ESTEVAN - The recipients for the 蘑菇视频短视频east Women of Distinction Awards are proud of their accomplishments, but quick to credit those who help make their achievements possible.
The awards were handed out on May 2 at the Power Dodge Curling Centre in Estevan. Award winners were Cea Anna Kerr (Innovative Leadership Award, presented by 蘑菇视频短视频ern Plains Co-op); Angela Smeltzer (Outstanding Contribution to the Workplace Award, presented by TS&M Supply); Crystal Ross (Outstanding Contribution to the Community Award, presented by Steam Est Industries); Desiree DaSilva (Equity and Inclusion Award [non-traditional overcoming barriers], presented by Saskatchewan Blue Cross); and Kerison Burnett (Young Visionary Award, presented by Impact Creative Digital Services).
A total of 20 women were nominated across the five categories. The ceremony was organized by the Women for Women committee.
Cea Anna Kerr
Kerr is a retired SaskPower employee who co-founded Studio C 24-Hour Fitness in 2017, bringing her passion for health and wellness to the Estevan community as an entrepreneur and fitness leader.
She holds the distinction of being Saskatchewan’s first International Fitness and Bodybuilding (IFBB) Federation Professional Athlete. Over her competitive career, she has taken the stage at 30 IFBB pro shows, achieving ten top-10 finishes and five top-5 placements.
She is also Saskatchewan’s first and only athlete to win a pro show in women’s physique and to compete at Mr. Olympia — the most prestigious event in bodybuilding.
Kerr noted that in her years of working, she was often the one female who stood up for women.
"I believe in equality in the workplace, so I was always one of the women to not be afraid to use her voice and to stand up for our rights and to be treated equally, especially in workplaces or anywhere," she told the crowd.
Kerr said she wanted to bring a big-city gym to a small community. When she was growing up, she had great gyms, and so when she and her husband walked through the mall one day and saw some vacancies, they saw the potential.
"I absolutely love meeting so many in the community that come in our doors, and being an inspiration and motivation and just encouraging people to get more into fitness to make it something into your daily life," Kerr said.
People need to be healthy inside and out, she said, and views exercise as an important part of mental health.
The other candidates for the Innovative Leadership Award were Kamri Olfert and Elicia Krupka.
Angela Smeltzer
Angela Smeltzer was recognized for her decades spent in education in Estevan. After beginning her teaching career in Ontario, she moved to Saskatchewan in 1990 and has worked at Pleasantdale School since 2002. She teaches students from kindergarten to Grade 8 and is known for managing split-grade classrooms.
Smeltzer said there are so many women who give so much to the people around them. She said she has had exceptional fellow staff members at Pleasantdale, and before that, Hillside School, including administrators and fellow teachers.
"When you work with people like that, it's so much fun," said Smeltzer.
She pointed out she became a teacher by mistake. Her goal had been to be a sports medicine guru, but she found she enjoyed spending time with kids and told the crowd "it's the best job you can have".
"You go to school every day, and no day is the same. Every day is different. Every day is a gift because it's a brand-new day. And then you get all these people – they're little, they're medium and they're tall – and they look at you, and they want to understand something, and they want to learn something."
She often tells the children they're capable of something and reminds them it might be the day they do it.
Smeltzer saw a lot of parents of children she taught in the crowd and in the community.
The other nominees for the Outstanding Contribution to the Workplace Award were Donna George, Selagh Eskra, Lianne Kenler, Brenda Mantei and Maribel Cabezudo.
Crystal Ross' many involvements were recognized with the community award. A proud mother of two daughters and wife to Chad Ross, she helps run their fourth-generation cattle ranch near Estevan.
She is an advocate for sustainable ranching and the Canadian beef industry. As president of the Estevan Exhibition Association, and volunteer for so much more, Crystal is part of events that bring people together.
Ross said she has been married to her husband Chad for nearly 30 years, and said she wouldn't be where she is without him, but he wouldn't be where he is without her.
"I have a lot of crazy schemes, and there's a lot of women in this room that have joined me … and have seen my vision and have seen my dreams, and have just joined the ride. And it's been a heck of the ride," said Ross.
When she heard lessons earlier in the event, she thought of her husband's grandmother Helen on what to do about naysayers. She recalled the elderly woman, who has since died, told her that if her shoulders are strong enough, she should take the criticism, because the next woman might not. And Ross pointed out that often when someone says something bad, it's because she's doing something right.
Also vying for the honour were Rebecca Fedyk, Sydney Wanner, Maureen Ulrich, Debbie Wade, Brittany Brokenshire and Shannon Culy.
Desiree DaSilva
Desiree DaSilva won the Equity and Inclusion Award for working to make the city more connected and active. She works in two senior care homes, curls weekly, and will begin teaching youth curling next year.
She is the founder of Estevan 蘑菇视频短视频ern Impact, the city’s first arm wrestling club. Through this initiative, she not only competes but creates a supportive and empowering environment for youth and adults alike.
DaSilva said her family has been her rock through thick and thin, including when she made questionable decisions.
"Thank you for always having my back, even when you probably wanted to steer me in a completely different direction. Your support means the world to me," said DaSilva.
Kari Lawrence was also up for the Equity and Inclusion Award (non-traditional overcoming barriers).
Kerison Burnett
Kerison Burnett is a Grade 12 student at the Estevan Comprehensive School. Outside of schoolwork, she enjoys reading, photography and dance, mentoring young members of the latter activity.
She is involved with the school's student representative council, ECS SADD chapter and was stage manager for the school’s production of Mamma Mia! She embraces new challenges, having taken part in the University of Regina Honour Band and the RCMP Youth Advisory Committee. She plans to study engineering at the University of Saskatchewan this fall.
Burnett said there are so many programs and organizations in Estevan that are set up to encourage youths to explore, learn and lead.
"So many individuals dedicate so much time and care to help us be better versions of ourselves," said Burnett.
Prysm Gooding was also nominated for the Young Visionary Award.
Burnett thanked two staff members, Tammy Podovinnikoff and Jessie Smoliak, for eneouraging her.
"I'm so lucky to have had both of you teach me multiple times in my high school journey, and you both do so much for the students. It's because of teachers like that, that students Prysm and I feel empowered to go out and be leaders in our community."
The recipients thanked those who nominated them, the organizers of the luncheon, their families and applauded the other nominees.
Proceeds from the event will be directed towards scholarships for the Young Visionary candidates. Hundreds of people attended the luncheon.
The event also had a number of videos and some discussions with lessons for the audience. The Sisters of St. Joseph were inducted into the Trailblazers Memorial Walk for their contributions to St. Joseph's Hospital in Estevan.
(A future story will have more on the Sisters of St. Joseph).
