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More Super Troopers honoured
On April 29, as the 2017 Sweetheart Youth Ambassadors were being formally introduced at a banquet held at the Colombo Lodge, three additional citizens were recognized for their long-term volunteer dedication.
Jim and Ann Wavrecan along with Loree Duczek received the Sam Steele Society’s Super Trooper Award, for their exceptional contributions to Cranbrook’s youth and the promotion of Cranbrook abroad.
Years ago, the Wavrecans became members of Chums of the Chamber, a group formed to assist the Cranbrook Chamber of Commerce in the promotion of Sam Steele Days and to serve as hosts to out of town guests during the festival. In 2003 the Wavrecans took their first trip as ‘Float driver and Chaperone’ and for the past 10 years, Jim has taken on the role as Chair of the City of Cranbrook Float Committee.
He and his team design, construct and maintain the city float which travels to numerous parades throughout the province, Alberta, Washington and Montana to promote the City of Cranbrook and Sam Steele Days. Several of their float designs have won prizes, bringing recognition to the city and to our annual community festival celebration. Thousands of volunteer hours have been given by Jim and Ann. They have established wonderful relationships with the Youth Ambassador teams over the years, are loved by many and appreciated by all.
Loree Duczek is a valued member of the Sweetheart Society and serves as one of the co-ordinators. She is a Sweetheart alumni who has been active with the program for 20+ years, empowering the young women of our city. Loree is responsible for establishing guest presenters for the Sunday rehearsal programs and prepares the pageant host’s script, technical script, candidate’s biographies and choreographs the opening number for presentation night. She works on an individual basis with each of the candidates to ensure they are at their very best. She is incredibly professional, talented, extremely creative, nurturing, funny and pours her heart and soul into the program. She is loved and respected by everyone!
In November 2016 five other individuals were presented with awards to publicly acknowledge their passion and contributions over periods of time. Frank Sandor and his wife Judy were not available at that time and were recognized in January for the decades of service and support for the Sam Steele Days festival.
The Sam Steele Society is a dedicated non-profit VOLUNTEER organization that has coordinated the Sam Steele Days city-wide community festival since 1965. Collaborating with people such as those named here, makes organizing the festival a pleasure each year.
Lead image: (Left to right) 2016 Sam Steele Princess Brianna McWhirter, Jim Wavrecan, Ann Wavrecan, 2016 Sam Steele Sweetheart Jelena Jensen, Christy Wheeldon, President Sam Steele Society. Photos by Jordan Nering, Artistic Media Productions
Sam Steele Society
