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Sylvan Lake local a “Woman of Excellence”

Former Sylvan Lake Mayor Susan Samson receives Women of Excellence Award in Community Building
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AWARD WINNER - Susan Samson (left) took her daughter, Laura Sturtevant, to the Women of Excellence gala in Red Deer on June 7, where she was honoured with an award for Community Building. Photo Submitted by Laura Sturtevant

“I feel very privileged,” Women of Excellence Award winner Susan Samson said. “This is a gift from my community.”

Samson was awarded a Women of Excellence Award in the Community Building on June 7 in Red Deer for all the projects she has been a part of in Sylvan Lake.

She says the award recognizes all the work she, and many others, have done to make the community of Sylvan Lake a better place. The award represents not only the work done by Samson, but also all the other committee members and volunteers.

“Whether it was the lighthouse project, or the pursuit of enhanced health care services, it wasn’t just me. I was just fortunate enough to be made the chairperson.”

Samson says she is always clear, the projects done and being worked on would never happen if it wasn’t for all the help and hard work so many people put into each one.

While the night was a proud moment for Samson and all the hard working people behind her, it was more than a night of awards, according to Samson.

The Women of Excellence Awards Gala, held at the Sheraton in Red Deer, was about the amazing things women do in the communities of Central Alberta.

“I think it really highlighted everyone’s work, and what they have done for their communities,” Samson said, adding she believed each of the 25 women nominated were winners, whether they received a physical award or not.

Each woman present at the gala was inspiring and had done amazing things, Samson said.

One inspirational woman was Lucienne Henry from Clive, who won the award for Young Woman of Excellence.

She spoke on the importance of teaching young women they are extraordinary and worthy of excellence.

“She was particularly inspiring and stood out to me. In her acceptance speech she spoke about the importance of being an excellent woman and what that means.”

Samson attended the gala with her daughter, Laura Sturtevant, and said the speakers each brought good points about being a woman and how to be excellent.

Overall the night was an inspiration for all in attendance - Samson said her daughter left the event feeling more motivated.

“Women don’t often put themselves out there, and I really think it is something we should do more.”

Events and recognition like the Women of Excellence Awards, are a motivator for many women. Samson hopes the event, and the award she won, will inspire other women to do their best.

“There is no reason to shrink back, we should be proud of what we have accomplished and are accomplishing,” said Samson.

Samson wasn’t the only Sylvan Lake woman to be nominated for a Women of Excellence Award. Four other women from town were also nominated; Allison Ammeter - Agriculture, owner of Rainy Daze Medi Spa Tamara Hughes - Entrepreneurship, Lakestone Insurance’s Crystal Lanz - Entrepreneurship and Robin Nicholas, owner of The Nest Yoga and Yoga Therapy - Health and Wellness.

megan.roth@sylvanlakenews.com