The Rotary Club of Penticton Sunrise rang in the New Year by recognizing Krystal Bhandhal as the student of the month for January.
Bhandhal is a Grade 12 student at Princess Margaret Secondary School and epitomizes the school’s defining core values of accountability, integrity and respect.
Enrolled in Maggie’s leadership program since Grade 9, Bhandhal has shown dedication to enhancing the social fabric of the student body, participating in school activities and charitable causes, including the haunted house in support of the Youth Foundry Penticton centre and the MD Bus Pull for the Canadian Muscular Dystrophy Society.
In December she co-chaired Maggie’s role in the Penticton Provides campaign which, together with students from Penticton Secondary School, collected 18,800 non-perishable food items, 2,270 toys and $18,840 in donations.
“Krystal is an amazing role model,” said leadership teacher Gerri Hess. “She is extremely focused and sets herself to a high standard, always working diligently to achieve her goals.”
Bhandhal organized last year’s school-wide blood donation drive for Canadian Blood Services, illustrating her dedication to community service.
“Aside from seeing the heartwarming impact that donating blood has on people’s lives, the event opened my eyes to how my leadership skills can be leveraged to advance worthy causes,” Bhandhal said.
She carried a 94 per cent grade average across all her courses in 2021 and earned top overall student honours in Grade 11, Bhandhal is a member of the Maggi Mustang’s girls’ field hockey team, edited the school’s yearbook for 2021, and the stage manager for the school’s production of Beauty and the Beast in Grade 10.
Bhandhal trained extensively in dance from when she was three up to age 14, learning ballet, tap, jazz and other styles and competing in the Kiwanis Festival.
A regular summer day camp volunteer, Bhandhal worked as a Boys & Girls Club Recreation Leader planning and running summer activities for kids aged seven to 10 in 2021, where she enjoyed being a role model for the young children.
With a desire to improve the health and wellness of others, Bhandhal plans to obtain a Bachelor of Science (Biology) degree as a first step towards pursuing studies in medicine and an eventual career in pediatrics.
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“Student of the Month” is a Rotary Club of Penticton Sunrise project. The award aims to recognize outstanding students for achievement in scholastics, extracurricular activities, community involvement, leadership, and service to others.
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