Prominent Cranbrook volunteer Sandy Zeznik has been awarded a Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal.
The retired educator was recognized on Thursday, January 10 at a special meeting of the Cranbrook Rotary Club at the Heritage Inn.
"I am humbled and honoured," Zeznik said after the ceremony. "But I think I have the strength of character to bear it," she joked, quoting Bob Hope.
Zeznik is the third person in Cranbrook to receive the medal, presented by Kootenay East MLA Bill Bennett. The medals celebrate the 60th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth's accession to the throne.
It's the third time Zeznik has been recognized for her volunteer work. In 2010, she was named Woman of the Year by the Canadian Federation of University Women's Cranbrook chapter. In 2011, she was name Rotarian of the Year by the Cranbrook Rotary Club.
A mother of three, Zeznik taught in elementary schools in Cranbrook and advanced to principal before retiring in 2006.
The active retiree is now a member of the Abreast in the Rockies dragon boat team, is the president of the Cranbrook Health Care Auxiliary, a board member for the Key City Theatre, and is a member of the Rotary Club of Cranbrook, the city's Wellness and Heritage Committee, the Friends of the Cranbrook Public Library, the Telus Ambassadors and Cranbrook Arts Council.
"I proudly accept this award on behalf of all volunteers but in particular on behalf of those retired women that I know are the backbone of many of the wonderful things that happen in our community," said Zeznik.