Student leadership catching like fire

Beaulieu and Banda have also expanded their leadership roles outside of school. Beaulieu is both a ski and swimming instructor and Banda teaches dance.

“Just taking the skills you learn at school and then taking them outside of school to teach kids that don’t go to your school, and things like that, are awesome opportunities,” said Beaulieu.

Over 600 students and 150 teachers from 121 schools arrived in Shellbrook Wednesday. Banda said the students seemed excited to participate in the conference.

“That’s what I love about this,” said Banda, “Everyone that’s here wants to be here and is always so positive and so happy and so ready to be leaders of their own schools.”

Andy Thibodeau, a motivational speaker from London, Ont., spoke to a large assembly of students Thursday morning before leading several workshops throughout the day. He said he uses comedy, high energy and story-telling to engage students, on the topic of using leadership to be an example of care and empathy.

“They don’t have to have a title to do that,” said Thibodeau. “They don’t have to be a president or a captain, they don’t have to be a good speaker. They don’t have to have a certain mark. They just need to be the type of person that says, ‘Do I have my hand up in class? Am I genuine in listening during the classroom or guest speaker?’

“And just challenge them that those little acts of care can make a really big difference.”

Thibodeau said he was excited to be back in Saskatchewan, a province he has gotten to know well over his 22-year speaking career.

“I’ve been from Tisdale to Pierceland, to Carlyle and Moosomin and everything in between. So for an Ontario boy, out of London, Ontario, to be in a cute town like Shellbrook for two and a half days and getting to know the community and the people and traditions is a real blessing.”

The conference wraps up Friday afternoon.

jsperling@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @jnsperling

by Jill Sperling

Student leadership catching like fire

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