Do current events and know-nothing influencers have you fearing for your province’s future?
Consider perking up your algorithm by exploring a warren of exceptional citizenship tales drawn from Alberta’s high schools — tales, in other words, about future and current leaders whose smarts, energy and selflessness are already making a difference.
A perfect entry point is the 2025 crop of outstanding Alberta young people honoured last Tuesday at Government House in Edmonton.
Among the eight recipients of medallions and $7,000 scholarships under the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Citizenship Awards are Natasha Murphy, whose outsized contributions have radiated beyond her tiny school in an even tinier hamlet in east-central Alberta.
Natasha’s dedication to her community’s well-being has included teaching newcomers English, co-ordinating a children’s mental health empowerment program and leading a biweekly community coffee group that fosters connection and inclusion.
Just west of Altario in k.d. lang’s hometown of Consort, a multisport athlete named Kate Hadwin volunteered with Students Against Drinking and Driving, the Consort Food Bank and the local agricultural society, all while finding time to coach youth sports and thrive within the 4-H ecosystem.
Hadwin, who’s pursuing a bachelor of commerce degree, hopes to return home and apply her business and finance education to supporting the sustainability of her family’s ranch.
Meanwhile, up in Fort McMurray, a student named Baber Akhtar founded and led an organization offering free community health talks from local professionals.
Inclusion, creativity and school spirit abound in a Medicine Hat school, thanks to the efforts of Fatema Riaz, a youth researcher and booster of science, technology, engineering and math.
Medallion winner Jerome Jacob made life more bearable for unhoused folks on the streets of Leduc, providing them with backpacks filled with essential survival items. He organized and led the Backpack Project, and rallied support from local businesses.
Presented annually to eight outstanding Alberta students, the medallions recognize exceptional leadership, citizenship, volunteerism and public service.
“I have always had enormous faith in Alberta’s young people, and this year’s recipients demonstrate a level of creativity, ambition and community spirit that would be remarkable in people twice their age,” said Lt.-Gov. Salma Lakhani.
“Applying their intellect and leadership skills to make life easier for others is especially noteworthy and reflects the compassion of Queen Elizabeth II. I look forward to seeing where their abilities take them in the future,” she said.
The application window has closed for potential 2026 recipients of the citizenship awards, along with two arts scholarships of $7,000 each under the same program.
The next application intake opens March 1, 2027.
The list of 2025 recipients follows.
Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Citizenship
Only Alberta students selected by their high school for the Premier’s Citizenship Award are eligible for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Citizenship Award.
- Baber Akhtar, Fort McMurray Composite high school, Fort McMurray.
- Kate Hadwin, Consort school, Consort.
- Jerome Jacob, Christ the King high school, Leduc.
- Natasha Murphy, Altario school, Altario.
- Nishka Rai, Westwood Community high school, Fort McMurray.
- Fatema Riaz, Medicine Hat high school, Medicine Hat.
- Kamran Shukoor, Strathcona-Tweedsmuir school, Foothills.
- Ameena Taher, Old Scona Academic high school, Edmonton.
Performing and Visual Arts Scholarships
- Acacia Sproule, Lacombe.
- Aryana Ki-Michaels, Calgary.
Recipients of Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Awards pose with Lt.-Gov. Salma Lakhani, who said their societal contributions ‘would be remarkable in people twice their age.’ Photo courtesy Tanya Fir
