The Town of Cochrane celebrated “20 Leaders of Tomorrow” recognizing Cochrane youth for their community work over the past year. The students' services ranged from volunteering for local organizations to spearheading initiatives and projects for the benefit of the community and their peers. Mayor Jeff Genung commended the youth during his opening speech at a town event on April 19, noting his work with the youth council has been a highlight of his mayorship. “The most fun I’ve had, the coolest group of people I’ve had interactions with by far have been youth,” Genung said. “You guys have inspired me – I’ve tried to take that back to council and inspire them with the same energy that you bring to the work that you’re doing in our community.” Among the recipients was a Grade 2 student, Benton Traudt, who raised $1,200 for the Fireside School inclusive playground. As well, Cochrane High School’s Grade 11 students Levi Schmidtke and Jonas Prudden who built a prosthetic hand with a 3D printer for an elementary student born with an underdeveloped hand. “Today’s event is about leaders of tomorrow, but I can tell you from the interactions that I’ve had with you, that you’re actually leading today,” Genung said. “I can’t say enough about how impressed I’ve been with each and every one of you that I’ve met.” The full list of the 20 Leaders of Tomorrow award includes:
- Benton Traudt
- Eliza Housman
- Thomas Sopher
- Mackenzie Eichinger
- Kiana Campbell
- Kassidy Gerhardi
- Chelsea Luft
- Karly Macaulay
- William Maxwell
- Ethan Noble
- Kaitlyn Paltzat
- Tupaj Parrado
- Angellana Patterson
- Ben Ponting
- Jonas Prudden
- Levi Schmidtke
- Santana Shukin
- Kyra Yeske
