet new friends and have great experiences, she said.
"I'm in the College Heights secondary concert band. I play flute," she said.
She also acts with the school's drama club, is a downhill skier, plays soccer and is a referee for local women's leagues.
Fifteen other community leaders were recognized at the Civic Appreciation Banquet for contributions to sport, recreation and community service.
Michelyn Rutledge and Harjas Grewal were honourable mentions for the Youth of the Year award.
