 Saskatchewan Junior
Citizen of the Year
Saskatchewan Junior
Citizen of the Year 2009 Biographies
Carmen Currie
Top...
Carmen wants to make a difference in
this world and perhaps without realizing it, she already has.
This 17 year old young woman from
Regina has an inner drive to be dedicated to her school community,
her neighborhood and her local church and hospital. Carmen is an
individual with secure values and morals and can always be counted on
to do what is right.
Through her school, Carmen?s role as
event coordinator on the Student Representative Council has enabled
her to make a difference. She spearheaded the first ever ?Terry
Fox Marathon of Hope? walk/run and her energy and leadership
ensured the event was a success. Carmen also spearheaded this year?s
?Canadian Blood Services? donor clinic reviving the program after
many years. She has been involved in an Executive position with
?Free the Children? foundation which raises funds to build
schools in third world countries.
Carmen?s spirit of volunteerism
continues with associations, clubs and committee such as the
?LeBoldus Book Club? and ?Students Against Drinking and
Driving?. She has also volunteered at the Pediatric Ward with the
Regina General Hospital, the Regina Visitation House and the Seniors
Housing Complex. Athletically and musically, Carmen?s energy and
enthusiasm continues to be displayed by coaching, referring and
participating in various bands and choirs. Using her talents, Carmen
makes a difference.
Carmen is known as an individual that
contributes selflessly and volunteers tirelessly. She is a role
model, mentor and leader. Carmen is making a difference.
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Karen Kammer
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Karen Kammer, a 17 year old young lady
from Landis Saskatchewan, has not let obstacles and challenges get in
her way.
At the young age of 2 ½, Karen was
diagnosed with Juvenile Rheumatiod Arthritis and the public health
nurse noticed that she had a learning delay. Not knowing what the
future would hold, Karen?s hard work, with assistance from
teachers, has enabled her to be on the Honor Roll for several years.
She overcame her challenges to achieve academic success.
At the age of 13, Karen?s spirit of
volunteerism began. At the Ranger Lake Bible Camp she started out by
assisting as a LIT. Since then she has become a Junior Counsellor
with aspirations of assuming the role of Senior Counsellor. For the
past 2 years, Karen has helped lead the Vacation Bible School in
Landis. She has a passion toward mentoring young girls, continually
exceeds expectations and goes beyond the call of duty. These traits
make her a wonderful role model and mentor.
Through the Heartland Health Region
Junior Volunteer Program, Karen can be found partnering with seniors
in several different settings. The time that she has invested in the
Program has enriched the quality of life of each of the clients she
has encountered.
In her school, Karen has assumed a lead
role with the Big Brother Big Sister Program, volunteered with the
school Telemiracle project, has been SLC secretary, is on the
yearbook staff, and has helped lead the Junior Choir.
Even though Karen?s young life may
have started with challenges to overcome and questions about her
future, she has risen above and given back.
Karen is accompanied today by her
parents Gail and Albert and her sister Amanda.
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Natalie Ortynsky
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Natalie Ortynsky possesses a contagious enthusiasm and readily shares
her excitement. This 18 year old young lady from Yorkton inspires
and encourages others around her.
Natalie is described as a true humanitarian, one who gives
unselfishly of her time from her heart and whose endless volunteer
work is of noble bearing. She contributes to her community and school
using her natural skills and instinctive ability to relate to people
of all ages. Natalie has volunteered for the ?Red Cross? during
their annual canvassing blitz and has acted as student ambassador for
the ?Kids Help Phone Line?. She has also participated in
Yorkton?s first ?Bell Walk for Kids? which was established to
create awareness about our youth in society. She has volunteered
with the ?Terry Fox Run? and ?Junvenile Diabetes Walk for a
Cure?
Throughout her elementary and high school years, Natalie has assumed
a very active role in her school. She is SRC Grad Director, a member
of the Yearbook, Environmental Club and student liaison for Safe
Grad. She was selected to attend Junior National Debate
Championships in 2006. Natalie has attended the Sports and Fitness
Program as part of Encounters with Canada and has attended the Forum
for young Canadians. This only begins to touch on the activities
Natalie has been involved with through school, community, home and
sport.
As Mother Theresa once said, ?youth have the gift of giving? and
as stated in one of the letters of support for Natalie, this is a
true reflection of what she represents.
We couldn?t agree more.
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Leejay Schmidt
Top...
Leejay Schmidt, a
17 year old young man from Melfort, has been described as the epitomy
of an ideal teenager. Caring for people and creation, positive,
optimistic, enthusiastic, empowering respectful and trustworthy.
Leejay believes
in equality and the best for all people at a local, provincial and
global level. His spirit of volunteerism began at the age of 4 and
has continued to be a theme in his life. Performing at the local
care homes and assisted living residences were his first acts of
giving and he currently continues to enrich those lives.
For the past 4
years Leejay has been on the Outreach/Mission and Service Committee
of the Melfort United Church Board, and is also a member of the
Melfort Youth Council. Leejay?s interest in human rights issues
have been groomed by experiences through ?Encounters With Canada?,
?Saskatchewan Student Leadership Conference? and ?Saskatchewan
Youth Parliament? Through these groups, Leejay gained experience
and knowledge to found the MUCC Amnesty Club.
Leejay continues
with his spirit of volunteerism by volunteering countless hours with
cancer?s ?Relay for Life? and fundraising for AIDS victims
through the ?Beads of Hope Campaign?. He has volunteered as a
Counselor in Training for SCI-FI Camps and has helped collect food
for the Melfort Food Bank during their food drives. Leejay is
passionate about enriching the lives of others.
In his school,
Leejay is just as committed an active as he is in church and
community. He volunteers his time with the MUCC Student Council as
communication rep. He is the technical rep for the Drama club,
football games and pep rallies. Leejay is also a member of
?Students Against Drinking and Driving?.
In Leejay?s own
words, ?There is so much we as individuals can do to contribute to
our schools, communities and to all humanity. I have done my very
best with the capabilities I have to enrich the lives of others.
This is only the beginning.?
Leejay, we
believe this IS only the beginning.
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Junior Citizen of the
Year Archive
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