Stampede Foundation salutes our youth

If you thought, as did I, that the Calgary Stampede’s youth programs consist solely of the Young Canadians School of Performing Arts, you would be mistaken.

Through the Calgary Stampede Foundation’s Youth Achievement Programs, groups as varied as the Calgary Stampede Showband, Stampede School and 4-H on Parade are supported. Further, scholarships from the International Youth Livestock and Bill Collins Youth Excellence to the UFA Steer Classic and Western Showcase are supported through the foundation. Such support affords our youth the opportunity to create skills, confidence and strength, ensuring tomorrow’s future looks promising for all.

Scores of guests gathered at the BMO Centre Nov. 1 to attend the foundations’ Salute to our Youth fundraiser. That the formal program kicked off with the award-winning Calgary Stampede Showband proved the perfect entree to an evening that beautifully showcased so many talented youth.

Among the guests in attendance this night were honorary patron Dan Hays and his wife Kathy; committee chair Ann McCaig; committee vice-chair Shelly Norris and her husband Alan; committee members Jennifer Allen, Kim Berjian, George Brookman, Susan Church, Gisele Danis, Holly Fortier, Mona Hunter, Scarlet Lee, Jane McCaig, Kirsten Tudor and Sheila Wappel-McLean.

Others having a marvellous time this night included foundation chairman Bob Thompson and his wife Gretchen; Stampede CEO Warren Connell, vice-chair Dana Peers, and vice-president Sarah Hayes; philanthropists Mike and Linda Shaikh; famed artist Paul Van Ginkel and his wife Kristin; 2018 Stampede Princesses Courtney Dingreville and Keily Stewart with 2018 Stampede Queen Carly Heath; BMO’s Adam Lamb and Barry Taitinger with their spouses Sarah Lamb and Christine Taitinger; Airside Aviation’s John Ftizsimmons; Cowboys Group’s Paul Vickers and Dave Urner; Raymond James’ Dave Lougheed; Homes by Avi’s Charron Ungar; Karyn Drake and her sister Jennifer Scott Allen; Stephen Lougheed and his wife Mary; McLean & Partners’ Brent McLean and Russ MacKay; event producers, Advance Your Cause’s Tom Dodd and Samantha Morahan; community leader Lesley Conway; realtor Mark Milne; emcee Dave Kelly; and others pictured.

PHOTOS: BILL BROOKS The Calgary Stampede Foundation’s Salute to our Youth fundraiser held Nov. 1 in the BMO Centre raised considerable funds for the Stampede’s invaluable youth programs. Pictured from left, event chair Ann McCaig, Stampede CEO Warren Connell and Stampede vice-president Sarah Hayes.

From left, members of the Young Canadians of the Calgary Stampede Isis Macdonald, Christina Birea, Faith Felgueiras, Shevonne Morrison and Hailey Murray.

Calgary Stampede 2018 Princesses Courtney Dingreville left, and Keily Stewart, right, flank 2018 Stampede Queen Carly Heath.

From left, John Fitzsimmons, Dave Lougheed and Cowboys Group’s Paul Vickers and Dave Urner.

From left, BMO’s Adam and Sarah Lamb with Christine and Barry Taitinger.

Stephen and Mary Lougheed.

From left, members of the Young Canadians of the Calgary Stampede Emily Khoo, Molly Weinberger and Tia Starnino.

Calgary Stampede Young Canadian Simon Schon.

Pictured with reason to smile at the fundraiser in support of the Stampede’s Youth Programs are Calgary Stampede vice-chairman Dana Peers, Gretchen Thompson and her husband Bob Thompson, Stampede Foundation chairman.

SPECTIVES UNIQUE PER- From left, Salute to our Youth fundraiser producers Advance Your Causes’ Tom Dodd and Samantha Morahan with event emcee Dave Kelly.

Renowned artist Paul Van Ginkel and his wife Kristin Van Ginkel.

From left, Karyn Drake, Homes by Avi’s Charron Ungar and Jennifer Scott Allen.

Committee co-chair Shelly Norris and her husband, Brookfield Residential’s Alan Norris.