2009 Pride of Strathcona recipients
Judith A. Gray: Community life
Compassionate societies are built by committed, kind-hearted people like Judith Gray. The Strathcona Food Bank, the Strathcona Christmas Bureau, and the Colchester and District Agricultural Society have all gained greatly from her vast energy and her superb organizational skills.
Judy began volunteering with the Food Bank in 1988 and has been its chairman for the last 11 years. She is responsible for much of the Food Bank's administration and day-to-day operations. Judy not only shops for the Food Bank's fresh food items, she even helps fill its shelves by growing extra vegetables in her own garden.
Judy's involvement with the Strathcona Christmas Bureau dates to 1997, and even though she officially left last June, she is still a consultant and remains available to help with vital operations.
As for the Colchester Agricultural Society, Judy's association with this organization began before its inception in 1973. She has served as its secretary and all-around helper for the past 22 years.
Billie-Jo and Micki-Lee Smith: Arts and culture
Two young musicians continue to tune their talents before the eyes and ears of a delighted home audience. Billie-Jo and Micki-Lee Smith started playing the violin at the age of four and have since added the piano, guitar and mandolin to their array of instruments. The sisters also sing and clog.
Billie-Jo (age 13) and Micki-Lee (age 11) have performed all around Alberta, picking up numerous awards along the way. They are known for their eclectic repertoire of styles, and while they clearly have fun performing, they take music seriously, as both girls study classical music through the Royal Conservatory and are members of the Edmonton Youth Intermediate Symphony.
Regardless of where their future musical endeavours may take them, Billie-Jo and Micki-Lee will always remain beloved in Strathcona County due to the time they have spent volunteering their talents to perform at seniors' lodges, churches, drop-in centres and community events.
Four handball champions
David Doucette: Athletics
Sherwood Park's David Doucette is a Canadian champion who has yet to find the ceiling in his sport despite a couple of successful trips to national competitions.
David's first win at the national level occurred at the 2007 Canadian Nationals in Montreal where he and his partner, Tanner Rakochey of Calgary, won the 15-and-under doubles division.
Ironically, a year later, he beat Tanner to capture the 15-and-under singles title.
David went on to win the C Division single title at the U.S. Junior Nationals in December 2008 and place second in the open category with his doubles partner.
This year, he will compete at the Canadian National Championships and he intends to compete at the World Open Championships in Portland, Oregon.
Besides practising and playing his favourite sport, David coaches for the Sherwood Park Sharks Handball Club and maintains honour grades in high school.
Dawson Forester: Athletics
Dawson Forester's passion for handball has helped him ascend to the pinnacle of his sport at a young age.
Dawson and his partner, Josh Lavin, also of Sherwood Park, won the 13-and-under national doubles event at the Canadian Handball Championships in May 2008. Dawson has also won numerous titles at the regional and provincial levels.
And Dawson is a popular member of the Sherwood Park Sharks Handball Club for more than his success on the court. He's also a tremendous ambassador for handball, having recruited family and friends to the fast-paced sport.
His coaches value Dawson because he's eager to learn and improve, he's supportive of his teammates, and he's willing to spend the extra time it takes to raise his game to the level necessary of athletes seeking a national title.
In addition to his dedication to handball, Dawson also plays basketball, even though the overlapping seasons give him some tremendously busy days.
Joshua Lavin: Athletics
Joshua Lavin makes up half of a 100-per-cent Sherwood Park national 13-and-under doubles championship handball team. Josh and his partner, Dawson Forester, won their title in May 2008 in Calgary, where Josh also placed second in the 13-and-under singles event.
The member of the Sherwood Park Sharks Handball Club has won numerous titles at the regional and provincial levels, and was chosen by the Alberta Handball Association to represent Alberta and Canada in his division at the U.S. Junior Nationals in December 2008.
Josh's interests outside of handball extend into volunteering. In September 2008, he joined the Strathcona County Youth Council and became part of the executive in his first year when he accepted the position of treasurer.
Josh is known for his enthusiasm, energy and maturity. Family and friends also appreciate his strong sense of responsibility and caring nature.
Benjamin Lavin: Athletics
Benjamin Lavin is a national champion handball player who is also a teenaged role model.
Benjamin's skills on the court as a member of the Sherwood Park Sharks Handball Club took him to the 2008 Canadian Handball Championships in Calgary, where he captured the Consolation Singles title and placed second in the 17 and under doubles event with his partner, Calgary's Jacob Harvey. Benjamin went on to represent Alberta and Canada at the U.S. Junior Nationals in December 2008.
Volunteering is another of Benjamin's interests. He joined the Strathcona County Youth Council in September 2006, and since then, has filled the position of treasurer and alternate officer. Benjamin has been honing his leadership skills with the Youth Council, while at the same time becoming a positive role model for its younger members. Both peers and adults appreciate Benjamin's ability for presenting creative ideas and opinions in a respectful, eloquent manner.
Celeste Dusdal: Community life
The Partridge Hill Community Hall bustles with year-round activity because of the dedication of its manager, Celeste Dusdal. Weddings, reunions, fundraisers and the famous Partridge Hill Christmas Craft Sale are among the events held at the facility, which is operated by the Partridge Hill Community Club.
Longtime club member Celeste plays a significant role in the hall's success as she not only shows the venue to prospective clients and arranges bookings, her cooking skills and expertise in food handling have helped give the hall an enviable reputation for high-quality fare at fair prices.
The Partridge Hill Community Club has also gained tremendously from Celeste's organizing talents, creativity and enthusiasm. She's always coming up with new ideas and projects that ease the responsibilities of her fellow volunteers.
Celeste is one of those people who thrive on a hectic pace. When others feel swamped, Celeste's enthusiasm helps motivate those around her.
Northline Angus: Professional achievement
Howard and Wendy Schneider's Angus cattle have made an impact on the international stage and this blue ribbon couple has made a lasting impression on their own community.
Howard and Wendy began Northline Angus 26 years ago. Today, it is recognized as one of the top Angus breeder operations in the country. The Schneiders' cattle and their Brookville-area farm have earned a long list of awards which grows annually.
But while their farm's national and international pedigree is impressive, the Schneiders' greatest impact has occurred at home. The Josephburg Agricultural Society, the Fort Saskatchewan 4-H Beef Club, Edmonton Northlands, the Strathcona County Library, Green Hectares and the Strathcona Country Classic are just a taste of the organizations that have benefited from the couple's individual and collective drive and assistance.
Howard and Wendy's endeavours have also encouraged many young people to enjoy and appreciate agriculture, including, most proudly, their own five children.
Hearts & Hooves: Community life
The tiny members of this organization began leaving a big imprint on our community from the moment founder Michelle Kropp started using her miniature horses to provide therapeutic care in 2004.
The horses' visits to the elderly, mentally challenged and medically fragile were so appreciated that Michelle's little equines were soon in demand throughout the Capital Region at care centres, schools, hospitals and homes.
In the ensuing five years, Hearts & Hooves has grown considerably. Today, it is a multi-faceted, not-for-profit organization with four goal-oriented programs: Horse, Health and Harmony, which sees the "mini-healers" enhance the lives of seniors; Reach Out, a program for children with special needs; Spirit Quest, which helps youth with a history of abuse; and Horse N Around, a volunteer program designed to encourage youth to help with the care and training of the animals and fundraising for the organization.
Since 2004, Hearts & Hooves has rescued, rehabilitated and adopted out 24 miniature horses.
Elk Island Regional Honour Choirs: Arts and culture
For 25 years, the Elk Island Regional Honour Choirs Association has been providing young choristers with a positive environment in which to pursue their love of music.
The Strathcona County Honour Choir was founded in 1984 as an extension of the Strathcona County Board of Education's music program. When funding cuts in the mid-'90s threatened the Honour Choirs' existence, a parents' association arose to form the Elk Island Regional Honour Choirs Association.
In this, its anniversary year, the three honour choirs have 149 members, ranging in age from seven to 19. Over the past 25 years, 1,700 young people have registered in the program.
The Elk Island Regional Honour Choirs maintain a strong presence in the community, with memorable performances at community events and special regional events, as well as an annual fundraising concert, the proceeds of which go to local youth organizations. The choirs have performed with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, Roger Whittaker, and toured throughout Alberta and into B.C.
Debbie Mohn: Community life
President, coach, "bench mom," fundraiser, organizer, raffle seller - Debbie Mohn is always in the thick of it.
Not-for-profit organizations depend on people like Debbie because these volunteers step up time and again to help out with every aspect of an organization's operations.
Debbie has been a longstanding volunteer and organizer with the Sherwood Park Minor Softball Association, the Belles Fastball Club and Salto Gymnastics. She's also volunteered at major events in the Capital Region, such as the Western Canada Summer Games and the World Masters Games, and she participates in a myriad of fundraising events. The list doesn't end there as her three athletic daughters have kept her busy at school, and with bowling, volleyball, track meets, and basketball, to name just a few.
When Debbie was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis a few years ago, her friends expected her to lighten her load - it didn't happen. She continues to volunteer her time with the same passion she's always displayed.
Mayor's Award
The Mayor's Award - Strathcona County's highest civic recognition - pays tribute to one nominee from among all those nominated for the Pride of Strathcona Awards. Congratulations Hearts & Hooves!
Last updated: Thursday, May 03, 2012
Page ID: 2272