MOOSE JAW — Seventeen-year-old Maia Smith is among five young Saskatchewan people to earn the Junior Citizen of the Year Award to be presented by Lt.-Gov. Bernadette McIntyre.
Maia is from Moose Jaw, and excels in science and math and maintains a 95 per cent average.
As a child, Maia was diagnosed on the Autism Spectrum Disorder and has since channelled her challenges into strengths, driven by a passion to help people, and a yearning for knowledge and excellence.
Maia's drive to make a difference has been evident from an early age. As a camp leader for the past three summers at the Keddleston Gospel Camp, Maia has made it her mission to ensure everyone feels included. She also volunteers at the hospital in Moose Jaw and the Providence Place gift shop. Maia is a member of the student leadership committee and was acknowledged by the local police department for her work restoring an ambulance into a SWAT vehicle.
In addition to her academic and volunteer pursuits, Maia is an active member of the dance community, both performing and guiding younger dancers.
In 2015, Maia had a grandparent on each side of the family diagnosed with terminal cancer. Her immediate reaction was to fundraise for cancer research. In just two years she was able to raise over $10,000 for the Terry Fox Foundation, resulting in recognition by the foundation, her school, and the Association of Fundraising Professionals and was named Outstanding Youth Philanthropist of the Year.
Maia has had a keen interest in medicine as long as she can remember and will be attending the University of Saskatchewan next year to study Biomedical Neuroscience.
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.
