Former South Sudan refugee receives prestigious Terry Fox Humanitarian Award

A Grade 12 Burnaby student who immigrated to Canada from South Sudan when she was five is one of 21 teenagers from across Canada to receive this year's Terry Fox Humanitarian award.

"I think as humans we should all help each other out and I think that it's my responsibility to give as much as I can because I have skills and I should use them," said Margaret Anteros, who just graduated from Byrne Creek Community School, where she played three different sports, was part of several different clubs, and a had 90 per cent average in her classes.

Terry Fox inspired the entire country when he attempted a cross-country trek to raise money for cancer research in 1980. (Terry Fox Awards)

The Terry Fox Humanitarian Award was established in 1982 and is given to young Canadians who embody the characteristics Fox was most known for: courage, humanitarianism, service and compassion. Each award recipient receives $28,000 over four years for educational and humanitarian purposes.

Anteros credits her mother with helping her thrive, both in school and in the community.

"We came here for the purpose of education. My mom really values it and she really wanted us to go to school," said Anteros.

"She's a single mother raising seven children. She never gives up. From birth on she told us to do anything, and that we could do anything we wanted to."

Anteros will using her award money to study business at  the University of Ottawa. 

Margaret Anteros recently graduated from Byrne Creek Community School and will be studying Commerce at the University of Ottawa. (Terry Fox Awards)

"I'm very excited that I have some funding to help me out with that."

When asked by On the Coast host Gloria Mackarenko what advice she had for young  people, Anteros offered these words of wisdom.

"Always try new things — because I feel like we often try to limit ourselves with what we do and what we get involved in. You are so young, you have nothing to lose. There's a lot of things out there in the world waiting for you and waiting to be discovered by you. Why hold back?"

To hear the full interview with Margaret Anteros, listen to the audio labelled Burnaby teen receives prestigious national award.