Some of Ponoka’s future young leaders were recognized at the 23rd annual Leaders of Tomorrow Awards on April 7.
The youth recognition program, held at Ponoka Elementary School, publicly acknowledges the amazing contributions of young people in the community.
A total of 29 students received recognition for their leadership in the community or at school as well as for volunteering.
Principal of Ponoka Elementary School Tim Bowman praised them for their efforts.
“The young people being recognized today are able to take on the day-to-day busyness and step up and step out to make their school and community better,” he said.
Every student in the elementary, junior and senior categories who is nominated receives an award, but four students each year are recognized for going above and beyond the rest.
This year, Yaël Witvoet and Sydney Sinclair earned the award in the senior category, while Sam Evans and Hayley Wiancko were selected in the junior category.
Witvoet thanked her teacher who nominated her and congratulated her best friend, Sinclair, who also earned the award.
“It feels so surreal to be recognized for what I have done for this community and see how far I’ve come as a leader.”
Witvoet said her plans for the future include attending university and, “Hopefully, make Canada better instead of just my community.”
For Evans, the recognition was unexpected.
“It definitely was a great feeling to win and it feels good to be recognized for the stuff that I do in the community,” he said. “But you don’t do it to get recognized, you do it feel good and do all those things.”
2019 Leaders of Tomorrow Nominees
Elementary Category:
Parker Adcock
Shea Harrison
Tyce Ridder
Brandt Cabay
Mackenzie McKnight
Caleb Schumacher
Brooklyn Ell
Annika Paltao
Isabella Scott
Rylan Flaws
Keyana Rawji
Ethan Smith
Curtez Giroux
Junior Category:
Tori Christiansen
Damien Normandeau
Sam Evans
Sophia Oppel
David Kawahara
Addison Saunders
Matthew Kawahara
Morgan Thomas
Sierra LeBouthillier
Hayley Wiancko
Senior Category:
Kateryna Anderson
Sydney Sinclair
Tyson Cunnington
Abigail Winslow
Nadia Simons
Yaël Witvoet
