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Citizens of the Year announced

Dec 30, 2016 | 11:00 AM

A retired nurse and a high school student, both dedicated to bettering their community, are this year’s Battlefords Citizens of the Year.

Pat Gotto, who worked as a nurse at the Battlefords Union Hospital for nearly 40 years before retiring in 1999, earned the Citizen of the Year award. Since her retirement, Gotto has devoted her time to several community organizations, including the Battlefords Union Hospital Foundation, Third Avenue United Church board, Edwards’ Society board, the Dekker Centre, Meals on Wheels and the Third Avenue United Church Pastoral Care Committee.

“She works tirelessly for every organization that she joins, and there are many,” an excerpt from her nomination package states. “[Gotto] truly enriches the lives of people of the Battlefords and gives freely and generously to many.”

The 2016 Junior Citizen of the Year is Natalya Shevchuk, a Grade 12 student at North Battleford Comprehensive High School. Shevchuk has been vice-president of the NBCHS Interact Club, a chapter of the Rotary Club for students, for two years and she has been recognized for both her academic achievements as well as her Ukrainian dancing. She received the Living Sky Hall of Fame Award for academics in 2015 and 2016, with an average grade of 96 per cent. She was also awarded the “most promising female dancer” award at the PFE Dance Showcase and the “best family dance” Loretta’s Trophy. Along with her participation in various clubs, Shevchuk also founded a fundraising event in 2015 called Dancers Who Care. The event has raised $16,000 for the Battlefords Trade and Education Centre.