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Last updateSat, 14 Dec 2024 12pm

Hussar girl Olympics bound

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    Grade 5 Hussar student, Kayla Sandum, 11, received a birthday treat that will be hard to beat. 
    While holidaying with her family in Mexico last week, she telephoned her grandmother, Jackie Sandum on January 21, as they both share the same birth date.
    Jackie had some exciting news for her: Kayla was a winner of the ATCO Celebrating Excellence Challenge that she had recently entered through her school, the Hussar School and would soon be off to Vancouver to see an Olympics sporting event, all expenses paid.
    The ATCO challenge was open to all of Alberta students in Grades 4 through 12.  Students were invited to submit a composition in their own words on how they pursue leadership and strive for excellence in sports, arts, culture, education or community involvement.
    Two students (one male and one female) from each of Alberta’s 83 constituencies were randomly drawn and rewarded with a trip of a lifetime to Vancouver.
    Mrs. Moczulski, Grade 5 and 6 teacher at the Hussar School saw a commercial for  the ATCO challenge and explains, “I thought this would be a good chance because it was a random draw, so the kids would not be judged on the quality of their writing.”
    On her return from the Christmas vacation, Mrs. Moczulski organized for the students to enter the competition.
     “Some of the kids said ‘we never meet anybody who ever wins anything’, I said ‘well there’s always a chance.’ I won a trip when I was in Grade 9 so I said it was possible for anyone to win!," she said.
    The Grade 5 and 6 students in Language Arts class then wrote an essay about pursing excellence and submitted their application on-line to ATCO.
    Kayla was one of those lucky few winners.
    “You always enter kids in contests and always encourage them to do their best, it’s nice when they actually get rewarded for their efforts,” added Mrs. Moczulski.   
Kayla told The Mail she was very excited when she heard the news, and will be taking her mother, Corey, on the trip.
    She hasn’t forgotten about her teacher.
    "She said ‘if I win a trip again I’ll take you’,” laughs Mrs. Moczulski. “Actually her mom is our parent council president and she has also instituted a hotmail program in our school so she has put a lot of work in this year so it’s neat that Corey gets to go too.”
    Kayla hopes to be able to see the figure skating event, she is a skater herself, and although she doesn’t have a sight on being a future Olympic skater, she really enjoys watching this event.

Lawson Commits to University of Alaska Fairbanks

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The Drumheller Dragons would like to congratulate Sam Lawson on his recent verbal commitment to the University of Alaska Fairbanks for the 2012-13 season.
    Lawson, a 1993-born, 6’0”, 165 pound centre from Calgary, Alberta, recently entered his first season with the Dragons.  Last season, Sam played for the Calgary Rangers in the Southern Alberta Midget League, where he and his teammates earned a bronze medal in the 2009 Sutter Cup.
    With his commitment to UAF, Lawson joins his Dragons Teammate, Justin Tateson, who has committed to the Nanooks for the 2011-12 season, as well as Dragons alumni Brandon and Dion Knelsen, who are currently in their senior years with the school.
    “I’m ecstatic,” comments Lawson.  “The UAF Program is exactly what I was looking for as a student-athlete.  The calibre of their academics, athletics and coaching are outstanding.  I feel very proud, fortunate and grateful for the opportunity to become a Nanook.”
    Dragons’ Assistant Coach and Assistant Director of Player Development, David Ferrari, adds, “The Dragons are extremely excited for Sam and his family.  His growth this year as one of the few 16-year old players in the AJHL has been impressive.  We’re proud that Sam is a Dragon and we’re excited to watch him continue to develop both with us and the Nanooks.  This is just the beginning for him.”
 

Badlands Community Facility fundraisers top $1,000,000 and counting

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    The Fundraising Committee for the Badlands Community Facility has surpassed the $1,000,000 mark in commitments to the fundraising effort.
    Jeff Hall, chair of the Badlands Community Facility Fundraising Committee says they have the commitment of $1,040,000 to the facility, and the fundraising efforts are just in their infancy.
    The funds have come through a number of routes including the highly successful Calgary Flames Alumni games, and the introduction of the Founders Club.
    The Founders Club is designed for individuals willing to take a leadership role and make a sizable commitment to the facility, and in turn are to be listed as Founders. Community minded individuals including Elson and Pat McDougald, Jay and Connie O’ Dwyer and Dan and Muriel McDermid all made a pledge as founders of $50,000 or more over five years.
    Hall says they will be wrapping up the Founders Club campaign at the end of January, and if anyone is interested in being named a Founder by making a donation, they can contact Hall at 403-823-7800.
    “We are grateful for those who have stepped to the plate, and this is one last opportunity for those we might not have contacted, to get in touch with  us if they want to participate,” said Hall.
    He says the committee is launching into its next fundraising phase and focusing on corporate donations for the construction of Badlands Community Facility. The Mail reported in its January 20 edition that Freson IGA has committed $100,000 over five years to the project. This follows the generous donation of  $500,000 committed by EnCana early on in the project. The committee is hoping other businesses in Drumheller, or that operate in Drumheller will also step forward to support the project.
    For more information on the Badlands Community Facility Project, and how to donate to the project, contact Jeff Hall at 403-823-7800.


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