"Great Kids" are children and youth between the ages of 5 and 18 who demonstrate determination, generosity, compassion, courage and a strong spirit. Every year, the Government of Alberta recognizes the outstanding contributions of children and youth at home, at school and in the community. 

2009 GREAT KIDS AWARD WINNERS

Fatimaoffered encouragement and shared her love of reading as a mentor to a girl in kindergarten through the Buddy Reading Program at her school. She has wonderful communication skills and demonstrates them while volunteering in the community at the Parent Link Centre, raising money for various charities and participating in school musicals.  Fatima has a passion for learning and dreams of being a teacher one day.

Kaitlyn Buss - Age 7 - Rollyview

Kaitlyn may be only seven years old, but she displays a generous spirit well beyond her years by supporting charity organizations and inspiring others in her community. For her seventh birthday, she decided to collect donations for the food bank in lieu of birthday presents. In total, she helped collect more than 45 kilograms of food! She has also donated part of her hair to make wigs for children with cancer and has decided that for her next birthday she will collect mitts, hats and scarves for those in need.

Cassidy Goodswimmer - Age 8 - Valleyview

Cassidy’s teacher describes her as a kind and helpful class leader. Not only is she a top student, she attends Bible study and science fair after school. She impressed the entire community as one of only two girls to play on her local hockey team. Cassidy had never skated before the season, but she took on the challenge of learning to skate, playing in games, and participating in the annual Alberta Native Hockey Tournament in the senior novice division. 

Miranda Tilley - Age 7 - Rainbow Lake

Miranda inspires the staff and students at Rainbow Lake School on a daily basis. Her kindness, courage and character are evident whenever she plays with her special friend – a boy in a younger grade who has autism. She has taken him under her wing and taught her peers about acceptance.  She sits with him every day at lunch, comforts him on the playground when he is upset, and shows other students how to behave when they are around him. The boy’s teacher’s assistant calls Miranda “a guardian angel” – someone who knows the true meaning of friendship.

Age 9-12 Category

Taylor Boyko - Age 10 - Edmonton

Taylorcares deeply for those in need and always jumps in to help. She organized a toy drive at her school for the children of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, donated her toys to the Zebra Child Protection Centre, participated in the 24-hour Relay for Easter Seals (where she won the top youth fundraising award), volunteered for the Canadian Liver Foundation, filled gift boxes for Samaritan’s Purse, and is a member of Kids on Track – a community organization that empowers youth to make healthy lifestyle choices and become positive, responsible, contributing citizens. Taylor is also a good friend to a young girl with a severe disability, demonstrating kindness and character as she plays games, does crafts and communicates with her friend using picture symbols.

Olivia Hall - Age 11 - Stettler

Olivia has overcome the challenges of being diagnosed with a degenerative kidney disease at the age of five, by remaining positive, inspiring, and a leader in the community.  When she learned of the Kidney Foundation’s Give the Gift of Life Walk and Run in Red Deer, she immediately signed up to participate and raised $4,400 in pledges. The following year, Olivia was the event’s honorary chairperson – raising awareness of the event, advocating for organ donation, and doing media interviews. She is a regular volunteer for the organization and event participant. Her leadership, skills and confidence grow every day.

Zafir Nagji - Age 10 - Calgary

Zafir has a generous spirit.  When a woman and her child fleeing family violence took refuge in his family’s home, Zafir was both a helper to the mother and a companion to the young boy. This experience moved him greatly, and he decided to raise money for a local women’s emergency shelter. He also shows compassion through his weekly volunteer work at the George Boyack Senior Care Centre, support of English as a Second Language students from Afghanistan and involvement with the Hip Kids Project. Zafir is also a member of the Eagle’s Back Powwow group, as a grass-style powwow dancer.  

Samantha Terry - Age 12 - Taber

Samantha inspires others through her work on the Barnwell School Council, sports teams, the Taber Riding Club and by helping in her church’s nursery.  She impressed her whole community when she raised money and awareness for the Room to Read Foundation, which supports school projects in the developing world. She gave presentations to groups, co-ordinated fundraisers at her school and contacted local businesses for support. In total, she helped raise more than $10,000 and received formal recognition from the foundation. At the young age of 12, Samantha is already a leader in her community.

Age 13-15 Category

Shayne Baumgartner - Age 14 - Edmonton

Shayne is a wonderful example of strength and courage. Since being diagnosed with severe asthma and Type 1 diabetes, Shayne has had to constantly monitor his condition, get frequent blood tests and wear an insulin pump. Despite the challenges in his life, Shayne keeps a very positive attitude. He pushes himself to excel in school and has been an honours student since kindergarten. He continues to study computer programming, volunteers, and co-ordinates fundraisers for diabetes research. Shayne is a youth ambassador for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and encourages everyone to get involved to help find a cure. He recently raised more than $5,000 for the Walk to Cure Diabetes, and continues to act as a strong role model for others.

Danielle Heinen - Age 15 - Picture Butte

Danielle is a kind and compassionate young woman, who is known for her big heart. She is a tremendous sister, nurturer and mentor to the other children in her home. Her caring nature and creative talents shine through, along with her passion for making jewelry. Danielle sold the jewelry at events in her community and was proud to donate half of the proceeds to charity. 

Gabrielle Kirk - Age 15 - Fort Macleod

Gabrielle’s kindness, artistic talent and generosity are an inspiration to others in her home community of Fort Macleod. This young artist learned metal etching, painting and ceramic mosaics before discovering her passion for an art form that is not widely known: marquetry (decorative veneering). She is also a talented baker and has won numerous awards at the Pincher Creek Country Fair.  Gabrielle displays generosity through her work at the veterinary clinic, and in volunteering at the RCMP Centennial Library, a day camp, and community events.

Venessa Letwin - Age 15 - Redwater

Venessa is an excellent role model for other youth in Redwater, displaying courage, determination and compassion. She is a wonderful big sister to four younger siblings and a caring helper for an elderly neighbour. Every day, she is faced with the challenge of having Tourette Syndrome, yet pushes herself out of her comfort zone through participation in track and field events and as a volunteer Leader in Training for summer programs. Venessa aspires to be a missionary some day and help people around the world.

Age 16-18 Category

Ted Andrew - Age 18 - Youngstown

Ted was nominated because of his hard work on the farm, at school and in his community. He has been involved with his local 4-H Club since the age of nine and has developed excellent leadership and public speaking skills. He is also a tremendous mentor and role model to younger members, encouraging them to be good citizens through his words and actions. This summer, Ted was called upon to counsel at the People Developing People camp at the 4-H Centre. The list of Ted’s accomplishments at church, school and community is long, but he remains humble, dedicated and driven to do even more for others around him.

Julie Arsenault - Age 16 - Redwater

When Julie sees someone in need, she steps in to help. Whether it’s babysitting for a struggling family, raising money for charity, filling shoeboxes with gifts at Christmas, helping in the Royal Canadian Legion’s kitchen, or her plans to hand out gift bags at an orphanage and to children in need in the Philippines this coming January, Julie’s generous spirit shines. For her 16th birthday, she asked family and friends to help host a meal at the Mustard Seed Street Church in Edmonton for the less fortunate. Since then, she has hosted several social events at the Mustard Seed, encouraging members of her community to donate their resources and their time for people in need.

Dominique Baptiste - Age 17 - Edmonton

Dominique is a confident and inspirational young woman who proudly celebrates her Aboriginal culture. She has pursued a number of leadership opportunities like the Dreamspeakers documentary filmmaking project, a conference in Ottawa about Canadian identity, an international discussion about how climate affects indigenous populations, and the Striving for Excellence program through the Edmonton Native Healing Centre. She uses her strong public speaking skills to present to groups about overcoming barriers in their lives.

Justin Nshimirimana - Age 18 - Edmonton

Justin came to Canada from Burundi with an aunt and uncle who cared for him after the death of his parents. He is a resilient and remarkable young man and an active member of the John Humphrey Centre Youth Action Project, which promotes human rights issues to youth. Justin recently won a Rise award for leadership in the immigrant community. Justin is fluent in English, French and several African languages. He supports the Ministry of Education’s Speak Out project as the only French-speaking student representative. He plans to pursue a career in health services and follow his passion for helping others.