Deniz Şengün
Award Level:
Bronze
Favourite memory of the Award:
My favourite memory of the Award is the voluntary work I did during the Award. I went to a boarding school from the ages 10 until I was 18. Every year we would have new students come to our school. As voluntary work I read to kids aged 10 years old during the night. Each time I went to read to them they would always be so thrilled to see me. I would get this incredible feeling knowing that even though what I am doing is so simple and easy, it made the kids happy. It is incredible how easy it is to impact someone's life in a positive way by doing something so effortless.
Age:
21
Biggest challenge from doing the Award:
The biggest challenge for me was the 2 day long camping out in the wild. I had always been raised in a protected and safe environment. The final step of the Bronze medal was my first camping experience ever. I found it really challenging to adapt to a completely different way of living. However I can also say it was one of the best experiences I had ever had. It made me get out of my comfort zone and really see what I was capable of. It made me learn the importance of team work and patience.
Country:
Turkey
Have you continued any of your Award activities? If so, what:
After getting my Award I continued dancing which I did as a physical activity for the Award, for another 3 years. During those three years me and my partner won several medals in competitions organised by TDSF (Turkish Dance Sports Federation). I did not only dance for success but I had plenty of fun while doing so. I got to know my body and myself a lot better because the way you dance is a reflection of who you are, your character, your weaknesses and strengths. Dancing has definitely helped me evolve as a strong, confident young woman.
Tell us the story behind your photo:
This is a photo from one of my most successful competitions. It is from one of the biggest competitions I have ever entered. It is also one of the competitions where I had the most fun. This photo reminds me that when you love what you do success will come along with it. It is not easy to be the best you can be, it takes a lot of hard work, a lot of dedication but when you love it, all that hard work doesn't seem so hard.
Award Role:
Alumni
