Discus Award Winner
Madison Vincent
12th Grade, NC
ATTRIBUTES
Community Service
When I heard about child slavery epidemic on Ghana’s Lake Volta’s fishing industry, I knew I had the responsibility to do something. On Lake Volta, there are an estimated 7,000 child slaves working daily on it’s dark waters. Fishing masters are able to buy a child for about $20, however to buy a new fishing net would cost more than $100. You can buy a life for less than a net, and in many cases the master values their net more than a child enough to send a child into the water to untangle stuck nets, even knowing it is life threatening. I decided to plan a benefit concert to help raise funds to stop the child slavery on Lake Volta. The concert was called Ghana Rock, over 1,200 people attended, we were able to raise over $40,000 funds to help end child slavery in Ghana.
Faith
I am part of a program called XSALT student leadership. Together, me and 10 other students completely run the Jr. High youth group. We plan every Wednesday night, extra outings, and we teach. Through this program, I have learned how to be a servant leader, and how to run events. I have also been able to mentor middle school girls. I have learned that through consistent conversation and interaction you are able to learn the most about someone, their everyday life, and their faith. Being part of XSALT has helped me grow in my faith, while learning to encourage others in theirs. I have also grown as a leader, and a planner through this program.
Work
I was a summer intern with Motor Racing Outreach this past summer. This consisted of Traveling Tuesday through Monday in an RV following the NASCAR sprint cup circuit. We provide a community center with child care, woman's events, and family outings to the NASCAR community. This summer was one of the most rewarding, yet most challenging summers I have encountered while working. I am so thankful to had been involved, I learned how a non-profit organization runs, how to plan events on the road with limited time and space, and I also grew in adaptability as we worked along side each other for long periods of time.
