Olds High School hosts leadership conference, empowering students to lead with confidence

École Olds High School students are happy with the success of the Horizons Leadership Conference they helped to host on March 6. Close to 150 students attended the one-day event from several Chinook’s Edge schools and from neighboring school divisions.

The conference was for student leaders and their teacher advisers, arranged through the support of the Canadian Student Leadership Association. The goal was to “provide participants with motivation, 
inspiration and information to make their schools a better place to live and learn.”

EOHS teacher Kevin Hronek says the event is valuable for students because “it enables them to put leadership skills into practice. Student leaders get to be with like minded students, and pick up ideas and skills, and take those back to their own schools.” 

“I love meeting new people and learning about activities that we can bring back with us,” says Sophia D., a Grade 12 EOHS student. “We live in a small town. It’s good to hear different perspectives.”  

Sophia says after having been involved in planning the Horizons Leadership for several years she can look back and “see the growth. We’ve gotten out of our comfort zones, and made friends that we 
can talk with after the conference.” 

Grade 12 EOHS student, Chelsea B. says, “This year is my first time in leadership. Before this year I was afraid to speak, but now I have more confidence to do that and connect with others. It helps me 
not to be afraid of the future.” 

Keynote speakers at the conference included Levi Stanford and Nadia Ladak.  

Stanford was involved in an accident five days after his wedding that led to the amputation of his left hand and a fight for his life. Stanford says he is filled with gratitude for a second chance at life. He is now a motivational speaker. 

Ladak says her mission is to inspire the next generation of entrepreneurial leaders. Ladak is an entrepreneur and founder of a women’s health startup called Marlow, and a member of the G20 Young Entrepreneur Alliance.