Mayor's Recognition Awards

Mayor Ken Johnston

The Mayor’s Recognition Awards recognize Red Deer individuals, groups or teams who have brought honour and recognition to Red Deer in one of five categories:

  • Athletics
  • Fine and performing arts
  • Distinguished voluntary service
  • Community builder
  • Mayor’s Special Award (for humanitarianism, exceptional achievement, or an act of heroism or bravery)

Award recipients are selected by the Mayor’s Recognition Awards Committee, with the exception of the Mayor’s Special Award recipient, which is selected by the Mayor.

Athletics

Athletics

Recognizing individuals or teams placing first in a national event or competition, or placing first, second or third in an international event or competition sanctioned by the respective national or international governing body or placing first at the highest possible level that can be achieved in their sport.

  • Cody Corotan
  • Mary Marshall
  • Sofia Reyes

Red Deer 18U AAA BAEL CarStar Braves

  • Gavin Armstrong
  • Jake Brooks
  • Cash Buchwitz
  • Keefer Callaghan
  • Owen Coumont
  • Nathan Flewelling
  • Addison Giesbrecht
  • Evan Gorr
  • Hudson Hoy
  • Corbin Lochhead
  • Zach MacDonald
  • Sawyer Marshall
  • Tanner Morrow
  • Nate Mountjoy
  • Noah Nakonechny
  • Ryder Petryshen
  • Mason Proctor
  • Evan Russell
  • Luke Schmitt
  • Dominic Skjonsberg
  • Michael Szpak
  • Nathan Vennard
  • Nicholas Westendorp
  • Josh Zanolli, Head Coach
  • Brad Morrow, Assistant Coach
  • Curtis Flewelling, Assistant Coach
  • Jeff MacDonald, Assistant Coach
  • Bobbi Buchwitz, Manager/Chef de Mission

ISKF Red Deer

  • Cody Corotan
  • Emma Gabriela Gutierrez
  • Fiona Nelson
  • Sofia Reyes
  • Rahul Channan, Head Coach & Chief Instructor
  • Jonard Corotan, Chief Instructor
  • Geovanni Gutierrez, Chief Instructor

Hunting Hills Lightning Bantam Football

  • Destin Anderson
  • Noah Bootsma
  • Jordan Champney
  • Wylder Chaput
  • David Clemens
  • Liam Cuffe
  • Jack Daisley
  • Xander Diletzoy
  • Hayden Foster
  • Killian French
  • Hunter Fulton
  • Dax Green
  • Julio Gutierrez-Ruiz
  • Chase Hall
  • Ben Hawrylak
  • Malachi Herbert
  • Kolbie Hernberg
  • Kyler Hughes
  • Caidyn Johnson
  • Kobin Lampard
  • Jax Lee
  • Felix Lindsay
  • Kellan Mandrusiak
  • Seth McLeod
  • Asher Olmstead
  • Jaxen Paradis
  • Leon Plumley
  • Lucas Plumley
  • Jackson Puckett
  • Grayson Rowe
  • Jack Shafer
  • Drayden Shaw
  • Kian Siemens
  • Bethany Stevens
  • Fenris Tang
  • Jacob Thorsteinson
  • Hudson Voice
  • Chase Warnick
  • Seth Weir
  • Lennox Williams
  • Josh Sorensen, Head Coach
  • Corey French, Assistant Coach
  • Joe Hedlund, Assistant Coach
  • Colin Lampard, Assistant Coach
  • Jordan Lenius, Assistant Coach
  • Konrad McDougall, Assistant Coach
  • Chad Murray, Assistant Coach
  • Jamie Plumley, Assistant Coach
  • Skylar Rempel, Assistant Coach
  • Jr Rivera, Assistant Coach
  • Kayden Walper, Assistant Coach
  • Reagan Niemeyer, Athletic Therapist/Trainer
  • Sandy Johnson, Equipment Manager

Lindsay Thurber Raiders Senior Boys Volleyball

  • Josh Cho
  • Trent Deschnes
  • Tyson Dezutter
  • Wil Fidek
  • Caeden House
  • Blake Hughes
  • Jamie Kelly
  • Jasper Kennedy
  • Daniel Lakhtorov
  • Jorryn Mckenzie
  • Lucas Moore
  • Koen Penninga
  • Hudson Penz
  • Grady Rodzinyak
  • Taye Savoury
  • Gavin Watts
  • Travis Czainski, Head Coach
  • Terence McMullen, Assistant Coach
  • Kei McMullen, Manager

U15A Red Deer Chiefs Lacrosse

  • Anson Albrecht
  • Cooper Bowen
  • Liam Dow
  • Tucker Istace
  • Pierson Larocque
  • Gavin McEvoy
  • Seth Mcleod
  • Dominick Meeds
  • Hadin Nelson
  • Threan Painchaud
  • Gavin Roth
  • Bronson Scott
  • Lucas Seidel
  • Kian Siemens
  • Tyrell Strauss
  • Dylan Turner
  • Mason Williams
  • Noah Zeigler
  • Darren Kinnear, Head Coach
  • Lee Siemens, Assistant Coach
  • Steve Albrecht, Assistant Coach
  • Adam Roth, Trainer
  • Melanie Roth, Manager

Distinguished Voluntary Service

Distinguished Voluntary Service

Recognizing outstanding volunteers who have made a significant impact, enhanced the quality of life and/or implemented a significant positive change in Red Deer.

  • Marie & Howard Antoniuk
  • Gerry Campbell
  • Martin Fletcher
  • Kevin Hanrahan
  • Ian Ihme
  • Kiwanis Club of Red Deer
  • France Pajares
  • Franco Pajares
  • Sandy Polis & Teddy
  • Janet Sole
  • Audrey Thorhauer
  • Bobbie-Jo Van Heck

Community Builder

Individuals

Recognizing outstanding individuals or groups who have demonstrated special or unique qualities and who have made a difference in our community through leadership, dedication, innovation and creativity, with long term benefits.

  • Dieulita Datus-Hall
  • René-Osmani Diakité (posthumous)
  • Derek Fredeen
  • William Henderson
  • Bang Tran

Mayor's Special Award

Renae Clark

The highest honour given by The City of Red Deer, the Mayor’s Special Award recognizes individuals and groups for humanitarianism, exceptional achievement, or an act of heroism or bravery.

Renae Clark

Renae has been a driving force behind youth baseball in Red Deer, serving as the General Manager of Red Deer Minor Baseball Association for 13 years and holding key roles on the Baseball Alberta board. Her leadership has seen registration grow from 250 to over 900 players, but her most meaningful contribution has been the creation of the Red Deer Minor Baseball Challenger Program; an inclusive initiative that provides children with physical and cognitive delays the opportunity to play baseball in a supportive environment. Passionate, selfless, and community-minded, Renae is known for her deep personal connection with every child in the program, going above and beyond to ensure each feels valued, right down to personalized jerseys that bring smiles to all involved. Her impact extends well beyond the field, inspiring everyone around her with her tireless dedication and humility.

Isabel Bolhuis

The highest honour given by The City of Red Deer, the Mayor’s Special Award recognizes individuals and groups for humanitarianism, exceptional achievement, or an act of heroism or bravery.

Isabel Bolhuis

Isabel is a dedicated and compassionate volunteer whose commitment to education and community service has made a significant impact in Red Deer. Isabel has brought a rich multicultural background and teaching experience to her volunteer work with the Red Deer Public Library’s Adult Literacy Program. Donating between 18 and 40 hours per month, she has supported 13 learners from diverse backgrounds helping them improve their language skills, build confidence and successfully integrate into Canadian society. Isabel’s warm, respectful and encouraging nature allows her to build strong relationships with learners, many of whom are newcomers facing significant cultural and linguistic challenges. Isabel often goes the extra mile to support learners with urgent needs and real-life situations. Isabel’s unwavering dedication, humility and belief in lifelong learning exemplify the spirit of distinguished voluntary service and have brought lasting value to the Red Deer community.

Elder Linda Ophus

The highest honour given by The City of Red Deer, the Mayor’s Special Award recognizes individuals and groups for humanitarianism, exceptional achievement, or an act of heroism or bravery.

Elder Linda Ophus

Elder Linda is a respected Cree Elder, language keeper, and community leader whose generosity, strength, and spirit have left a lasting mark on Red Deer. Originally from Wabasca, she has made Red Deer her home and classroom—freely sharing her time, wisdom, and teachings with all who seek them. In 2024, she volunteered to teach Cree language lessons, driven by a deep passion for revitalizing Indigenous language and culture. Her gentle guidance has helped many reconnect with their roots and find healing through knowledge once taken away. A member of the Urban Aboriginal Voices Society and a regular volunteer with groups such as Red Deer Polytechnic, Clean Harbour Society, and The City of Red Deer, Linda embodies resilience and grace. Even when speaking on painful topics like Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2-Spirit People—a tragedy she knows personally—she does so with courage and love. Elder Linda Ophus leads through kindness, truth, and quiet strength, and is a living example of reconciliation in action.