Each year the annual Cochrane Community Awards continues to add a few more names to the nomination list. This year, 46 individuals, organizations and businesses were recognized by the community for their various contributions, 13 of whom took home awards. "Warren - he's come through so many adversities in life ... to see him be so successful is very powerful for us," said a tearful Jayena Collins of her son, who took home Newsmaker of the Year. The 15-year-old archer has earned early success in the sport, as a multiple gold winner with his sights set on the Olympics. Warren, who is adopted and as the youngest of five siblings, received his first bow for his 12th birthday, fascinated to try a sport that aligned with his Metis heritage. The Collins family embraced their son's heritage, as well as dad, Wayde's, Aboriginal roots, through regular participation and attendance at traditional First Nations celebrations and cultural traditions. Warren said that to him, winning a community award showed him the value in being a role model to other First Nations youth and athletes. As a youth living with FASD and dyslexia, Warren said archery has helped to improve his ability to focus. "If you put your mind to anything, you can do it," said Warren, who is wrapping up Grade 10 as a student in the Building Futures program through Cochrane High School. Building Futures is a partnership construction program between Kingsmith Homes and Rocky View Schools, teaching practical skills to students with a passion for working with their hands. Palwinder 'Paul' Singh took home the award for Citizen of the Year and was also bestowed a dual award nomination that included the highest honour - the Order of Cochrane. "I had tears in my eyes ... it motivates you to keep doing stuff for the betterment of the community - and to get more youth out," said Singh. Singh came to Cochrane in 2014 from his home in the province of Punjab in northern India. At the time, he was a student in hospitality and tourism. He works three jobs - catering at the RancheHouse, as a Southland school bus driver and is most known for serving up coffee in the early morning hours with a giant smile through the drive-thru window in the West Valley Tim Hortons. He is now steps away from receiving his Canadian citizenship - something that motivates him to continue his tireless volunteer contributions. Singh is a very active volunteer with Newcomers Cochrane, through which he helps facilitate and coordinator annual events, including the Community Picnic and Citizenship Ceremony. Newcomers Cochrane is run through Rocky View Immigrant Services through Cochrane Family and Community Support Services. "Coming from a different part of the world, I am so thankful for the people in this town ... it's a great honour to be (here)," said Singh, who can be seen with his helping hands at various events around town, including the biannual food drives and Canada Day celebrations. It was former five-term town councillor Ross Watson who took home the award of the highest distinction - the Order of Cochrane, as presented by Mayor Jeff Genung and town council. Watson was recognized for his life's work as an advocate for persons living with disabilities. As a blind person who has overcome adversity throughout his life, Watson has sought to effect change through legislation where accessibility is concerned - helping to create 54 changes to the Human Rights Act and has won numerous awards for his body of work. "Like all of the recipients of the Order of Cochrane, I care deeply about the Town of Cochrane and simply wanted to do something to transform Cochrane into a modern, self-sufficient place to live," said Watson. An avid outdoor enthusiast, Watson was the first blind climber to climb North American's tallest mountain, Alaska's Mount McKinley, in 1990. He retired from his career for Alberta Parks as manager of William Watson Lodge in Kananaskis. He holds an honorary doctorate in laws, awarded by the University of Lethbridge, for his community activism and achievements.
The 2018 award recipients are:
Order of Cochrane: Dr. Ross Watson (Category Sponsor: Cochrane Mayor and Council)
Ambassador of the Year: Cody Matechuk (Category Sponsor: Cochrane Community Awards)
Business of the Year: Mountain Vista Law (Category Sponsor: Cochrane and District Chamber of Commerce)
Citizen of the Year: Palwinder Singh (Category Sponsor: Burnswest Properties Ltd.)
Community Builder of the Year: Stuart Bradley (Category Sponsor: Cochrane Community Awards)
Education Initiative of the Year: Bow Valley High School – Time for Hope Colours Cochrane (Category Sponsor: Bow Valley College)
Employer of the Year: Boys & Girls Club of Cochrane & Area (Category Sponsor: Cochrane and District Chamber of Commerce)
Equity and Inclusion Champion of the Year: Melissa Engdahl (Category Sponsors: Town of Cochrane, Equity and Inclusion Committee)
Newsmaker of the Year: Warren Collins (Category Sponsor: Cochrane Times)
Pathfinder of the Year: Cochrane Farmers’ Market (Category Sponsor: SPUR)
Senior of the Year: Jane White (Category Sponsor: TWO Pharmacy)
Volunteer Group of the Year: Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (Category Sponsor: Cochrane FCSS)
Youth of the Year: Santana Shukin (Category Sponsor: Boys & Girls Club of Cochrane and Area)
Event Sponsors: Canlin Energy Corporation (Hors d’oeuvres), Sunset Ridge Dental (Refreshment Table), Bird’s Eye Technologies (Dessert Table).
The 2018 Nominees were:
Ambassador of the Year: Cody Matechuk; Stuart Bradley.
Business of the Year: Cochrane Panda Flowers; Cochrane Kumon; Don’t Panic Mechanic; Just Imajan Art Gallery & Studio; Last Frontier Automotive Repair; Mountain Vista Law; My Greek Plate; Tea…. And Other Things; Signarama Cochrane
Citizen of the Year: Ann Beatty; Gale Kelly; Palwinder Singh; Sharon MacDonald
Community Builder of the Year: Carey Wilkinson Lee; Della Robertson; Richard Foy (posthumous); Rose McRae; Stuart Bradley.
Education Initiative of the Year: Bow Valley High School – Time for Hope Colours Cochrane; Cochrane High School – 3D Prosthetic Hand; Mitford School – Mental Health Programming.
Employer of the Year: Boys & Girls Club of Cochrane & Area
Equity and Inclusion Champion of the Year: Ecole Manachaban Middle School – Logo Redesign; Jaclyn Laliberte; Melissa Engdahl.
Newsmaker of the Year: Cochrane Dollar; Cody Matechuk; Warren Collins
Pathfinder of the Year: Cochrane Farmers’ Market; Home Reno Heaven
Senior of the Year: Jane White; Judy Heck; Nancy Gibbie; Shannon Bell
Volunteer Group of the Year: Cochrane and District Warm Water Therapy Pool Society; Cochrane Search & Rescue; Cochrane Victim Services; Community Volunteer Income Tax Program; Helping Hands Society of Cochrane & Area
Youth of the Year: Kaya Dupuis; Miguel Duarte Jr.; Rhiannon Lympany; Santana Shukin
Order of Cochrane: Dan Kroffat; Palwinder Singh; Dr. Ross Watson; Valerie McCracken.
