Phil Van Meppelen Scheppink Delegate to the North in Strathroy Age Dispatch
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Phil Van Meppelen Scheppink wants nothing to do with the easy route.
In fact, the Providence Reformed Collegiate senior is going out of his way to make a difference, even if it means traveling to one of the coldest and most desolate places on Earth.
“I’ve always wanted to be able to go out into the world and represent Canada on a national level,” said the teen. “I didn’t really want to just stay at home and do nothing exciting with my life. I wanted to get out there and as they say at Global Vision, 'take the road less traveled'. Many youth decide not to go that way because they might see it as too challenging.”
Not Van Meppelen Scheppink. After getting hooked up with Global Vision – a “Canadian-based not-for-profit dedicated to promoting youth leadership, engagement and involvement in their communities” - he’s attended gatherings of youth leaders and later this fall will head north – very far north – to Iqaluit on a four day mission. While there, the local student and a group of other teens will meet with local business owners, politicians and fellow youth leaders to discuss challenges facing the region, including depression, homelessness and suicide.