On Wednesday night, 21 Foothills area residents were presented with Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee Medals.

The medals are given to Canadians who have made a significant contribution to their country or community.

Across Alberta, 7,000 medals will be presented.

Highwood MLA RJ Sigurdson presented the medals and says it was an honour to be so directly involved in giving these community members the recognition they deserve.

"With the individuals that we have in Highwood, I'm sure we could've filled two halls with the amount of work that's gone on from volunteers and those that have put service into their community."

Queen's Medal

Among the local recipients were volunteers, veterans, entrepreneurs, and first responders. 

For Sigurdson, the broad range of generosity and community spirit shown by recipients speaks to Alberta as a whole.

"It really is a testament to this area in Highwood, the philanthropic nature of so many individuals. The fact that these individuals always put others ahead of themselves and are just committed to helping and supporting their community is really such a strength of the Highwood area and Alberta as a whole."

Recipients were nominated by members of the pubic, and longtime 4H member and volunteer of over 50 years, Bill Jackson, was selected by former Premier Jason Kenney selected to receive a medal.

The recipients were:

David Aitchison

Sandra Bull

Alexander Coyne

Dawn Elliot

Barbara Godwin

Bill Jackson

Pamela McLean

Robert McLeod

Diane Maull

Mark Meincke

Karen Milne

Barb Parker

Craig Passmore

Judi Powell

Colin Sager

Brian Sayewich

Cathie Scatterty

John Scott

Don Sharpe

Carola Singer

Jane Toews