Education
“The theme of my speech is to remember the good moments, but also the hard moments too.”
Relationships and connections are the most important to Hunting Hill’s Valedictorian
Relationships and connections have played an integral role throughout Janie Tong’s high school career. She has recently been named this year’s Valedictorian for Hunting Hills High School.
“School itself is a lot with homework, assignments and exams, but the connections that you have with your friends and the relationships with your teachers it’s something that is really uplifting and gives you the balance that you need,” said Janie Tong, who has been named Valedictorian for Hunting Hill’s Class of 2023.
“I was really shocked when I heard the news of being named Valedictorian,” said Janie. “Throughout high school I have been working very hard, and it never really occurred to me that I could achieve it. Once it sunk in, I was really excited about it and proud because it was a recognition of all my hard work.”
Janie, who has been part of Red Deer Public Schools since Kindergarten, reflects on a few highlights during her high school career.
“Our Bike-A-Thon and Wakefest were so much fun,” she said. “It was fun to get to know my classmates, and have those experiences together and to make those connections.”
In Grade 10, Janie took a course called Social Studies 10-20-30, which meant she took all three years of social studies in one year. This type of dedication set her on the path for success.
“It was where I Iearned my work ethic because I was taking a Grade 12 course in Grade 10,” she said. “My teacher was great too, and made the class a lot of fun.”
As for what’s next, Janie will be heading to the University of Waterloo where she is enrolled in the Computer Science program.
“I’m really excited for a new adventure,” she said.
As for her upcoming graduation ceremonies, Janie said she is looking forward to making memories with friends, family and teachers. “I want to really appreciate the whole experience,” she said, adding she is also looking forward to addressing her fellow graduates.. The highs and lows of high school are what helped shape who we are today. High school was when we really found ourselves and started to answer the question we were asked when we were so young, which was ‘what do you want to be when you grow up?’” said Janie. “It’s been a great experience.”
Darwin Roscoe, Principal at Hunting Hills High School, said Janie, who is known for her academic excellence and remarkable character, is deserving of this honour.
“Her numerous accolades in Advanced Placement and her relentless pursuit of knowledge have impacted her educational journey. Beyond her academic achievements, she has taken on leadership roles as a quiet leader, demonstrating exceptional organizational skills and the ability to unite others,” he said. “Her contributions to Hunting Hills High School have been recognized with the Power of Home, Power of Honour, and Power of Heart awards, acknowledging her compassion, empathy, and kindness. Her completion of the intercultural certificate shows her commitment to fostering cross-cultural understanding. Her genuine warmth sets her apart. She uplifts and supports her peers, embodying the qualities of a true mentor and friend.”
Graduation ceremonies for Hunting Hills will take place on May 26 at the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre.
When you meet Brayden Chenier, a Grade 8 student at GH Dawe School, it’s clear why he’s been chosen to represent youth across Alberta. Brayden is the proud recipient of the Integrated School Support Program Provincial (ISSP) Chief Youth Courage Award, presented by the Calgary Police Youth Foundation, in recognition of his resilience, leadership and commitment to his community.
The award celebrates students who demonstrate courage and dedication to becoming a responsible and caring citizen, especially within a diverse school and community, and was presented earlier this spring at the Calgary Police Awards Gala. As part of the honour, Brayden will now serve as a youth ambassador, helping to raise awareness about child and youth crime prevention, education, and intervention programs across the province.
“It’s pretty surreal that I will be all over the province for a year,” said Brayden. “I am looking forward to helping out in the community.”
Brayden has been part of the ISSP program through GH Dawe School since 2023 and has benefited greatly from the support offered.
With the support of the mental health professional, Brayden has been able to successfully navigate a variety of challenges in his life including coming to terms with his disability and navigating a tragic loss in his life.
Born with clubfoot, Brayden has never let his physical disability stand in his way. He is an avid athlete in a number of sports including hockey, basketball, golf, track, volleyball and soccer. His goal is working towards becoming an athlete in the Paralympics.
Brayden was nominated by GH Dawe School Counsellor Amy Johansson, who described him as a compassionate, kind, hardworking, and honest person who is driven and motivated to be his very best at all that he attempts.
She added that within the GH Dawe School community, Brayden is a highly respected citizen by all students and staff. “He is highly committed to sports connected to our school, as well as sports outside of our school community. Brayden works diligently at his academics. And is so very helpful and caring, always. Brayden works to overcome a list of things that he will not allow to hold him back.”
GH Dawe School is part of Alberta’s Integrated School Support Program – a child wellness initiative aimed at improving academic performance and the overall well-being of students. The program supports schools like GH Dawe with services to meet the diverse needs of students and families.
As he takes on his role as a provincial ambassador, Brayden continues to be a role model for his peers and a reminder of the power of perseverance and community support.
From the Frontier Centre for Public Policy
By Lee Harding
Alberta moves to remove books after disturbing content, too graphic for media to view, was found in schools
Should elementary school children be given books to read with harsh insults against minorities, depictions of oral sex, and other disturbingly graphic and explicit content?
Such books have been in some Alberta elementary schools for a while, and in many school libraries across Canada.
In late May, the Alberta government announced it would establish new guidelines regarding age-appropriate materials in its schools. A government press release included quotes with disturbing content, but at a press conference, Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides said some book illustrations could not be shown.
“I would show these images to all of you here and to the media, but they are too graphic for a live-stream media event. These examples … illustrate the kind of content that raises concerns amongst parents,” Nicolaides said.
You don’t say? This seems like the sort of stuff no one, except a pervert in a park, would dream of showing to a child. Ironically, the inability to publicize such graphic materials is part of the reason they have been shown to children with little public awareness.
Citizens’ group Action4Canada (A4C) has claimed its activism played a pivotal role in the Alberta decision. The organization has compiled a 36-page document online with examples of objectionable content in Canadian schools. Among the worst is Identical by Ellen Hopkins, which includes graphic descriptions of a little girl being molested by her father.
A4C founder Tanya Gaw has repeatedly tried to raise concerns about objectionable books with school boards, often without success. In some cases, she isn’t even allowed on the agenda if she states her topic upfront. When she is permitted to speak, she’s frequently cut off as soon as she begins quoting from the books, preventing the content from entering the public record.
In January 2023, Gaw made an online presentation to a school board in Mission, B.C. regarding materials in their schools. As she began to screenshare what was there, some board members objected, saying such permission had not been given in advance.
One month later, the board banned Action4Canada from making any further presentations. In later media interviews, the board chair justified the decision by saying Gaw’s PowerPoint contained some graphic and “inappropriate images.”
Exactly, and that is the problem. A recent check showed Mission’s school division only removed four of 15 books A4C objected to. Gaw is just glad “Identical” is one of them.
Pierre Barns, a father from Abbotsford, B.C., made it his mission to notify school boards across Canada what was on their school shelves. An online search was all it took to confirm. A “reply all” from a board member at the Halton School District in Ontario was most ironic.
“I am concerned. This individual has included links to publications and videos which may contain illegal content,” she wrote.
“I’m not sure how to investigate the content of the email safely. Would you please advise us whether or not this person ought to be reported to police? Is there some action we should take?”
There probably was action they should have taken, such as removing the books, but that never happened. Later, they defended a biologically male teacher in their school division who made international headlines by wearing large prosthetic breasts to school.
The Alberta government has committed to conducting public consultations before implementing new policies. It’s a good time for parents and citizens there and in other provinces to speak up. A young mind is a terrible thing to corrupt, but unfortunately, some schools are part of this corrosive effort.
Lee Harding is a research fellow with the Frontier Centre for Public Policy.
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