Mountain View County has recognized five top students in the region with its annual citizenship awards, which were presented during a ceremony at the county office on July 13.
The awards recognize students for their contributions and efforts in support of their respective schools, as well as for the community at large. Each student receives a $500 scholarship.
“When we go through these applications you recognize that there are a lot of good kids out there that are doing a lot for their communities,” Reeve Bruce Beattie said during the ceremony.
“All ratepayers and all of our citizens in the county are very proud of you and congratulations.”
The 2016 Citizenship Award recipients are as follows:
• Ciana Anhorn – A student at Hugh Sutherland School in Carstairs, Anhorn has volunteered with the Mustard Seed community support organization and helps organize food drives for the Lions food hamper program. A member of the school's Double Trouble anti-drunk driving program, a coach of taekwondo, soccer and swimming, Anhorn has been part of her school's leadership team and was chosen to attend the Canadian Student Leadership conference three times.
• Samuel Neufeld - A student at Olds Koinonia Christian School, Neufeld has volunteered at several kids' camps and been involved in fundraising efforts for Haiti relief and the local food bank. He is a regular volunteer helper on area farms and plans to become a journeyman parts technician.
• Alexa Bricker - A student at Didsbury High School, Bricker has been heavily involved in 4-H, including as vice-president of her club. She has been a regular visitor to patients at the long-term care wing at the Didsbury hospital, making Christmas hampers and taking part in the electronics roundup. She is a volunteer coach with the Didsbury figure skaking club, has been involved with her school's May Monarch spring cleanup program, and has been an Alberta Health Services youth volunteer at the local hospital since June 2015. She plans to become an optometrist.
• Gizelle de Guzman - A student at Cremona High School, de Guzman has been involved in more than 20 volunteer events over the past two years, and has been involved in many sporting activities including volleyball, cross-country and track and field. She was nominated as the Leader of Tomorrow in Airdrie's 2015 volunteer of the year event, and has helped promote mental health awareness as a Mental Health Youth Ambassador.
• Kalysa Hickok - A student at Olds High School, Hickok has been involved in 4-H leadership roles, and has been a member of the academic team. She assists in Girl Guides and has been a volunteer videographer at Guiding Mosaic 2016 with Girl Guides Canada. She plans to study theology at Mount Carmel Bible School.
Hickok and de Guzman did not attend the July 13 ceremony.
