Editor:
As I pack up my things and go out to experience a few things in the world, I wanted to take a moment to appreciate how fortunate I feel to have such a sturdy foundation beneath my feet; 17 years of support from this extraordinary community I feel so lucky to call home.
I can’t even begin to list all of the incredible friends, teachers, volunteers and community members who have inspired, supported and motivated me over the years; thank you. The list really does go on and on, so for now I would like to highlight just one of these amazing people who has not only gone above and beyond to support me or other youth, but has also done so much for the entire community. That person would be Brian Callaghan.
Even though he is retiring this year from being superintendent, he is someone who always was committed to broadening his perspective and learning about how to better improve education in the valley.
At least that is what I found when I would be at meetings and I would see, for instance, the way he would really listen when students shared their ideas about environmental education. More and more I see others leaving Canmore for a better high school education, but I feel so lucky to have attended school here, in my own backyard, where it seems that Brian’s hard work has really paid off.
Education in Canmore has been about more than simply cramming our heads full of information. It involved learning about the bigger picture and how we fit into it. And to me that is fundamental to everything else. I also feel so fortunate to be his and Helmi’s neighbour where the support has constantly flowed over the fence as they both really supported me to reach for my utmost potential.
Time after time I would come through the neighbourhood looking for donations for different organizations and every time they would always be first on the list. So as Brian moves on to a new chapter in his life as well, I wanted to send out a profound heartfelt thank you.
Brian has inspired me to really strive to contribute to my community and has shown to me what it means to be a genuine leader. It is now more than ever that I have come to really appreciate the foundation that Canmore has given me to stand on. So as I toast to the future I would like to toast to Canmore as a whole, and say thank you, thank you, thank you.
Navarana Smith,
Canmore
