Mayor Gerald Aalbers presents Mr. Lloydminster, Vic Juba, with the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal on Sunday afternoon at the Legacy Centre. Taylor Weaver Meridian Source Photos
It was a packed house at the Legacy Centre as 51 members of the community and surrounding area were honoured by the Government of Saskatchewan with the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal.
Local recipients were among 7,000 residents from across the province to be honoured.
A special ceremony was held at 2 p.m. on Sunday afternoon where those nominated by Lloydminster MLA Colleen Young received medals from Young and Lloydminster Mayor Gerald Aalbers.
“The Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal is a very prestigious award which recognizes people we’ve nominated in our community, and throughout my constituency,” said Young.
“These recipients have either been nominated by myself or someone else, for their work, not just caring for the people in their community, but throughout the province, that’s very important to note.”
Young also explained recipients were nominated in different categories, including healthcare, education, community volunteer services, and philanthropy work.
Spiro Kokonas receives a Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal from Mayor Gerald Aalbers.
Aalbers presented medals to Dick Arie, Glenn Fagnan, Kay Hauer, Vic Juba, Spiro Kokonas, Vera Koster, Kevin Kusch, Tyler Lorenz, Kurt Price and Ross Ulmer. Ulmer’s medal was accepted by his daughter, Jasmin, as he could not attend.
Young presented medals to Malik Ahmed, Dawson Antonio, Kathy Bloch-Hansen, Stephanie Munro, Mariwyn Carter, Dwayne Davison, Shaun Donald, Glen Dow, Walter Dutchak, Haiden Dyck, Leanne Fink, Heather Gray, Larry Harland, Jennifer Hauberg, Marilyn Hougham, Tom Hougham, Muhamad Afzal Khawaja, Wayne King, Richard Klinger, Valerie Lazicki, Kevin Lewis, John Littlewolf, Naurin Mangla, Morgan Mann, Aurora Cruz Meneses, Norm Namur, Fred North, Randy Novlan, Dean Peters, Darlene Puckey, Brenda Robinson, Angela Rooks-Trotzuk, Cheryl Ross, Dr. Raffath Sayeed, Jaqueline Weed, and Jean Whitford. Sherjeel Butt and Doug Novlan were also awarded medals but could not attend Sunday’s ceremony.
Kurt Price receives a Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal on Sunday.
With a total of 51 medals being awarded locally, Young explained that says a lot about the community we live in.
“It tells you how fortunate we are to have people that always step up, show leadership, provide outstanding services to the people of this community and surrounding area,” she said.
“I’m very honoured and proud to be able to share this opportunity with those nominees, but also with their family and close friends.”
“I think that’s really important because none of us do these kinds of things without the support of our families.”
Mayer Aalbers shares a hug with Residents in Recovery CEO, Tyler Lorenz, after presenting hime a with a medal.
Aalbers echoed Young’s remarks and added the community as a whole should be proud.
“You just have to look around the community, and no matter where you turn, there’s volunteers that support various worthy causes, from healthcare to education, and they’re dedicated,” he said.
“Then there’s the philanthropy and the volunteers supporting numerous organizations across the city.
“From the City’s perspective, the list of nominees represents a wide range of activities in our city, which is wonderful.”
Stephanie Munro, who is the current CEO of the Lloydminster Region Health Foundation, was left speechless upon receiving her medal.
Lloydminster MLA Colleen Young presents Lloydminster Region Health Foundation CEO, Stephanie Munro, with the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal.
“I am extremely honoured and humbled to have been chosen to receive this significant recognition,” she said.
“Everything I do is to move healthcare forward in both our community and province, not for the recognition but rather for the people. Much of my success I attribute to this amazing community, my colleagues, family and friends. I truly feel undeserving of such recognition, and share this award with all of you who have been a part of my journey.”
Teacher Shaun Donald received his award for developing and running a specialized program called Eco 9. Donald also received the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal in 2002.
“I do it because I want to do things for the people. I enjoy helping others and seeing others succeed, and being able to be a part of their joy and success.”
