A long-time volunteer and former teacher in Weyburn, April Sampson, was named an Honourary Rotarian by the Weyburn Rotary Club at a recent luncheon meeting.

Club president Duane Schultz was joined by Rotary district governor Eugene Suchoboki in presenting the award, as they noted Sampson exemplifies the club's motto, "Service Above Self," and their theme for 2001, "Mankind is our Business."

Asked later what her reaction was to receiving this award, Sampson replied, "I was overwhelmed. I had no idea they were going to do this, it never even occurred to me that they might do this. I'm just delighted with this honour, it's just exciting."

With the many activities she is still involved with, Sampson noted she likely wouldn't have time to be fully involved with the Rotary Club, but this way she can be involved whenever she is able.

She first came to Weyburn in 1961 and taught school for 20 years, and completed her education degree at the University of Saskatchewan during this time. She maintains her interest in the profession by serving as president of the Weyburn chapter of the Saskatchewan Superannuated Teachers Association.

Among her many activities, she was a founding member of Crocus 80 Theatre, the Weyburn Humane Society animal shelter and the United Way, and she is known as Weyburn's "Ecumenical Organist," as she has directed or played for choirs in many of Weyburn's churches.

She continues to stay busy by accompanying choirs and music festival participants, and in taking study trips. Two years ago she took a study trip to Nunavut with Elder Hostel, during which she took a week of classes and toured the area to learn about the language and culture of the North. Next June, she will return to the North, this time to Yellowknife in the Western Arctic, and will take a tour up the Mackenzie River to the Arctic Ocean.

"It was wonderful to be in Nunavut; now I have such an understanding of the North that I didn't have before," she said.

She and husband Stan have four children and four grandchildren.