Lloyd Cavers Student Leadership Scholarship nominees, from left: Daniel Choi of F.P. Walshe school; Peter Van Bussell of Matthew Halton school; Maya Veldman of Crowsnest Consolidated high school; Jonah MacGarva of Livingstone school; Josh Davis of J.T. Foster school; and Moses Smith of Willow Creek Composite high school.
A Grade 12 student at F.P. Walshe school received one of Livingstone Range School Division’s most prestigious awards last week.
Daniel Choi was chosen from five other nominees as recipient of the $1,000 Dr. Lloyd Cavers Student Leadership Scholarship.
“Tonight, we gather to honour not just academic excellence, but also the dedication, hard work, and perseverance that our students have shown throughout the years,” Livingstone Range School Board chair Lori Hodges said. “Each one of these award recipients has demonstrated remarkable commitment and resilience.”
The other nominees were Maya Veldman of Crowsnest Consolidated, Jonah MacGarva of Livingstone school, Peter Van Bussell of Matthew Halton school, Moses Smith of Willow Creek Composite and Josh Davis of J.T. Foster school.
They each receive $400 scholarships.
The students, their family members, school and division staff gathered May 27 at the REO Hall in Fort Macleod for dinner and the awards.
“They have not only excelled in their studies but have also embodied the values and spirit of our institution,” Hodges said. “Their achievements are a testament to their unwavering determination and the support of their families, friends, and educators.”
The $1,000 Cavers scholarship, created by a former school division superintendent, recognizes top student leaders across Livingstone Range School Division.
Each high school nominates one graduating Grade 12 student whose leadership has had a positive impact at the school and in the community.
“As we present these awards, we acknowledge the bright futures ahead of these young individuals,” Hodges said. “They have set a high standard for themselves and their peers, and they inspire us all with their accomplishments. We are proud to celebrate their success and excited to see what they will achieve next.”
School board vice-chair Lacey Poytress was on the selection committee, noting the identity of the students was not known during the process.
“Every single application blew me away,” Poytress told the audience. “You can be very proud of your students because they made it almost impossible to choose. We are so proud of these students.”
A former superintendent of Livingstone Range School Division, Cavers reflected that it was 24 years ago that the school board established the leadership scholarship in his name.
Each of the six high schools in the division nominates one Grade 12 student each year, brining the total to 144 nominees this year.
Cavers told the audience the accomplishments of the student leaders never fails to impress.
“I think that speaks so well to the good things that are going on in the school division,” Cavers said.
Daniel Choi will cap his high school career as valedictorian of the Class of 2024 at F.P. Walshe school in Fort Macleod, earning that honour with a 97 per cent average.
Choi is a member of the Alberta education minister’s youth council and was nominated as Junior Citizen of the Year in Fort Macleod.
In addition to serving on his school’s student council, Choi is also president of Livingstone Leaders, the school division’s student council.
Choi is also active in the community, volunteering at the Special Development Unit at Fort Macleod Health Centre and at Kids First Family Centre.
At Fort Macleod Library, Choi helps people with their cell phones, computers and other technology, and volunteers with other library programs.
Choi is active in sports, skipping the F.P. Walshe curling team, playing badminton and participating in the fitness club.
In the school band, Choi played six-string guitar, bass and drums and provided music for school assemblies.
Choi started a newspaper club at F.P. Walshe and organized various school-based activities including Snow Ball, an event that attracted students from across Livingstone Range for a dance.
“I’ve been in education for 20 years and I honestly have never seen a student like this with the accomplishments that Daniel has,” F.P. Walshe school principal Chad Jensen said.
Choi will attend the University of Calgary in the fall with plans to study medicine.
“Daniel is an amazing person, but what impresses me the most about him is his authenticity and his humility,” Jensen said. “Everything he does comes from the heart and it’s always to help others.”12 student Daniel Choi accepted the student leadership scholarship from Dr. Lloyd Cavers on May 27 in Fort Macleod.
