Larry Henderson & Annita Pender

2015

Larry Henderson Honoured

Larry Henderson has been named the recipient of Medicine

Hat College’s honorary applied baccalaureate degree that will

be presented at the 2015 graduation ceremony.

“He has been exemplary as a role model,” said MHC president

Denise Henning, noting Henderson has influenced and

mentored many students during his decades in education.

Henderson graduated from high school in Golden Prairie, Sask.,completed a BA in Education from the University of Alberta in 1960, and also completed a Masters of Education from the University of

Calgary and PhD in Education from the University of Montana.

He was one of the founding directors of the public school board foundation, spending countless hours organizing charity events to improve local education. He has also assisted with the Southern

Alberta Winter and Summer Games, is an active Lions Club member, and has received numerous awards, including the Alberta Centennial Medal in 2005 and a City of Medicine Hat Civic Recognition Award for Community Service.

“(Henderson) has contributed to education through our community

for many, many years, and ultimately has inspired many, many

people to just have better lives because of his influence,” said Henning.

“It’s important to the college that we recognize people that are contributing not only as role models, but are contributing to advancing the communities we serve. And recognize those contributions and honouring them in a way that exemplifies what they mean to our institution.”

The person annually recognized is chosen from nominations made to MHC’s board of governors.

Annita Pinder ARTA Volunteer Award (2015)

It gives me great pleasure to nominate Annita Pinder for an ARTA Volunteer Award as I believe her to be most deserving. She has served MHADRTA as 2nd Vice President, !st President and President and has participated on most committees whether it be cleaning the MacKay Creek

School in Pioneer Village in readiness for the Medicine Hat

Stampede and Exhibition or participating in supervising it

during this time. Annita always gives so much of herself and

her time willingly on committees and recently worked on the

Golf Tournament Committee. She has tremendous organizing skills and is such a pleasure to work with. Currently she is totally revamping the MHADRTA photo and history album.

Annita was raised on a farm 18 miles north of Leader, Saskatchewan. She attended a one-room school for the first four grades. Because of busing issues, her parents moved to Eatonia where she attended Grades 5 to 8. To get a firm high school education she attended Sion Academy in Saskatoon where she won a scholarship for her marks in Home Economics.

Annita has an Arts Degree, an Education Degree, and a Post-Graduate Diploma in Curriculum and Instruction. While attending the U. of Lethbridge she received certification as a Teacher-Librarian and later a Certificate in Leadership and Administration.

After finishing Teachers ‘ College and before finishing her Degree Annita did assignments in Elementary Education and after the Education Degree she taught Grades 9-12.

While teaching at Vermilion College Annita was the Secretary of the Local Hockey Organization. During her tenure in Wainwright she volunteered to teach an evening class to women who wanted to upgrade their business skills. While in Brooks she volunteered to teach catechism to Grade 3’s. She taught in Beaumont and Manville before coming to Medicine Hat where she volunteered to work on the School Council Association Conferences and served as Treasurer for one of them. For 3 years she was the sacristan at St. Patrick’s Church and also spent a number of years working with the RCIA Program.

Annita served the St. Patrick’s Parish Council on the Finance and Liturgy Committees. At St. Joseph’s Home she volunteered in the Bookstore and is currently the Sacristan there. For 2 years Annita volunteered at the Medicine Hat College teaching English as a Second Language. Presently, she is on the Board of Directors for a Political Party and also on the ARTS and Heritage Committee for the City of Medicine Hat. All this besides seeing that her elderly aunt and uncle’s needs are taken care of.

If you need someone to help with a fashion show or to work in the kitchen for a funeral or a fowl supper or for World Food Day, Annita will be there no matter what the hour she is required. She is so deserving of the ARTA Volunteer Award as I don’t know many people that work as hard or as much in a volunteer capacity.

Submitted by Donna Mae Goldade