Twenty youth were recognized at the Cochrane RancheHouse last evening (April 19) as Leaders of Tomorrow.

The annual recognition event has been occurring for 15 years and Brenda Dennis, Volunteer Services and Community Programmer, shares these young people do outstanding jobs when it comes to creating and keeping Cochrane's community feel. "They truly are our future and when you look at what the youth are doing today it makes me feel so optimistic about our future."

The youth were recognized for their leadership, volunteering and just overall contributions to their school, organizations and/or the community at large.

Dennis says this is just the starting point for many of the young people and lots continue to do outstanding community work for years to come. "I have stayed in touch with some of the youth and they have gone on to do amazing things." Pointing out this year's youngest recipient from Fireside School, Dennis states think of where he could end up. "Look at the little grade two fellow from Fireside (School) look at what he's accomplished in grade two what is he going to accomplish in grade 12 or what about as a young adult? It's just so incredible to hear the stories and see what is happening today. I really loved what the Mayor said when he said we are celebrating the leaders of tomorrow but really you are all leaders of today."

Martin Parnell was the Keynote Speaker and shared his incredible journey of running over 250 marathons in a year, fighting for women to run free in Afghanistan as well as raising millions of dollars for all children to have a 'Right to Play'. Parnell finished his speech with a challenge. "In life, you don't have to do a lot but you have to do something, you have to make a difference somewhere. In 2018, what will be your something?"

The Leaders of Tomorrow and their families were treated to dinner and dessert while being saluted by those in attendance.

Cochrane's 2018 Leaders of Tomorrow are:

  • Benton Traudt
  • Eliza Housman
  • Thomas Sopher
  • Mackenzie Eichinger
  • Kiana Campbell
  • Kassidy Gerhardi
  • Chelsea Luft
  • Karly Macaulay
  • William Maxwell
  • Ethan Noble
  • Kaitlyn Paltzat
  • Tupaj Parrado
  • Angellana Patterson
  • Ben Ponting
  • Jonas Prudden
  • Levi Schmidtke
  • Santana Shukin
  • Kyra Yeske

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