SHELLBROOK — Seventeen-year-old Coral Frenette is one of five Saskatchewan young people being honoured with the Junior citizen of the Year Award presented by Lt. Gov. Bernadette McIntyre.
Coral lives in Shellbrook where she is devoted to her school and her community.
As the urban student representative on the Saskatchewan Rivers Public School Division Board of Education, she plays a pivotal role in advocating for her peers to ensure that student voices are heard at the division level.
Her commitment to her school is further demonstrated through her work as the editor of the yearbook, participation in the graduation planning and fundraising committees and her active membership in the student leadership council.
Coral is involved in the gymnastics club in Prince Albert where she has coached, competed and judged. Just this month, Coral competed with Team Saskatchewan in Victoria, B.C.
Despite facing significant personal challenges, including the loss of her father in 2022 and subsequent health issues, Coral has demonstrated remarkable resilience. She consistently maintains an impressive academic average in the high 90s. Rather than retreating in the face of adversity, Coral has used her experiences as a catalyst for empathy and action. She is aware of the needs of those around her and is always among the first to welcome new students and offer encouragement and support.
Coral actively participates in several committees, including the Youth Quality Improvement Committee, the Trauma Informed Committee, the Community Mental Health and Addictions Services Committee and the Jim Pattison's Children's Hospital Youth Partnership Council.
Coral’s experiences with the health care system have ignited her passion for pursuing a career in medicine. She aspires to become a child and youth psychiatrist, driven by a desire to provide compassionate care and understanding to those facing similar struggles.
This award was established 49 years ago and has been presented to over 180 Saskatchewan youth. The Junior Citizen of the Year Award is sponsored by the Saskatchewan Weekly Newspapers Association (SWNA) in partnership with SaskPower, the Crown Investments Corporation and the Office of the Lieutenant Governor.
The four award winners who will each receive a $3,000 bursary from SaskPower are Coral Frenette of Shellbrook, Haley Ott of Regina, Kaylee Ross of Lloydminster, and Maia Smith of Moose Jaw.
New this year, the Crown Investments Corporation of Saskatchewan has sponsored an additional award – the Junior Citizen of the Year STEM Award. The new award will annually recognize a Saskatchewan youth who meets all the required criteria of a Junior Citizen of the Year, plus possess an aptitude for science, technology, engineering, or mathematics. Annie Currie of North Battleford has been chosen to be the first recipient.
