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Red Deer teenager wins Duke Award

A Red Deer teen who overcame speech difficulties to gain skills through volunteerism and adventure was expected to receive an award from Canada’s Governor General today.

A Red Deer teen who overcame speech difficulties to gain skills through volunteerism and adventure was expected to receive an award from Canada’s Governor General today.

Lindsay Thurber Comprehensive High School student Kolton Streit is among the well-rounded Canadian youths selected to receive Duke of Edinburgh Awards. The Alberta awards will be presented in Calgary by Governor General David Johnston.

Streit took three years to complete the gold-level award program started by Prince Philip.

Streit volunteered with Red Deer seniors and youths, travelled to Costa Rica to study marine biology, took a leadership training program and worked towards a pilot’s licence exam. He spent 52 weeks on a lifeguard course and trained towards a black belt in karate. Streit also attended a three-week cadet camp in Quebec on aerospace technology.

The 17-year-old, who was teased in school because of a severe speech disorder that he overcame with therapy, wants to become an RCMP officer after graduation.

Streit said getting the award is a thrill, but it was more important to accumulate all of the skills. “I had to do a lot of scavenger activities and spent two day in the wilderness on a survival trip.”