The beginning of February sees most high school students counting down the days until summer break, but for Bree Hunter, it marks the countdown to the World Education Games.
The Grade 9 student from Morley Community School was named one of six Canadian ambassadors for the events. She’s the only First Nations representative.
“I’m really proud of myself,” said the pretty 14-year-old. “I can’t believe this is all happening to me out of every single person at my school… and in Canada.”
Humble as she may be, Hunter’s nomination to be an ambassador for the World Education Games was not by chance, said Danelle Sully, literacy coordinator at the Morley school.
“Part of the reason she was chosen is because she’s a good student, but it’s also because she’s a really good person,” said Sully.
“She’s a woman, she’s First Nations and she’s well-achieved — right there is something she and the community can be proud of.”
As one of the ambassadors, Hunter will be busy leading up to the games, held March 5-7. By writing letters to government officials, blogging and visiting schools to encourage youth to embrace advanced education, Hunter will be collecting points as she raises awareness for education.
Part of her duties is to speak to classrooms about the games. While she’ll be attending some schools with the other Canadian ambassadors — who she’ll be meeting Feb. 6 in Calgary — she’ll be speaking to the Treaty 7 schools on her own.
And she’s excited.
“It’s about what education means to me and how I can get my community more motivated,” said Hunter. “And if I can motivate the kids in my community, maybe that can motivate people in other communities.”
The games themselves will be held online, in real time, with competitors from all over the globe. Last year, nearly six million students from 200 countries participated in the learning competition, which feature questions and skill-tests for five different age categories.
The questions in the competition will vary according to the corresponding day. March 5 is World Literacy Day, March 6 is World Math Day and March 7 is World Science Day.
Hunter said she knows an opportunity like this will open up doors for her, but she remains focused on her culture and bringing education to her community.
“I want to do something that people will remember,” she said, naming off occupations like family law and social work. “I want to come back to my community with what I learn. Maybe I can help.”
For more information on the World Education Games, visit worldeducationgames.com. The competition is open to all students. Registration is free and opens Feb. 1.
For more information about Bree Hunter, or to book her to speak, email Danelle Sully at [email protected].
