The community had a chance to honour Battlefords Citizen of the Year and Junior citizen of the Year Friday, Jan. 21.
The banquet honoring Yvonne Nyholt, the 2010 Citizen of the Year, and Taryn Jackson, 2010 Junior Citizen of the Year, was held at Tropical Inn in North Battleford. The event was sponsored by the News-Optimist, Battlefords and District Co-op and the North Battleford Lions.
Both "citizens" were accompanied by family and friends, including many who had travelled in to be on hand for the occasion. The audience also included political officials and community leaders, as well as several former citizens of the year.
The tribute speech to Nyholt was delivered by Shawn Hewitt, president of the North Battleford Lions Club, who warbled to the tune of You Light Up My Life to honour Nyholt.
His out-of-tune rendition was in recognition of Nyholt's work to "light the night" in restoring the water Tower lights. The City of North Battleford chose the evening to announce that a plaque will commemorate the work Nyholt and the volunteers.
Nyholt's volunteer contributions with the Battlefords Residential Services Inc., Battlefords Interval House and the Good Sams was also recognized, along with her many other contributions to the community.
"I'm absolutely still overwhelmed by it," Nyholt said. "I think it'll take me a little while to get over this.
"To work for your community is something that we all need to do. If everybody just gives a little of their time, it's amazing what they can get done."
She admitted during her speech that in her younger days she talked about how she would "blow this popstand" at the first opportunity - but ended up staying put.
"You never know what fate's in store for you," Nyholt said, adding "I've had a great life here in the Battlefords."
Taryn Jackson, a student at North Battleford Comprehensive High School was far more emotional in her speech, accepting the honour.
Pat Smith of Battlefords Co-op read the tribute to Jackson. Among the long list of Jackson's accomplishments was her extensive arts involvement with the North Battleford Kinsmen Band and the Saskatoon Youth Orchestra, the youth choir, community adult choir and other activities.
Her extensive charity and volunteer work has included fundraising for a teacher with breast cancer, Relay for Life, Western Development Museum, the Christmas shoebox campaign, raising money for the Red Cross and Telemiracle, and others. Jackson has managed to participate in all her activities while maintaining a 94.7 per cent average in her studies at North Battleford Comprehensive High School.
She said she was inspired to volunteer by both her family and others in the community who volunteer their time.
"Seeing other people in the community and knowing how much of a difference they make, it makes me feel like I should do something, too," Jackson told reporters.
When asked how she manages to maintain strong academics and keep a busy schedule of volunteer activities, Jackson admitted she has to set priorities and stay organized.
"I don't watch a lot of TV," Jackson said.
She also paid tribute to Nyholt. "I hope they look up to Yvonne as a shining example of the community," she said.
