The Paulita Ridderstaat Ovito Tromp Award 2026 has been awarded to Mrs. Paulita (Ita) Ramona Ridderstaat in recognition of her outstanding community service.
An independent committee selected Mrs. Ridderstaat as the 2026 recipient of the prestigious Mr. Ovito Tromp Award, which will be officially presented during the Fiesta Arubiano celebration at the Centro di Bario Noord (CBN), held in honor of Aruba’s National Anthem and Flag Day.
The Paulita Ridderstaat Ovito Tromp Award 2026 recognizes her decades-long dedication as a volunteer in Noord and across Aruba. Members of the Centro di Bario Noord board personally visited her to deliver the news and express their appreciation for her lifelong contributions.
Mrs. Ridderstaat shared that she was surprised and deeply honored to receive the award, accepting it also in memory of her mother, who inspired her strong sense of community service.
Her commitment to volunteerism is rooted in family values, passed down from her parents, particularly her mother, who was actively involved in community work for many years.
Professionally, Mrs. Ridderstaat began her career in Aruba in 1974 as a medical assistant and later continued her training in the Netherlands. From 1992 until her retirement, she worked as a nurse at Horacio Oduber Hospital, contributing significantly to healthcare in Aruba.
Beyond her professional career, the Paulita Ridderstaat Ovito Tromp Award 2026 highlights her extensive volunteer work, which includes:
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Serving as a board member of Centro di Bario Noord
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Volunteering for the Wilhelmina Cancer Fund for over 27 years
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Leading community and youth groups such as AMG and the Arubaanse Padvindsters Gilde
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Serving on the board of SAC and later being named an honorary member
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Participating as a singer in the St. Anna Choir
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Supporting families during funerals and times of grief
Mrs. Ridderstaat continues to provide guidance, care, and emotional support to youth, the elderly, patients, and grieving families.
Her work is widely recognized for its humility, positivity, and lasting social impact, particularly in strengthening youth development, supporting cancer patients, and contributing to Aruba’s cultural life.
The committee described her as a person with a “beautiful soul and a heart of gold,” whose influence is reflected in the many lives she has touched over the years.
The Paulita Ridderstaat Ovito Tromp Award 2026 stands as a tribute to her lifelong dedication and invaluable contributions to the Aruban community.
