KCS students “get the full impact” at Student Leadership Conference

By Joan Janzen

KINDERSLEY – Six enthusiastic but sleepy KCS students headed off to the Student Leadership Conference in Ontario at 5 a.m. on Oct. 3. They were accompanied by their advisors, Kelsea Glencross and Deavin Vanthuyne.

The three Grade 12 students and three Grade 10 students were chosen as delegates by the Sun West Board of Education to attend the leadership conference with other Sun West students, division leaders and advisors. The adventure began with a day of sightseeing in Toronto before heading to the conference at Camp White Pine in Haliburton, Ont.

After attending a Student Leadership Conference in Haliburton, Ont., these KCS girls were excited about getting completely drenched at Niagara Falls. They “wanted the full impact,” and it looks like they got it. SUBMITTED PHOTO

There, they heard a number of keynote speakers and were entertained by Scott Hammel, an amazing magician and stunt artist.

Olympic medalist Larissa Franklin was one of the girls’ favourite speakers. “She told you how to get out of your own head and get out of a slump,” Bentley Atkinson said. “She told us how small actions make a big impact on a team.”

The girls learned that leadership is about making people feel comfortable outside their comfort zone, and a simple act of kindness can go a long way toward making that happen.

There were also plenty of activities, including a Relay for Life. Student leaders took turns walking around a track to see who could complete the most laps. Meanwhile, other students made snow cones and decorated bags in memory of loved ones. The three Grade 10 students were so inspired they want to host a Relay for Life at KCS next year.

The girls took in a lot of information in a short amount of time. Although it was almost too much to comprehend, each shared her favourite takeaway from their time in Ontario.

Piper Pincemin (Grade 10) said, “You talk to someone from Quebec and realize the things they go through are so different. It opened my eyes to what other people are thinking and gave me a different perspective.”

Arianna Pincemin (Grade 12) said, “Being around the French language was cool.” Even if they couldn’t understand French, they loved listening to the language as well as English spoken with a French accent.

Bentley Atkinson (Grade 10) loved meeting people. “There were so many people like me who had the same ideas and wanted the same goals. It helped me to come up with even better ideas.”

Kenna Chester (Grade 10) appreciated making life-long connections. “At the camp, there were people we met that I’m still in contact with. I can go somewhere and make those life-long connections that I can remember for years,” she said.

Nevaeh Bitz (Grade 12) said, “My favourite part was the atmosphere. All the students were excited to be there, and everyone wanted to help us learn about leadership. They all offered a different perspective.”

Peyton Watt (Grade 12) said she appreciated that everybody was so present. “No one was distracted by phones. It was genuine connections and no distractions,” she said. “There were lots of boys there with so many good ideas; it made me want to have more boys in our leadership to give a different perspective. And everybody got along with everybody. Everyone was cool.”

The girls recalled the advice given at the closing ceremonies: “Plant a seed even if you don’t see it grow.” It was obvious these girls completely enjoyed their time in Ontario.

They were excited to share all they had learned at the conference. But at the end of the day, their most enthusiastic response of all came when they answered one question: “Did you meet any boys at the conference?”