On Monday, October 21, about 140 students from seven schools were at Drumheller Valley Secondary School (DVSS) to participate in a Horizons Leadership Conference.
The day was packed full of activities to develop leadership skills, as well as dynamic speakers sharing their stories.
“My message going out today is helping them look internally, into themselves, and inspiring them that they have everything they need inside of them to battle obstacles, get through adversity and overcome whatever challenges they may face and allow them to dream and lean into these skills and strengths,” said guest speaker Larissa Franklin, who plays softball for Team Canada and is an Olympic bronze medalist.
Billed as a Culture Cultivator, Speaker, Facilitator, and Silver Lining Prospector, Ian Tyson also spoke with visiting students. He has been a regular speaker with the Canadian Student Leadership Association (CSLA).
He builds connections with the students through his life experience.
“A lot of it comes from my childhood… and from my dad, the way we were able to take a bad situation of my mom passing away when I was young and turning that into 'we can get through this, it’s going to be okay.’ There was always laughter there was always happiness in our house,” he said. "Through being involved in student leadership in high school like all of these students, that solidified it and I was able to find a path to this."
Program director for CSLA, Ashley Baer, says they host about 40 of these Horizon Conferences across Canada annually, and this was the first of four in Alberta this year. One aspect she appreciates is the students take charge of the program.
“Students host the day, so it is hands-on leadership,” she said.
