Queens Platinum Jubilee Award, Alberta
EDMONTON — Two Fort McMurray students are among eight young Albertans recognized with the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Citizenship Medallion for their leadership, volunteerism and service to their communities.
Baber Akhtar of Fort McMurray Composite High School and Nishka Rai of Westwood Community High School received the honour during a ceremony Tuesday at Government House in Edmonton.
The annual awards recognize Alberta students who demonstrate exceptional leadership, citizenship, volunteerism or public service.
Lt.-Gov. Salma Lakhani said the recipients reflect the values of service exemplified by Queen Elizabeth II.
“I have always had enormous faith in Alberta’s young people, and this year’s recipients demonstrate a level of creativity, ambition and community spirit that would be remarkable in people twice their age,” Lakhani said.
“Applying their intellect and leadership skills to make life easier for others is especially noteworthy.”
Arts, Culture and Status of Women Minister Tanya Fir said the recipients are already making meaningful contributions across the province.
“The young Albertans we honour with these awards are already leaving their mark on our province,” Fir said.
“Through service, achievement and a commitment to those around them, they have earned this recognition and exemplify the spirit of excellence that these awards were created to celebrate.”
Also honoured were two recipients of the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Scholarship for Performing and Visual Arts, which recognizes emerging Alberta artists for artistic excellence and supports their continued development.
The scholarship recipients are Acacia Sproule of Lacombe and Aryana Ki-Michaels of Calgary.
The Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Recognition Act was introduced in 2022 to commemorate the late Queen’s 70-year reign. Since the program began, 192 Albertans have received the Queen’s Golden and Platinum Jubilee Citizenship awards.
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