JOSHUA KUZMINSKI
2006 Leaders of Tomorrow
5-11 year old Major Award Recipient
Joshua is a 7-year- old boy with a bright future ahead of him.
Joshua likes to spend his free time volunteering in the community. This Agnes Davidson Elementary student enjoys helping out with the Teddy Bear Toss organized by the Salvation Army. He has also joined all of Santa’s elves with decorating a float and handing out candy at the annual Santa Claus Parade in Fort Macleod. Around Halloween time, you will find Joshua scaring all of those who dare to enter the Haunted House at The Galt Museum & Archives. Joshua has helped out with numerous activities at the Helen Schuler Coulee Centre; most recently being a big part in a Sunday nature walk.
Joshua is a true Leader of Tomorrow!
KERRI LEIGH CASTELLANO
2006 Leaders of Tomorrow
12-15 year old Major Award Recipient
Kerri Castellano’s compassion for others shines through in everything she does.
Animals are close to this Lethbridge Collegiate Institute student’s heart. At the age of 12, Kerri volunteered at the Dog Zone where she groomed and cared for animals. After Dog Zone closed its doors, she started volunteering at the Lethbridge & District Humane Society. This energetic teen cleans the dog kennels, and feeds and walks the dogs every Tuesday evening. Kerri often finds herself enjoying the outdoors with the dogs on the weekends as well. Kerri has been volunteering with the Lethbridge & District Humane Society for three years, and often trains and supervises new volunteers.
This 14-year-old encourages family and friends to become involved in volunteering in the community.
People who know Kerri will agree that she is an excellent asset to any organization.
MUNIMA ALAM
2006 Leaders of Tomorrow
16-18 year old Major Award Recipient
Munima Alam has donated numerous hours to help others.
This Grade12 student from Lethbridge Collegiate Institute is very involved in her school. She has been part of the Renaissance Council, Badminton Club, Film Club, National Honour Society, Grad Directorate, Graphic Arts Club, Travel Club, and Homework Club.
Munima’s future aspirations are to work in the health care system, and her compassion and desire to help others is reflected in her volunteer work. She volunteers her time at the Lethbridge Regional Hospital where she provides leisure activities for sick children in the Pediatric Unit. This 17-year-old also volunteers at the New West Theatre taking tickets, ushering, cleaning up, and answering patron’s questions, and helped out with the Canadian Cancer Society.
Munima’s kindness and compassion will serve her well.
MICHELLE NEY
2006 Leaders of Tomorrow
16-18 year old Major Award Recipient
Michelle Ney is a shining example of a Leader of Tomorrow!
This Lethbridge Collegiate Institute student is very involved in both her school and community. She has volunteered her time with the Southern Alberta Bible Camp, and the Lethbridge Regional Hospital where she visited and provided music to patients.
Michelle has helped out with numerous activities at her school including the Newcomer’s Club, Students Alive Club, Challenge Day, been on the counseling team and lent a hand at the Children’s Wish Foundation . She researched and displayed information on eating disorders on school wide bulletin boards.
The 18-year-old has also been involved with the National Honours Society and various organizations such as Salvation Army, and Canadian Cancer Society.
All who know Michelle respect and admire her—no better qualifications could be found for a future Leader of Tomorrow.
Annalies Vanden Brink
2006 Leaders of Tomorrow
16-18 year old Major Award Recipient
Annalies Vanden Brink has demonstrated a maturity and concern for others far beyond her years.
Volunteering has become a way of life for this 17-year-old. Since the age of 14, she has volunteered once a week during the school year and dedicated her entire summer holidays to volunteering.
Annalies has been volunteering at Lethbridge Regional Hospital since 2002. She has worked with sick children on the Pediatrics Unit, delivered ice water to patients and also helped with the set up and take down of equipment for a fund raising concert.
The Calvin Christian School student’s volunteer work with the Canadian Blood Services inspired her to challenge her school community to participate in “Partners for Life”. Their goal was to save 1200 lives (each donation saves 3 lives) which they met.
In her spare time Annalies has also assisted children with their reading with the Ready, Set, Read! Program at the Lethbridge Public Library, delivered meals to clients in their homes for Meals on Wheel, volunteered as a junior leader at the Boys & Girls Club. She has also helped special needs students improve their literacy and mathematics skills at Immanuel Christian School and assisted with the bathing, dressing and feeding of residents at the Edith Cavell Nursing Home.
Annalie’s combination of dedication and action make her an excellent leader.
Jared De Groot
2006 Leaders of Tomorrow
19-24 year old Major Award Recipient
Whether it is painting a senior’s home in 30C weather on his weekends, or helping coach basketball players, Jared De Groot has an enthusiasm for everything he does.
Jared helped out Volunteer Lethbridge’s Project Paintbrush to paint senior’s homes and fences. He was always willing to lend a helping hand. He helped out with everything from pressure washing, sanding to painting and even used some of his vacation days from work to lend a hand with this project.
The 22 year old has also volunteered his time the past three years with the youth group at Park Meadows Baptist Church where he helped with recreation activities.
The Lethbridge Community College student also helps coach the girl’s basketball team in Nobleford. He volunteered his time with the Ski Patrol at Castle Mountain from 2003 - 2004.
This past spring, he helped sandbag the river banks when the town of High River experienced flooding.
Jared’s compassion and desire to help others will serve him well in his goal of working with youth.
Joanne Luu
2006 Leaders of Tomorrow
19-24 year old Major Award Recipient
Throughout her university career, Joanne Luu has devoted herself to improving the lives of others.
She has served as the President of the University of Lethbridge Rotaract Club, and since her tenure the membership of the club has almost tripled.
The 20-year-old has been very busy the past year assisting with various fundraisers. She organized the 2nd Annual Bowl-a-Thon and helped raise over a thousand dollars for Chinook Books for Babies. Rotaract organized and ran as a team in the Terry Fox Run. At the international level, Joanne was integral in the committee that hosted the first ever Rotaract Water for Life Dinner and Silent Auction and helped raise $14,000 to go towards building water wells in India.
Joanne also sits as a student representative on the Ingrid Medal Speaker Award Committee and the Student Experience Committee at the University of Lethbridge. She has just been elected as the incoming Vice-President Administration for the Students’ Union.
Joanne’s time and effort are noticed and appreciated by all of those who know her.
Duane Petluk
2006 Leaders of Tomorrow
19-24 year old Major Award Recipient
Duane Petluk has an extensive and diverse volunteer background.
The University of Lethbridge student is a very active volunteer in Lethbridge and Southern Alberta.
Since 2001, The Galt Museum & Archives has benefited from Duane’s energy and enthusiasm. He has acted, written the script, recruited and cast other volunteers for the popular Halloween Bus Tours. He assists with other special event such as the sleepovers, Easter events, Beer Tasting fundraiser, Robbie Burns Day and Christmas Tree Festival. Duane is studying teaching at the University of Lethbridge and has lent his skills to the public programming area of The Galt and assisted with classroom visits where he has taught origami, helped with Christmas programs and ran a program on the Reserve for preschool and kindergarten crafts.
Duane’s other volunteer work has included volunteering as a tour guide at an Interpretations Canada conference for tour guides from across Canada, volunteering at the Provincial Special Olympic Games, serving as a stage crew member for the Calgary Folk Festival, assisted children with crafts and activities at South Country Fair, volunteered as backstage security and cleanup at the Salmon Arm Roots and Blues Festival.
Duane’s hard work and dedication has truly made a difference to those around him.