YORKTON — Catholic school board trustees from across Sask. gathered in Yorkton May 9-11 for the Saskatchewan Catholic School Boards Association (SCSBA) Spring Conference and Awards Banquet.
Hosted by Christ the Teacher Catholic Schools (CTTCS), the event featured various sessions and celebrations under the theme “Lighting the Way.”
The conference opened at the Judith Ungar Memorial Arena in Theodore, where greetings were delivered by several dignitaries, including SCSBA president Vicky Bonnell, Canora-Pelly MLA Sean Wilson, Theodore Mayor Kevin Urbanoski, Adrienne Welter representing the Adrienne & Mervyn Welter Education Endowment and Collin Hirschfeld of McKercher LLP. Keynote speaker Steven Boucher reflected on the theme and discussed the role of Catholic educators in serving their communities.
Sessions continued Saturday at Sacred Heart High School, where internationally acclaimed performer Dr. ValLimar Jansen, accompanied by Frank Jansen, led keynote addresses. Dr. Jansen’s presentation combined scripture proclamation, storytelling, music, prayer and reflection, engaging attendees with her dynamic approach.
Later in the day, CTTCS board member Jerome Niezgoda moderated a panel discussion with SCSBA executive director Tom Fortosky, Greater Saskatoon Catholic School Board chair Diane Boyko, Light of Christ Catholic School Board chair Glen Gantefoer, and Bonnell. The panel examined trustees’ roles and responsibilities and explored key issues affecting Catholic education.
Attendees gathered for Mass at St. Gerard’s Roman Catholic Parish, where Dr. Jansen and CTTCS staff led the music ministry with students from across the division. The Mass was concelebrated by Archbishop Donald Bolen of the Diocese of Regina, Bishop Michael Smolinski of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Saskatoon, and St. Gerard’s pastor Father Sathi Antony.
The SCSBA Awards Ceremony and Banquet followed at St. Mary’s Cultural Centre, with greetings from Bolen, MLA Barret Kropf, Rose Burton-Spohn representing the Canadian Catholic School Trustees’ Association, Kelly Whalen of the Alberta Catholic Schools Trustees’ Association and Shawn Davidson, president of the Sask. School Boards Association.
Two leaders in Catholic education were honoured during the banquet: Deanna Pellatt, religious education consultant for CTTCS, received the SCSBA Appreciation Award, recognizing her contributions locally and provincially, while Gwen Keith, former director of education for Holy Family Catholic Schools, was presented with the Julian Paslawski Meritorious Service Award. Entertainment for the evening was provided by Sacred Heart High School’s rock band, Channel 22.
The conference concluded Sunday at The Owl’s Nest, where Yorkton Mayor Aaron Kienle delivered greetings ahead of a keynote address by Carla Nicholls, head coach and lead of high performance for the Canadian Para Athletics Team. Nicholls shared reflections on leadership development and spoke about her journey from emergency room nursing to coaching with the University of Regina’s track and field program and the Canadian Olympic team.
The CTTCS planning committee expressed gratitude to sponsors, host venues and all those who contributed to organizing the event.
