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Last updateFri, 19 Apr 2024 5pm

DVSS students live with no regrets

    Students at Drumheller Valley Secondary School (DVSS) were challenged to live with no regrets.
    On Friday, May 31, DVSS held its second No Regrets Day, organized by the Friends of Rachel (FOR) Club, the school’s anti-bullying group. The day was a roaring success according to organizers.
    “It’s bigger and better than last year,” said teacher Lynn Hemming, who helps the FOR Club.
    “We’re encouraging kids to make good choices in their lives, so they live with no regrets. We don’t want them to make foolish choices and then have to live with consequences that would plague them for the rest of their lives. Last year, we felt the message got out really loud and clear, and it did again this year.”
    In the morning, Grade 7 and 8 students took some time to clean litter in the area surrounding the school. Senior high students attended a sex education-themed presentation.
    The day was made possible through a $24,000 provincial grant.
    “It’s about making good choices in life, in particular when it comes to relationships and sexuality. The grant made it possible to finance the special event and other educational materials, conferences, and staff professional development. It’s going to have an impact for years to come, because we now have resources in place we did not have two years ago,” said Hemming.
    In the afternoon, students and teachers were treated to a barbecue and some fun. The day culminated in a softball showdown between teachers and students. The students had the upper hand in the early innings, but the teachers rallied and came away with the win.
    It is hoped No Regrets Day will continue to be an annual event at DVSS.
    “I believe it’s already been entrenched in our school culture that it will become something we do on a regular basis,” said Hemming.

Landon Brown crushes a home run during a friendly slo-pitch game between Drumheller Valley Secondary School teachers and students. The students started strong, but the teachers came back for the win.

Darion Alford (top) and Wyatt Gray did their best to sabotage each other during an obstacle course race during No Regrets Day at DVSS.

Students, like Charles Coates, went wild for a huge inflatable slip and slide during No Regrets Day at DVSS.


DinoFest roars into town today

    This weekend there are literally dozens of things to roar about; after all, it’s DinoFest.
    This is the second annual DinoFest and leading up to the event, organizers were promising to make it bigger and better. They have lived up to their word; more food, more music, more fun.
    “There is just all kinds of great things going on,” said Mike Dooley, member of the Drumheller Festival Committee, which organizes the event.
    A number of the events you came to know and love are back, including Taste of Drumheller, where a full slate of Drumheller restaurants will be set up letting residents and visitors have a sample of their offering. Last year this was one of the highlights for many who attended.
    “There is going to be a farmers market too, with quite a few different vendors from around town and special guests from outside of town, including the Tour of Alberta,” said Dooley.
    Also back is the Encana Kidszone where there will be all kinds of fun for youngsters ready to run off some energy.
    There are also kids activities presented by the Royal Tyrrell Museum, Dinosaur Provincial Park, and the Atlas Coal Mine.
    New for the kidlets, is the Kids Dino Costume Parade. This is on Saturday morning at 9:50 a.m. This is a chance to get scary and "Walk the Dinosaur".
    The Main Stage will be rocking all weekend with great musical entertainment from a variety of acts including Western Canadian Music Award winner Joel Camp in Friday to Sit Down, Servant, featuring Gordie Johnson Saturday.
    End Friday and Saturday nights in front of the ATB Financial jumbo screen at MovieNites at DinoFest. The show starts at 10:45 p.m. Friday night features Ice Age 3, Dawn of the Dinosaurs and Saturday, The Land Before Time is the feature.
    This is just a smattering of all the fun and activities this weekend. A full Schedule is available at www.drumhellerdinofest.com or see pages 8 & 9 of this week's edition of inSide Drumheller.

Name a dinosaur with Dino Arts contest

    Residents and visitors are being asked to help leave their mark on the community.
    Over the next couple weeks, inSide Drumheller is accepting submissions to officially name two of Drumheller’s newest dinosaurs.
    It’s every young palaeontologist’s dream to name a new prehistoric beast and now that feeling can be experienced by everyone.
    “We thought it would be something fun to do. It would be great for the community to get more involved, because there would be that sense of ownership,” said John Shoff, chair of the Dino Arts Association.
    Submissions are only limited by imagination. Entries will be judged and two chosen by the Dino Arts Association to be the official names of the dinosaurs.
    “Well, the name does have to be family friendly. Other than that, we’re really interested in seeing whatever people submit,” said Shoff.
    The two dinosaurs are unmistakable.
    Last summer, the Dino Arts  Association unveiled the first new dinosaur downtown on the corner of Centre Street and 3rd Avenue. Since then, locals and visitors alike have constantly stopped by to have their picture taken.
    A second dinosaur was added on May 17 in the parking lot of The Brick. A bad-to-the-bone Pachycephalosaurus riding on a motorcycle, with room for a passenger in a sidecar.
    Fundraising continues to add more similar dinosaurs to Drumheller and there may be more opportunities to name a dinosaur in the future.
    “We could do this with every new dino we put in,” said Shoff.
    To submit a name for the contest, see, free, on newstands and at DinoFest.


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