Steps To The Greater Alumni Award

Sarah Card is the producer and founder/creator of the Bear Creek Folk Music Festival in Grande Prairie. From its inaugural event in 2016, the festival immediately established itself as standing alongside other major Canadian Folk Festivals, bringing in numerous world-class artists, drawing thousands of out-of-town attendees, and garnering national respect and recognition within the music industry.

Prior to working on the festival, Sarah has always been involved in artistic projects. She spent over a decade performing as a violin player in a duo, doing multiple tours across Canada and around Europe and the UK, and releasing three albums on a record label based in Switzerland. She also taught violin for twenty years, first in Edmonton and then at GPRC.

During her time as a GPRC student, Sarah completed the Interactive Digital Design Program and music diploma in piano. She is grateful for the inspiration that attending these programs afforded her.

Sarah Card's Acceptance Speech

Thank you so much for this kind recognition.

From working for years as a touring and recording artist and teaching violin, to my current endeavor producing the Bear Creek Folk Festival, I am extremely grateful every day that I am lucky enough to do work that I truly love and be a part of projects that are appreciated by so many people.

The time I spent at GPRC was valuable. It gave me a good and supportive space to develop skills and ideas and it played an important part in inspiring my career, for which I am very thankful.

David Lario, a professional engineer and entrepreneur finished his first year of engineering at GPRC in 1995 before heading off to the University of Alberta to complete his Bachelors and then, Masters in Mechanical Engineering. Throughout his career, Lario has always made a point to give back and help future and upcoming engineers in our region through his volunteering with the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists.

Lario lends his expertise on engineering panels at the College, assists with presentations and workshops throughout the region and serves proudly as a mentor for young engineering students in the pursuit of their dreams.

David Lario, a professional engineer and entrepreneur finished his first year of engineering at GPRC in 1995 before heading off to the University of Alberta to complete his Bachelors and then, Masters in Mechanical Engineering. Throughout his career, Lario has always made a point to give back and help future and upcoming engineers in our region through his volunteering with the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists.

Lario lends his expertise on engineering panels at the College, assists with presentations and workshops throughout the region and serves proudly as a mentor for young engineering students in the pursuit of their dreams.

Joren Manz, has always had an interest in helping others and is currently embarking on his Doctor of Medicine from the University of Alberta. Manz started his academic career at GPRC and was an active member of the Wolves community, running cross-country and track during his time at the College. Manz was an inspiration to his teammates and coaches with his countless hours spent volunteering and juggling the demands of being a student-athlete while still achieving honours.

While achieving academic success, Manz also was a GPRC Wolves Summer Camp leader, Canada West University Athletics Association Silver and Bronze medalist, worked with the Steadward Centre coaching para- and wheelchair track athletes and volunteered his time aiding care on missions to the Philippines, Croatia and Kenya. Manz continues to inspire all those around him with his humble attitude and desire to help.

After developing an interest in music as a member of the Grande Prairie Boys’ Choir, Dalen nurtured his passion in GPRC's Bachelor of Music University Transfer program. After finishing at GPRC in 2012, he completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Alberta.

Dalen has gone on to earn his Master’s in Opera Performance from the University of Toronto and perform throughout Canada, the United States, and Europe. Currently, Dalen is a member of the Vancouver Opera’s Yulanda M. Faris Young Artists Program.

Leisa’s passion for animals is evident every day she goes to work at the Fairview Veterinary Clinic in Fairview, Alberta and credits beginning her educational journey at GPRC’s Bachelor of Science to her success.

Strong faculty support and the quality programming at GPRC paved the way to continue her education at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan graduating with Distinction as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine

This year GPRC recognized runner Fiona Benson who represented Canada at the 2015 World Cross Country Championships in March 2015. In July 2015 she won the Canadian Championship in the 800m.

She’s achieved Olympic qualifying times in both the 800m and 1500m for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. She ended 2015 ranked 10th in the world in the one mile, 31st in the 1,500 metre, and 41st in the 800 metre.

Cris Seppola began as a GPRC student, became a valued employee of the College, and in just a few short years is now a successful business owner providing professional services to a client list which includes GPRC.

Cris completed a blended office administration/business administration diploma specializing in e-commerce and marketing and launched nine10 in 2006. After four years of learning and development, Cris Seppola founded nine10 Incorporated. What started as a design agency has now developed into a full-service marketing agency.

nine10 Inc. is known for the positive energy of the partners and staff, who are full of the passion of potential. That has been one of the key qualities behind what is becoming a notable go-forward team: passion. Or, as one partner puts it, “That passion to learn and to grow.” Cris Seppola and her partners took a leap of faith, added plenty of commitment and hard work, and have already been recognized with a Small Business of The Year award from the Chamber of Commerce.

Former Wolves Volleyball star Ryan Pomeroy has accomplished a great deal in the years since he dominated the nets here and in international competition. Today, as President of Pomeroy Inn & Suites Inc. and Pomeroy Lodging LP, Ryan is a leader who continues to prove what ambition, focus, strategic thinking and an unrelenting drive to succeed can accomplish. 

Ryan is deeply committed to honouring his roots and supporting his community, and the Peace Region. He has been involved in many large-scale community projects, including becoming the title facility sponsor for the Pomeroy Sport Centre in his home town of Fort St. John. On a personal level, Ryan has founded and funded Impact Volleyball camps for kids, supported local citizens in need through such projects as the Warriors Fund, and funded academic scholarships through GPRC in memory of his brother, Tim Pomeroy.

Having a passion for entrepreneurship, Michael took the Business Administration program at GPRC, where in one of his courses, students were tasked with writing a complete business plan for a fictitious company. Mike based his business plan on a company that he was hoping to start, involving extreme sports filmmaking.

Graduating from GPRC in 2004 with a Business Administration Certificate and a full business plan to take to the bank, in 2005, at the age of 20, he incorporated, Velocity Video Productions Ltd. Capitalizing on the demand for safety and training videos in the oil & gas industry, Mike expanded into the files of commercial business, government and not-for-profit agencies to name a few.

Being a one-man enterprise, during the winter months, Mike returns to his original passion of filming professional snowmobiling for several large American companies in the remote B.C. backcountry. In the summer months, he can be found hanging out of a helicopter chasing race boats down the river for the Canadian circuit of jet boat racing.

In 2011 he produced the World Jet Boat Championships film and was later invited to New Zealand to film their races on the south island. In 2007, at the age of 22, Michael was nominated for “Young Entrepreneur of the Year” by the Grande Prairie Chamber of Commerce. Michael credits GPRC’s faculty and staff with kickstarting his career and business, allowing him to live his dream.