Conference gives students new perspective

Sarah Baillie hopes the interest shown in the two-day Wellness and Healthy Living Conference at Nelson McIntyre Collegiate means it will become an annual event.

“I’m surprised so many students showed up, it’s so good for our school,” the 16-year-old told The Lance.

She wasn’t the only one who noticed how high the attendance level was at every seminar during the conference.

“It’s a sunny day and our attendance rate is higher than normal,” said industrial arts teacher Ray Gosselin.

Organized by vice-principal Tyler Todd, the conference aims to arm students with the knowledge and skills to combat the daily challenges they face.

There were more than 30 workshops put on for students on everything from mental health issues for teens to an introduction to boxing.

Not only did it focus on engaging students in issues that affect their daily lives such as drugs, gangs and alcohol, but it introduced healthy alternatives to them.

Grade 12 student Daniel Waycik said the workshops amounted to “a collage of what students should know about”.

In the Teens and the Drug Trade workshop, presenter Andrew Ward from RAY(Resource assistance for youth) said the format of the conference gives students the opportunity to select what issues interest or affect them.

“I’ve been doing this (presentations) for four years, they’re a valuable tool and the topics are something the kids directly deal with, he said.

“This conference gives kids the choice about what they want to hear about and the attendance at this one has been busting out the door.”

That seminar featured two teens, not from the school, who candidly told the students of their struggles with heroin and crystal meth.

“It was really interesting to see and hear the effects of drugs and how serious some of their problems were,” Baillie said.

Baillie acknowledged the workshops addressed the needs of the students.

“Some people in school deal with these issues so it’s important to have serious classes about that,” she said.

Waycik appreciated how the workshops took an invasive approach to teaching.

“They never said do this or don’t do this. They were just giving us the information we need to make the right choice,” he said.

The most important lesson Baillie took away from the conference was a broader view on teen issues.

“I really got a better perspective of people in different situations, whether it was mental health or drug issues, it’s in all areas of society in Winnipeg,” the Grade 11 student said.

“I’ve seen tears and smiles these past two days. Even if two students have been changed by this experience it was worth it,” Waycik said.