News | DrumhellerMail - Page #1745
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Last updateThu, 19 Sep 2024 5pm

Walk a mile back with style

 

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On Wednesday, May 18, Drumheller’s men traded in their sneakers, loafers and flip flops for a pair of elegant, red high heels.

The weather cooperated and brought a hot and sunny day for Drumheller’s biannual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes fundraiser to stop sexual assault and gender violence.

The amount raised by the high heeled heros as of Wednesday, May 18, was $4,549.55 and the amount is still climbing.

The sound of heels scratching the side walk started at 11:30 am at the Drumheller Co-op. They then continued to catwalk all the way to Freson Bros.

Walking with borrowed enthusiasm, the men reached the finish line to where they were rewarded with cold drinks and hot dogs.
The greatest reward, was the money raised for the Big Country Anti Violence Association, which has been active in Drumheller for 15 years.

Kristi Donison, president of the Big Country Anti Violence Association expresses her passion for this event.
“This event allows men to take a stand for children, women and even other men who have been victims of violence. It is a wonderful fundraiser.”

Donison says that this year was the smallest group she had seen but that did not mean it was any less important. She is greatful for the turn out.

Brian Kosolofski, who made the long trek across town in sparkling red heels spoke with The Mail, “my feet were a little sore after but it was a good time. It was also a really great cause.”

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Last Standard School class graduates

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 Many say that when one door closes, another one opens. This is true for Standard School which will be holding their last graduating ceremony on Friday, May 27. 

Standard School is closing their doors to prepare to send their students to the new Wheatland Crossing School that is opening next school year. This new school will house students in grades K-12 from across the county with improved facilities and equipment.

Standard School has been a central hub to many since its early beginnings in 1959. Students from surrounding areas such as Rockyford and Hussar have attended Standard School for their education. 

The small town population has resulted in small classes which have made  strong connections between classmates. 

Former grad of 1961 and teacher of Standard School for 20 years, Alan Bragg,  reflects on his time as a graduating student, “We used to have a rule that no one was allowed to talk about grad until second semester because that was all anyone would ever talk about.”

Bragg also mentions the upside of having a small population. 

“I am very proud of attending Standard. We try and make the best out of our small classes. You really get to know each other. There are probably students graduating this year whohave been together since they were in kindergarten. That is a very unique situation.”

Bragg hopes that the new school will work out for everyone involved. 

The graduating class is not dwelling on the fact that they are the last to graduate from Standard School. According to grad coordinator, Tiffany Phillips, "The students are treating it like a normal grad year. The students next year will all still be graduating together.”

Wheatland Crossing School will offer more opportunities and equipment for students. 

Valedictorian of Standard School 2016, Catrin Thomas says, "It is kind of sad to be leaving because I grew up there but the new kids are going to get to use all the new technology. I have to admit, I am a little jealous.” 

Wheatland Crossing is also  going to be housing a lot more students from the surrounding area. 

“I am very excited to go to the new school. I am most excited about using all the new technology and meeting all of the new kids coming from  different places,” says current Grade 11 student EricaLynn Skibsted.

Royalty coming to Hand Hills Centennial Stampede

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The Hand Hills Lake Stampede Centennial is just weeks away, and royalty is getting ready to come out.

The Calgary Stampede Queen Maggie Shortt and Princesses Bailee Billington and Chelsey Jacobson will be coming out for the Hand Hills rodeo on June 3-5.  For Drumheller native Jacobson, the Hand Hills Lake Stampede is a date she has been looking forward to.

“I would go almost every year. It is pretty special,” Jacobson tells The Mail. “We have travelled all over Canada and literally across the world, so I am really excited to come to my hometown rodeo and see some family and friends.”

So far, they are committed to appear in the parade on Saturday morning, but may also be onsite for more events during the commemorative rodeo.

“Being the 100th anniversary it will be pretty special,” said Jacobson. “Hopefully we’ll be able to stay a bit and watch some of the rodeo and visit.”

“It is cool to have grown up with the Hand Hills rodeo, and then to see how the tradition has formed over the last 100 years.”

The Stampede Queen and Princesses have been keeping a very busy schedule and most recently returned from England. For Jacobson, a highlight was seeing the Phantom of the Opera. She is enjoying the travels, with an itinerary that includes everywhere from Las Vegas to Berlin.

"It is quite the year for us,” said Jacobson.

But coming home is a special treat, as Stampede Queen Maggie Shortt, a Strathmore native attests.

“I am super excited for the Strathmore rodeo," laughs Shortt.

 Stampede Princess Bailee Billington is a Calgary girl, but is looking forward to experiencing the Hand Hills Rodeo.

“I’ve never been to the Hand Hills parade or rodeo, so I think Maggie and I are both really excited to be joining Chelsey and seeing her hometown rodeo,” said Billington.


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