Education
Valedictorian Message from Gateway Christian School
Gateway Valedictorian thankful for close knit school community
Having grown up in the Gateway Christian School community since Kindergarten, Caleb Marquart, has been named Valedictorian for the Class of 2022.
“It’s an honour to be named Valedictorian,” he said, adding the recognition is a testament to his hard work and dedication over his high school career. “It’s always been a goal of mine to do the best that I can.”
As Caleb looks back on his high school career, there are many moments he will remember.
“Some of the highlights for me were some of the events that we had at Gateway. When I was in Grade 9 we had Chill Fest and the Student Council planned a 12 hour event – that was the first real moment in high school when I realized the community at Gateway is very special,” he said. “We also do worship together as a school, and we have an opportunity to collaborate with younger students through the Buddy Program, which is really cool.”
He added the Buddy Program is a mentorship program within Gateway and includes students in older and younger grades being paired up and spending time together. This year, Grade 12 students were paired up with students in Grade 5. “Having that buddy experience and being able to connect and be a mentor for them is really great and definitely a highlight,” he said. “Having a buddy gives you perspective of what it is like to go through school and just connect with them. It’s not stressful and you can just share your experiences.”
Something unique to Gateway high school students is that they attend Gateway for their core classes, and Lindsay Thurber Comprehensive High School for their options. They are fondly known as ‘Gurber’ students. For Caleb, this has been a great experience.
“I like the fact of being at a bigger school like Thurber because there are a lot of opportunities with options and sports,” he said. “But then I also enjoy the smaller community that Gateway offers. It is a perfect balance.”
As for his speech to his classmates on graduation day, Caleb said he plans to talk about the value of the community that Gateway offers. “Every person in my graduating class has really contributed to that experience,” he said. “When you’re in a bigger school there is a chance that you are graduating with people that you may not really know. I’ve had the opportunity to have a full conversation with every single one of my classmates. I want to highlight that relationship between us in the Gateway community.”
This fall, Caleb will head to Red Deer Polytechnic in the Bachelor of Engineering program. He will eventually transfer to the University of Alberta.
Geannette Lehman, Principal at Gateway Christian School, said Caleb’s honour is well deserved.
“Caleb is a caring and compassionate young man, who is well respected among his classmates and peers. He has a natural ability to make others feel accepted, and is conscientious to not leave others out,” she said. “Caleb’s diligent work ethic and humble demeanor make him a worthy recipient of the honour of being Gateway’s 2022 Valedictorian! We are incredibly proud of Caleb and wish him all the best!”
Gateway will hold their graduation ceremonies on June 28 at New Life Fellowship Christian Reformed Church.
Just when we thought our smiles couldn’t get any bigger – they did! And we have the Red Deer community to thank for their overwhelming support.
We are so excited to share the total from the Tim Hortons Smile Cookie Campaign this past spring…and it’s very impressive. In fact, it’s an all-time record, and we couldn’t be more grateful.
Over the long-week campaign held April 28-May 4, Red Deerians indulged in a lot of cookies – $80,773 worth! These funds will go directly to helping struggling readers become readers of potential through Reading College, a project of The Foundation for Red Deer Public Schools.
Reading College, held each July, provides students with identified reading gaps an incredible summer experience that builds their skills, confidence, and love for reading. Students leave the program with stronger reading and writing abilities, and a solid foundation for success in school and life. Now in its 14th year, 1,000 students have graduated from Reading College.
“We continue to be amazed by the generosity of our community and the partnership with Tim Hortons,” said Kristine Plastow, Board Chair for The Foundation for Red Deer Public Schools. “These dollars directly impact kids who need extra support to become confident readers. The difference this program makes is life-changing.”
Tanya Doucette, Tim Hortons Restaurant Owner in Red Deer, said it’s incredible to see what can happen when a community comes together. The simple act of purchasing a cookie by so many amazing guests, makes a huge difference for young students right here in Red Deer.
“This record-breaking year shows how much our guests care. We are so pleased to support Reading College and help give students the tools they need to thrive,” she said.
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.
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