FORT FRANCES – With “two outstanding young people” under consideration for Fort Frances Junior Citizen of the Year, the selection committee decided to give the award to both of them.
Mayor Andrew Hallikas presented Kara Dresen and Campbell Sether with the award during the Nov. 27 town council meeting.
The town is fortunate to have “these two outstanding young people,” Hallikas said.
Kara Dresen’s nominator described her as someone with “amazing community spirit,” he said.
Though only 10 years old, Kara “has accomplished a great deal” and been quite involved in community work, he said.
A partial listing of her activities gives one an idea of how much this young Fort Frances girl does.
She’s an honorary member of the Voyageur Lions Club (being too young for full membership). She participated in the 2023 Polar Plunge into Rainy Lake. She raised money for the town’s new splash park, and has volunteered through the local Volunteer Bureau for the past three years.
All this while excelling in school and sports.
“So, for a young lady of 10 years on Earth, she has accomplished a great deal and has really contributed to making her community a better place,” Hallikas said.
Campbell Sether “has been an unofficial junior director of the Canadian Bass Championship for the past six years” and helps that annual fishing tournament in many ways, Hallikas said.
“He’s also very active in sports, and he wins awards for his positive attitude and team motivation and good sportsmanship,” Hallikas noted.
Campbell’s other community involvement includes volunteering at the Family Centre and visiting residents at Rainycrest Long Term Care – where, Hallikas said, “he always has a smile and a handshake there for everyone that he meets.”
The mayor described Campbell - who, like Kara Dresen, attends St. Mary School - as “a very dedicated and hard-working young man that’s having a positive impact on our community.”
“I would say that when we have young people like these the future of Fort Frances is in good hands and, and we’re really blessed.”
