By Mark Squibb | May 27, 2021
Robyn Kenny, 17, of Fermeuse has been awarded the Miss Achievement Newfoundland and Labrador Leadership Program 2021 Volunteerism Scholarship, a $1,000 cash prize.
“It’s really great,” said Kenny, a Grade 11 student at Baltimore School. “I’m from a small town, so there’s not many opportunities for big scholarships.”
Kenny is an active member of the Fermeuse-Renews Girl Guides. She joined the Sparks program when she was five, but she actually started coming to meetings with her mother when she was only three. She has moved up through the ranks of Sparks, Brownies, Guides, Pathfinders and is currently in her second of three years as a Ranger.
Within the program, Kenney has been involved with fundraisers such as the Janeway Telethon, Children’s Make a Wish Foundation, mental health walks, and more, including Threads for Gemma, a non-profit that collects donations of clothing for premature babies.
Kenney helped spearhead a drive in the whole community rallying friends, family, and neighbors in Fermeuse and neighboring communities to donate knitted caps, booties, sweaters, and homemade tiny blankets and diapers, as well as knitting some of her own.
She has received many prestigious awards with the organization, including the Lady Baden Powell Award, the Canada Cord (the highest award given to Pathfinders,) and the Trailblazer Bronze award for Rangers. Along with Brooklyn Kane of the Fermeuse-Renews group and other girls across the province, she is set to receive the Silver Trailblazer award in early June.
Kenny was recently chosen to be part of a trip to Our Chalet World Center located in Switzerland, which was unfortunately cancelled due to COVID-19, and in the past has travelled to the Pax Lodge in England, a Guiding World Center, as one of only two provincial representatives.
Fermeuse-Renews Guide leader Madonna Ryan wrote refences to the scholarship program on behalf of Kenney.
“When a situation or event presents itself which requires assistance at a charitable event, Robyn is the first one to volunteer suggestions on how our Guiding group can help and to be physically present to carry out these plans,” Ryan explained.
Outside of the Girl Guides, Kenny often volunteers at school and elsewhere in the community.
“It’s good to volunteer because you’re helping people out, you’re helping the environment, and you’re contributing to your community and helping out your province,” said Kenny. “You’re giving back some of what you’ve received.”
