Shelly Stouffer (centre) accepts her award on Thursday, Nov. 16 after being named to the RDN's Performance Recognition Program. (RDN)

By Alex Rawnsley

awards time

Around 50 of the mid-Island’s best officially recognized by RDN

Nov 19, 2023 | 5:52 AM

NANAIMO — Some of the region’s best athletes, musicians and performers have added additional recognition to their glittering resume’s.

The Regional District of Nanaimo, for the first time since 2020, held a ceremony on Thursday, Nov. 16 to recognize those selected for the Performance Recognition Program.

The program salutes “local individuals and members of teams/ organizations who have won first place or a gold medal standing at a provincial, inter-provincial or national title for sport, artistic or cultural performance,” according to the RDN.

Among those honoured was Shelly Stouffer, one of the top senior golfers in the world who has enjoyed immense success over recent years.

She was honoured for victories at several B.C., Canadian and international golf tournaments as well as her induction into the B.C. Golf Hall of Fame earlier this year.

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Stouffer has also won the b.C. Women’s Senior Championships in 2020, 2021 and 2023.

Also honoured was Nicholas Bennett who was named B.C. male swimmer of the year and won the S14 200 metre freestyle event at the 2023 World Para Swimming Championships earlier this year.

Bennett is also a Commonwealth games athlete.

Ben, Tegan and Max Jeffery would recognized for their success at the 2023 Canadian National Watersports Championships.

Away from sport, Janel van Dongen earned praise for her results at the 2023 4H Communication Finals as well as the Canadian Young Speakers for Agriculture competition.

Aleria Campagnolo competed at the Performancing Arts B.C. Provincial Festival this year and Katie McCulloch was celebrated for the 2023 Canadian Folk Music Award she won with the group Fiddelium.

A complete list of those honoured by the Regional District is available here. The list includes curlers, martial artists, lawn bowlers and other performing artists.

Members to the program held by the RDN must be residents of rural Oceanside electoral areas E, F, G or H, or live in the City of Parksville or Town of Qualicum Beach.

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