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Volunteer credits Y with shaping who she is By Brice Roy SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER What began as an obligation and requirement to graduate has turned into a much more rewarding and meaningful experience for a local Oakville resident. Michelle Ng, 23, began volunteering at the YMCA of Oakville almost 10 years ago when she was in Grade 9 and she hasn't stopped since. "I started trying to get my 40 hours for high school, but then I ended up putting in more than 1,500 hours there. The more I got to know the Y, the more I got involved," said Ng. "It started as an obligation and has grown into a thing that I can't get anywhere else. No other activity gives me the same feeling as volunteering," she said. An avid aquatics fan since her parents enrolled her in competitive swimming, Ng wanted to use one of her passions to complete her mandatory high school community service. "When I saw that the YMCA had a swimming pool, I wanted to get involved and teach other kids how to swim and love it as much as I did," said Ng. "I was actually one of the first volunteers in their aquatics program. I started helping out with the swim lessons." As she became more involved, Ng's responsibilities increased to where she was an integral part of the day-to-day operations of the YMCA of Oakville. During her final years in high school, a time when most students are cramming for exams and preparing to apply to post-secondary education, Ng was co-ordinating and organizing several initiatives within the Oakville community. "I had been involved in Swim the Lake since it began, back when I was in Grade 11 or 12. After a few years, I was able to organize the entire thing on my own," said Ng. "It was amazing for me because I'd never run a fundraiser before. Every year now I'm part of helping to organize the event." In addition to the thousands of dollars raised with the Swim the Lake fundraiser, Ng started the YMCA's Youth Opportunities Initiative. "It's basically a way we can give more information to the youths at the YMCA. If they wanted to say something, they knew where to go and now award at the Community Volunteer Awards breakfast on April 16. "Michelle was nominated because of her dedication and commitment to the YMCA. They found that she amazes them on a daily basis and is a dedicated volunteer who gives above and beyond what is asked of her," said Ann Coburn, director of Volunteer Halton. "The winners of these awards are the frontline volunteers. In my mind, they have the greatest impact in stimulating change in the community even though they are often overlooked. The winners go out and make (a) change every day of the week. They do it without the need for recognition. This is just our way of saying thank you for their work," said Coburn. Ng was pleasantly surprised and honoured by the award, but says the YMCA deserves a bit of the credit. "The people at Y have kind of made me into the person I am. I used to be someone who would look at the ground when people talked to me and I wouldn't engage in too many conversations," said Ng. "This definitely isn't true anymore because the opportunity for me to grow was given here and the people are wonderful. "I hope to stay within the YMCA forever. I'm definitely a Y-girl." 11 · Wednesday, April 18, 2012 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.insideHALTON.com COLE BREILAND / SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER A `Y' GIRL: Michelle Ng, 23, was recognized this week for her ongoing volunteer efforts with the YMCA of Oakville. Ng is now the head lifeguard and swim instructor at the Y and volunteers with Halton Healthcare Services. have a voice to say it with," she said. Due to her exceptional work, the YMCA selected Ng as one of the first youth participants at its general meeting. Before attending, Ng had to shoot a video with a fellow volunteer about keeping youths active. Shooting a short film was a completely new experience for Ng, but one she'll never forget. "That's kind of the fun thing about volunteering and getting involved. You're always offered the opportunity to try something you've never done before," she said. Ng's efforts remained tireless, even while she was completing her life science degree at McMaster University with a minor in business and psychology, and have led to recognition. Ng was honoured with the Cheers to Volunteers Open House Saturday, April 21, 2012 | 10 a.m. ­ 2 p.m. Discover both Oakville Campuses Oakville Primary Campus Our students love coming to school! Our Primary Campus provides our youngest students (Age 3 to Grade 1) a warm and caring environment that stimulates learning through our unparalleled Montessori program. 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