Hosted at Camp White Pine from October 8 to 11, the Canadian Student Leadership Conference (CSLC) brought together 650 students, and their advisors and teachers from across the country. There were 23 students who attended the conference from Haliburton Highlands Secondary School (HHSS) and served as spirit leaders.
To open the conference, HHSS students delivered a land acknowledgment, expressing gratitude for the local land where they live, learn, and gather. They also highlighted the wonderful attributes of the County of Haliburton before welcoming Canadian musician and keynote speaker, Alan Doyle.
Over the course of the four days, attendees were busy taking part in a number of activities and initiatives, including:
- Hearing from additional featured speakers, including award-winning investigative journalist and author, Angela Sterritt, and high school educator and Unlearn16 founder, Joanna Johnson.
- Participating in a number of workshops focusing on topics including, leadership development, problem solving, career development, inclusion, hand drum teachings, and community engagement. One of the workshops included a French-delivered learning session hosted by HHSS’s very own teacher, Mrs. Borgdorff.
- The Haliburton Entrepreneurship Panel, which hosted four local entrepreneurs and HHSS student, Kadyn Gillooly, who all shared their experiences, stories, and advice with students.
- Activities as part of a Service Project for Water First, learning about the country’s issue of sustainable access to safe, clean water in Indigenous communities.
- A Haliburton Leadership Tour, which saw 650 delegates descend into the town where HHSS students ran stations to help attendees learn about Haliburton and the school. Through this experience students also learned about the Haliburton County Heat Bank. To get ‘points’ for their spirit teams, delegates handed out information about the Heat Bank and how to donate.
“Throughout CSLC, our HHSS students learned so much and had a once-in-a-lifetime, ‘life-changing experience’ (as quoted by our students)!” expressed HHSS principal, Jennifer Mills. “Thank you CSLC organizers and HHSS spirit leaders for all that you did to help make this conference be the best experience possible! The delegates loved their Haliburton experience and our beautiful village.”
A huge shout out to the following local businesses and organizations that helped shape this experience:
- The Rotary Club of Minden and The Rotary Club of Haliburton for sponsoring HHSS students to attend CSLC.
- Pride in the Highlands for helping at the school.
- Minden County Signs who created a lot of the CSLC signage and gave CSLC stickers for the delegates.
- The local businesses who donated prizes, giveaways, and spaces for the school to use, including Kohara Lighting, Haliburton Foodland, Coneybeare’s Butcher Shop, Glecoff’s Family Store, Needful Things, Wintergreen Maple Products & Farm Gate Foods, 100.9 Canoe FM Community Radio, and the Haliburton Rails End Gallery and Arts Centre!
