tHE STANDOUT
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RECOGNIZING UFV STUDENT & ALUMNI LEADERS 2010/11
“I believe a great leader is not a dictator, but a team player; someone who sees the talent of others, supports its development.” desmond Devnich organizing committees including the Parade of Lights & Sound, Party in the Park, 10K for Travis, student council from 2003-2008, and the Canadian Cancer Society Relay for Life. I have also been working with the Downtown Business Improvement Association to create a more positive shopping atmosphere with my music. Performing outside Lolly’s Fashion Lounge and organizing my own benefit concert at Decades Coffee Club for youth programming at Chilliwack Community Services, is just a sampling of what I have been working on.
Honestly, I don’t see myself as a leader. I see myself as a Christian, a student, a vocalist, an event planner and a follower of great leaders, an average 20-year-old doing my best to make a difference in my community. If this qualifies me to be called a leader, then it is a title I will humbly accept. Every day is an audition. Some chances you take work out well, others do not, but all contribute to the career of a lifetime. As a performer, I strive to make a positive difference in my community by supporting various not-forprofit and non-profit organizations. Whether on stage behind a microphone or in the dining room, I love to entertain. It is my firm belief that those who have much are obliged to give much. Few people can give a great sum of money to charity, but every individual is rich with talent to be shared. I believe a great leader is not a dictator, but a team player; someone who sees the talent of others, supports its development. In past years, I have had the blessing of contributing to a number of event
Meryl Streep says to “take your heart to work.” As a shift supervisor at Starbucks in downtown Chilliwack, I specialized in partner and customer care, which gave me the opportunity to reach out to my community with the support of my store. I organized special events for families such as an Easter egg hunt, monthly amateur hours, adopting a family for Christmas through the Salvation Army, and partnering with the Chilliwack Learning Community Society to create an in-store book trading program for Starbucks’ customers. UFV is providing me with a number of skills that I would not otherwise have. For these skills, and for the patient instructors employed at UFV, I am very thankful. Upon completion of my Arts degree with a minor in professional communication I will be a more valuable employee to notfor-profit and non-profit organizations in Chilliwack, and I will be able to make a greater impact in the community. I believe the only reason to be well-known and successful is to have the ability to affect positive change in people’s lives.
“ Integrate what you believe in every single area of your life. Take your heart to work and ask the most and best of everybody, too.”— Meryl Streep Leadership commitment I will live with faith, passion, and confidence as a benefit to my community— locally and globally—all in preparation for His soon return.
Hobbies reading biographies Role Model my best friend C areer goals/dreams to experience more awe-inspiring moments
Student, Arts & Communications Second Year
“ ...instead of pursuing a record deal, going on tour, and thinking about the money, [Desmond] chooses to use his voice for charity and to benefit local businesses and organizations.” Nominated by: Anne Russell, Coordinator, Media and Communication