Fifteen year old O’Donel High student Megan Glover is receiving a custom painted electric guitar as one of the 2015 URock Volunteer Awards, which were held at the Glacier in Mount Pearl last week. The award was accepted on Glover’s behalf by the principal of O’Donel, Michelle Clemens. It was presented by PC backbencher Kevin Parsons and Transportation and Works Minister David Brazil.
Glover was described as a “young entrepreneur” who is an integral member of her school’s action team, which has been raising $10,000 as part of a goal set by St. Peter’s Junior High to help build a new school in a developing country. Glover is also an ambassador for Easter Seals and has launched her own fundraising venture for the cause, which she calls Megan’s Mega Music. It featured artists including Rex Goudie and Sean McCann.
Though you wouldn’t say it by looking at her, Glover had a narrow escape at just a week and a half old, when she survived a stroke. She was left with cerebral palsy and epilepsy.
Glover couldn’t accept her award in person, because she was visiting New York as part of a school trip. But she sent her thanks via a taped internet message. “I feel so honoured to be receiving this award because I know there are so many other people in Newfoundland who deserve it too,” she said.
As a child, Glover’s family encouraged her and her sister Celia to volunteer and it’s not something she can live without out now, she admitted. “I’d like to thank my family for teaching me that there is no greater reward in life than knowing that you made a difference in someone else’s life.”
Among the people and organizations Glover thanked were Easter Seals, her principal for accepting the award on her behalf, and O’Donel for nominating here. “O’Donel, the most amazing school ever, offers many community activities that makes it easy for me teens like me to give back to society,” she added. “I would like to say thank you to anyone who has ever empowered me to give back to my community and create positive social change.”
The URock Awards, funded by the provincial government, celebrate youth volunteerism. Some eight awards were given out this year. Each individual recipient or group was presented with an electric guitar bearing a design created by a graphic arts student at the College of the North Atlantic. Glover’s guitar was designed by Courtney Oldford.
