Three Cochrane youth were nominees for their work in making a difference at the 21st annual Youth of Distinction Awards (YODA) on May 4.
The ceremony took place at the Calgary Zoo, which hosted several youth leaders from Calgary and surrounding communities. Recipients and nominees were announced across nine different categories, each representing a unique way that they are leaders in helping build stronger communities.
This year, the nominees from Cochrane included Annalise Hicks in for the Environment category, Natonya Fedeyko in the Innovate category, and Nick Maclure in the Sportsmanship category.
Maclure was nominated for his accomplishments in Cochrane’s sports community, particularly for his efforts as a player and leader for the CMHA U18 Selwood Selects, his volunteer work with the Cannex Cochrane Junior B Generals, and as the spokesperson in Cochrane’s recent run in Kraft Hockeyville 2024.
Although he didn’t win in the category, he was proud to be named one of the three finalists in this year’s YODA.
“This is probably one of the biggest honours I think I’ve ever had, and I can take a lot away from this for my future,” Maclure said.
Maclure said he wants to thank his nominator Katie Hill, director of experience of the SLS Centre, alongside his mom and dad.
Fedeyko, the nominee and award recipient for the Innovate category, said she was selected for her work in the BGC Lead Up 2.0 program.
“I was selected to go to Parliament to reflect on what youth needed in Cochrane,” she said. “A lot of the answers I got back there were related to mental health, drug issues, homelessness, and couch surfing.
“So, I put that all together and came up with this idea, of sort of like a hostel, but also offering services such as counselling, rehabilitation and mentorship to just youth because there are lots of those things available to adults, and Cochrane doesn’t have anything like that either.”
She embarked on this ordeal working with the Cochrane Housing Committee, and even working with Banff-Airdrie MP Blake Richards. This would eventually lead to her being nominated and later awarded for a YODA.
“It was kind of surprising, because everyone there was amazing,” she said. “Some of the stuff I read was unbelievable, coming from kids my age or younger.”
Fedeyko said it feels really good to receive recognition for her work, and it helps give her motivation to continue on her endeavours. Although she had to step away for a while, she outlined that she’s ready to jump back in.
“I believe in myself, but knowing that other people selected me to win, and they also really believe in me, really makes me want to start working on it again as soon as I can,” she said.
Fedeyko added that she would like to give thanks to Kendra McColeman, the person who ran the Lead Up 2.0 program and her nominator. She also thanks Renita Bartlett for helping Fedeyko gain a seat on the National Youth Council for BGC, and for supporting her every step of the way.
Recipient of the Penny Hume Volunteer Award, Kingston Chee, shared his thoughts on seeing youth from Cochrane and the greater Calgary area receive recognition for their work.
“Aside from the utter joy of being recognized and praised for our accomplishments,” Chee said. “The greatest satisfaction of YODA came from interacting and meeting other incredible youth who are making a difference in their communities.”
