Gold Award Holder Self Publishes Children’s Book To Support Award Project In India

March 11, 2025

“Together we planned an incredible trip and proved that the Award can make a dent in the pandemic of poverty.”

A Journey That Started with a Pen

For Rosalyn, the creative writing she chose for her Skills section was more than just a skill. “When I did the Award and creative writing as one of the skills, I entered a lot of contests. I ended up submitting my work, and it was published in the Duke of Ed newsletter. The Award program inspired me to set goals, find deadlines, and submit my work successfully,” she shared. This early foundation fueled her future endeavors, including a video contest that won her team $10,000- a prize that would lay the groundwork for an initiative that continues to impact students in Southern India today.

Her Award journey took a global turn when she attended the International Gold Event (IGE) in Hong Kong in 2005, where she met Anantha Naryana, a Gold Award holder from India. Together, they were challenged to find ways the Award could address global issues such as poverty. Inspired by their volunteer experience at a school in rural China, they developed a project to help students in Anantha’s hometown of Chennai, India.

That idea turned into a life-changing 21-day volunteer experience. Rosalyn worked with three different organizations, each dedicated to improving the lives of marginalized communities. At Olcott Memorial School, she supported free education initiatives for children, helping them break the cycle of poverty. She then volunteered with the Schizophrenia Research Foundation (SCARF), an organization offering mental health support and outreach to at-risk communities. Finally, she assisted at Bakthavatsalam Vidyashram School, supporting a non-profit nursery center for young children in need. Through these experiences, she saw firsthand how the Award could bridge socio-economic gaps, provide opportunities for underprivileged youth, and foster global friendships that make a difference.

A Career and a Creative Passion

Today, Rosalyn has spent the past 15 years working in the Ontario government, but outside of that, she continues to pursue her passion for creative projects—especially writing. She began her career in the private school sector, working with international boarding students and implementing boarding school programs. Her involvement with the Award has extended beyond being a participant; she has also served as a group leader and facilitator. “I’ve used and been involved in the program from a career perspective. Now, I feel the Award has become more of a creative outlet outside of work,” she said. Her journey with the Award has shaped both her professional life and her personal projects, proving that the experiences gained through the program have a lasting impact.

Starfish Scholarships: A Legacy of Giving Back

Rosalyn’s Award journey and experiences in India led her to co-found Starfish Scholarships, an initiative dedicated to supporting post-secondary education for students in Southern India. “The program has evolved a lot. It started with a $10,000 win about 15 years ago through a video contest. We gathered a team of other Award alumni from India and Canada, and over 10 years, we managed to double that amount. Each year, we offered a scholarship and were able to replenish it,” she explained.

As their careers became busier, they decided to dissolve the corporation and donate all remaining funds directly to Olcott Memorial School. “We initially incorporated the organization as a nonprofit, but as we became busier with careers, we dissolved the corporation and donated all the money to Olcott Memorial School. Now, we run it as a project-based initiative, supporting the school whenever we can. Each book I sell contributes to this effort, with royalties of about $3–4 CAD per book going directly to the school,” she added.

A Story Inspired by the Award

Rosalyn Yake’s passion for creative writing began when she started the Award in high school, but her passion didn’t end there. This Gold Award holder, who recently turned 41, just self published a children’s book that is being sold online by numerous retailers, including Indigo and Barnes and Nobel. All royalties from the book are being donated to Starfish Scholarships, the that Rosalyn started with other Gold Award holders when she was 24. 

Her book, Sweet Pea and the Sea Flowers, draws from her personal experiences and commitment to community involvement during her Award. “The book was originally titled after starfish, but with the growing awareness of the environmental impact of touching marine life, I changed it to focus on sea flowers instead,” she shared. While the story is fictional, it carries strong themes of civic engagement, volunteerism, and the power of one individual to make a difference- values that the Award instilled in her.

Lessons in Cultural Sensitivity and Growth

Her early Award experiences, particularly her time volunteering in India, reshaped her understanding of poverty and cultural diversity. “The Award program, especially as I got involved in the International Gold Event, taught me a lot about culture and multiculturalism. Growing up in a small rural community in Canada, I had a limited perspective on poverty. But through my travels, I saw how it looked different in other places,” she reflected.

She noted a key lesson: “A Canadian, Western perspective on India is different from an Indian perspective on poverty. For example, in Canada, homelessness often means having nothing. But in India, I noticed that many people experiencing homelessness still had access to mobile technology. That contrast broadened my understanding and taught me how to write about poverty with sensitivity.”

Why Expanding the Award to Public Schools Matters

Rosalyn comes from a public-school background, and when she first started her Award journey, there was no community or instructor available at her school. “I didn’t have a teacher or leader guiding me through the process. I learned about the Award through students who attended a private school, Lakefield College School. I had to take the initiative to do it all on my own,” she recalled.

She strongly believes that expanding the Award’s reach to public schools in Canada is essential. “Absolutely, getting it into public schools is a way to break down barriers and make it more equitable and accessible. These opportunities for self-growth and international experiences should be open to all students. My first opportunity to travel wasn’t until my first year of university when I won an essay contest. The Award played a huge role in allowing me to access opportunities I otherwise wouldn’t have had,” she explained.

Final Words of Advice

For those considering starting their Award journey but feeling hesitant, Rosalyn encourages them to take the leap. “If there’s hesitancy, just do it. Give it a try. You won’t regret trying something new, but you might regret not giving yourself the chance,” she said.

Looking back, she realized the impact the Award had on her. “As a young person, I thought of the Award as just checking a box for a certificate or scholarship. But what I didn’t realize at the time was how much I was growing, developing skills, and building a network. You may not always see how you’re growing, but you are,” she concluded.

Learn more about Rosalyn’s work:

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