Hi! I am Samantha Sperber, a Grade 12 student, as well as Student Council president at the Ponoka Composite High School. I just want to fill you in on happenings and upcoming events, in and around PCHS.
What’s Happening:
So far we have had a great start to the school season. With many upgrades and additions to the school, PCHS is working hard to provide students with a comfortable and enjoyable learning environment. $45,000 worth of new gym exercise equipment was put into the gym, on the mezzanine. “The Mezz” gives students a place to weight-train and workout, right in their own school. “The Mezz” is complete with everything a student needs to stay fit, including treadmills, exercise bikes, weight machines, and weights.
New televisions have been added to the hallways, messages, reminders and info on ways to get involved with activities can all be read from the screens, at any time during the day. We were also fortunate to have over $350,000 of new CTS equipment come into our school. Everything from new welders, stoves, cameras and a large variety of industrial grade equipment ensure our students are working on the best possible equipment at our school. It has really enhanced what we had here at PCHS!
We started the year off with many activities. Our first big event was the Terry Fox Run. Students whom attended were treated with hotdogs or hamburgers and pop when they completed the run. Another big event was the Grade 12 canoe trip, coach Macgregor and coach Chapman took a group of Grade 12 students out on a camping trip to crimson lake, where students had an amazing three day experience enjoying and learning about the outdoors.
Our sports teams are off to a good start. Our students brought home banners in cross country and golf. Football games seemed to be a pretty big hit this year, as many fans filled the bleachers for all of the home games. At our second last home game of the season, students got the afternoon free from class to come support the team. Hotdogs, pop, and cheezies were given to everyone in attendance. As well, students, fans, and both teams, were encouraged to stand up against poverty, in nationwide “stand up”, focused on sending a message to the government, and encourage them to take action in the goals that they set to end poverty. The football season was brought to an end shorter than hoped for, but with the majority of the team being first year players the trials and tribulations that the team was challenged with strengthened the team for a great season next year. Senior girls and boys volleyball teams, Junior Volleyball team, and the Grade 9 volleyball team, have all been practicing hard, with at least one game a week. All teams are very young and are improving all the time as they have had success in a variety of levels. Fan support is greatly appreciated, so I challenge everyone to come out and cheer on the Broncs sports teams.
Upcoming Events:
The high school will be holding the first dance of the year on Nov. 14. The dance, put on by the Broncs Cheerleading Team, is titled the “White Party”. Students can dress in white, and glow under the black lights as they enjoy dancing and socializing with peers, and the rest of the school body.
The Santa’s Anonymous committee has kicked of the year, starting the organizing and planning of this years Santa’s Anonymous deliveries. Students helping with the organizing will be dropping boxes off at various businesses, stores and schools some time this week. I encourage everyone to donate items to these boxes, and help us give less fortunate families, the Christmas that everyone deserves. This event is our way to give back to the community in a big way. It is a highlight of our year!
This coming Friday PCHS will be holding a Remembrance Day Ceremony, organized and run by Mr. Labrie’s Travel and Tourism class. The ceremony will be located in the gymnasium, starting at 10:00 and promises to dignify the lives given in support of our freedom. The public is more than welcome to attend.
So far the 2008/09 school year has been off to a great and eventful start, with Students’ Council working hard to make this year awesome!