Kelowna91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s top citizens, organizations and teams were recognized for their dedication at the City91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s annual Civic & Community Awards gala on April 29.
The event at the Laurel Packinghouse saw family and friends join nominees from 2021, 2020, and 2019 after the pandemic cancelled the past two.
This year, longtime volunteer Llloyd Nelson took home the Citizen of the Year prize, having spent many hours with the Food For Thought program.
David Withler was recognized as the Young Citizen of the Year for his work in the community; he holds the title of the youngest and most frequent plasma donor in Canada.
With the award comes $2,000 in funding for Withler91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s post-secondary education through the Payton and Dillon Budd Memorial Fund Youth Scholarship. Both runners-up, Keira Dail and Brooke Driscoll, earned $1,000 scholarships.
Teen Honours in the Arts winner Dryden Bennett took home a $500 entry scholarship to the University of B.C. Okanagan, courtesy of the Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies.
Other winners include:
Anita Tozer Memorial Award 91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ“ bestowed by Council
Edna Terbasket
Bob Giordano Memorial Award 91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ“ Coach/Sport Administrator of the Year
Mike Sodaro
Bryan Couling Memorial Award 91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ“ Athletic Team of the Year
Kelowna Secondary School Owls Boys Volleyball Team
Female Athlete of the Year Award
Malindi Elmore
Male Athlete of the Year Award
Jerome Blake
Augie Ciancone Memorial Award 91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ“ Young Female Athlete
Tatum Wade
Augie Ciancone Memorial Award 91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ“ Young Male Athlete
Tie: Everett Schmuland & Nathan Loo
Honour in the Arts Award
Jennifer Money
Central Okanagan Foundation91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s Volunteer Organization of the Year Award
Canadian Mental Health Association - Kelowna
Corporate Community of the Year Award
Toyota Kelowna
Champion for the Environment Award
Don Dobson
READ MORE: Slow down, move over says Kelowna RCMP and BCAA
READ MORE: More efficient transit service wanted in Lake Country
Jake.courtepatte@kelownacapnews.com
Like us on and follow us on and subscribe to our daily and subscribe to our daily newsletter.