While Living Sky School Division is committed to initiatives aimed at helping underachieving students improve and interventions for at-risk students, it also sees the value in acknowledging students who excel.
At last week's meeting of the board of education, trustees gave the nod to continuing the annual Student Hall of Fame events as good value for the money.
The Hall of Fame induction was introduced in 2009 to honour students who have excelled in the areas of academics, athletics, arts and culture, special projects and leadership.
A total of 534 high school students from across Living Sky School Division were invited to receive 844 awards and be inducted into the Student Hall of Fame Thursday, June 11 at a banquet that filled the Battleford Arena. Between 875 and 910 parents, students and advisors attended.
Senior executive assistant and communications manager Shannon Lessard told the board this year's event cost $31,999.39, including $2,770.15 for the awards themselves.
Despite the cost of catering having gone up from $15.50 per plate to $16.75 per plate, and a higher bill for the popular candy bar, this year's cost was about $3,000 less than last year.
Part of those savings were made up by a lower decorating cost and not having to pay travel expenses for this year's keynote speaker, Human Rights Commission lawyer Meghan Scherger.
At $2,417.60, this year's decorating costs were less than half of last year's. Decorating is always a significant portion of the budget as it's an important part of making the event enjoyable for the students and parents, said Lessard, but whenever possible decorations are repurposed. Hall of Fame decorations and Service Recognition Awards Night are often shared and they are also loaned out to schools for graduations, plays and other events. This year's theme was Alice in Wonderland.
In addition to presenting attendance figures and a cost analysis, Lessard also shared some positive feedback.
"Many parents, and even students, approached staff on the evening of the event to offer gratitude," Lessard reported. "Many emails have also been received since the event commending the board for facilitating this type of event for students and thanking the staff for executing an event of this size with efficiency and attention to detail."
She added, "Guests continued to appreciate the themed decorating and standardization of all awards categories, making each student achievement worthy of equal recognition.”
She included remarks from a parent of a North Battleford Comprehensive High School student inductee:
"… I wanted to compliment you on the fantastic evening last week. The decorations were beautiful, the meal was excellent, the candy bar was so much fun! Most of all, the students shone. They were recognized in a flattering and inspirational way. I was so proud of my daughter, but I was also tremendously proud of all of the students. Athletics, academics, arts and vocational skills were celebrated with equal importance. I felt honoured to be there and left inspired. Even my daughter felt she needed to step it up a notch because she wants to be there next year!"
Vice-chair of the board, Ronna Pethick, expressed gratitude to Lessard and the people who helped with the Hall of Fame Awards.
"It's a way of honouring our students and, Shannon, I have to say I can't thank you enough for the immense job you do every year and all people who helped us," said Pethick.
She added, to the applause of the board, "You honour our division so greatly and thank you so very much."
