To say Selina Shivji is involved in her community – at school and beyond – would be an understatement.
"Even if I got reincarnated 20 times, I wouldn't be able to accomplish this much," Semiahmoo Secondary principal Claudine Bunyan said of the Grade 12 student, as she scanned Shivji's resumé.
"This girl is incredible."
Shivji's efforts – which range from student council chair at Semi and serving as a youth congressional leader with the Aga Khan Foundation, to MCing school assemblies and founding an organization to support children on the horn of Africa – were recognized Tuesday evening with a Governor General's Caring Canadian Award.
Presented by Free the Children's Marc Kielburger, the award recognizes "the unsung heroes who volunteer their time, their efforts and a great deal of their lives to helping others, and who ask for noting in return."
Bunyan said it's obvious to her that Shivji, 17 – who was also called on-stage during We Day events at Roger's Arena in Vancouver Wednesday – is not motivated to get involved by the glory of recognition.
While there are students who relish the reward of going above and beyond, Shivji – who was not available to comment by Peace Arch News press deadline Thursday morning – "truly does things for her community and school because she truly wants to," Bunyan said.
"There's not a single bone in her body that is self-serving."
Shivji's mother said Semi's administrators and teachers also deserve credit for her daughter's outlook and achievements.
"They instill the ethics of making a positive difference; totally in-sync with our family and faith ethos," Shahnaz Shivji said by email.
The Caring Canadian Award consists of a letter, certificate and a lapel pin.