SHS welcomes year ahead

Sabrina Kooistra
Times Junior Reporter

 

For the 2016-2017 year, Strathmore High School (SHS) is a school of new.
The school will now boast more opportunities, an updated music facility, and a diverse staff and administration to support the growth.
Stephanie Aitken, a newly hired science teacher for Grades 10-12, is excited to get to know students and to be able to teach science.
“I love how much diversity there is for students to choose in courses, sports and extracurricular activities,” she said.
One of the most anticipated changes to SHS this year, though, is Kyle Larson being made principal after long-time principal Gary Reagan retired at the end of last year. 2016 and 2017 appears to be full of promise in the eyes of Larson, who promises to bring passion to the job.
“We are an outstanding high school for the students of Strathmore and area, and the level of choice and education that students receive here is second to none,” he said.
For first-year student Dalton Goertz, even the first week of school has left him feeling motivated for the year ahead.
“My goal for the end of this year is similar to my goal for the end of my years at SHS, and that is to improve every aspect of myself so that I am ready for the next year, and in all, my future to come,” said Goertz.
Cassidy Davidson, a Grade 11 student and avid member of SHS’s leadership program Spartan Council, is motivated to enrich the school and community with more events.
“My personal goal for this year is to plan a lot more school events that would involve the seniors of the town,” she said. “I like how I feel like anything I’d want to do as an activity for the community or school is welcome. I think that the school just has a welcoming vibe to it.”
For Brooke Paiha, Grade 12 is a year of experiencing what the school has to offer before embarking to university.
“I really wanted to try all the different aspects of high school such as drama and sports so that at the year’s end, I can say that I had a really fantastic year,” said Paiha. “I really like how SHS is a school that encourages everyone to be their best.”
SHS’s football team also started their season well, with an overwhelming victory against the Highwood High School Mustangs (High River) at their first home game on Sept. 9.
SHS’s Cheer for Chow, a popular way Spartan Council has promoted increased school attendance at sports games by giving out coupons and food to the loudest fans, filled the stands to cheer the team to victory. The final score was 43-6.
Other sports teams such as golf, volleyball, cross country, girls’ soccer and curling are underway, with some still continuing with tryouts, and others deep into training.
Bryan Allsopp’s role at SHS has been altered slightly as he will now be full time at SHS, further enhancing the music program and opportunities with the addition of an upgraded music facility.
SHS’s leadership groups, life groups, yearbook club and others also look forward to the opportunities to come in the year ahead.
“I feel our greatest assets are our people,” said Larson. “The people drive the programs here and we have outstanding people to deliver the diverse programming that we have developed and offer to our students. I speak for our staff and students when I say we are excited about the possibilities that are ahead of us.”