Southeast trio up for distinction award

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This article was published 08/04/2010 (5850 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Dedication to their respective communities has earned a trio of young southeast Winnipeg women some distinctive recognition.

St. Vital resident Jennifer Hobson, Win­d­sor Park product Karlie Blahut and Kaitlyn Alexander of Island Lakes are among eight nominees for this year’s Gerrie Hammond Memorial Award of Promise. The award recognizes young women in their senior year of high school who have helped make their communities better.

The winner will be announced April 28 at the Winnipeg Convention Centre as part of the 34th Annual Women of Distinction Awards Hobson, 17, was nominated by Glenlawn Collegiate’s student’s services department as a result of her contributions to the school’s student body, including organizing several extra-curricular clubs.

“Spirit week is a big event I’m involved in,” she says.

Another one of Hobson’s favourite activities is filmmaking. It was during the editing of some spirit week footage that Hobson’s interest in film was sparked.

Blahut was likewise nominated for the award by someone at her school.

“Our guidance counselor let me know,” says the 18-year old, who volunteers at her local church and St. Boniface Hospital.

Blahut is planning to study early education after she graduates from Springs Christian Academy this spring.

Like her fellow nominees, Alexander maintains a busy volunteer schedule.

In addition helping launch a composting program at her school, the J.H Bruns Collegiate student has spent much of her time examining communication about climate and the environment through her website and blog at www.climatesight.org.

“It is such an important issue,” she says.

The Gerri Hammond award winner will receive a $2,000 scholarship from the Manitoba Lotteries Corporation.

The YMCA-YWCA Women of Distinction Awards celebrate the talent, achievement, imagination and innovation of Manitoba women who have made a unique and exemplary contribution to the development of others in our community.

rob.brown@canstarnews.com