“Let us draw strength from one another.” That was the message from Weyburn YF Wives President Laila Bader as she officially opened the 3rd Annual Weyburn YF Wives Club Women of Distinction Awards Gala.
The annual event, hosted at McKenna Hall, celebrates the achievements of women from the Weyburn area who are nominated in five categories: Workplace Excellence, Community Service, Entrepreneur, Agriculture, and Young Woman of Distinction.
Krista Hubic, of the Weyburn Credit Union, noted that the Gala is one of the “easiest corporate sponsorship donation decisions we make every single year” as the nominees, and the event itself, all encapsulate the Credit Union’s tagline of “better, brighter, stronger”.
“They found a way to do something better in their workplace, in their organizations, and in their service clubs. They found a way to impact people in this community and have them shine brighter, and by allowing your stories to be told here tonight, you're making this whole room stronger. You're making us all see the potential of what we can be and what we can become. So, congratulate all the nominees.”
The awards were originally hosted by Quota International, which was represented by Jean Fahlman. Fahlman noted that the new version is “much fancier than what we did” before leading the over 250 people in grace.
The Young Fellows Club and the staff at McKenna Hall then treated those in attendance to a three-course supper before guest speaker Twila Walkeden took to the stage, calling the event an incredible celebration of strength, perseverance, and achievement.
“Each woman in this room embodies what it means to be a woman of distinction, navigating changes, embracing change, and carving out new paths with resilience and grace,” she said. “Every woman in this room represents something powerful, whether it's breaking barriers, raising families or businesses, or just surviving another group text about what to bring to the hockey wind-up potluck. You're doing it, all of it.”
The main message of Walkeden’s speech was based around a quote she had heard from Tony Robbins; The life you experience is the life that you focus on.
“I don't know why, but that statement really hit me, because when we focus on fear limitations and all the things we're not, we start to believe it,” she noted. “But when we shift that lens to focus on growth? Possibility and the belief that it's never too late to evolve. That's when that magic happens. Early in my career, I found myself in a field traditionally dominated by men. And honestly, it felt a little like trying to walk in heels across the Barber Motors new and used truck lot; awkward, painful, and definitely lacking grace. (Which drew laughter from everyone in attendance, including the owners of Barber Motors). So, in that environment, what happens is we lack confidence, and it's really easy to focus on the challenges. Outnumbered. Underestimated. Maybe even a little invisible. But here's the truth: When we get too fixated on those obstacles, we risk slipping into a victim mentality, believing that circumstances have control over our potential. Instead of getting stuck on what's in our way, let's choose to focus on our strengths, our resilience, and the incredible impact that we can make.”
“Resilience isn't just about bouncing back,” she added. “It's not about pretending things are easy. It's about choosing to respond instead of react. It's about rising stronger. Embracing change. And being brave enough to focus on what we can as strong women control. That's when the real change happens. One of the most powerful things we can do as women is to own our space with confidence and grace to step into the room, not asking for permission, but recognizing that we have every right to be there, no matter what role we have. And when we model that kind of mindset? We're not just changing our own narrative. We're paving the way for the next generation of amazing women who will walk through those doors after us.”
After Walkeden’s speech, Gala Co-chairs Cara Cugnet and Kristen Iversen sent their thanks out to everyone who made the evening possible, including Quota International for being the original event hosts and handing the reins over to them and to the nominators and nominees, noting that while many have a hard time accepting the recognition “it’s not bragging, it’s honouring the journey you’ve taken.”
The evening then shifted to the awards ceremony.
The first award, presented by Krista Hubic, was the Weyburn Credit Union Workplace Excellence Award. The award went to Meghan Patzer of Barber Motors, who joined the male-dominated automotive sales team 20 years ago.
“Mal, thank you for giving that little 22-year-old who walked into your office an opportunity to have a job,” she said in her acceptance speech. “Charlie and Michelle, thank you for telling me I could do it when I didn't think I could.”
Other nominees for the Workplace Excellence Award were Holly Ferguson, Laura Resler, Raquel Carlson, Shandel Clark, and Sydney Schultz.
The next award was the YF Wives Community Service Award, presented by Laila Bader and Chelsey Wall. Contessa Hill, Lindsee Michel, and Nichol Thompson were this categories nominees, with Lindsee Michel being presented the award.
Lindsee began by thanking her nominator, Lindsay Manko-Bauche, “for taking me out of my comfort zone and giving me this opportunity. I really appreciate you, and thank you for this moment. I say this because this is really difficult for me. Everything I do, everything, is because of the support of others. Any business I have had or event I have done has had an exceptional partner or group alongside me. All from this community, and a lot of people in this room. And I appreciate you all. Family, long-time friends, Communithon ambassadors, coaches, board members, Bloom committee, Spilling Prairie Te,a and that big guy behind the camera (Corey Morrissette). I have an absolute blast doing it all, so much fun, and it seems weird to accept an award for that. It is never me. It is always we, and I thank everyone who has supported all my ideas and has been along on this crazy adventure with me.”
The next award was the Access Communications Exceptional Entrepreneur Award, presented by Ron Irvine. That award went to Leslie Gutzke, co-operator of 66 Ranch, who also created a line of beef tallow beauty products from the byproducts of their animals.
“It was not supposed to be a business. It was honestly just to help friends and family feel better, and honour the animal after we've harvested,” she said. “I can't even talk you guys. Thank you so much.”
Also nominated were Gale Regines, Haleigh Oberkirsch, and Harmony Blunt.
Gale Regines would be celebrated next as the recipient of the Weyburn Oilwomen Young Woman of Distinction Award, presented by Carmen Sterling and Abby Kradovill.
A clearly emotional Regines simply said, “I can’t talk, I’m going to cry. Thank you so much for the nomination,” to which she received a second round of applause.
The final award of the night was a new award, the FCC Influential Woman in Agriculture Award, presented by Jordan Szczecinski and Kendra Kittelson.
This award went to Sarah Leguee, owner and managing partner of Leguee Farms.
“So it's May 2nd. We're seeding, and my dad is even here. So, obviously, this kind of means a lot," she laughed. “This is just awesome, thank you so much.”
Leguee was nominated with Leslie Gutzke, whom she noted has been her friend for many years.
The annual Gala and Awards banquet is one of the biggest fundraisers for the YF Wives club throughout the year, whom Walkeden applauded in her speech.
“Their passion, dedication, and commitment to this community is really nothing short of inspiring,” she said. “The YF Wives Club is a shining example of what it means to lead their community with a purpose. These women embody the very qualities we are here to celebrate tonight.”
