Last Saturday the community recognized some of its finest at the Celebration of Excellence.
The annual Rotary event, sponsored by Canalta, honours the Citizen of the Year and the newly named Dr. Ken Julson Award, for the Most Courteous employee.
Pat Giffin was named the Citizen of the year for 2015.
Giffin is branch manager at the Drumheller CIBC and has volunteered with dozens of community organizations over the years; from FunTeam to Grace Lutheran Church. She has been very involved at Greentree School and now at DVSS.
“She has shown a love of people, works hard and always tries to lift the spirits of those around her,” said Jeff Messom in his letter of support for her nomination.
The Citizen of the Year Award is presented to the individual who has demonstrated years of community involvement and is currently actively involved in the betterment of the Drumheller Community.
Louise Henrickson was the runnier up.
The Ken Julson award saw two great candidates nominated, but this year Candace Baxter won the top honour. She works at Drumheller Associated Physicians.
The recipient of late Ken Julson Most Courteous Employee Award must display helpful and enthusiastic attitude when working with customers and show initiative in going above and beyond the call of duty.
The runner up was Mr. Ken Briault.
The young people of the valley were also celebrated at the annual event as two were presented by Councillor Lisa Hansen-Zacharuk with Town of Drumheller’s Leaders of Tomorrow Award.
Megan Charmont received the Junior High Award. Many projects have been the focus of fundraising for Megan. She shows compassion and empathy for others while displaying maturity beyond her years.
Dara Kendell was the recipient of the High School Award. She is a tireless volunteer and helped host the Alberta Student Leadership Conference in 2014, showing her gift at leadership. She speaks out against bullying, racism and intolerance, making her a great leader.
Also presented at the Celebration of Excellence was the Badlands Scholarship. The four-year scholarship is granted to an individual enrolled in post secondary and are assessed on academic performance, community involvement, achievement and personal references.
Laura Jensen received the award. She is registered to attend Grant MacEwan University in Edmonton to pursue a Bachelor of Science in the hopes of entering the profession of optometry.
The Rotary also presented its newly minted Athlete of the Year Awards to Sam Brown and Carmannah Olbrich.
