Kind, polite, co-operative, friendly, mature, self-initiating, talented, inspirational, positive, and dedicated are all adjectives used by the staff at Pitt Meadows Secondary School to describe Grade 11 student, Maggie Graydon.
In addition to excelling in her courses, Maggie is a strong Link Leader within the Link Crew Program and a dedicated member of the Student Council. Maggie takes her leadership roles very seriously and makes a positive impact on the culture and wellness of students and staff at Pitt Meadows Secondary School.
Maggie has a passion and excellence for track and field, specifically running, and trains every day. Rain or shine, Maggie can be seen “pounding the pavement” on the streets of Pitt Meadows. PMSS track and field coach, Matthew Mikes, estimates that Maggie runs over 70 kms per week.
Maggie demonstrates her dedication to the other members of her PMSS track team by helping them train and leads them to successive wins at track meets. Coach Mikes states, “Maggie has kept the track and field team alive for the past two years. Her constant communication with me and offering her time to train athletes has been inspiring.” Maggie also trains 3 times a week in South Surrey with the Coastal Track Club. Her training has paid off as she has competed in the Provincial Championships for both Track and Field and Cross Country events every year since she was in Grade 8. Maggie has also raised money for Athletes in Kind while winning the local OktoberFAST 10 km run three years in a row.
Maggie’s leadership does not end within her own school community as she has also volunteered at local elementary school track meets, and spent her summer working with children as a volunteer for the Pitt Meadows Recreation Centre.
Maggie is committed to a healthy lifestyle and cares a great deal for animals and the environment which is why she became a pescetarian nine years ago. Her goal is to become a physiotherapist or nutritionist to help people live healthier and happier lives. Maggie believes that “if I can make just one person a bit happier, or guide them in the right direction, I believe that is the start of success.”
Committed to making both her school and community a better place, Maggie has indicated her wish to continue as a Link Leader and a member of the Student Council Executive for her graduation year. She wants to “make a difference in people’s lives” and believes that “you must be part of the change to see a change.” There is no doubt that she will continue to affect change as a “Leader of Tomorrow.”
About Leaders of Tomorrow
The Maple Ridge – Pitt Meadows School District (SD42) has teamed up with the Maple Ridge News to celebrate local students who are making a difference at school and in the community. Elementary and secondary students featured as Leaders of Tomorrow were picked by their principals for making positive achievements in academics, sports, arts and community involvement.
The list is just a sample of outstanding students in the school district selected by their school during the 2018/19 school year – there are many others who were equally deserving of recognition for their exemplary achievements both inside and outside the classroom. Every Tuesday throughout the school year, SD42 will profile a student selected as one of the 2019 Leaders of Tomorrow.
