March 23, 2017

Principals’ Message:

Dear Parents,

It is officially spring! I think we are all anxiously waiting for our outside spaces to become green and lively.

Student registration for the 2017-2018 school year went well. This year, we started the registration process with the students in their ILT classes and asked for a parent signature on the registration form. It seemed to be a good change in practice – anything that increases communication is always a positive shift. Course selection is a big deal and we want our students and their parents to engage in these decisions together. At school, students completed their registration online. Parents and students can login to their PowerSchool accounts and click on class registration to view the classes selected for next year.

This Friday is our third annual Girls’ Retreat. I think it is a special opportunity for the girls from grade 8-12 at D.A. Ferguson and W.R. Myers. Thank you so much to Mrs. Michelle Sawchuk and her team of students and staff who made this event a possibility.

Our spring session of Parent Teacher Interviews is just before the Easter Break, on April 12, 5-8 pm in the cafeteria. We hope to see you there.

Enjoy the longer days – and hopefully warmer temperatures!

Take care,

Johanna Kutanzi

In this Issue:

Principals’ message………………….…..Pg. 1

Music of the Night.………………..…….Pg. 2 Apex Nominees……..…………..……..Pg. 3-5

Fiddler on the Roof…………………......Pg. 6 SV Girls basketball..……………….…....Pg. 7 Fine Arts Day…………………….…........Pg. 8 Minister of Ed. Parent letter………….Pg. 9 Career corner…....………….……...Pg. 10-13 Calendars……………….……..….…Pg. 14-15

Parents:

We are experiencing technical

difficulites with our

SchoolCashOnline. Please

refrain from using this feature

until further notice.

We have some 2014/15’ and

2015/16’ Yearbooks available in the office on sale for $10.

Limited quantities available.

Riley O’Brien

An active and long-time 4-H member of the Taber Roughriders and

Retlaw Prairie 4-H Beef Club, Riley O’Brien has been heavily involved in

the club’s many community service programs, including banquets and

socials for seniors and other community members.

With his family and others, he has been an indispensable hand at

rodeos, farmer’s markets, and student exchanges, as well as other

important functions.

With fingers in many pies, the 17 year old is involved with Taber Fish

and Game, the Alberta Equine Federation, Taber Exhibition Association,

and has been a band member throughout his middle and high school

years.

“He is a role model and helper to the other students in the ensemble,”

said band teacher Andrea Makarchuk. “He does this with a kind, gentle

manner and a terrific sense of humour. Riley is an asset to my ensemble

and W.R. Myers High School.”

Rising above adversity in his younger life when he struggled with family issues, Riley has shown great maturity and resili-

ency by emerging from these problems with a new perspective and his humour, confidence and compassion intact.

Finding his voice, Riley excels at discussions, debates, and speeches. He can always be counted on to speak his mind,

answer a question, or debate any position at a moment’s notice, speaking boldly, articulately, and descriptively while

getting his point across.

Showing an aptitude for leadership all his life, Riley has taken charge of his home life, helping out with chores and meals,

as well as caring for his two horses.

An excellent student, Riley also has a passion for extra-curricular activities, such as dance, band and acting. A political

enthusiest, his debates are typically well-researched and thoughful, but showing care and compassion for others and their

respective viewpoints.

“I appreciate his maturity and sense of responsibility,” said teacher Cristine Lumley. “Riley’s confidence makes it possible

for him to share a laugh with others, sometimes at his own expense.”

An amazing addition to every organization he belongs to, Riley O’Brien is an attractive candidate for an APEX Youth Award.

Denver Terry

Heavily involved in his school environment at W.R. Myers High School, Denver

Terry has strong positive interactions with the student body and loves being part of

the school both on and off the court.

Denver loves sports, school, and helping out at every level, and displays a

determination and professionalism deserving of recognition and admiration.

Struggling recently with health issues that kept him away from school, Denver

remained undeterred, staying on course with a host of demanding classes through

an academic plan to assist him with his difficulties, which stem from a diagnosis of

Kleine-Levin Syndrome (KLS), a rare neurological sleep-related disorder with

debilitating symptoms.

“Denver is one of those people who everyone should feel privileged to be around,”

said Shea Mellow, Barnwell School teacher. “He is justly deserving of this award as

a wonderful inspiration of optimism and goodness in this world.”

Denver remains an exceptional young man through his involvement with school,

posting strong academic results, and maintains a passion for sports while

confronting the aspects of his illness that sometimes prevent him from living a

more active lifestyle.

An individual with a true zest for life, Denver now makes sure that every day he is

well is a great day for all around him. The 17 year old volunteers hundreds of hours

in the gym, setting up before practices, refereeing younger student’s games,

scorekeeping, sweeping floors, and still finding time to be an avid fan.

Denver always has a smile on his face and makes everyone’s day around him better. His friends respect him for his work

ethic, funny personality and his love of life. Denver is well respected by other students and brings an amazing vibe to school

functions by being part of school council.

Living with KLS and managing to be part of school council, playing multiple sports, volunteer coaching, maintaining

academic success, Denver ensures that he makes the most of every day that he is able to, and makes it better for all

around him.

Ty Anderson

A valued member of the Bon Ayr 4-H Beef Club, Ty Anderson can

often be found helping younger members with projects and is always

willing to lead group activities. Known for an infectious smile, Ty can

always be counted on to lend a hand or volunteer to help clean up or

organize groups.

“He is an advocate of being inclusive and a defender of the

underdog,” said Lori Gilbertson. “Ty is not afraid of challenges, and

when he takes on he one does not give up, he sees the task through.”

A great listener with a lot of respect for his elders, Ty is also a great

leader at events and activities. A hard worker, he has held many

positions in the club executive, and is an effective public speaker.

Also a leader in his church, Ty is a first assistant in his priest quorum,

and is tasked with assisting the bishop and helping to create weekly

activities of boys aged 16-18, among other activities. A valuable addi-

tion to his family, Ty has overcome challenges associated with a hear-

ing impediment to succeed in his many endeavors, and plays an im-

portant role assisting with his family’s ranching operations.

“Ty is a great influence for all those around him, especially younger people,” said Doug Domolewski of CD Land and Cattle. “He has an

extremely positive attitude in everything that he does, and this is reflected in his work ethic. It has been our pleasure to have Ty help us

with our livestock over the last few years. He is a young outstanding citizen, a team player with a hard-working attitude, and has a heart

of gold. Ty’s leadership and commitment to helping others makes him an asset to our community.”

Doubling as a chauffeur for siblings and family, Ty is always willing to give a ride when one might be needed. A kind and caring young

man, the 18 year old is also a fitting role model for his siblings. A shining example of an all-around great kid, Ty is willing to go without

the worldly things that kids sometimes believe they need.

Displaying tremendous leadership skills in many aspects of life, Ty always tries to include others, opening doors of communication.

Someone to be looked up to by the example that he sets, Ty can be a great friend to all and has a way of leading that doesn’t make one

feel like they’re being led. “The greatest compliment I can give to Ty is that he is a friend to all,” said Adam Hughes, church leader. “He is

kind and treats everyone with a genuine kindness that is not always seen in a high school setting. On multiple occasions I have seen Ty

befriend younger youth or others that don’t fit in.”

A wonderful giver of service, Ty’s contribution to his family is amazing in the fact that he loves what he does. An outstanding student,

Ty’s personality is very humble and reserved, seeking to find out about others rather than talk about himself. His positive attitude allows

him to accomplish tasks through setting goals and completing them.

“Watching him interact with his peers and adults, seeing the positive impact he has on virtually anyone — this outstanding young man

has great character,” said teacher Tim Luchanski. “When someone mentions Ty’s Anderson’s name I grin from ear to ear.”

An accomplished candidate for an APEX Youth Award, Ty Anderson is the kind of individual that encompasses many of the qualities we

wish to see instilled in our youth. Ty won a bursary of $1500 last night, way to go Ty!!

Everyone knew it would come down to this. After a thrilling 3A zone battle between the W.R. Myers Rebels varsity girls basketball team and McCoy Colts, the

two juggernauts faced off once again in the weekends’ provincial final, but this time McCoy got the better of the Rebels in a 46-41 loss in front of a packed crowd in Medicine Hat.

“We knew that this game was going to be a battle both mentally and physically. The gym was packed tight like a can of sardines. People were crammed in the bleachers, sitting in random chairs, laying on the floor and standing in any

empty spot available, it was an awesome atmosphere to play a championship game in,” said Kenney Wood, head coach of the W.R. Myers Rebels varsity girls basketball team.

Having just played each other the previous weekend in the zone championship in which the Rebels squeaked out a

single-basket victory, adjustments were made that slowed both sides’ offensive game plans.

“We came out in playing man-to-man defensively which somewhat shut down their perimetre game. We limited them to only five points in the first quarter, but they too worked their game plan on us and we only scored nine points that quarter,” said Kenney. “This game was truly turning into a defensive battle. The third quarter we had a couple of de-fensive miscues which gave them a few easy baskets and by the end of the third we were down by 10. The game was

seeming to be playing out exactly the way our last game had been.”

The Rebels proved even more stingy defensively in the fourth quarter, giving up a mere three points, but being able to only generate eight themselves, could not close the gap.

Two Rebels were able to garner double-doubles in the provincial final with Millay Johnson getting 10 points and 10

rebounds and Kitawna Sparks getting 11 points and 15 rebounds. Genna Wright had 10 points.

It all encompassed a provincial run that ended in a silver medal for the team as the Rebels and Colts have had some

epic battles in recent years.

“Over the past two seasons, we have played McCoy five times, last year beating them in the Rebel Classic final and in the zone final and then the provincial final,” said Woo. “This year it was winning in the zone final and then finally falling to them in the provincial final. We have over the past two years, been ranked first with McCoy being ranked second in the province. It is extremely difficult to beat a team like McCoy five times in a row. Marty, Brandon and I

would like to thank all the people that have come out to support us this year. The team loves the wonderful support that they receive from the community and hope that they will continue to provide them with more exciting games in the

future.” - Greg Price (Taber Times)

Students went to the U of L for Fine Arts Day. They had an opportunity to experience many workshops in the fine arts.

They also got to tour the University and see what it was like to be a student there.

March 2017 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 Day 2

2 Day 1 3 Day 2

4

5 6 Day 1

7 Day 2

8 Day 1

9 Day 2

10

PD Day

No School

11

12 13

PD Day

No School

14 Day 1

15 Day 2

16 Day 1

17 Day 2

St. Patricks

Day

18

19

20 Day 1

21 Day 2

Grad Banquet

Tickets on Sale

8:00 am in office

22 Day 1

School Council

Meeting 4:00

23 Day 2

24 Day 1

25

26

27 Day 2

28 Day 1

29 Day 2

30 Day 1 31 Day 2

April 2017 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

2 3 Day 1

Drivers’ Ed

starts 3:30

4 Day 2

Music of the

Night Band

Concert

5 Day 1

Eng. 30-2

Part A Diploma

9-12

6 Day 2

World of

Choices

7 Day 1

Eng. 30-2

Part B Diploma

9-12

8

9 10 Day 2

11 Day 1

Chem. 30

Diploma

1-4

12 Day 2

Parent

Teacher

Interviews

5-8

13 Day 1

14 Day 2

Good Friday

No School

Travel club

trip Italy/

Germany

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23/30

24 Day 2

25 Day 1

26 Day 2

27 Day 1 28 Day 2

Deadline to

purchase

Grad Banquet

tickets

29