Cypress County Citizen of the Year Jody Phillips and Cypress County Young Citizen of the Year Emma Baedke. (Photos Courtesy Cypress County)

By Chris Brown

Cypress County names Citizen and Young Citizen of the Year

Jun 11, 2023 | 9:00 AM

DUNMORE, AB – Residents Jody Phillips and Emma Baedke stood above the rest earlier this week as Cypress County revived an old award and handed out a new one for the first time.

Phillips was named Cypress County’s Citizen of the Year and Baedke the Young Citizen of the Year.

Phillips is the secretary of the Dunmore Community Association, which she joined in 2020. The county says she’s been integral part of numerous projects, most notably the EDF Outdoor Recreation Centre which held its grand opening May 26.

“Phillips hasn’t just made Dunmore a better place to live, she’s made all of Cypress County better,” states a release from the county. “Her countless volunteer hours (and, as she would note, the hours of many other volunteers just like her) have resulted in numerous events, projects and possibilities.”

Citizen of the Year hadn’t been awarded since 2019 due to the pandemic and a lack of nominees.

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The county calls Baedke, president of the Saddles & Spurs Light Horse 4-H Club, a perfect recipient of the new award.

The Grade 9 student at Seven Persons School regularly helps younger students, is a member of the volleyball team and is described as a “ray of light” to those around her.

She loves anything equestrian and was the Dunmore Equestrian Centre’s Little Britches Rodeo Sweetheart last year. She also won a sportsmanship award from her 4-H club.

“Our municipality is truly blessed with groups and individuals who selflessly give their time, energy, and skills to improving the lives of Cypress County residents,” says Reeve Dan Hamilton. “We are tremendously lucky and proud to have Jody and Emma as part of our community.”

The award winners were announced during the county’s Community and Volunteer Appreciation Barbecue at Sunrise Park in Dunmore on Wednesday.