Glenroy College student Maykl Habeeb has been named the Glenroy Lions Club Youth of the Year for 2022 … and we can’t be prouder.
The Year 11 student received the honour after delivering an impassioned speech about climate change during a special community dinner hosted by members of the Glenroy Lion’s Club earlier this month.
Maykl is the third Glenroy College student to be named Glenroy Lions’ Youth of the Year, after Lara Porczak in 2014 and Mohammad Daghagheleh in 2020.
It is the 35th year that the Lions Club has run its Youth of the Year project, which aims to encourage personal development, leadership, citizenship, leadership and self-confidence in young people.
Glenroy Lions Club chairperson Lindsay Knight presented Maykl with a special plaque and certificate to mark the occasion, as well as a $200 gift voucher, after the teen impressed the panel with his speech.
Glenroy College claims victory
College principal Graham Stevenson attended the event with other Glenroy College teachers to support Maykl. Mr Stevenson was presented with the victor’s shield after Maykl delivered his speech. It will be proudly displayed at the College for at least the next 12 months.
“Here’s what’s really unbelievable. There are people spending their time and money investing in moving human life to a whole other planet because we are destroying the one we are on now,” Maykl told the crowd.
“It’s time for us to take responsibility for our actions, it’s time to clean up our mess and it’s time for the right kind of change.”
‘My parents are very proud’
Maykl later said he was pleased to be named the Glenroy Lions Club 2022 Youth of the Year. “It’s not bad,” the modest Year 11 student said, of the accolade.
“I was pretty happy. My parents are proud of me too.”
Maykl is studying mathematics, English, modern history, business management and legal studies for the first year of his VCE.
Representing Glenroy College with pride
Literacy Curriculum leader Declan Dodson, who helped hone Maykl’s public speaking skills, said the unassuming student was a very deserving recipient of the honour.
“I commend Maykl for his efforts in the Lions Youth of the Year competition. He represented himself and Glenroy College with pride and integrity and should be incredibly proud of what he has achieved,” Mr Dodson said.
Maykl will now compete against teens from right around Victoria for the chance to be named the Victorian Lions Youth of the Year.
Good luck Maykl. The entire Glenroy College community is behind you!