Leadership:

trailblazer
of the year

Kindly supported by The Gosling Foundation

Harry stands confidently on a leaf-covered pathway surrounded by lush greenery and trees. He is wearing a black jacket and blue pants, with his arms crossed and a slight smile on his face. The scene is serene, with dappled sunlight filtering through the leaves.

harry

Harry began secondary school as a quiet and reserved young man who found social situations challenging. Fast forward to today, and he’s achieved all three levels of his Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards, become a Young Leader, and been named The Gosling Foundation’s Trailblazer of the Year. His motivation? To “help people achieve as much as they can.” 

Harry first wanted to sign up for his DofE Awards because it was an opportunity to do something “new and different”. However, he admits he was nervous because he “hadn’t done anything like this in a very long time”. Once he’d completed Bronze and started Silver, he knew he wanted to go all the way to Gold because, he says, “I wanted to test my limits. I wanted to see how far I could go.”

Harry’s leadership skills truly shone during his Gold expedition. High on a mountain in poor weather, a teammate struggling with anxiety decided he couldn’t continue. Harry stayed calm, set up an emergency shelter, and called their Leader for support, all the while helping his teammates stay calm and collected, prioritising them staying warm and dry while he himself stood in the rain. His DofE Leader, Matt, praised Harry for his selflessness and composure, saying he handled the situation better than most teachers might.

“With each stage of the DofE I completed, I became more open about myself, more vocal, and better at communicating with people.”

Harry

Not only did Harry complete his own Gold expedition, but he also returned to support the next year’s group, stepping in when others dropped out. Harry’s drive to help others achieve their potential has made a lasting impact on his peers, many of whom say they couldn’t have completed their Awards without his support.

Harry credits the DofE with transforming his communication skills. Where he once felt a “disconnect” between his thoughts and words, he’s now able to express himself clearly and relate to others.

"Harry is no longer the same child that joined our school, he is now a fantastic leader, a well-liked young man, and despite facing his own difficulties, would do anything to help other people."

Matt
DofE Leader

A group of six people walking along a path in a lush green forest. They are dressed in casual outdoor clothing, with some carrying backpacks. The scene is filled with trees and foliage, creating a serene and natural atmosphere.A group of six people walking along a path in a lush green forest. They are dressed in casual outdoor clothing, with some carrying backpacks. The scene is filled with trees and foliage, creating a serene and natural atmosphere.

Receiving the Trailblazer of the Year award is a testament to Harry’s resilience and growth. Grateful for the support of his family, friends, and teachers at Chiltern Way Academy, Harry is determined to continue helping others and inspiring them to reach their own potential.

special mention

Harry stands confidently with his arms crossed in front of a large, red-brick building. The building features multiple windows and a steep roof, surrounded by a paved area and green grass. The sky is overcast, suggesting a cloudy day.
Will is sitting on a stone wall overlooking a scenic countryside landscape. They are wearing a light gray t-shirt, black trousers, and brown hiking boots. A black watch is visible on their left wrist. The person is turned to their left, gazing at the rolling green hills, lush forests, and winding paths under a blue sky dotted with fluffy white clouds. The foreground features green ferns, while the distant hills stretch across the horizon, creating a serene and natural atmosphere.

will

Described by his DofE Leader, Mike, as “the best DofE student I have ever had in 8 years”, Will is a worthy special mention in This is Youth’s Trailblazer of the Year category. From boosting his teammates’ morale during a “full on storm” in his expedition, to taking control in difficult situations, Will has demonstrated the resilience, empathy and organisational skills needed for inspirational leadership.

Will aspires to go into the Forces after school, and heralds DofE with helping him prep for that next step through developing the transferable “skills and mindset”. He enjoys the “physical and mental challenge” of the DofE and doesn’t shy away from getting stuck into every element of his Award. Mike shares that Will recovered the navigation when his team went off track, helped pitch tents, cook food and was a motivating force for the cohort in “the worst weather” Mike had ever experienced. Throughout expedition prep, Mike attests that Will was as conscientious, involved and responsible as the cohort’s adult volunteers.

Will has also been described as an inspirational morale-booster, instinctively helping his teammates to hone their navigational skills, access their eDofE accounts and maintain motivation and interest in their Award. Mike shares that, “Will's impact as a leader will ensure more students complete DofE, learn lifelong skills and also want to progress onto Silver.” Will’s empathetic nature came into play during his expedition, where he noticed a member of the public and her child struggling with a first aid issue. His calm leadership and first aid training kicked in, reassuring everyone around them and keeping the child safe and comfortable until further help came. The parent passed on to Will’s Leader how impressed she was by his quick thinking and composure.

For Mike, Will’s special mention for the Trailblazer category is indicative of who Will is at his core – an instinctive leader and a deeply compassionate person: “Will deserves to be recognised, mainly because he does not do this for recognition, he does it because it is who he is. He wants to make a difference because he can. He wants to help others, because he can. He genuinely makes the world a better place and I wish more young people mirrored his behaviours.”

meet the winners

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is a registered charity in England and Wales (1072490) and Scotland (SC038254). © The Duke of Edinburgh's Award 2023
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