Havergal College student Laura Konkel received top honours for volunteering for her work in designing a watch to mark the 60th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day.Konkel was one of 11 young people who were awarded the Ontario Medal for Young Volunteers, the top award of its kind in the province. The medals have been given out each year since 1998 to recognize the outstanding efforts of people aged 15 to 24 in improving the quality of life in Ontario and elsewhere.
Konkel's watch design includes the Havergal College torch, which she used to signify the burning flame of life. Thousands of the watches were given to Canadian veterans to thank them for their sacrifices, while others have been sold to raise money for veterans' initiatives at St. Peters Hospital in Hamilton. The watches have also helped bridge the gap between Second World War veterans and today's youth.
The local resident received her award at a special ceremony at Queen's Park last Saturday. The 24-karat gold plated watch is available by calling 416-925-5520 or via e-mail at timeisticking@sympatico.ca.