RDCRS student receives provincial Indigenous award

Ryan Leclerc, a student who attended Grade 8 at École Mother Teresa Catholic School in Sylvan Lake last year, was one of 12 Indigenous students recognized with a provincial 2022 Honouring Spirit: Indigenous Student Awards by the Alberta School Boards Association (ASBA) earlier this summer. 

Ryan is currently attending Grade 9 at École Mother Teresa Catholic School in Sylvan Lake this fall. 

"Trustees across the province, through the Alberta School Boards Association, are pleased to recognize the significant achievements of Indigenous students, and locally, the Red Deer Catholic School Board of Trustees is very proud of Ryan for being one of only 12 students recognized in the last school year," said Board Chair, Anne Marie Watson at Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools.

The June 25 ceremony at Government House included remarks from the Honourable Salma Lakhani, AOE B.Sc., LLD (Hon), Lieutenant Governor of Alberta; the Honourable Adriana LaGrange, Minister of Education; and, ASBA’s Vice-president Shali Baziuk on behalf of President Marilyn Dennis.

“I just want to thank my teachers, my parents and friends. And I'm just proud to be who I am," says Ryan Leclerc.

“The École Mother Teresa School Community is absolutely thrilled that Ryan was selected as the recipient for a 2022 Honouring Spirit: Indigenous Student Award. Ryan has an abundance of pride in his heritage and is willing to share that with those around him. He demonstrates a humble leadership in our school community while sharing a diverse blend of talents. This young man is a worthy representative of both his Indigenous and school communities,” says Jeff Tuchscherer, École Mother Teresa School Principal.

“Our division is incredibly proud of Ryan Leclerc. He is an exceptional student and an outstanding model of leadership, courage, and commitment to his culture and educational path,” adds Ryan Sawula, Associate Superintendent of Curriculum.

The awards are presented to students “who model strength and commitment in the pursuit of their personal educational paths.” Ryan was the recipient of the Grades 7-9 award for ASBA’s Central Zone, and is the first ever Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools’ recipient. ASBA received a total of 270 nominations from across the province.