The Cranbrook Club of the Canadian Federation of University Woman has declared Sandy Zeznik as the 2010 Woman of the Year.

When she was contacted by Cathryn Henley, President of the Cranbrook CFUW with the good news, she was absolutely flabbergasted. She maintains that there are many women volunteering in Cranbrook who could have easily won the honour. Sandy strongly believes that the core of Cranbrook is strong and solid now because of the volunteers, with 90 per cent of them being women. Anyone who knows Sandy's bountiful energy knows she is well deserving of this annual award.

Volunteerism is rewarding and Sandy is a terrific example of someone who has carefully considered who and what she gives her time to, then gives every project her all. She is a former teacher, Vice Principal and Principal, therefore chose not to do any volunteer work in the schools, but rather in every other field imaginable. Sandy wants to, and does, satisfy all her needs in her volunteer work: Physical: Dragon boat; Service: Cranbrook Rotary Club; Health: Health Care Society and Cultural: Key City Theatre and Friends of the Library. All volunteers know what they give comes back ten fold.

Sandy loves her life and her work; she is satisfied mentally, physically, intellectually and spiritually through her work.

Born in Vancouver, Sandy stayed until after graduating from UBC. She and a girlfriend got a call from Cranbrook School District while working at Lake Louise for the summer. She has never lived anywhere since other than a year LOA to Britain and Europe.

Having taught in the primary grades for a few years, Sandy married and eventually started a family. She took ten years off then to "do all the activities connected with parenting", but still had her hand in teaching a special needs student. She was a volunteer even then, but for her children and their interests.

During this time, Sandy also worked on her Masters degree in Education Administration. Sandy went back to teaching and eventually applied for a Vice-Principal position. One of her nominators, a former Woman of the Year, Sheilah Moore, said, although she knew Sandy for many years already and knew Sandy would be a major influence on the lives of many, it was during her three years as Vice-Principal at Highlands School, it was obvious Sandy was a born leader and teacher, never missing an opportunity to teach, inform and support.

From there, Sandy was chosen as Principal at Pinewood School, and then was appointed District Principal of Aboriginal Education. Sandy's energy was boundless then as these two half-time positions were anything but as Sandy worked tirelessly at both jobs. Her work with the First Nations was respected and appreciated by all concerned as she set the bar high.

Sandy was diagnosed and treated for Breast Cancer during that time. Where most people would retire, Sandy came back refreshed and picked up right where she had left off.

As a true citizen of the world, Sandy took this unwanted disease as a learning opportunity. "I never even considered that I might die," said Sandy. "I learned a lot about the health field, cancer and issues around having cancer.”

Sandy retired when she reached the compulsory age, but within weeks, was asked to go back to work to fill a medical leave for three months as Principal at Kimberly's Lindsay Park School.

That year, she was invited as a Cranbrook Rotary Club member. People become Rotarians by invitation only, and are selected for their skills, abilities and potential for leadership. True to form, Sandy jumped in with both feet currently sitting on the Cranbrook Rotary board, acting as their Public Relations Director and active in all Rotary Events.

Once a member, she bravely took on immersing herself in one of the most demanding committees, and starting planning the annual Wine Tasting &Art Auction. While being a wine pourer, Sandy kept the outcome of the event focused on the benefits that Rotary plays in the community while also encouraging the virtues of support behind the fundraiser for the intensive care unit at the East Kootenay Regional Hospital.

One of the busiest committees is the Rotary Radio Auction which Sandy also spends much of her time from the intense planning to the long hours during the event. Sandy says she loves to talk making her perfect for this committee. Cranbrook Rotary Club President, Alan Duffy, wrote a supporting letter in Sandy's nomination. He said, "I cannot remember an event in the past few years that she has not attended and helped out. Sandy actively participates in weekly meetings, helping organize the birthday and anniversary announcements for club members and gets involved in all social activities."

Alan Duffy summed up his nomination letter commenting on Sandy's tireless work and the energetic spark she has brought to the club.

In 2005, Sandy along with other women started the Association known as Abreast in the Rockies. Co-founder, Heather Morissette said, "From the outset, she (Sandy) showed unending enthusiasm and leadership in bringing the founding members' dream to reality. Sandy embodies our Mission statement: "to raise breast cancer awareness and to demonstrate that women living with breast cancer can lead full and active lives." She is the team manager, but more than that, she is an inspiration to all women in her dedication and determination to stay fit by faithfully following the gym programme, participating in aqua fit, walking and yoga always setting her goals higher for herself. Besides having a tremendous sense of humour, she lends an ear and gives sound advice as needed.

Heather Morissette summed up her nomination letter by saying, "Reflecting on Sandy's tremendous contributions not only to the Dragon Boat team, but to the Cranbrook Community in general, she IS "Woman of the Year". As we "paddle life" together, she is an inspiration continually showing support, empowerment, learning, enjoyment and celebration."

In 2006-7, Sandy decided she needed to add some more cultural exposure to her already busy life. She became a volunteer and then was appointed by School District #5 to serve on the Board of Directors. Nominator Chris Tulloch, Board Chair for the Key City Theatre said, "She is an asset to the Board, bringing a wealth of local knowledge and contracts to promote the best interests of the Theatre."

Having experience with illness, and seeing a need for volunteers in the health care, Sandy joined the Cranbrook Health Care Auxiliary in 2007. Nominator Kate Fox stated that Sandy can be counted on to attend meetings, bring new ideas forward while still challenging the old and to take on modeling at their 2009 Beer and Crackers Fashion Show. Kate admires Sandy for stepping up to the plate as a board member in more than just a capacity as a director, but that of the 1st Vice President and Director of Public Relations.

Nominator Diane Leiman added to the list of the many volunteer activities of this proud mother and grandmother. Sandy volunteers with the Canadian Cancer Society and belongs to the Go-Go Grannies. Although in the executive of the Key City Theatre and the Hospital Auxiliary, she still volunteers on the front lines as a greeter and host in both the hospital and the theatre.

As well as her gym work outs with a trainer for the Dragon Boat, she also is involved with hiking, cross country skiing, aqua fit, yoga, as well as Book Club, (Friends of the library), bridge and is a keen world traveler.

Each and every nominator wrote about Sandy's flamboyant, warm and humorous personality making people feel welcome and comfortable as she goes out of her way to make time for those around her.

Diane wrote, "She is enthusiastic, reliable, committed, compassionate, a good communicator, self confident and self-assured; the epitome of a great volunteer.

The Canadian Federation of Women in the Cranbrook Club whole heartedly agrees. We welcome you to come to the Training Centre attached to the Cranbrook Public Library at 4pm, Tuesday, March 9th for the presentation of our award to this incredible woman, Sandy Zeznik.

For more information, please contact Cathryn Henley, 426-4804.