Two talented and creative hometown girls were recognized by the Rimbey Legion at the Canada Day celebrations held July 1 at Pas Ka Poo Park.
Twelve-year-old Triana Hohn was honoured for her poem, Dear Love that won at the area, district and command level of the Royal Canadian Legion, and13-year-old Gabriella Olvera-Najera was recognized for her second-place finish with her poster of a war cemetery filled with poppies.
Hohn’s touching poem is written as if the author were a young soldier who had been killed and was writing after he has arrived in heaven.
In an excerpt from her poem, Hohn strives to convey the horror and devastation felt by the fallen soldier.
For freedom comes at a high price
And the way it is obtained
Is not at all nice
War is living hell
and I endured it all
Right until the moment I fell.
Writing poetry is enjoyable, said Hohn.
“I enjoy writing poetry and the poem seemed like a good way to honour those who died for our freedom,” she said. “It seems appropriate to remember about freedom on Canada Day.”
Olvera-Najera, who came to Rimbey from Mexico a few years ago with her family, depicted the price of freedom in her own way with her poster of a cemetery filled with graves an dotted with poppies.
She is happy to be living in Canada with her family.
“We don’t think about going back (to Mexico) except to visit,” she said.
The presentation of the certificates followed the marching in of the colors by Legion members.
Former Legion president Barbara Patey and president Tyler Hagel presented the awards to the girls and Hagel gave a short speech before the colour party marched out the colours.
Kassidy Hohn led the crowd in the singing of O Canada.