It's not every day that you're named, essentially, person of the year, but that's what happened to Niki Sokolan on a recent morning.
Sokolan has been named Humboldt's 2013 Junior Citizen of the Year. The award recognizes a young person who contributes to the community a positive fashion through their volunteerism and other good works.
When told of the news, Sokolan was a bit surprised, as the nominations are made without the nominee's knowledge.
"I'm kind of taken back by that," she said with a sheepish laugh. "I wasn't expecting that at all."
The 24-year-old has been working at Graphic-Ad Limited for the past two years, doing everything from design to website work, but it's what she does outside of the office that's most drawn the attention of others.Most notably, Sokolan serves as the vice-president of the local Legion branch and has been involved with the organization for the past five years. It's a family thing - her grandfather fought in the Second World War and is a member and her dad is the branch secretary. It's a somewhat unusual arrangement for someone so young, but it's obvious that it means a lot to her.
"I do a little bit of everything with them," she explained. "Mostly, though, I try to involve younger people. Most of the people at the Legion are 80 and above, so I try to reach out to people on social media, because that's how everyone communicates these days."
In February 2013 she collaborated with Bolt FM for Skate Day, where a few local children won the chance to play some shinny with members of the Humboldt Broncos. The game was played in Sokolan's yard, which is often flooded to make a temporary rink in the winter.
"It was a lot of fun for all of them," she said.
Sokolan was also involved in the Rush for Gold fundraising campaign in September 2012 that raised nearly $55,000 to support local Olympians Brianne Theisen-Eaton, who competed in London, and Lyndon Rush, who will be heading to Sochi for the Winter Olympics next month.
One of the more interesting aspects of this year's award was that last year's winner, Adam Duke, nominated Sokolan for the prize. Duke has known the Sokolan family for most of his life, especially through the Legion, as his grandfather Egill Buschman was also a veteran. After seeing Sokolan speak at a Remembrance Day ceremony less than two months ago, Duke was motivated to become an associate member and saw a lot to like in the younger Sokolan.
"Niki appears to have the type of character that Humboldt has prided itself on," Duke said. "She comes across as humble, honest, friendly and hard-working. Someone that does the work because it's the right thing and needs to be done instead of for personal gain. That is what a great community leader should be and we're lucky to have a lot of people like that in our community."
Duke said the experience of being named Humboldt's 2012 Junior Citizen of the Year was a great one and that it contributed to his desire to nominate someone this year.
"There were several people that I considered for this recognition but I'm confident that Niki Sokolan is the most deserving this year," he said.
There's surely lots of people who agree with Duke on that one.
The Humboldt & District Chamber of Commerce will honour Sokolan at the annual Mark of Excellence Awards. This year's event will be held on March 14, beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the Uniplex's Jubilee Hall.
