WINNIPEG — Codey Melnyk was nominated for Class of 2016 by teacher and guidance counsellor at Murdoch Mackay, Wes Warren. It’s still a few more months until graduation but Melnyk definitely has a firm idea on where he’s headed.
With an interest in medicine and science, he spends his time volunteering at Concordia Hospital, where he’s keen to learn more about what it’s like to work in a hospital setting.
“I spend a few hours every week, and whether it’s helping out in the daycare with the kids or even helping at the front desk, I just try to give everyone a smile,” said Melnyk.
Melnyk is also a firm believer in giving back to the community. This past winter he organized a hockey skills competition between all the high schools in the Transcona area, which raised $2,000, plus other donations.
“We got boxes of food, boxes of clothing and we wanted to donate it all to Siloam Mission, Salvation Army and Winnipeg Harvest, overall it was a really good day,” said Melnyk.
Melnyk said thinking of others before yourself and good manners were traits instilled in him by his parents.
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“I’m very humble in what I get and I believe that everyone should be equal,” he said.
An honour roll student, the captain of the hockey team has received more than half a dozen high mark awards and is completing AP courses in his busy schedule.
While he wears the “C” for his hockey team, that isn’t the only sport where he continues to lead by example. You’ll find him busy with volleyball, track, basketball, badminton and cross-country squads.
“I forsee a young man who will make a difference, there’s no question about it,” said teacher Wes Warren. “Codey just approaches things as solution oriented, he takes a look at things and says ‘what can I do to help, what can I do to make a difference and how can I learn from this.'”