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Four community members were celebrated for their significant contributions to the region at Council’s Excellence Awards ceremony on Monday night at Shell Place.
“It’s clear to me that the greatest resource in this region has always been our people,” said Mayor Sandy Bowman. “We congratulate the winners and all those that were nominated during what was a record year for community participation. Thank you to everyone that took time to express how much these people are making a positive difference to those around them.”
Council presented certificates to recipients of the four awards categories; Citizen of the Year, Everyday Hero, Indigenous Advocate and Youth.
Citizen of the Year: Mohamed Tarrabin
Mohamed (Moe) has made significant contributions to the region through compassionate and selfless acts. A proud senior manager of Prestige Jewellers in Fort McMurray, he has made a positive local impact through his support of local companies, non-profit organizations, and residents.
Everyday Hero: Nadeem Aslam
Nadeem’s heroic actions saved 25 lives on June 23, 2024 while driving a Fort McMurray Minor Baseball team home from Slave Lake. Their bus was struck by lightning, which immediately blew the front tires and caused the back tires to begin losing air. Nadeem was able to steer the bus to a stop, with no injuries to any passengers.
Indigenous Advocate: Stacie Atkinson
Stacie is a passionate advocate for her community and those who call it home. A long-term volunteer, she has given her time and energy to support community events, the Conklin Resource Development Advisory Committee, and Conklin Métis Local 193.
Youth: Lalithya Raavi
Lalithya prioritizes advocacy and volunteerism in academics, as well as inclusiveness and empowering youth. She is the founder of Eyes4All, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting vision health and essential eye care for those in need across Canada. She is also co-founder of W.Women in Tech, a non-profit student-led organization which promotes leadership and workshop opportunities in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics).
Council's Excellence Awards are an annual celebration of community champions, with nominations opening next in fall 2025. Mayor and Councillors choose eligible award recipients based on the recommendations of an advisory panel.
Photos from the Jan. 27 awards ceremony are available for download on this online album.
Know someone who deserves to be nominated in 2025? To learn more, visit rmwb.ca/excellence, or contact Pulse at pulse@rmwb.ca or 780-743-7000.
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