Kensington Mayor Rowan Caseley presents the town’s citizen of the year award to Marlene Turner and the youth of the year award to Lauren Ferguson. The presentations took place during Canada Day celebrations on Wednesday morning. – Jason Simmonds

The Town of Kensington’s citizen of the year award carries extra significance for Marlene Turner.

The 2020 recipient has followed in the footsteps of her late father, Garnett Turner, who was named Kensington’s 2009 citizen of the year.

Lauren Ferguson was announced as the youth of the year. Ferguson said it was an unexpected honour to receive the award while adding it feels great to be recognized.

“We have a great little spot that we live in here and it definitely means a lot,” said Ferguson.

Ferguson was the recipient of the Governor’s General academic medal with the 2020 graduating class at Kensington Intermediate-Senior High School. She was praised for her athletic achievements, including winning eight provincial curling championships. She will begin studying engineering at Dalhousie University in Halifax in September and will continue her competitive curling career as third stone with the Taylor Stevens-skipped rink in Nova Scotia.

“Overall, (Lauren is) a great example of a youth with good character and citizenship,” said Caseley.

The 17-year-old daughter of Blair and Lisa Ferguson of Spring Valley said she has nothing but fond memories of living in the Kensington area.

“The way the community is involved and the way it stands behind everything and its members is something really special,” said Ferguson.

Click for full story and presentation video in the Journal Pioneer