By Ian Holmes

Tireless Nanaimo volunteer competing for international scholarship

Feb 25, 2019 | 3:50 PM

NANAIMO — A local teenager who has logged thousands of volunteer hours in Nanaimo is the only Canadian in the running for an international scholarship contest.

Emily Hoppe, 19, is one of eight finalists vying for a two-week scholarship set up by the International Volunteer Headquarters, which involves service overseas. 

The Dover Bay Secondary graduate racked up more than 2,000 volunteer hours in Nanaimo since grade 9.

“I’ve had a lot of teacher role models, those are the people that really inspired me to take on those leadership roles, to be better and to help other people,” Hoppe told NanaimoNewsNOW.

An aspiring teacher enrolled in VIU’s education program, Hoppe said she would like to intern in a classroom in South Africa or Fiji.

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“I feel like it’ll really help me expand not only who I am but also my skills and see what it would be like to work in a foreign country.”

Hoppe’s extensive volunteering resume includes helping to create a Canadian Red Cross program geared toward bullying and healthy relationships.

Hoppe also coached various summer and school soccer programs for kids with developmental disabilities.

She has several volunteering, academic and athletic awards to her name.

The winner of the Alternative Break Scholarship is determined by votes which are being accepted online until March 3.

You can place a vote for Hoppe by clicking here.

ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes