A King Constantine Medal Story: Maria Sofia Duque, Colegio Colombo Británico, Colombia

Maria Sofia Duque, a student at Colegio Colombo Británico in Colombia, was awarded her school’s King Constantine Medal for her leadership as President of the Round Square Committee. Through her commitment to the Round Square IDEALS, she ensured that leadership within her school was purposeful, inclusive, and grounded in service. She talks about her what inspired her to get involved with Round Square.

“I was inspired to get involved because I truly believe in the Round Square IDEALS and in the idea that leadership should create meaningful impact, not simply hold a title. When I became President of the Round Square Committee, I felt a strong responsibility to represent my school and bring values such as Internationalism, Democracy, Environmentalism, Adventure, Leadership, and Service to life within our community. I wanted students not just to talk about these them, but to actively live them through projects, discussions, and initiatives that had real purpose.”

“One specific initiative I led as President was restructuring the Round Square Committee into smaller, purpose-driven teams focused on conferences, exchanges, and postcards. Instead of having one large group trying to manage everything, I created clear committees with student leaders in charge of each area. This made participation more accessible, gave students real responsibility, and created clear channels for turning ideas into action. As a result of this structure, we successfully began the process of creating our school’s first Round Square postcard, which was completed in the following school term. Seeing a concrete outcome come from student-led work was one of the most rewarding parts of my role.”

“There was a moment when I realized that, although Round Square was very strong in the upper years, the Round Square IDEALS were not clearly communicated or understood across all sections of the school. What we planned initially was not enough to reach the wider community. To change this, I helped integrate the Round Square IDEALS into the official school calendar that is shared with the entire CCB community before each academic year. This allowed students, teachers, and families to be aware of them throughout the year and reflect on how they connected to school life. As a result, awareness increased significantly, and Round Square became more visible and relevant beyond just one section of the school. This experience taught me that leadership sometimes means stepping back, identifying gaps, and finding structural solutions that create lasting impact.”

“Through the work of the committee, I believe we strengthened the Round Square spirit within our school. Students became more aware of global issues, more open to collaboration, and more willing to take initiative. I am proud that we created spaces where students could share ideas, develop leadership skills, and feel part of something bigger than themselves. I hope my leadership encouraged others to step forward, get involved, and believe that their actions can genuinely make a difference.”

“Receiving the King Constantine Medal is an incredible honour and a deeply meaningful moment for me. It makes me feel proud, grateful, and validated for the effort, dedication, and passion I invested in my role as President. More than recognition, this medal represents the values I strive to live by and reinforces my commitment to service-based leadership. It inspires me to continue leading with purpose, to remain engaged in my community, and to keep fostering the Round Square IDEALS in everything I do.”

I am extremely thankful to my school, my advisor, and my peers for their trust and support throughout this experience. It has shaped me not only as a leader but also as a person, and taught me that true leadership is rooted in service, empathy, and lasting impact. I will carry these lessons with me far beyond school.”

Four steps for leading a student committee with purpose like Maria

1. Lead with values, not titles
Be clear about why the committee exists and the values it represents. Focus on creating meaningful impact rather than holding a position. When decisions are grounded in shared values, people are more likely to commit and take responsibility.

2. Unite different voices through communication
Student committees are made up of people with different interests, schedules, and levels of confidence. Make time to listen actively, communicate clearly, and ensure everyone feels heard. Inventiveness often comes from creating space for diverse ideas to surface.

3. Be flexible and find structural solutions
Sometimes plans don’t reach everyone or achieve the intended impact. Step back, identify gaps, and create structures that make the work more effective. Adjusting your approach strategically can lead to long-lasting results and wider engagement.

4. Create spaces where others can step up
Strong leadership is not about doing everything yourself. Encourage students to share ideas, take initiative, and develop their own leadership skills. When people feel ownership, a committee becomes a community rather than a task group.