Richard Froese
South Peace News
Ali and Seham Mouallem have been chosen as the 2023 Outstanding Citizens by the Town of High Prairie.
They received the award Aug. 13 by acting mayor James Waikle before council’s regular meeting.
Mouallems’ names will be added to the Outstanding Citizen Monument outside High Prairie and District Museum.
They are honoured by the award.
“Seham and I thank the Town of High Prairie and our mayor and council for this honourable award,” Ali Mouallem says. “We were both very surprised to be nominated, let alone be chosen.”
He says many other residents could have been chosen.
“There are so many community members that are more deserving of this award and we are thankful just for the nomination,” Mouallem says.
“Thank you, High Prairie.”
A brief statement on the nomination was provided by CAO Bill McKennan.
“Ali and Seham Mouallem have supported local sports and community groups and have taken initiatives to make High Prairie a better place to live and raise a family,” the statement says.
He also explains why nor further details about their community involvements were released.
“We do not release personal information without the consent of the individual in relation to the person who nominating,” McKennan says in the e-mail to South Peace News. “The process and nomination forms are discussed in closed session.”
With the new additions, the Outstanding Citizen Monument honours 101 persons, including 58 men and 43 women.
Anywhere from one to four names have been added each year except in 2015 and 2018 when no selections were made.
The only exception was 2011 when council recognized all citizens who helped during wildfires.
So, the Mouallems are outstanding citizens but why is confidential. Congratulations?