STEPHEN

Stokes is completing her third year of Rangers with the Guiding movement. Stokes has been a junior leader, volunteered with service projects for various organizations in the community and attended an international trip with Girl Guides of Canada to London, England in 2019.

An avid curler from a young age, her team has competed in the U16 and U18 in the past three years, where they won two silver and a bronze. She also played in a mixed tournament in 2021, winning bronze. Stokes is also a member of the weekly junior curling program as well as a Little Rockers curling coach.

Stokes possesses musical and acting talent. She is self-taught on the ukulele and guitar and takes private voice lessons. With Nomad Stages, she takes dance classes and has participated in many recitals. She has performed many acting and singing roles in live theatre, including the lead role of Moana last year and playing Sophie in Mamma Mia! this year. Stokes has also acted as an assistant during two children’s productions and helps with makeup and costumes when needed.

A Stephenville resident, Stokes recently graduated from high school.

She was nominated by the Girl Guides of Canada for the Youth of the Year award.

CLYDE RUSSELL – CITIZEN OF THE YEAR

After 33 years of command and staff experience, Russell retired from the Canadian Armed Forces in 2009 with the designation of Colonel.

When he moved back home to Stephenville, he followed in his father’s footsteps, joining the Knights of Columbus.

He was elected to the position of Grand Knight in June 2019.

Under his leadership, a small group of men got together to keep the food bank open, as a drive thru food bank, at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. They were also able to extend the area of the food bank to take in Stephenville Crossing and

St. Georges.

COVID-19 also forced the closure of the community café, but under Russell’s leadership, the Knights of Columbus prevented this by adopting a drive-up community café.

Russell was one of five seniors from across Newfoundland and Labrador named a 2021 Seniors of Distinction by the province of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Per the government of

N.L., the distinction award recognizes seniors “from all walks of life … who are experts in their field, who share their culture and talents, who volunteer as coaches, organizers and fundraisers, and who care for people in need of understanding and companionship.”

Russell is part of the committee for the planning and implanting of the BEST bus service for seniors and people with disabilities in Stephenville.

He’s also past vice-president and is currently one of the board of directors with the Bay. St. George Sick Children’s Foundation.

Russell is also very involved with the Stephenville Historic French Cultural Association, in fact possessing the very first membership card, dedicated to preserving the French Acadian cultural heritage of the community.

Russell was nominated by Our Lady of Perpetual Help Council 3742 in Stephenville for the Citizen of the Year award.