Assiniboine Group School is presenting Rick and Karen Chrest every with an honorary diploma in Group Improvement on the school’s commencement ceremony in Brandon on June 16, 2023.
The Chrest household have lengthy been well-known faces locally—Rick served as Mayor of the Metropolis of Brandon for eight years and Karen was the face of the CKX Midday Hour present for quite a few years.
Their household roots in Brandon date again to 1912, and their ardour for the town might be seen via their group involvement serving on numerous boards, commitees and organizations within the sectors of enterprise, arts and charitable endeavours.
“The Chrest’s dedication to the Metropolis of Brandon and their efforts to make the group an unimaginable place for individuals to name house has been outstanding for years,” stated Assiniboine President, Mark Frison. “These two have been a dynamic group bettering our group for many years. They’ve been integral in supporting worthwhile causes that assist transfer the town ahead, and I’ve little question we are going to see continued contributions to the group going ahead. We’re honoured to current them with this well-deserved recognition.”
As the previous host of the CKX Midday Hour present, Karen was instrumental in telling the tales of these locally, and offered a platform for a lot of charities and occasions she turned concerned in. After leaving tv, she would go on to be an emcee and volunteer for a lot of worthwhile causes, whereas main a fundraising cost for Murray Home, a most cancers care housing facility serving as a “house away from house” for sufferers within the Western Manitoba area.
Different notable awards Karen has obtained embody the District 64 Toastmasters Worldwide Communication and Management Award for “excellent achievement, contribution and repair to group, company and area, via communication and management excellence”, which she obtained in 2016.
“To be acknowledged as somebody who could have performed an element in supporting and celebrating this glorious group may be very humbling and shifting, and to obtain this from the distinctive establishment that’s our Assiniboine Group School is a real honour,” stated Karen Chrest. “Having each Rick and I obtain honorary diplomas is sort of superb, and whereas the popularity is surprising, it’s a good feeling to assume that we will all make a distinction in our communities in many various methods.”
Rick was born and raised in Brandon’s East Finish. His service to the town of Brandon began when he served three phrases as Councillor for College Ward from 1995 to 2006. Eight of these years have been served as Deputy Mayor. On October 22, 2014, Rick was elected because the thirty second Mayor of the Metropolis of Brandon, and was acclaimed to a second time period in October 2018. Rick retired from civic management in October of 2022.
Rick and Karen have additionally been long-time co-owners of Leon’s Furnishings in Brandon.
As Mayor, he embodied his want to embrace fiscal duty and took a “again to fundamentals” method to civic operations. He was proactive when it got here to financial growth to make Brandon a metropolis of alternative and variety for its residents and newcomers. He delivered to the job a robust background in administration, enterprise and group affairs, not solely as a enterprise proprietor, but in addition as the previous Normal Supervisor of each the Brandon Chamber of Commerce and the Keystone Centre.
“It’s such an incredible honour to be granted this honorary diploma by Assiniboine Group School and a particular pleasure to obtain it alongside my spouse Karen receiving hers as effectively,” stated Rick Chrest. “ACC continues to have a protracted and profound influence on our group and on the training and coaching of 1000’s of lives. It’s a nice privilege to be included amongst their honorary recipients.”
The Chrests stay energetic locally and revel in spending time with their three kids and one grandchild.
Assiniboine awards honorary diplomas to people who exhibit excessive requirements of excellence of their private {and professional} achievements and whose involvement locally is well known.
Listing of previous honorary diploma recipients:
2023 Dori Gingera-Beauchemin
2022 Leah LaPlante
2019 Kelly McCrimmon
2018 Ron Helwer
2017 Phil Fontaine
2016 Beverly Bunn
2016 Ian Grant
2016 Jason Yates
2016 Rick Borotsik
2015 Mildred Murray
2014 Jim Treliving
2014 Harvey Armstrong
2013 Dave Baxter
2012 Carmel Olson
2012 Allen Dowhan
2011 Dennis Hunt
2010 Bob Mazer
2009 Gord Peters
(ACC Information Launch)
