Innisfail’s best and brightest were honoured Friday during the inaugural Gala Awards Evening co-hosted by the Town of Innisfail and the Innisfail Chamber of Commerce.
The town handed out Community Service Awards to nine individuals who have made a significant contribution to the community.
For more on the chamber’s Small Business Awards, turn to pages B4 and B5 of the Small Business Week supplement.
Multi-sport athlete Taryn Baumgardt was the evening’s first honouree, taking home the female athlete of the year award. Baumgardt, whose career accomplishments include a gold medal at the 2011 Canada Games, provincial championships and appearances at the Alberta Winter Games, will be off to Saguenay, Quebec next month to compete in the 2011 National Women’s Under 18 Championship as a member of Team Alberta.
Innisfail town councillor Mark Kemball presented the award and said he expects to see Baumgardt wearing a Team Canada Olympic jersey one day.
Baumgardt said there were a number of great athletes from Innisfail, explaining she was honoured to receive the award. She said while she wears a jersey from a different community, Innisfail and the local minor hockey system are with her wherever she goes.
The male athlete of the year award went to Riley Simpson, who is currently attending the University of Ohio on a hockey scholarship after playing for the Brooks Bandits of the Alberta Junior Hockey League in 2009-10. He was named rookie of the year and to the rookie all-star team in his first season and finished third in the league in scoring in his second, picking up a spot His sister, Bailey, accepted the award on his behalf.
“I’m very honoured to receive this award,” she said, reading a statement from her brother. “I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for my friends and family who supported me.”
The Innisfail Junior Indians, a rag-tag group of players that captured the provincial junior baseball title en route to a second place finish at the Western Canada Baseball Association (WCBA) Junior AAA Championship, were honoured as sports team of the year.
Coach Jay Steeves spoke on behalf of the team, thanking the community and the senior Indians for their support.
Pee Wee Cyclones football coach Wally Genz was honoured for his dedication in expanding the sport locally over the past six years. Genz is also heavily involved in local minor lacrosse as a coach and an executive.
“Wally is more than a coach – he develops leaders of the future,” said town councillor Derek Baird, who presented the award. “He ensures a fun, but competitive, atmosphere and instils the will to win in all of his players.”
Genz thanked the selection committee, town council, his friends, and his family for their support.
“I do believe that a good head coach is only as good as the team and coaches that surround him,” Genz said.
The leader of tomorrow award went to Desirae Fedorchuk, whose volunteer contributions include work at the Innisfail Hospital, Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church, the Penhold Royal Canadian Air Cadets, and volunteering with the sports teams at her school.
Fedorchuk thanked the town, her volunteer coordinator, her family and anyone she has ever had the opportunity to volunteer with.
“To be called a leader of tomorrow means a lot to me,” she said.
Dorothy and David Munro’s were recognized for the community builder award for their significant contributions. Since moving to Innisfail in 2007, the couple have become active members of the Innisfail United Church, sitting on various committees and boards, the Civil Air Search and Rescue Association, the Innisfail Farm Fire Association, Autumn Glen Lodge, the Innisfail Historical Village and the local 4-H Club.
“We’re really humbled to get this award tonight,” David said.
Ruth Handford, whose contributions and promotion of art in local schools has touched the lives of over 3,500 students since she started teaching in 1985, was presented with the community cultural award.
Handford called it a privilege to promote the arts locally.
“Your job is going to fill a large part of your life and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe to be great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do,” she said, quoting Apple’s Steve Jobs. “It has been my great fortune to do this and I thank you for acknowledging it.”
Long-time Terry Fox Run volunteer Bill Hoppins was recognized by Innisfail Mayor Jim Romane with the mayor’s recognition award for over three decades of volunteer work. Romane thanked Hoppins for his commitment.
Fox was a hero who got it right, Hoppins said while accepted the award.
“I wanted to live in a community that shared those kind of values: community, compassion and hope,” Hoppins said.
The town’s final award of the evening, the citizen of the year award, went to current town councillor Brian Spiller. Spiller, who has lived in Innisfail for over 45 years, was recognized for over two decades of involvement with the Kinsmen Club and local minor hockey as a volunteer, as well as sitting on various boards and committees.
Spiller thanked his family for their support throughout his volunteer activities. During his acceptance speech he also praised the evening’s other winners.
“You’ve all made Innisfail a better place to be.”
