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Four Local youth receive prestigious bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award

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At the Duke of Edinburgh bronze ceremony on May 8, recipients and community dignitaries stood for a group photo. Pictured (l-r) are Chief Supt.Tony Hamori acting district officer, Starland County Reeve Barrie Hoover, recipient Mya Russell, Const. Craig Nelson, Recipient Spencer Mammel, Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award executive director Ashley Tedham, Drumheller Staff Sergeant Kevin Charles, recipient Quinn Nelson, and Mayor Terry Yemen. Missing is recipient Hannah Mepham.

Drumheller’s own Mya Russell and Hannah Mepham as well as Starland County’s Spencer Mammel and Quinn Nelson received the bronze Duke of Edinburgh award during the ceremony on May 8, 2017 at the Badlands Community Facility (BCF).

Duke of Edinburgh Executive Director Ashley Tedham also speaks to the perseverance of the young individuals.

“For me, it's always about the community involvement and support,” said Tedham. “Having the RCMP there to support and honour the young people from the community is what it's about. These achievements represent a young person's commitment and connection to their community and also in what their future has to offer them.”

The awards program is broken into three tiers: bronze, silver, and gold. Each level consists of hours in which individuals must track in four categories of service, physical recreation, skill development and adventurous journey.

“The Gold Award is the highest accolade a young person can achieve in Canada,” said Tedham.

It is a non-competitive, non-academic award about sustainably making a commitment to the community as well as personal development. Over 500,000 Canadian youth have already taken part in the program.

It can be set at the recipients pace where they must be between the ages of 14 and 24 and have as much time to finish as they need before their 25th birthday. The award program caters to the individual's interests and can be applied to a range of abilities and skills.

The Award originated out of efforts from three men: The Duke of Edinburgh; Kurt Hahn, a German educationalist and founder of Outward Bound, and Lord Hunt, leader of the first successful ascent of Mount Everest.

After its launch in 1956 for boys aged 15-18, the program was focused on getting youth involved in a program where they could develop their skills and become more worldly. Its original sections were rescue and public service training, the expedition, pursuits and projects, and fitness.

By September 1958, a similar award was created for girls. From then on, it evolved into what it is today with four similar sections and an increased age limit to 24.

To sign up, call the office at 403-237-7476 ext. 1 or simply go online and visit the website here.

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Duke of Edinburgh bronze award recipient Quinn Nelson engages in conversation with Const. Craig Nelson after the ceremony in the Badlands Community Facility (BCF) on May 8, 2017. The award is received after a certain amount of hours within five categories and there is also the Silver and Gold Award to strive for once the Bronze is completed. (mailphoto by Terri Huxley)

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Duke of Edinburgh bronze award recipient Mya Russell holds up her award with Mayor Terry Yemen and Barrie Hoover, Reeve of Starland County during the ceremony in the Badlands Community Facility (BCF) on May 8, 2017. The award is received after a certain amount of hours within five categories and there is also the Silver and Gold Award to strive for once the Bronze is completed.(mailphoto by Terri Huxley)

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Duke of Edinburgh bronze award recipient Spencer Mammel holds up his award with Mayor Terry Yemen and Barrie Hoover, Reeve of Starland County during the ceremony in the Badlands Community Facility (BCF) on May 8, 2017. The award is received after a certain amount of hours within five categories and there is also the Silver and Gold Award to strive for once the Bronze is completed.(mailphoto by Terri Huxley)

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Duke of Edinburgh bronze award recipient Quinn Nelson holds up her award with Mayor Terry Yemen and Barrie Hoover, Reeve of Starland County during the ceremony in the Badlands Community Facility (BCF) on May 8, 2017. The award is received after a certain amount of hours within five categories and there is also the Silver and Gold Award to strive for once the Bronze is completed.(mailphoto by Terri Huxley)

Commercial Vehicle Enforcement check stop blitz

The Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division was out in full force, doing inspections of trucks in the valley this morning, Tuesday, May 10. They set up at various locations throughout the valley making sure some of the largest trucks on the road are safe. Sergeant Larry Cardinal of Commercial Vehicle Enforcement, tells the Mail that while often they work out of the inspection station, they will periodically set up check stops, looking at trucks passing through the community as well as commercial vehicles that serve the community on a day-to-day basis.

Heather Colberg to run for mayor

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   The 2017 Municipal Election just got a whole lot more interesting today, as Heather Colberg announced she is running for mayor.
   After months of speculation, Colberg is taking a step into the political arena and says listening to the electorate is one of her top focuses.
   “Being new to this, I feel it is most important to do my homework,” she tells The Mail. The most important thing is to find out what the majority of the people want and what their concerns are.”
   Born and raised in the valley, she has enjoyed a 35-year career at Hi-Way 9 Express and then as an entrepreneur.
   I have been blessed to work with my family in creating a large and successful transportation company and I have a great understanding of what sacrifices have to be made to succeed,” she said. “I also ran a business with the support of my husband and team of great decorators and learned a completely different side of business.”
   She continues to do her homework and has been with mayors throughout the province to learn more about their successes and failures. She says past and present councils have done a good job of keeping Drumheller moving forward.
    “Overall, people want the valley to continue to succeed, so all my hope is to be part of the continued development and growth, and keep it all going in a positive direction,” she said.
    Going forward, she hopes to foster cooperation.
   “I want to see a united community, I want to basically have every different group or committee pulling the same chain so we can advance our community quickly,” she said, adding that communication will be paramount.
   “I want to set up an easier process for all people to bring their concerns or suggestions to town hall…Many people in our community are very knowledgeable so I want them to have a voice. I really want to see a valley of positive comments towards our town rather than negative.”
   She said she will be setting up meetings early in June to start the initial wave of ideas.

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