The Student Leadership Team (SLT) at Carlyle's Gordon F. Kells High School gives students from grades seven to 12 the opportunity to learn skills they will use throughout their lifetimes - while having fun and serving their school.
This year, under the leadership of GFK teacher, Brittany Smoliak, members of the 20-strong student organization have participated in the provincial student leadership conference in Maple Creek, both organized and hosted large and small fundraising events and are currently in the process of raising money to send a student delegation to the national conference this fall in Waterloo, Ontario.
“We're very close to our (fundraising) goal,” says Smoliak. “We're grateful for the generous donations from the Carlyle Lions Club, the School Community Council and so many local businesses and individuals who support and sponsor SLT and the events we hold, like our recent barbeque at the school.”
Derrick Edwards, store manager at Carlyle's Southern Plains Co-op grocery store says Co-op's support is “a good investment.”
“Co-op is happy to support and see leadership in our community,” adds Edwards. “We need future leaders for tomorrow.”
Smoliak says the SLT focuses on allowing young members to develop skills that will benefit them during and after their high school careers.
“We've done everything from purchasing a popcorn machine for the school to planning on sending some of our senior members to Waterloo,” says Smoliak. “ The kids do a lot of regular spirit-building and day-to-day fundraising activities at the school, too. But a big part of what we do is give the kids the chance to learn and implement skills that will serve them beyond the classroom.”
“I can say this with confidence, because I've really seen them grow,” she says. “This is my first year with SLT and I love it. I've learned a lot myself. It's a good way to get to know the kids outside of the classroom.”
“And for me, I've found that organizing a large event is different from organizing a classroom.”
“But there's also the spirit-building things such as giving back, raising money for good causes and supporting their school.”
“This fall, we went to the provincial conference in Maple Creek,” says Smoliak. “It's similar to the national conference, but on a smaller scale. The students and the advisors each do their own things, so we're all learning new things which will benefit the group as a whole.”
SLT member Anna Doty agrees. “I've heard from other students that the Waterloo conference is the trip of a lifetime,” she says. “Everyone should be able to travel and learn leadership skills. The things I'm learning from (SLT) are really helping me to put myself out there.”
“It's given me time management skills and it helps you stay organized so you can accomplish what you need to do,” says member Sydney Flynn. “Besides the national conference in Waterloo, there have been provincial conferences. I've been to those conferences in Shellbrook and Weyburn and the speakers are really inspirational.”
Mackenna Morrison is one of the Gordon F. Kells SLT members who is raising money in the hopes of attending this year's conference in Waterloo. She also attended the national event in Halifax in 2015.
“It was amazing,” says Morrison. “It was so much fun to meet people from all across the country. We were billeted and that kind of took me out of my comfort zone, but I really, really enjoyed the whole experience.”
Parent Vicki Flynn says SLT is a potential positive for any student, adding: “I've seen (sughter) Sydney's leadership skills really grow as a result of SLT. She's willingly taken on more responsibility and I credit Mrs. Smoliak's leadership for a lot of that. (Mrs. Smoliak) has a great personality and the kids really respond to her positivity and encouragement.”
“I'm just really proud of them all,” adds Flynn. “It's great that the kids are working for and getting involved with their school.”
“They're great kids,” sums up Smoliak. “Organizing events and everything they do and learn when they participate in SLT translates into skills they can use in the real world. We also try to use positive change to inspire our school community and later for the kids, the world.”
“It really is learning for life.”
To learn more or to support Gordon F. Kells High School's Student Leadership Team, contact Brittany Smoliak at: (306)- 453-2500.
