Hannah Beaton has been named the Pete Swennson Outstanding Community Youth Award winner for 2014.
An accomplished track and field athlete, Hannah can usually be found in her running shoes – or supplying them to those in need.
A Grade 12 student at Langley Fundamental Middle and Secondary School, Hannah created the Step In Someone Else’s Shoes program three years ago to provide inner city schools with footwear.
A member of her school’s student council and a youth leader, she also established Family Sports Night to promote play and strengthen family ties.
An athlete who shines in soccer, volleyball, and track and field, she holds a record with the Langley Mustangs for youth shot put, was named fifth in Canada for heptathlon and fourth for javelin, and holds several track and field records at her high school. Hannah has made the Langley Mustangs Top 10 in five events and was the recipient of the club’s Spirit Award, and was named Langley Fundamental’s Track and Field MVP from 2008 to 2013.
A Leadership and Principal’s Award-winner for outstanding effort and work habits, Hannah has earned an A Honor Roll award each term. A youth leader at her church and a recreation leader with the Township of Langley, she has just returned from a humanitarian trip to Nicaragua with her Global Education Class.
Hannah has won an athletic scholarship to Trinity Western University where she will be a member of the track and field team and pursue a degree in nursing.
Beaton received the award during the volunteer appreciation event held last Thursday at the Langley Event Centre. The annual event chooses some of Langley’s top volunteers and honours all of those who have dedicated time and effort to making Langley a better place.
The Pete Swensson Outstanding Community Youth Award is given to a Langley student in Grade 11 or 12, from one of the area’s secondary schools, in recognition of his or her athletic, scholastic, and community efforts.
Pete Swensson, for whom the award is named, was an internationally recognized athlete and photographer, and an outstanding member of the Langley community.
The Township of Langley’s first recreation director, he was the originator of the annual Langley Walk.