The awards for Citizen of the Year and Junior Citizen of the Year were presented at the Western Development Museum Friday night at a banquet honouring Pat Gotto and Natalya Shevchuk, respectively.
Family members, friends, past recipients and the community at large were on hand to toast the accomplishments of the newly titled 2016 recipients.
Familiar indviduals of the community, including mayors Ryan Bater and Ames Leslie and MLA Herb Cox, each made a speech in honour of the remarkable community members.
Gotto is known in the community for her work in health care and her volunteer involvement with the Battlefords Union Hospital Foundation, among other organizations. In his speech, Cox spoke about first meeting Gotto — as her patient — and noted the conscientious care he received while she was a nurse.
Cox cited the spirit of volunteerism around Saskatchewan in his address to the recipients, stating "there is no better place in Canada to see the power of volunteerism at work than here in Saskatchewan and certainly here in the Battlefords.
"Saskatchewan wouldn't be as strong as it is today if it weren't for the work of our volunteers represented by these two wonderful ladies tonight."
Bater, in his speech, indicated Gotto's recognition was due.
"Every year just after Christmas they announce the recipients of the citizen and junior citizen of the year awards and this year when I first heard Pat was the citizen of the year I just thought, 'well, of course she is.'"
During his time as a member of the hospital's foundation Bater said Gotto was "the go-to person all the time."
"If you ever went to an event for the Battlefords Union Hospital Foundation, Pat was there, giving her time," said Bater.
Gotto, in her response, also touched on the province-wide disposition for giving back.
"In my growing up, we didn't know you called it volunteering, it was simply a way of life."
During her acceptance speech, Gotto also spoke to the positive experience of being involved in the community, noting that "[it] provides a great opportunity to work with people who are supportive and enthusiastic in helping to make this community grow."
"I think we all have a right to be extremely proud of North Battleford," she added.
The evening's other honouree, Natalya Shevchuk, a Grade 12 student at North Battleford Comprehensive High School — where she has maintained an average above 95 per cent — is also known for her active involvement in the community. Beginning when she was still only 15, Shevchuk organized two events through her Dancers Who Care fundraiser and has plans to hold another this year.
During the speeches in honour of Shevchuk, Bater relayed to attendees a particular meeting of city council last year in which Shevchuk took part.
"She was presenting to council about littering and the need for council to consider more receptacles. I just sat back and watched and thought 'this is someone on a mission who is literally trying to clean up her community.’"
Shevchuk thanked both her family and the community in accepting her award, saying, "My family has been my number one supports throughout my life. They're the ones I get my talents from and receive my inspirations from."
Speaking to the community of North Battleford, Shevchuk said "you have shown me how important it is to be a kind and caring person and to, above all, never stop helping." She ended her speech with a promise to "always help to use my passions to bring more good into our world."
