Prpick-boss saluted as SCBEX Citizen of the Year
Avid volunteer and event organizer Stephanie Prpick-boss was saluted as the SCBEX Citizen of the Year during the 21st annual Swift Current Business Excellence Awards gala on Friday night.
Prpick-boss has been a city resident since 2010 and has volunteered her time for a variety of causes and helped organize events dealing with health, wellness, sports, and community.
“It’s a great honour and it’s a definite incredible moment for myself to keep moving forward,” Prpick-boss said moments after receiving the award. “For me personally and professionally this is a real wonderful honour.”
She is the third ever SCBEX Citizen of the Year behind inaugural winner Betty Mcdougall, and 2018 winner Larry Johnson.
She reflected on the emotional personal journey that was occurring when she and her family first moved to Swift Current in 2010.
“Things were very difficult,” she said while choking back tears.
“It was the highest stressful time when we lived up north. And it was a point where I told my husband ‘it’s time to go home to Saskatchewan, and we’re grateful to have the opportunity to move to Swift Current.”
She told the audience that a major health incident prompted them to leave their home in Canada’s north.
“I went to work one morning thinking I was going to be attending my daughters’ pre-school graduation. But at 36 years of age I suffered a brain hemorrhage and was medevacked to Edmonton, so instead I was in the Intensive Care Neurological Unit.”
She has since jumped in with both feet to make a difference in the community.
Prpick-boss said the biggest moment in becoming more active in the community occurred in January 2016 when she attended the Swift Current United Way breakfast where Sheldon Kennedy was the guest speaker.
“It gave me the confidence that people are listening and they’re very supportive of that topic of mental health and to take action steps.”
She organized an event featuring Barnet Bain who directed Milton’s Secret to speak about youth and mental health, bullying, and strengthening the family unit. This led to a connection to bring in Robb Nash Project, which dealt with youth suicide prevention.
She is now hoping to direct some of her energy in the area of stroke awareness and prevent.
“Now I feel stronger with myself and to be able to now be active within the stroke community and to be able to share my story.”
“As someone who has suffered a brain hemorrhage I’m fortunate to come out the way I am.”
She noted that the theme of the World Stroke Day campaign on October 29 is “1 in 4 of us will have a stroke. Don’t Be The One.”
“I look forward getting involved in the Saskatchewan stroke community, sharing awareness, prevention of stroke, and helping those directly impacted and their families help find services and resources.”