The Drumheller Valley Secondary School’s (DVSS) International Program has ended for the school year and the town of Drumheller said farewell once again to students heading back home for the summer.
    Fifty-seven students were welcomed at the beginning of September from countries across the world, reaching as far as Mexico, Nigeria, China/Hong Kong, Indonesia, Korea, Germany, Cameroon, Ghana, and many more countries. The program has brought in a distinct diversity of students, which, in turn, has impacted both the school and the community of Drumheller.
    Curtis LaPierre, principal of DVSS, isn’t surprised these students have made such an impact.
    “They help define us as a community,” LaPierre says.
    Running for ten years now, the program has been hitting higher numbers of new students each year.
    This year, the numbers for international students have reached an all time high and LaPierre estimates next year’s incoming student population to the school will increase even more.
    LaPierre and the students of DVSS look forward to the mixture of new and returning international students for the 2015 school year.
    Opportunities set-up through the dorms and small businesses around town have created an economic benefit that budded due to the placement of The International Program at the school. The program has given the Drumheller workforce an edge as they offered a three month practicum for a group of fourteen Korean students hoping to gain career experience in Canada. Jobs offered varied from cooking to hairstyling and cosmetology. 
    Dennis Standage at Sublime Food & Wine has always had a great experience with the International Program and he thinks it’s a great opportunity for both the students and businesses. Standage enjoyed hosting four Korean students, and holds a “Korean night,” each year where they allow the students to create their own cultural dishes for the customers to experience. Sublime has been committed to the program for two years and are looking forward to their third.
    The long term program at DVSS has produced roots in some of its students like Yonathan Leonard. Originally from Indonesia, Leonard has been coming to Drumheller for two years with The International Program. Leonard graduated this 2014 school year and plans to come back to Canada again in the fall to pursue a post-secondary education at Red Deer College.
 “It’s a great experience to know other people with different culture and personality. Also, using English as my second language for everyday conversation helps me too. With all of that, it builds my independence and my confidence,” Leonard says.
    As the International Program continues to positively impact its global students, the local students living in Drumheller are also feeling the benefits.            Emily Spitzer, a DVSS student entering grade twelve in the fall, has been impacted in her personal life due to the program.
    “It’s a great opportunity to meet people and expand your outlook on the culture outside of Drumheller,” Spitzer says, “I’ve made new friends that I wouldn’t have ever met if this program didn’t exist. I’m really excited to meet and learn from even more students next year.”
    The International Program will continue in the fall and Drumheller’s school, businesses, and community will once again be diversified by the presence of their multi-cultural student body for another school year.

    Already 231 are signed up for the fifth annual Community Futures Dinosaur Valley Half Marathon event scheduled for September 14, and along with runners, they are looking for volunteers.
    This year the event is celebrating its fifth anniversary and to mark this, they are adding a full 42-kilometre marathon road race.  It takes on all aspects of the varied Drumheller terrain.
    While registration appears strong, organizer Colin Kloot says there are only 16 racers signed up for the full marathon.
    “Those numbers are strong,” he said, adding that the participation in the 5K family walk and run usually picks up towards the end.
    The Community Futures Half Marathon registration is strong with about 130 and counting signed up. Kloot says there is still time for those wishing to train and do their first half marathon to get in shape for that race.
    “It’s not too late to start training, but they should get going,” he said, adding, “when training, listen to your body.”
    The Encana 10k run also sees strong registration, however Kloot expects they could see some dropping out to take on the first Tough Mudder Event in Drumheller coming up on September 6 and 7.
    There is a real need for volunteers to help mark the fifth anniversary of the race. The race is a grassroots effort that in its first four years has raised $53,000 for the Badlands Community Facility.
    Those who are interested in volunteering for the event to fill a variety of roles can contact Becky Kowalchuk at becky.kowalchuk@gov.ab.ca or call 403-820-6202.