On August 1, MP Harold Albrecht and MPP Michael Harris honoured members of the Conestoga community during the Kitchener-Conestoga 150 for Canada’s 150 Award ceremony. The award was established to celebrate Canada’s anniversary of confederation by recognizing 150 extraordinary individuals and organizations that have made a difference in the Kitchener-Conestoga riding.
Recipients of the award were honoured in 15 categories that ranged from Caregivers and Educators to First Responders and Good Neighbours. The presentation took place at Castle Kilbride in Baden where recipients were presented with a medal from Albrecht and Harris.
Among the honourees were Dr. John Tibbits, Conestoga’s President, who was recognized as a Community Builder for his leadership of the college over the last 30 years. Cameron Jones, the 2016-2017 president of Conestoga Student’s Inc., the college’s student association, received recognition in the Youth/Students category.
Also among the honourees were six current and retired Conestoga employees who were selected for their work with older adults, faith-based groups and community building projects.
Albrecht and Harris also celebrated a number of Conestoga alumni, including 2002 Alumnus of Distinction Robert Currie, a 1988 graduate of the Broadcasting - Radio and Television program and a former instructor in the program. Currie and his wife, also a Conestoga broadcasting graduate, own and operate C to C Productions in Kitchener. Currie was recognized in the Faith in Action category for providing video talent to Creekside Church over the last 17 years.
The individuals and organizations selected for the Canada 150 awards were chosen by a committee that reviewed nominations received from the community at large.