From October 4 to 7, the Trillium Lakelands District School Board (TLDSB) G7 Student Senate*, and spirit leaders** from Haliburton Highlands Secondary School, took part in the Canadian Student Leadership Conference (CSLC) at Camp White Pine in Haliburton.
The Canadian Student Leadership Association organizes this annual event and is a charity that puts on events and delivers programs to students all over the country to encourage and support student leadership.
Over the four days, 600 student leaders from schools across Canada further developed essential skills in areas, such as mental health advocacy, reconciliation, sustainability, and school culture and climate through keynote speakers, workshops, and a charity component.
This year’s event celebrated the 40th anniversary of the conference and saw multiple guests and motivational speakers, including professional softball player, Kate Franklin, who spoke about her battle with cancer, and Actor Sarah Mitich, who spoke about her struggles with mental health.
“The biggest takeaway I took from this experience was how much of an impact I can have as a student leader and how I can continue leadership in so many different ways after I graduate,” said G7 Student Senate representative for Fenelon Falls Secondary School and TLDSB student trustee, Taliah McNelly. “CSLC also deepened my understanding on why comforting and welcoming spaces are so important, and that as a leader that should be a high priority.”
Please see the video below for more highlights from the camp:
*The TLDSB G7 Student Senate is a group of students made up of one representative from each of the secondary schools, including the Virtual Learning Centre, elected by their peers to help communication between students and bring student issues to the Board of Trustees.
**Spirit leaders are similar to camp counsellors.
