Over two dozen awards and bursaries were given to West Country residents on March 7 at the Denim and Diamonds Awards Gala at the Lou Soppit Community Centre.
The awards were co-hosted by the Town of Rocky Mountain House, the Rocky Mountain House Agricultural Society, Clearwater County and the Rocky Chamber, and were given to individuals, families and businesses making a positive impact in the region.
Emcee for the night was Kevin Gangel, CEO of Unstoppable Conversations, who said it was a special night in Rocky.
“It’s amazing, because you can see how much people care,” said Gangel. “The way people respond to one another and celebrate their achievements I think is really special.”
The awards given out are as follows:
Rocky Ag Society
Bursaries:
Five $1000 bursaries were awarded to area students who attend post secondary.
Bursaries recipients (absent)
- Brynn Gale— A Rocky Mountain House homeschool student who is enrolled in her third year of veterinary medicine at the University of Saskatchewan.
- Hailey Hondebrink— A West Central alumni in her first year of agricultural management at Olds College.
- Lilly Calvert— A St. Doms graduate attending Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP) working toward a bachelor of nursing.
- Lydia Van Ginkel— A West Central grad, currently enrolled in a University Sciences Diploma in animal sciences at RDP.
- Mackenzie Litke— A graduate of David Thompson High School, and is working toward her business diploma from RDP, with a goal of becoming a real estate agent.
Member of the Year: Rick Lobley
While Rick Lobley was unable to accept the award in person, Cheryl Terpsma, vice president of the Rocky Ag Society says he goes “above and beyond” in his role of treasurer. Along with being a busy West Country farmer, Lobley is in his fourth year as treasurer, and always makes time to attend meetings with an extremely positive attitude.
Case Korver and Allen Sunde won the Rocky Ag Legacy Builder award for their efforts to put up school marker signs at historic site around Clearwater County. Sunde’s granddaughter Rayelle accepted the award on his behalf. (94.5 Rewind Radio/Jordan Rein)
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The Young Farmer Award was presented to Harmen & Peggy Hondebrink. Cheryl Terpsma, vice president of the Rocky Ag Society says their farm east of Rocky Mountain House employs forward-thinking farm practices. (94.5 Rewind Radio/Jordan Rein)
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Town of Rocky Mountain House
West Central High School alumni Elijah Howell was awarded the Youth Civic Award from the town of Rocky Mountain House. (94.5 Rewind Radio/Jordan Rein)
Cheryl and Alfred von Hollen were awarded the Special Achievement Award from the town of Rocky Mountain House. The pair, known for their long-running Christmas light display and Pioneer Middle School ‘zoo’, received uproarious applause. (94.5 Rewind Radio/Jordan Rein)
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David Thompson Country- Clearwater County/ Town of Rocky Mountain House
Shauna Hulberg with Cherubs Gifts and Home Decor is presented with the David Thompson Country – Tourism Business of the year award from Luz Marisol Lepe Leon from Clearwater County and Jeff Hartling from the town of Rocky Mountain House. (94.5 Rewind Radio/Jordan Rein)
Health Professions Engagement Team
- Heart of Healthcare Award: Heather Benoit
Clearwater County
George and Margaret Green were honored with this year’s Clearwater County Rural Beautification Award: Active Farm Category. (94.5 Rewind Radio/Jordan Rein)
Jesse and Nikki Lougheed were awarded with this year’s Clearwater County Rural Beautification Award: Subdivision Category. (94.5 Rewind Radio/Jordan Rein)
Rick and Loraine Northcott received this year’s Environmental Stewardship Award from Clearwater County. (94.5 Rewind Radio/Jordan Rein)
The Rocky ATV club received this year’s group Environmental Sustainability Award. (94.5 Rewind Radio/Jordan Rein)
Doug and Deb Skeels show off their newly awarded Sustainable Grazing Award from Clearwater County. (94.5 Rewind Radio/Jordan Rein)
The 2025 Clearwater County Century Farm Award went to the Taylor Family Farm. (94.5 Rewind Radio/Jordan Rein)
Rocky Mountain House Chamber of Commerce
Business of the Year Award 1-15 employees went to Trimline Designs in Rocky Mountain House. (94.5 Rewind Radio/Jordan Rein)
Business of the Year 15-plus employees was awarded to Blue Mountain Co-op in Rocky Mountain House. (94.5 Rewind Radio/Jordan Rein)
John Dough’s Stone Fired Pizza won this year’s Rocky Chamber Home-Based Business of the Year Award. (94.5 Rewind Radio/Jordan Rein)
The Rocky Chamber Customer Service award winner was Cherubs Gifts and Home Decor. Shauna Hulberg accepts the award from emcee Kevin Gangel. (94.5 Rewind Radio/Jordan Rein)
Rival Trade Brewing Co. is the 2025 winner of the Rocky Chamber Excellence in Marketing Award. (94.5 Rewind Radio/Jordan Rein)
Winner of the Business Resiliency Award for 2025 was Riderz in Rocky Mountain House. (94.5 Rewind Radio/Jordan Rein)
Though they were not able to accept the award in person, Big D’s Custom Cutting won new business of the year.
Next To New was honoured with the 2025 award for Philanthropy. (94.5 Rewind Radio/Jordan Rein)
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The Discover Rocky Tourism Business of the Year Award was received by Wildhorse Mountain Ranch. (94.5 Rewind Radio/Jordan Rein)
Longtime Rocky Mountain House town councillor Dale Shippelt received the Cindy Taschuk Community Builder Award. Shippelt, upon receiving the award, shared a bit of wisdom saying it’s better to give your community a piece of your heart rather than a piece of your mind. (94.5 Rewind Radio/Jordan Rein)
Long Term Business of the Year was awarded to Rocky Credit Union. (94.5 Rewind Radio/Jordan Rein)
It was a highly successful night, says Michelle Meatheringham, executive director for the Rocky Chamber, who adds there’s a sense of optimism in the air that hasn’t been seen in a long time.
“I actually think it’s been building over the last two to three years,” says Meatheringham. “As people become more engaged in the community, it makes a big difference.”
The sold-out event was attended by many dignitaries including MP Gerald Soroka, MLA Jason Nixon, Rocky Mountain House Acting Mayor Len Phillips and Clearwater County Reeve Michelle Swanson.
MP Gerald Soroka speaks at the Denim and Diamonds Awards Gala, March 7, 2025 at the Lou Soppit Community Centre. (94.5 Rewind Radio/Jordan Rein)
MLA Jason Nixon speaks at the Denim and Diamonds Awards Gala, March 7, 2025 at the Lou Soppit Community Centre. (94.5 Rewind Radio/Jordan Rein)
Rocky Mountain House Acting Mayor Len Phillips speaks at the Denim and Diamonds Awards Gala, March 7, 2025 at the Lou Soppit Community Centre. (94.5 Rewind Radio/Jordan Rein)
Clearwater County Reeve Michelle Swanson speaks at the Denim and Diamonds Awards Gala, March 7, 2025 at the Lou Soppit Community Centre. (94.5 Rewind Radio/Jordan Rein)
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