The 2011 Junior Citizen of the Year, Kaytlin Hantke, was shocked when she heard her new title.
"I didn't know I was nominated," said Hantke.
When Hantke's teacher, Kerri Archibald, asked her to write down her achievements, the Humboldt Collegiate Institute (HCI) Grade 12 student didn't realize she was being nominated for Humboldt and District's Junior Citizen of the Year.
"I had no idea what it was for," said Hantke. "My first guess was it was for a scholarship."
Hantke feels honoured to be considered in the same league as one of her role models, Patti Durand, who was of Citizen of the Year in 2010.
"It's a really huge compliment," said Hantke.
She also looked up to her sister as a role model.
"She was always doing everything," said Hantke.
Hantke is very involved in the community and loves to donate her time to others.
She has been involved in everything from volunteering as a candystriper at the hospital to helping coach younger athletes at school.
"I like helping," said Hantke. "The little things always make the difference."
Hantke also took a trip down to Mexico with Team Mexico which inspired her to be a better person.
"The people there were so grateful," said Hantke. "They were always happy - even the people in poverty."
When she came back to Canada from Mexico, it gave her a new outlook on life in Humboldt.
"It made me come back and open my eyes," said Hantke. "I am so fortunate to be living in Canada."
Although she stays busy with volunteer work and athletics, Hantke still manages to maintain her spot on the Honour Roll. She tries to keep up to date with her studies, but admits with her busy schedule, there are a lot of cram sessions.
Hantke will be graduating this year and hopes to take Kinesiology at St. Peter's College this fall.
Her plan is to become a physiotherapist and work in a hospital in rehabilitation.
"I want to have an impact on people's lives," said Hantke.
Hantke's resume is very impressive. She has been a Junior Camp Counsellor at Stoney Lake Bible Camp, a Vacation Bible School and Sunday School leader at St. John's Lutheran Church, volunteered at the Humboldt Animal Clinic and the Humboldt and District SPCA, is a member of HCI's Students Against Drinking and Driving and Student Representative Council, helped coach younger athletes at both HCI and Humboldt Public School, is a candystriper at the hospital, a Terry Fox Run participant and fundraiser, is part of the Youth Mentorship and Before and After School Programs and participates as an athlete in basketball, soccer and girls football.
"Staying busy is the only thing I know," said Hantke.
"I like to stay busy and help people."
