Four of Lethbridge’s outstanding citizens received the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal at a special ceremony hosted by the YWCA Lethbridge & District at the Southern Alberta Ethnic Association.
YWCA CEO Jill Young said it is an honor to host the event.
“Today’s event is about the contributions members of our community have made to our community over the past year and is in honor of The Queen and her platinum jubilee and 70 years in the reins on the throne.”
Seven thousand Albertans are receiving medals this year. Belinda Crossan, Jackson Aubrey, Bev Lanz and Laura Branner were recognized at Thursday’s ceremony.
“I was very overwhelmed and honored to receive this medal,” Crossen said.
“I was telling someone I had other awards but this was the one my dad was most proud of me getting because it’s from the Queen!”
“It’s something I’m honored to have found and I see it as a call to action, a reminder to fight the good fight and build a better world.”
Recipients were chosen by a selection committee based on their dedication to helping others and bettering their community.
It’s no surprise, all the humble winners like Abrey, director of Lethbridge’s Indigenous Recovery Program, immediately shared the spotlight.
“I feel I am just one of the team that is being recognized, it is not me as a person who goes out and helps people, who serves people, I am just someone who is recognized for it. I am being honored for, rather it is my entire team.” Who deserves this award, not just me,” Abrey said.
Lanz said it was an honor to receive the award alongside such a talented group of people.
“It will be really fun to watch the journey of the young achievers as they really have years to do some great things and I am confident they will do it.”
Jaime Vandenberg of Lethbridge, who was crowned Miss World Canada 2021, was also selected for the platinum jubilee, but was unable to attend the ceremony.
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