Lt.-Gov. Lois Mitchell regaled a throng of Penhold Grade 6 students with tales of meeting the Queen on Friday.
The official reason Mitchell was in Penhold was the ceremonial Inauguration of the Chain of Office ceremony.
Penhold residents Stewart and Eileen Ford sponsored the Chain of Office , which is cast in silver gilt and symbolizes municipal leadership and is worn during formal civic events.
As well, the Fords used the event to offer a $500,000 scholarship donation to the Red Deer and District Community Foundation and Penhold Crossing Secondary School. It’s the second $500,000 donation from the Fords, who provided that sum in scholarships for the Chinook’s Edge School Division school four years ago.
Mitchell charmed her young crowd of admirers, telling them how she met Queen Elizabeth 2 and was amazed at her memory, she said.
She also had some advice for the students who were told during the presentations they could be mayor some day.
“When they talked to you about being mayor? You want to be Lt.-Governor, I’ll tell you that,” she said with a chuckle.
Stewart Ford said he and his wife decided to donate more because the school has grown so much and there are more students who qualify.
“It makes it difficult for the staff, as well, to choose which ones when you simply have two or three who should be getting a scholarship and there’s no money. Hopefully, now there’s the money,” he said.
Mount Royal University student Jenna Dudar received a $5,000 scholarship thanks to the Fords when she attended Penhold Crossing Secondary School.
“It helped me so much. I didn’t have to take out any student loans this semester, which is great,” said Dudar, who is studying business administration.
Penhold Mayor Michael Yargeau said the town’s slogan is “honouring the past and challenging the future.
“And I feel that’s what we did today,” he said after the Lt.-Governor hung the chain of office around his neck.
pcowley@reddeeradvocate.com
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