The Hand Hills Lake Stampede is back for its 104th show, and they are excited to announce Curtis Anderson will open the event.
Anderson had a serious brain injury riding at the Ponoka Stampede in 2002, He is excited to be a part of it. During his cowboy career, he rode at the Hand Hills Lake Stampede. Today he is a motivational speaker.
“It is quite an honour to be asked to open the Hand Hills Lake Stampede. In reality that is a chance of a lifetime because not too many people get the opportunity to do it,” Anderson told the Mail.
He shared his story with the Mail.
On June 26, 2002, he was riding at the Ponoka Stampede, one of the fifth biggest rodeos in the world. The last thing he remembers is setting his rope on a bull named Real Handy. They opened the gate, he lost his balance and his head smashed into the bull’s head twice.
He spent three weeks in a drug-induced coma.
“The first thing I remember is the ambulance ride to the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital. I didn’t know where I was going, didn’t know what had happened. I soon realized that I could no longer walk, no longer talk or move my left arm,” he said.
He has since learned, going into the event, he had a severe concussion from a rodeo in Innisfail.
The little communication he had with his family he had to write.
He had to relearn everything.
He went from a physiotherapist helping an hour a day, just to take a few steps, to last year, he was able to walk 19.8 miles. He says even today, he makes progress every day.
“Throughout my recovery people look at me and get the impression that I am unable to do things. You’re better off to do it on your own because if you never try, you won’t get better,” he said. “It doesn’t matter if it takes you 10 times as long, you’re still able to do it on your own.”
“I have never walked a mile in anyone else’s boots, but I know what it means to never give up.”
He says he will have an opportunity to speak and share a bit of his story. He often has a great response, especially from other bull riders.
“I’m living proof of what happens when you go back too soon without letting your brain heal. So I talk to the guys one-on-one and tell them to take the time and go back when you’re ready.”
He has seen a big change in the sport he loves.

“When I got hurt, two guys in Western Canada wore a helmet, now that’s probably 95 per cent. They are more aware of concussions, and guys are taking better care of themselves.”
“The bull Real Handy won the fight that day fair and square. Real Handy is long gone hamburger, and I am still here. So I am still the champion.”
The Hand Hills Lake Stampede goes from Friday, June 3 to Sunday, June 5. On Friday, slack starts at 10 a.m., and the trade show opens at noon. Chucks and chariots follow the rodeo.
The action continues on Saturday and Sunday with the opening ceremonies, wild horse and pony races, rodeo, and chariots and chucks. Backroad Traveller will be playing at the kickoff party Friday night, and Cat Country at the Cowboy Cabaret on Saturday.
For more information, see www.handhills.ab.ca

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Rryza Andres received the Drumheller Hospital Auxiliary Society Award. This is given to the student who has applied and been accepted to a School of Nursing or LPN course and must be attending in the fall.

Maya Bieganek received the Physics 30 Award sponsored by Riverside Rxellence Pharmacy. She was also presented the Royal Tyrrell Museum High Science Award, sponsored by the cooperating Society by Dr. Craig Scott. This award is presented to a student who has the highest science average based on a minimum of two 30-level science courses. She also earned the Excellence in Education Award sponsored by Riverside Medical. This award is presented to the graduating class valedictorian in recognition of the student who strove for excellence in education.

Kya Boyko received the Riverside Dental Scholarship. This is presented to a student pursuing a career in a dental health profession.

Kieran Bunse received the Dr. Boris Nahornick Scholarship, awarded to a student who will be continuing his education in the field of healthcare and the Stella Sikora Academic award by Stan Sikora. This award is given to a student who will be attending university and has shown community involvement.

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Zach Cawiezel is the recipient of the Drumheller Minor Hockey Scholarship. Drumheller Minor Hockey believes hockey is an important community program that develops many skills and attitudes in young people that will help carry them into their future lives.

Haley (Haiwoo) Choi is the recipient of the Math 30–1 Award sponsored by ATB Financial and the Valley Law Chambers Scholarship. This is awarded to an international student that has demonstrated academic, athletic, and community spirit, or any combination of successful attributes.

Alicia Christensen is the recipient of the English 30-1 award, sponsored by Western GM Drumheller, and the Jason Ewert Memorial Award, sponsored by the Class of 2021. This is awarded to a student who shows integrity, is helpful to others, and is a hardworking student.

Hunter Dayton received the Badlands Hotel and Sam’s Truck and Car Wash Award.

Nathan Dobel received the Biology 30 award sponsored by Drumheller Associated Physicians and presented by Dr. Amanda Randolph and Dr. Brock Randolph, as well as the 2022 Discovery Award sponsored by Inter Pipeline. This is given to a student continuing on to a post-secondary school and pursuing an engineering, electrical, or business program. He is also the recipient of the Bancroft Student Bursary sponsored by the Drumheller Rotary Club. This award is given to a student continuing into post-secondary school, who demonstrates leadership qualities and is recognized as an individual of honesty and integrity. Dobel also received the Drumheller Family Scholarship, sponsored by the Royal Tyrrell Museum Cooperating Society. This award is presented to a student who has achieved scholastic excellence, contributed to leadership in the community, is caring and helpful to others, and shows personal integrity and values.

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Avery Gallagher was presented the Marie “Amy” Kuschke Memorial Scholarship Art 30, sponsored by Drumheller Associated Physicians and presented by Dr. Amanda Randolph and Dr. Brock Randolph.

Chelsey Gray was presented the Sil-Con International Program Student Liaison Award, which is awarded to a local Drumheller and area student who did the most to help international students succeed and feel welcome at DVSS and in the community.

Barrett Greene received the Peterson Auto Body RAP Bursary. This bursary is in support of a student interested in pursuing a trade. The student must have completed at least 15 RAP credits, been a positive asset to the business that employed them and is recommended by DVSS administration.

Tristan Hall received the Math 30-2 Award sponsored by CIBC.

Elizabeth Halliday is the recipient of the Instrumental Music 30 Award sponsored by Ron and Helen Leonhardt and presented by Lynn Hemming. She also received the Alex Semaka Memorial Award, sponsored by the Semaka family, awarded to a student driven by the spirit of competition and emulation, striving for success and excellence, and is entering a faculty of education, the Randolph Scholarship for Community Involvement, sponsored by Dr. Amanda Randolph and Dr. Brock Randolph. It is awarded to a student planning to attend post-secondary who has been actively involved in the community. Halliday also received the Three Drums of Wheat Local #20 ATA Teaching Scholarship, sponsored by the Alberta Teachers Association. This award is given to the student who is accepted at a recognized college or university into a Faculty of Education.

Zach Hern accepted the Kloot & Associates Scholarship. The successful candidate must have expressed an interest in criminal justice, law, psychology, or sociology and must be attending post-secondary in the fall. It was presented by Michael James.

Joel Howard received the Drumheller Minor Hockey Award. Drumheller Minor Hockey believes that hockey is an important community program that develops many skills and attitudes in young people that will help carry them into their future lives. He also received the Western Communities Foundation Exceptional Achievement Citation and Bursary Award, sponsored by Western Financial Group This annual award is given to a student who intends to seek further training or education to become a productive citizen of Canada and has overcome adversity. It was presented by Roxanne Clark.

Delaney Hunter received the Music 30 (choral) Award sponsored by Richardson Bulk Sales Ltd, and the Social Studies 30-1 Award sponsored by BrokerLink. Hunter also received the Drumheller Chiropractic Centre Science Scholarship Award, sponsored by Drumheller Chiropractic Centre. This is given to a student who has a passion for further education, who is pursuing a career in health sciences, and has been involved in school or community activities. She also received the Drumheller Family Scholarship, sponsored by the Royal Tyrrell Museum Cooperating Society. This award is presented to a student who has achieved scholastic excellence, contributed to leadership in the community, is caring and helpful to others, shows personal integrity and value, and is presented by Dr. Craig Scott.

Victoria James received the Chemistry 30 Award, sponsored by Elson and Pat McDougald and presented by Cliff McDougald, and the Greentree Dental Academic Award. This award is presented to a student that has completed all three sciences at the 30 level and has the highest overall average in all three sciences. She also received the Excellence in Education Award sponsored by Riverside Medical. This award is presented to the graduating class valedictorian in recognition of the student who strove for excellence in education.

Dallas Jopp received the Boston Pizza Award. Boston Pizza believes that strong role models inspire kids to be great. Giving back to individuals and organizations that support these efforts helps build a healthy and thriving community.

Taizen Kato received the English 30-2 Awards sponsored by the DVSS Grad Class.

Kenny Koopmans received the Most Improved Student Award, sponsored by Westview Co-op. This award is for a student who in attitude, grade, and sportsmanship, showed the greatest improvement since beginning high school (Grade 10). It was presented by Alyssa Acorn.

Bradie Leonhardt received the Kelley Hamelin Bursary sponsored by Rusty and Shirley Hamelin. It is awarded to a graduating student who has demonstrated a love for life, determination, and a caring attitude and will be pursuing further education.

Jayden Lepine is the recipient of the Instrumental Music 30 Award sponsored by Ron and Helen Leonhardt and presented by Lynn Hemming.

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Matthew Lloyd Preez received the DVSS Leadership Award, sponsored by the DVSS Class of 202.1 It is awarded to a DVSS student who has shown leadership in the current school year.

Drew Lloyd received the Foods 30 award sponsored by Yavis Family Restaurant and the Newcastle Community Scholarship. It is awarded to a good all-round student going onto a post-secondary institution and has volunteered within the community

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Nathaniel Luquais is the recipient of the Chiropractic Wellness Centre Award. This is awarded to a high academic student attending post-secondary in the fall.

Alana Mackey is the recipient of the Marie “Amy” Kuschke Memorial Scholarship Art 30, sponsored by Drumheller Associated Physicians and presented by Dr. Amanda Randolph and Dr. Brock Randolph. She also received the Drumheller Kinsmen Community Service Award. This is awarded to a graduating Canadian student who is going to university in the fall
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Teresa Mak received the Math 31 Award, sponsored by Hi-Way-9 Express and presented by Shannon Wade.

Winston Martynes is the recipient of the Mitchell Dawson Memorial Scholarship, sponsored by Linda Dawson. This award is presented to a student who is helpful, has a good attitude, is kind and respectful to other students and staff, is a positive contributor to school culture, and is always willing to assist others in need.

Rowan McCluskey received the Rotary High Academic/Citizenship Award. This award is given to a student who has achieved high academic standing, participated in school and community activities, and is planning to attend post-secondary in the coming year and was presented by Doug Stanford.

Camryn McDougald is the recipient of the Kayla Lindsell Team Spirit Memorial Award, sponsored by For Sight Vision Centre and Logan Lindsell. This award is given to a student who displays team spirit/sportsmanship, who has volunteered or had community involvement, shows kindness when dealing with others, and demonstrates a hard work ethic.

Jesse Paarup received the Schumacher, Gough, and Company Award. This award is given to a student who excels in both athletic ability and academic achievement.

Kale Palomaki received the Michelle Salvatore Memorial Award, sponsored by the DVSS Grad Class 2021. It is awarded to a student who best exemplifies the five challenges of Rachel Scott - Look for the best in others, dare to dream, choose positive influences, kind words & start a chain reaction, and is involved in school and/or community activities.

Alex Park received the Total Control Security Inc. Bursary. It is awarded to a student entering a technology, telecommunications, or a related field, and was presented by Kyle Suntjens.

Austyn Parliament is the recipient of the Freemasons of Drumheller Bursary in Memory of Lorraine M. Hunter. It is awarded to a student going on to post-secondary education, who is a good all-round student and has demonstrated leadership in the community and/or school. Also, the student must have completed high school in three years, all at DVSS. “The Freemasons of Drumheller are comprised of Symbol Lodge #93 and Drumheller Lodge #146”. It is presented by: Joel Bhikoo.

Shaun Pliva received the Drama 30 Award, sponsored by Western GM Drumheller.

Valentina Radavelli Roman received the Social Studies 30-2 Award sponsored by Canalta.

Serenity Rosenke is the recipient of the Boston Pizza Award. Boston Pizza believes that strong role models inspire kids to be great. Giving back to individuals and organizations that support these efforts helps build a healthy and thriving community.

Megan Smith received the Home Town Realty Peter van der Heyden Memorial Scholarship. This award is presented to a student who has shown community involvement and is well-rounded and compassionate toward others. It was presented by Kelly Boyko.

Simon Song received the International Student Community Involvement Award, sponsored by the 2021 DVSS Grad Class. It is awarded to the international student who has been a good student at DVSS and was involved in school and community activities and/or has volunteered with youth.

Aiden Sparvier received the Kloot & Associates Scholarship presented by Michael James. The successful candidate must have expressed an interest in criminal justice, law, psychology, or sociology and must be attending post-secondary in the fall.

Huating Sui received the DVSS International award, sponsored by the Friends of DVSS, and presented by Koren McDougald. This award is presented to an international student who has been the most dedicated to the International Program at DVSS. Sui also received the Valley Law Chambers Scholarship. sponsored by Andre Wilkins and Valley Law Chambers. This scholarship is awarded to an international student who has demonstrated academic, athletic, and community spirit, or any combination of successful attributes.

Andrew Suntjens received the Merit Contractors Association Career and Technology Studies Award. It is awarded to a student who has achieved top standing in a Grade 12 construction-related course and has demonstrated a high interest, leadership qualities, and a cooperative attitude towards fellow students and teachers. He also received the Rotary Trades Scholarship, presented by Doug Stanford.

Noah Ward is the recipient of the Anderson Drug by Freson Bros. Award. This award is given to a student who has been a good student at DVSS and will be attending a science program at university.

Brooklyn Wright received The Kayla Lindsell Team Spirit Memorial Award, sponsored by For Sight Vision Centre and Logan Lindsell. This award is given to a student who displays team spirit/sportsmanship, who has volunteered or had community involvement, shows kindness when dealing with others, and has a hard work ethic.