On November 18 until November 22 the Big Country Anti Violence Association (BCAVA) will be holding the Annual Red Silhouette Campaign at the Badlands Community Facility.   
On display at the Facility will be life size red silhouettes which are representative of individuals who have lost their lives or have been affected by domestic violence.
    The Red Silhouette Campaign is designed to  send a message to victims that they are not alone and is also referred to as the silent witness project  as they provide a voice to those who can no longer speak for themselves because they lost their lives   to domestic violence and also bear witness to those who are still in abusive relationships that they are  not being forgotten.
    The objectives of this initiative are to create an awareness of domestic violence by sharing information in our communities about the nature   and extent of relationship violence, to promote  action by letting people know there are resources in our communities with people willing to help and to remember people by honoring those who have lost their lives to domestic violence.
    Violence takes on many faces including verbal, physical, sexual, spiritual, emotional and financial abuse. Bullying is a form of abuse that has recently been in the forefront of the news. BCAVA wants to help give a voice to everyone who has been a victim of or is presently being affected by some form of violence.
    The red silhouettes will be on display for the week of November 18-22 and BCAVA would like to invite people to visit. This event brings Domestic Violence to the forefront as we work to empower everyone to help stop violence and support survivors.
    BCAVA looks forward to the spring of 2014 when the unveiling of the Angel’s Corner which will be a permanent location recognizing those who have been impacted by domestic violence. We can all work together to end the silence and stop the violence. If you require additional information please feel free to contact Cindy Stelmaschuk at 403-823-3095 or Cora Bolt at 403-823-1660 or go to www.bcava.com.

    Drumheller Valley Secondary School (DVSS) students were in for a treat on Friday as the school celebrated International Education Week.
    DVSS is committed to international education, exemplified through its international students, and aims to teach local students about the various cultures of those who travel immense distances to Drumheller for their education.
    “We take one day of the week and have an assembly and guest speakers to recognize our international students,” said DVSS principal Curtis LaPierre.
    Afterward, students got to experience a small taste of the various cultures inhabiting the school.
    “We go out into the foyer and have a huge sample of food from different cultures, then some students writing other kids’ names in different languages like Mandarin, Cantonese, or Korean, then some of our Korean students will be doing manicures and such,” said LaPierre.
    Over the years, the international student population has become ever more integrated into the fabric of the school.
    “In the first couple years of the international program there was a little tension, because of the different cultures. Since then, the acceptance of the international students and their cultures has really become a part of our school culture,” said LaPierre.
    “It’s not what it used to be. Last year during the assembly, I brought up all the international students and they lined up from one end of the gym to the other. There were gasps from the local students, because they didn’t realize just how many international students there were.”
    The local students have also made huge efforts to get to know and welcome Drumheller’s international students.
    “There is a significant outreach that takes place, for example our FOR (Friends of Rachel) Club came over last Sunday to cook breakfast for our international students and the week before they held a dance,” said LaPierre.
    For now, the school is gearing up to celebrate.
    “It’s a fantastic day. The students get a chance to go out and sample all these different cuisines,”
 said LaPierre. “Teenagers love food. They really embrace the day.”

One of the international students writes out a Drumheller student’s name during last year’s International Education celebration at Drumheller Valley Secondary School. DVSS is getting ready to celebrate again this past Friday.