Canadian Curler and Athlete Mentor, Colin Hodgson, visits Northern Alberta Schools
Classroom Champions Athlete Mentor, Colin Hodgson, visited CJ Schurter School and High Prairie Elementary School in northern Alberta.
Classroom Champions matches world-class athletes with classrooms to improve student engagement, build growth mindsets, and inspire positive educational environments. Throughout the year-long curriculum, the students learn critical skills like goal setting, perseverance, teamwork and leadership. The special in-person school event is made possible by Plains Midstream.
CJ Shurter Students surpise Colin Hodgson with a presentation
Colin watched as the entire elementary school arrived in the gym. Last to enter were his mentee students from grade 2, nervous excitement vibrating off of them.
Colin’s mentee students lined up on the stage and began their presentation: a surprise reenactment of all 8 of Classroom Champions curriculum units, summarized in one sentence complete with actions!
Every student in the class spoke on the microphone. Colin was floored by this leadership in action! After the student presentation, Colin took the stage and led students through his personal journey and a breathing technique he uses to get him centered. When the full school assembly was complete, Colin high fived every student in the school as they exited the gym. The room was radiating from positivity!
Colin Hodgson spends quality time with this mentor classroom
Afterwards, Colin headed back to the stars of the assembly, the grade 2s he’d been mentoring all year. With his mentees, Colin shared his own mental health journey, including how he stays balanced amidst family struggles, and how he perseveres when things get hard.
Every students had an opportunity to ask individual questions, which they’d carefully prepared and had written cards on their desks. His favourite question was “what are your thoughts on horses?”
Colin Hodgson visits High Prairie Elementary School
After the wonderful visit in Slave Lake, the team drove to meet the class at High Prairie Elementary School. The event began with Colin sharing his personal story and students asking their own questions. There were lots of questions about where in the world he has travelled! Afterwards, everyone headed outside to enjoy the sunshine and some informal time together.
Plains Midstream’s support made for an extra special day that even included delightful treat of ice cream and watermelon for everyone! To add to the excitement, the students themselves organized some enjoyable activities like soccer and playground tag, making it a fantastic opportunity for everyone to engage with Colin and have fun, regardless of their sporting abilities. Colin couldn’t contain his enthusiasm as he got to be a kid again and enjoy the day with his classmates!
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Read about our other Mentor Athlete Visits
Thanks to the ever-growing support from the energy industry through the Energizing Communities Collective, who seek to directly impact youth in the areas in which they operate. We can’t wait to seem more athletes like Colin mentor and change the outlook for youth in areas across Western Canada!
