• Profiles home
• Karina
• Mark Ballon
• Antonina Ferguson
• Chris M
• Maura
• Arshana and Nikkita
• James Naknakin
• Yutah, William, Dion

Moresports Personality Profiles

Mark Ballon: A Humble Humanitarian
By Kimberly Daum

Mark Ballon

Mark Ballon's resume of volunteerism reads like that of someone much older. At 18 years, Mark is an eight-year veteran of helping out where help is needed. That's why the recent John Oliver Secondary School graduate is a 2008 recipient of the Terry Fox Humanitarian Award.

From fund-raising for Moberly Elementary's Out-trip program to working Grenfell's Hot Lunch program to being one of the Students Working Against Tobacco this young man has lent a hand. And that's in between work on his Grade 12 grad committee, refereeing games for MoreSports, and coaching novice wrestling at Simon Fraser University. Mark's list of volunteer work is much longer than this but you get the idea; the kid really is a humanitarian star.

To qualify for the Terry Fox award one "must have shown courage in overcoming personal obstacles while being involved in humanitarian service, participating in fitness and community activities, and maintaining an acceptable academic standing."

Mark easily passes the test having been on the Honour Roll every term from Grade 8 to Grade 12. He's earned several fitness and athletic awards, including athlete of the year in Grades 8 and 11, the AAA High School Wrestling Championship Bronze Medal, and the John Oliver Wrestling Team Most Valuable Player and Captains Award. He's also volunteered for Vancouver's Counter-Attack program, the Memorial Park Community Summer Program, and Sunset Community Centre's break dancing program.

So, the only open question is what obstacles did he overcome while being involved in all of that humanitarian work, community activities, and fitness?

Mark never knew his dad. His mom emigrated from the Philippines to Vancouver when he was a baby, and Mark's earliest years were spent in poverty with his grandmother. When he was six-years-old, he followed his mother to Vancouver with three of his four siblings.

His first memory of Vancouver is idyllic: "Arriving in Canada, I got off the plane and it looked like one of those picture perfect moments, sun setting, trees, flowers, and the first breath was so fresh. That's what I remember most."

The family moved into his aunt's basement suite, and she helped support the household. Mark is the youngest of three brothers Dennis, 35 who did not make the trip to Canada, Allan, 31, and Faizar, 24. His sister, Tonirose, is 29 and today is his legal guardian.

Mark says, "We were on welfare and continued having a difficult time financially, often being forced to move from basement suite to basement suite. I also struggled with school as an ESL learner and was eventually held back in Grade 3 due to my academic difficulties."

Today, Mark lives with his older siblings "who have worked hard to support me and my efforts."

"They really believe in me, and at times I feel a heavy load on my shoulder, but their supports have been influential to achieve various goals."

Only one of his siblings has successfully completed high school and none have post-secondary education, so Mark feels a lot is riding on his being successful in the future.

Mark went through a particularly rough time in Grade 9, the year his aunt died and his mother was detained in the United States for breaking the law. He's had opportunities and offers to "take the easy way out," has extended family members who are struggling with drug addiction, but he "wants more" and "expects more" from himself.

"I have continually surrounded myself with community supports, such as those I volunteer with," Mark says. "My friends have solid values, and I know I can count on them when things get tough. They also know that they can count on me."

"Throughout my life I have been fortunate to have several adults who have supported me," he continues. "They have been positive role models which inspires me to give back to other youth and younger children so that they may succeed."

For Mark becoming involved in sports programs through school was the start of finding success.

"Sports was an interest. I'd make friends through the class and we'd do homework together, and sports were an added bonus because that's where I'd shine. I found out I was good at it. And, team members starting looking up to me and asking me for help."

Mark played soccer, basketball, football, volleyball, and ran track and field, "but in Grade 10, I decided that wrestling was more important to me, so that I could grow as a better person in one sport and because I was better at that."

"Organized athletic programs have helped me find who I am truly," Mark says. "Coming from an immigrant and low income family, I turned to sports to help me release my stresses and problems."

"I have also learned from personal experience that the amount of income your family makes does not determine who you are and what you can do," he says. "I realize that there is always help from the community, but it should not be taken for granted."

Some of that assistance occurred when Mark was in Grade 9 and enrolled in John Oliver's Youth Outreach Initiative Program, which helps at-risk students. Two years ago, Mark moved from participant of the program to one of its employees. Around the same time, Mark's coordinator, Chris Fuoco, suggested that he work with MoreSports as a wrestling teacher. And, he did.

"MoreSports was an opportunity for me to grow as a teacher and a wrestler. It's a growing environment for everyone. I‘ve learned that taking care of one another, and acting more responsible is the right way to live, and that every person is different and that they develop at different stages."

"Every one of my coaches were patient, but the most patient was Chris Fuoco," Mark says. "I learned a whole lot from him because you learn so much more from a person that is more patient, teaches and takes care of you."

Mark is waiting to hear if his application for study at Simon Fraser University has been successful. That's where he hopes to spend the $28,000 scholarship award he received from the Terry Fox program, and where he plans to earn the university degree he'll need to qualify for further training as a police officer.

The idea of university is at once exhilarating and scary. He knows it won't be easy, he knows he'll have to ask for help, something that doesn't come naturally for this kid who lives to give.

"I would only ask help if it seems like the person is offering help. I don't want to just go to any random person. My family works around trying to be independent, support themselves and our family. Asking for help from other people is hard for them, but I've always thought that asking for help from other people isn't a bad thing, just as I asked for help from Mr. Fuoco."

Having spent the best part of an afternoon with Mark I can tell you this: he is a special person. He has a spark in those deep, thoughtful eyes that makes you smile at him. He is unassuming, gentle, and humble. He is sincere. He has fingerprints all over him from the people who have invested in him and his future. He saves his most earnest gratitude for his older siblings.

"I just really want to thank them for all they've done for me."

"I don't know if I have really had it difficult compared to others; however, I am told that I am a ‘survivor' and ‘a positive example for others to see and follow'."

A committee for the Terry Fox program and a community of family, friends, teachers, coaches, students, and athletes can all attest to that.

Top of Page