Christophanie Julien learned recently that hard work always pays off.
After being nominated by her volunteer organization, School on Wheels, Christophanie was named a winner of the Sun Life Rising Star awards. In recognition of her hard work and dedication to her local non-profit, Christophanie was given a weekend of celebrity treatment in Miami at the Sun Life Rising Star Awards National Summit.
She said the entire experience was overwhelming, especially the temperature change from Boston to Miami.
"I was so tired from the flying and the emotion," she wrote after the event, "but as soon as we arrived it turned to excitement and joy."
The event was held at Sun Life Stadium, home of the Miami Dolphins. Christophanie said that her VIP treatment started the moment she got off the bus, as she and the other honorary volunteers walked into the stadium on an orange carpet, the Dolphins' equivalent to a red carpet.
Among other events throughout the summit, Christophanie said that one of the most memorable was meeting famous athletes like tennis pro Venus Williams, and Dolphins players Chad Pennington and Davone Bess. She said that despite not knowing much about football, she could really relate to what the players had to say about leadership, service and motivation.
"Their message was to work hard to get where you need to be, and always give back to others along the way," she wrote. "It was so inspiring, because it's what I truly believe in."
Along with taking tours of the stadium and meeting celebrity athletes, Christophanie and the other winners attended a series of leadership workshops and discussions surrounding overcoming obstacles to give back to communities.
"I hope that people hear my story and that it gets them to volunteer in their communities," she said. "By volunteering, students get to meet new people and find things out about themselves at the same time. It teaches you that life is bigger than you are, and lets you see life in many different perspectives. I was lost until I started giving back to my community."
School on Wheels works to end homelessness with local youth by providing tutoring services, school supplies and other funding to any child in need so that they can reach their full learning potential.
Check out this photo of Christophanie at the summit. From left to right: School on Wheels executive director Cheryl Opper, Chad Pennington, Christophanie Julien and Davone Bess
