by Robin Tarnowetzki
Journal Staff Writer
[email protected]
It's back to school time and Horizon School Division kicked off the season with a Celebration Night in Humboldt on Aug. 27.
The event marks the first time something like this has been held for the staff in the school division, and board chair Jim Hack said it's going to be an annual event.
"It's a celebration of the staff," he said. "We had the entire staff here. Everyone from principals and superintendents and division office staff to the caretakers and bus drivers."
Staff got awards for five, 10, 15, 25, 30, and 35 years of service.
About 1,000 staff members attended the celebration. The event came about when Kevin Garinger, the director of education who was hired this summer, came up with the idea.
"He thought there was something that we should do as a division to get everybody together," Hack said. "He felt this was a good way to do it."
In addition, the day marked the debut of the school division's wall of fame: five former Horizon School Division students were inducted based on their accomplishments since graduation.
The five inductees were:
Brad Wildeman, president of Pound-Maker. Wildeman was born in Esk and started at Pound-Maker by building the original feedlot pens in 1970, and became the general manager in 1985.
Glenn Hall, athlete. Hall went to school in Humboldt, and played hockey for the Detroit Red Wings, Chicago Blackhawks, and the St. Louis Blues.
Doreen Wolff, athlete. She went to school in Kelvington and competed in the Summer Olympics in 1948.
Leonard Lee, entrepreneur. Lee went to school in Archerwill and founded Lee Valley Tools, Veritas Tools, Algrove Publishing, and Canica Designs.
Adeline Halvorson, artist. She went to school in Wadena and recently designed this year's Calgary Stampede poster, and the original painting sold at an auction for $125,000.
"It went extremely well," Hack said. "At the end there were lots of people that came up to me and said it was one of the best things that we in the division have done."
Hack added that the event went perfectly and he wouldn't do anything differently in the coming years. He said it was important to celebrate the staff and show them they're appreciated.
"They're the backbone of any organization," he said. "Without them, there wouldn't be an organization."
