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Cougar Corner Headlines: Top 5 stories of 2023

After over four years without one, a plan was devised to bring back the EuroTrip. A unanimous vote by students chose to pursue the trip to London, Paris, and the Alps.

No. 5: Foundations 30 interest presentation

CANORA - Back in February during the first three weeks of the new semester, the Grade 11 Foundations 30 class learned about interest, loans, and credit cards. CCS teacher Thomas Lowes asked a couple of staff from Canora’s Crossroads Credit Union to come over and give a presentation. Kristin Olson and Shean Plosz, Crossroads staff who work at the local bank, visited the school on Feb. 17 to give a presentation.

The presentation included information on student loans, credit cards, investments, retirement plans, simple interest, compound interest, and the “Rule of 72” which according to Kristin Olson is “for estimating an investment’s doubling time.” The presentation also included a small quiz for the students to remember what they learned. Students enjoyed the chocolate coins if they answered a question correctly. Each student also got their names put into a draw to win a prize. The prizes included a pair of wireless earbuds, a Crossroads cup, and a portable phone charger.

No. 4: Crash survivor speaks to CCS

The week of March 5-11 was provincial drinking and driving week. Canora Composite’s Students Against Drinking And Driving group hosted a number of events for the students. There was a poster making contest and the winners received a prize. On March 9, the group sold smartie cookies at both first recess and lunch break with every dollar given going to charity. On March 10, the school attended the SGI Drinking & Driving Zoom tour. The presenter, John Westhavor, was the sole survivor of a horrific highway crash in New Brunswick in April 1994. His three friends, whom Westhavor was traveling with, died in the crash, including the sober driver. Westhavor said, “RCMP confirmed the crash was caused by too much speed.” Westhaver suffered third degree burns and was in the hospital for about two months. He said, “75 per cent of his skin was severely burnt.” John's story was a stark reminder to be aware of the consequences of dangerous driving.

No. 3: Student achievements in sports

Many CCS students triumphed in numerous sports that made Canora families proud. 

For the first time in several years, the Canora Junior Boys Basketball team became overall champions in their league. Canora senior girls basketball team finished second during the teams home tournament on Feb 11. The Canora Senior Boys Basketball managed to secure a victory on March 2 against Kamsack in a close match up ending in a 65 to 62 finish.

In March, the U18 Preeceville Pats triumphed in an astonishing playoff run to win the Major Hockey League A banner. A number of Canora Composite seniors played for the Pats during the season: Bronson Heshka, Tomas Hauber, Porter Wolkowski, Hunter Lamb, Rhett Ludba, and Briel Beblow. Cody Vangen and Wyatt Wolkowski from the Highway 9 Predators U15 hockey team were affiliated players on the team. The Pats won the A Banner game against Indian Head on March 27 with a final score of 2-0. Fans from Canora Composite packed the arena in Preeceville to watch the team take home the win and to support their fellow Canora representatives. During the Preeceville Minor Hockey award ceremony on April 1, a number of Canora Composite alumni were handed awards, including Tomas Hauber, who received who received the Karen Theil memorial award for Best Defenseman. 2023 was a year of success in sport!

No. 2: Magician and hypnotist Visit CCS

A highlight for some students was when a hypnotist and a magician visited the school in June. On June 2, 2023 the students and teachers of Canora Composite School were treated to a special assembly where Canada’s Got Talent Semi-Finalist Magic Ben and popular hypnotist Corrie J presented a preview of the type of acts the pair would be showcasing at the Full Moon Friday gathering at the Canora Curling Rink. Students were wowed by the super hero-like qualities shown by Ben and Corrie. Despite the duo’s fame, they both have a Saskatchewan connection. Corrie J lived in Buchanan when he was younger and Magic Ben currently lives in Saskatoon. Corrie J stated during the preview performance that the pair’s stop in Canora probably would not have been possible if Magic Ben had won Canada’s Got Talent as schedules would have been restricted. His elimination turned out to be more of a blessing as Ben started receiving more calls to perform in venues across the country and around the world. The Canora event was organized by the Canora Tourism Committee.

No. 1: Return of the EuroTrip

After over four years without one, in April a plan was devised to bring back the EuroTrip. The first meeting was held on April 24 to discuss where to go. During a meeting two days later, students were given three types of trip options. Option one was called European Quartet, which takes would take students to Amsterdam, Brussels, Paris, and London. Option two was called London, Paris, Alps where students could go to London, Paris, Switzerland, Leichinstein, and Germany. The third option consisted of stops in both Ireland and Scotland.

Students were told to think about their choice, and a unanimous decision was made via a vote to pursue London, Paris, and the Alps. The trip will not only include students from Canora Composite but members of community as well. In September, the fundraising process began. A series of four bake sales was held in October, November, and December with a total of $1,174.85 raised in sales. The group also hosted a sale for Co-op gift cards through October, which turned out to be a history-makings sale compared to previous sale campaigns in other years. There was a plan to host a bonspiel in December 2023, however it ended up being canceled due to a lack of teams signing up. For the most part, though, fundraising has been a huge success for the group.

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