2010 Pride of Strathcona recipients
Anna Attademo – Community life 
Anna Attademo practises the art of diplomacy right here in Strathcona County. It’s an endeavour that makes her a highly valued volunteer in Strathcona’s arts and culture community.
Anna, who is a professional diplomat, was the Honorary Consul for Malta in Alberta from 1998 until 2007. She made good use ofher ambassadorial skills as a volunteer for the Arts and Culture Council of Strathcona County, the Information and Volunteer Centre, Strathcona County Library, and the Culture and Heritage Association of Strathcona County.
Anna has been a member of many boards and performed numerous functions in her various roles. She believes arts, cultural and heritage orgaizations are vital to Strathcona County’s quality of life and has committed her volunteer pursuits to fulfil this belief. Anna is an avid and enthusiastic supporter of every form of art, and our community has benefited tremendously from this passion.
Dr. Deb Carroll – Professional achievement
This beloved veterinarian has spent two decades caring for Strathcona County’s furry citizens. Dr. Deb Carroll’s compassion for animals knows no bounds – midnight surgeries, caring for and finding homes for abandoned pets (sometimes in her own home), and providing care to ailing animals who are “long shots” are her specialties.
Dr. Deb operates two respected veterinary clinics in the community; one geared to small animals and the other a cutting-edge horse clinic. Staff at her clinics volunteer time to assist rescue associations, and Deb is involved with other volunteer ventures too, as evidenced by last year’s pink hairdo in support of a breast cancer ride she helps organize each year.
Dr. Deb is also appreciated for mentoring young people interested in becoming veterinarians. It’s a mark of pride for young vets to have the opportunity to work with the person who inspired them.
2008-2009 Holy Redeemer Grade 1 class – Arts and culture
Class trumps genus and species. Jocelyn Beliveau’s 2008-09 Grade1 class at Holy Redeemer learned that lesson when the students wrote and illustrated an award-winning book titled Absolutely Not! A Book of Canadian Animals.
Ms. Beliveau’s Ardrossan-area students spent three months chipping away at their tale of Mrs. Bellybutton and her students who want to bring in different species of Canadian animals, forcing their teacher to explain why each one won’t perform well in a classroom setting.
Their book won the national Scholastic Books Fair’s Grand Prize award for the 2008-09 Kids are Authors competition. The award included $1,000 towards purchasing books for the school library.The students had an extra thrill when Councillor Jacquie Fenske went to bat to have a copy of the book printed for each student. Class, indeed.
Kevin Laurin – Community life
Kevin Laurin is one of those mentors who changes lives quietly but dramatically. The father of two young sons has become a father figure to a number of young people in the community. If a young person needs to talk, he’s always available to listen. He also carves out time to take them to concerts, sporting events and other activities.
Kevin is a positive male role model who has introduced many youths to Monster Pro Wrestling. While encouraging them in their training, he stresses the importance of being good at home and staying out of trouble.
The lesson sounds like a basic one, but it means a lot to a young man, especially one with fetal alcohol syndrome disorder who can benefit greatly from the caring guidance Kevin provides. Kevin is a friend, mentor and motivator, and the young people he assists appreciate the positive influence he’s had on their lives.
Lynsey Nault – Athletics
Lynsey Nault has been one of Canada’s most successful women team handball players in the past decade. This natural athlete excelled in multiple sports at Bev Facey Community High School, where the honour student was not only named the Most Valuable Athlete in several sports, she was also chosen the Most Valuable Athlete at the school.
As she moved through her post-secondary studies, Lynsey gradually whittled down her athletic focus to team handball. She became a member of Team Alberta, where she has seen tremendous success, including gold medals in 2008 in Regina at Senior Women’s Nationals and in Sherwood Park in 2009. Today, Lynsey is in her fourth year with the National Handball Team, which has given her a chance to represent Canada at prestigious international games. She’s also helping to nurture her sport as a co-coach of the Junior Women’s Provincial Handball Team.
Lynsey is a tremendous source of inspiration to teammates who appreciate her generous attitude and admire her strong work ethic.
Mallory Nault – Athletics
This multiple-sport Bev Facey grad excelled in athletics and academics in high school. Mallory Nault continued juggling many sports when she moved to the University of Alberta but her passion for softball gradually took centre stage.
Mallory’s commitment to her chosen sport saw her tally a provincial gold medal in every age category. Yet earning a medal at the national level proved elusive until the summer of 2009 when, as the youngest member of the Calahoo Erins Junior A Softball team, she and her teammates collected a bronze in St. Catharine’s, Ontario, at the Junior A Fastpitch National Championships. Mallory went on to earn a spot on Team Alberta, which gave her the opportunity to compete at the 2009 Canada Summer Games in P.E.I. She also plays for the nationally renowned U of A Ladies Fastball team.
Mallory’s accomplishments as an elite athlete are even more remarkable given she has a rare heart disease, which required surgeons to implant a cardiac defibrillator.
Tanner Nault – Athletics
Tanner Nault was named the Most Valuable Athlete in his last year at Bev Facey high school.The honours student was also chosen as the Most Valuable Athlete for the whole school that year.
He excelled in many sports, yet Tanner’s greatest achievements have come in volleyball.The captain of the Sherwood Park U18 Men’s Volleyball club team won gold at provincials and went on to claim the same prize nationally.Tanner was the Most Valuable Player of both competitions. He then led his Junior National Volleyball Team to a bronze medal in Mexico.
At the post-secondary level, Tanner joined the Red Deer College volleyball team, which won its eighth consecutive National Championship. He had similar success at the U of A, where his Golden Bears were unbeaten in their march to gold. Not surprisingly, Tanner was asked to represent Alberta at the 2009 Canada Summer Games. He excelled once again by captaining Team Alberta to its first gold on the national level.
Strathcona County Citizens on Patrol – Community life
While most residents are sleeping, a group of citizens is roaming around helping the RCMP make our community a safer place. The Strathcona County Citizens on Patrol Society (SCCOPS) consists of 45 volunteers who work closely with our local Mounties. The vigilance of these volunteers helps prevent crime, spot impaired drivers and other offenders, and recover stolen items.
When children, seniors or people with handicaps go missing, SCCOPS can quickly mobilize to help search for them. These volunteers also assist at local festivals and operate the Lost Child Zone at events. SCCOPS’ dedication to safety has extended to the use of an electronic board, which members set up on roadsides to alert drivers to their speeds. The local group, which falls under the provincial Citizens on Patrol umbrella, is the most active organization of its kind in Alberta.
Renata Chomyk – Community life
Big-hearted Renata Chomyk formed a social support group for adults recovering from mental illness to ensure they have access to activities that enhance their lives. Members of the Sunflower Connection swim and exercise at Millennium Place each week, and Renata arranges bowling excursions, mini-golf, pizza parties, barbecues,and a myriad of other fun activities for them. The money for these activities is raised by saving spare change and returning recyclables.
Renata, who is a member of the Strathcona Schizophrenia Housing Foundation, has first-hand knowledge of the trials of mental illness. She understands how the social stigma about mental illness can affect those who suffer from it, and she has mined her personal experiences to become an effective advocate on their behalf. Renata takes every opportunity to educate the public about mental illness in the hopes of reducing the stigma and misunderstandings in society.
152nd Mills Haven Scout Group –Community life
For 50 years young people have been carrying on the 152nd Mills Haven Scout Group’s strong tradition of performing valuable community service. Today’s troop of Mills Haven scouts have assisted at New Year’s celebrations, ADF Fun Runs, and the Stuff-A-Bus “food-raiser.” They’ve also picked up garbage at the Strathcona Science Park, the Strathcona Wilderness Centre, and churches and schools, and helped put up Christmas decorations at Silver Birch Lodge.
Last summer, the Scout group expanded its work internationally when it travelled to Costa Rica to help at a school site and deliver school supplies to fellow students. While there, the local Scouts started a new troop in a community rife with drugs and apathy.
Chartered in 1953, this Scout group is a shining example of fine youth who grow up to become active adult citizens.
Starr Hanson – Professional achievement
Some stars flare out quickly, while others grow brighter with time. Strathcona County Museum’s Starr Hanson is of the long-lasting variety.
Since signing on as the local museum’s manager and curator in 2001, Starr has breathed new life into the facility and turned it into a place of learning for all ages. She did so with a clear vision and dedication that has far surpassed that of an employee. Starr’s passion for the museum is evident in everything she does, from teaching students and visitors about the area’s history, to caring for artifacts, to spending hours far and above her official working hours doing day-to-day operations.
Starr’s outgoing personality has made her a tremendous ambassador for the fledgling museum, which needed the kind of bolstering she brought with her nine years ago. Her enthusiasm has attracted a strong volunteer base and many new visitors to drop in and enjoy local history and special events.
Jack Lukey – Community life
Dedicated citizens tend to become involved in many pursuits that enhance their community. Jack Lukey is not only a prime example of this kind of volunteer, he has an enviable 40-year track record of fine community work.
Jack launched his volunteer career in 1974 when he was instrumental in developing Alberta’s first ringette league. His three daughters participated in the sport and he stayed involved for decades as a coach and referee. Jack is also a strong supporter of the Terry Fox Run. It’s a passion his children and grandchildren have inherited.
As a member of the St. Thomas Anglican Church congregation, he assists in many volunteer capacities. As well, he’s a member of the Strathcona County Seniors Advisory Committee, has helped out at the 2007 Western Canada Games, and volunteers at many County festivals.
Members of the Strathcona Pony Club
(Stephanie Strome, Tara Mitchell, Kelsey Bochon-Duffy) – Athletics
“The Bouncers” will become equestrian ambassadors for Strathcona when they compete for Team Canada this summer in the 2010 International Prince Philip Games.
Stephanie Strome, Tara Mitchell and Kelsey Bochon-Duffy have been riding together in equestrian events since they were seven years old. Last year, the three members of the Strathcona Pony Club, along with two other teammates – Jessica Wallin and Kristen Pym –worked hard to win their regional competition and then the 2009 National Championship.
The trio tried out for positions on the five person national team and all three were pickedto represent Canada.The girls work hard, play hard and are bestfriends. They display tremendous support for fellow competitors, so much so that they not only brought home the national trophy this past summer, they collected the Sportsmanship Award, too.
The 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 Kevin Laurin!
Last updated: Thursday, May 03, 2012
Page ID: 6136