The community officially celebrated the accomplishments of the 2011 Citizen of the Year and Jr. Citizen of the Year last week.
Harry Michael Dekker and Lindsay Martel were honored at the Tropical Inn at the annual Citizen of the Year Banquet, where they were presented their plaques and certificates before proud family and friends as well as a large audience of civic leaders and past recipients.
It was an emotional night for the two worthy recipients, who learned of their respective honors in December.
Harold Bishop, president of the North Battleford Lions Club, made the presentation to Dekker, a "man in so many places he needs three names."
Bishop noted Dekker's long career in radio at CJNB and noted coming home for Dekker from his stint in Regina was "more than just a career - it was about community and family."
His work with the Battlefords United Way, Battlefords Union Hospital, the CUPlex, the Battlefords Wildlife Federation, the North Stars and elsewhere in the community was acknowledged.
Dekker, just back from a two-week vacation in Mexico, gave a long line of thank yous and paid tribute to the many members of his family who were in attendance at the banquet, including his wife Donna, whom he called his "biggest supporter."
Dekker noted the absence, though, of two family members who were major influences in his life - his parents, the late Christine and Harry Dekker, who started the Double Dekker Breakfast Club show that Harry Michael eventually took over.
"What I would not give to have my mom sitting there at the family table," said Harry Michael, in reference to the passing of Christine earlier in 2011.
As for his dad, Harry Jr. recalled that in moving to a new radio job in Regina, his dad told him "I gave you my name, don't screw it up."
Harry Michael noted his parents had instilled the values of community service in all their kids. Harry Sr. had particularly instilled in his son the importance of getting involved in the community and the importance of being "seen as well as heard."
Battlefords and District Co-op general manager Pat Smith made the presentation to Junior Citizen of the Year Lindsay Martel. Smith rattled off a long list of accomplishments that would be more than enough to fill a 24-hour day.
"Lindsay is a natural leader who loves to serve with others," noted Smith, who detailed countless hours devoted to "many clubs and programs" while at John Paul II Collegiate, where she will graduate in June.
She organized pep rallies and spirit days, dances, lunches and other events. Smith also noted her involvement in Be the Change, which stresses the importance of being a good citizen through compassion and empathy.
Martel dedicates her time as well to Living Faith Chapel, to volunteering at BUH, Heart and Stroke, and to countless other events and community organizations.
"She certainly embodies the prairie value of hard work through volunteerism," noted Smith.
Martel noted in her speech that she had even spent a couple of days on the streets experiencing life as a homeless person.
In her acceptance of the award, Martel thanked God, her nominators, the leaders of the organizations she is involved with and her family
"I felt very surprised and very humbled to receive this honour," said Martel.
She also noted in a number of days she will head to Peru and Guatemala for work with Compassion Canada there, where she will finally be meeting the child she had been sponsoring for four years.
In speaking to reporters, Martel credited her parents and grandparents with teaching her the values of volunteering and helping others.
"They just pushed me more and more and I am just so thankful for that," said Martel. "I have gained so much from that myself, I know that."
Dekker wondered if he was worthy of the Citizen of the Year title, referring to previous winners of the award.
"You wonder if you can keep up to a standard of what they have set for you," he told reporters.
But receiving the congratulations and reassurance from past winners that "yes, we felt the same" helped.
"It is somewhat overwhelming, that's for sure, but humbling and its an absolute pleasure to have."
Dekker also referred to junior citizen Martel as "an incredible role model" and said he feels "almost humbled by her, indeed, in her young life."
