This year’s East Kootenay Heritage Fair was held on Friday and Saturday, May 10 and 11 at Cranbrook History Centre in the Royal Alexandra Hall.
On Friday, May 10, judging took place. When students were not being judged, they took part in history-related activities, including using hand tools under the supervision of Paul Knipe, a retired shop teacher, as well as going on a Train Tour with Travis from the History Centre.
On Saturday morning, May 11, students and their families gathered in the Royal Alexandra Hall, which gave the public an opportunity to view the more than 50 projects with a Canadian history theme. This was followed by an Awards Ceremony, when a number of students were recognized for outstanding projects.
BC Heritage Fairs have their own set of awards. The following students received such awards:
• Callie Cory, Grade 6 from Highlands, for a project on Wild Rice.
• Aidan Ballard, Grade 4 from Kootenay Christian Academy, for a project on The Canadian Pacific Railway.
• Owen Johannson, Grade 6 from Kootenay Orchards, for a project on Wasa Lake.
• Jake Wallace, Grade 5 from Highlands, for a project on the Pocha Family.
Three students, who were awarded the Stellar Achievement Awards, will be attending the Provincial Heritage Fair, which takes place in Victoria from July 2-5 and will include a number of visits to historical sites in and around the provincial capital as well as a variety of activities for all those attending. Coincidentally the Stellar Awards were presented by Kirstin Tunnicliffe from StellerVista Credit Union, our major sponsor this year. The winners were:
• Sariyah Verhage, Grade 5 at Steeples Elementary, for her project on Fort Steele;
• Knightly Nering, Grade 6 at Amy Woodland Elementary, for his project on Gilbert Freeman KIllam;
• Tiann Nieuwoudt, Grade 6 at Amy Woodland Elementary, for his project on Morrisey Internment Camp.
The following students received a new feature of the EK Heritage Fair - Local Awards sponsored by local businesses:
• The Ktunaxa Enterprises Award presented by Gail Brown to Lydia Geddes, Grade 6 at Amy Woodland Elementary, for Haida Gwaii.
• The College of the Rockies Award presented by Gail Brown to Brett Roberts, Grade 7 at Parkland Middle School, for Avro Arrow.
• The ARQ Sports Award presented by Gail Brown to Hayden Morrison, Grade 6 at Amy Woodland Elementary, for Women’s Hockey in Canada.
• The REMAX Blue Sky Realty Award presented by Jeannie Argatoff to Cassiopia Wardman, Grade 5 at Steeples Elementary, for a project on the Terex Titan Truck.
• The Cranbrook Arts Council Award to Ella Argatoff, Grade 5 at Highlands, for Origami presented by Kristin Teetaert.
• The Royal Canadian Legion Award to Micky Hert, Grade 6 at Highlands Elementary.
Interested members of the public are invited to attend a student-led Heritage Fair Ed Talk at the Cranbrook History Centre on Wednesday, May 29 from 6-7 pm to hear students talking about their projects.
Photos courtesy Stewart Wilson
