Volunteer award recognises young artist’s growing confidence
A love of art has led Rotorua teenager Harper Burns to discover a passion for volunteering; a journey that has now earned her a Volunteer Star Award.
The Year 11 Western Heights High School student first volunteered at The Arts Village to complete the service component of her Duke of Edinburgh Award, choosing the organisation because art has always been one of her favourite hobbies.
“I thought I would enjoy volunteering at a place that relates to that,” Harper says.
She initially helped with The Arts Village’s Toi Māori after-school programme before moving into its school holiday programme when the weekly classes finished.
During the holidays, Harper helps children with a wide range of creative activities, from painting and sculpture to imaginative projects using recycled toys.
“The last one I was there for, the kids were taking apart toys and glueing them back together to make trophy statues,” Harper says. “My role is helping the students and the teacher. If the students need help, I’ll help them, and if the teacher needs me to set something up or pack away, I’ll do that.”
Although Harper has now completed her Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award and is working towards Silver, the holiday programme doesn’t meet the Silver award’s volunteering requirements because it isn’t held regularly enough.
Instead, she plans to complete her Silver volunteering hours at a local hospice shop, while continuing to volunteer at The Arts Village simply because she enjoys it.
“It’s also something to do in the holidays rather than just sitting around all day,” Harper says.
Harper was nominated for the Volunteer Star Award by The Arts Village’s Sheree Thompson, who praised her commitment and personal growth.
In her nomination, Sheree described Harper as a diligent rangatahi who approaches her volunteering with confidence, care and maturity, building strong relationships with staff and children while making a genuine contribution to the holiday programme. Hearing those words came as a surprise to the modest Harper. “It’s nice, I guess,” she says. “But unexpected.”
Harper believes volunteering has helped build her confidence and given her valuable workplace skills.
“I think I have gained confidence from it, and skills for work,” she says. She encourages other young people to give volunteering a try. “It’s rewarding and can be fun,” Harper says.
Harper’s mother, Kataraina George, says volunteering was entirely her daughter’s idea, from signing up for the Duke of Edinburgh Award through to choosing The Arts Village.
Kataraina says she has watched Harper become noticeably more confident since she first walked through the doors.
“I think The Arts Village has been very supportive,” Kataraina says. “Even when the volunteering there no longer counted towards Duke of Edinburgh, she still wanted to keep going.”
She believes volunteering has been an important experience for Harper and is pleased to see her recognised for the contribution. Looking ahead, Harper isn’t yet sure what career she wants to pursue, but she knows it will involve creativity. “I want to do something in the field of art,” she says.
The Rotorua Volunteer Star Award was presented during National Volunteer Week, recognising Harper’s commitment to supporting younger children and helping create a welcoming environment through her love of art.
