Four inspirational local women were honoured on April 15 at the 2013 Women of the Year Awards. Quota International of Weyburn and SaskPower hosted a luncheon at McKenna Hall in order to celebrate the contributions of women to the community through service.
The event's special speaker was Canadian Senator, Lawyer, Former Judge and Diplomat, Senator Raynell Andreychuk. Having worked mostly in Saskatchewan throughout her accomplished career, Senator Andreychuk said that she is proud to be able to represent Canada internationally. She attributed her success to being privy to opportunities and then choosing to go with them.
Each of the winners in the four categories was bestowed with an engraved crystal vase.
Shirley Wheeler received the SaskPower Workplace Excellence Award. Shirley was honoured for her forty years of working in health care with the Sun Country Health Region, where she plays an indispensible role and always goes above and beyond her job description. Everyone she works with sees her as an ambassador, a champion and an advocate.
Wheeler is asked to join each new project because of her strong work ethic and her follow-through on projects. She is known for always having a smile on her face and for her sense of humor, never complaining about her many daily challenges, staying humble and expecting no recognition for any of her hard work.
"I am so happy to be part of Sun Country Health," said Wheeler. "We always strive to do our best to improve all the time."
Wheeler was nominated by Stella Swertz of the Sun Country Health Region, Tatagwa View.
Margo Jacob was presented the Access Communications Exceptional Entrepreneur Award. Margo was celebrated for her professionalism, her calibre of work and her quality of product. Since opening in 2009, her business, Top Line Advertising Products Inc., has expanded to include two embroidery machines, increased showroom and work areas as well as three employees.
Margo is known for her hands-on approach and for her eye for detail. Her clients know she puts in many hours to ensure that they receive their products in a timely manner.
"I just want to thank my family and my friends and family includes husband, parents and in-laws, because without them, I couldn't be at work as many hours as I am or do the things that I've done," said Jacob.
Jacob was nominated by Marnelle Rasmussen and Kathy Rasmussen.
Shannon Seitz won the Quota International of Weyburn Community Service Award. Shannon was recognized for her leadership, her dedication and her commitment to meeting the community's need for a before-and-after-school program. She is known as the driving force behind the implementation of the Sun Country Kids Club, for which she serves as Executive Director. Seitz spent countless hours working to get the Kids Club program running.
In addition to being a busy single mother of three boys, Seitz holds a full-time job at Souris School.
Seitz has also volunteered for many other local boards, including Crocus 80 Theatre, Tommy Douglas Performing Arts Centre, Weyburn Wildlife Federation and Weyburn Arts Council.
"I want to congratulate all of the nominees," said Seitz. "Thank you to the Sun Country Kids Club board of directors for all the support and the community for all their support for our project."
Seitz was nominated by Connie Nightingale and the Sun Country Kids Club.
Tonya Mokelki was given the Investors Group Young Woman of Distinction Award.
Tonya was honoured for her many achievements in scholastics and sports. Her skill and love of volleyball earned her a scholarship to Colorado State University, where she graduated in 2007 with a BA in Sociology with a concentration in Criminology and a minor in Biochemistry. That year she also received the Waterpik Excellence in Education Award for an athlete who kept her academic studies at a high a level as her sports.
Mokelki attended Metropolitan State University of Denver and took a minor in Criminalistics and obtained credentials for a Crime Scene Investigator. She also completed an internship at the Northern Colorado Regional Crime Lab.
Mokelki is now a legal assistant at the local law firm NSWB and she is also the youngest Coroner in the Weyburn area. She remains actively involved in volleyball and is in fact coaching the U-15 'Wildcats' volleyball team who recently won gold at a CVC tournament in Regina.
"I just recently moved home last year," said Mokelki, who was born and raised in Goodwater. "I'm so happy I could. I just love being home and being near family and friends. This is where it all started. I couldn't get to where I am if it wasn't for people here in the Weyburn area."
Mokelki was nominated by Norma Buydens.
Each of this year's winners inspire those around them to give one hundred per cent of themselves to whatever cause most needs their service. One can learn from any of these four worthy ladies that with hard work, foresight, skill and commitment, anything can be accomplished.
