Leading international education charity Classroom Champions, in partnership with the City of Grande Prairie and the National Aboriginal Hockey Championships, is facilitating a powerful community-wide event featuring Olympic silver medalist and the first First Nations hockey player to be named to Canada's National Women's Team, Brigette Lacquette. St Joseph’s will open its doors to up to 1,300 local students, teachers and families, as well as Indigenous athletes from across Canada competing in the National Aboriginal Hockey Championships, to hear from Lacquette and community leaders to address important themes facing youth.

Classroom Champions brings Olympic, Paralympic and professional Athlete Mentors to classrooms across North America to provide important social and emotional skills to students through the mentorship of Athlete Mentors, like Lacquette. As a former long-time Classroom Champions mentor, Lacquette is no stranger to talking to kids about what it takes to set goals, persevere and dream big.

“Being a Classroom Champions Athlete Mentor was a life-changing experience for me both personally and professionally” said Lacquette. “I’m so proud to come back with Classroom Champions, the National Aboriginal Hockey Championship and the city of Grande Prairie to this student-focused event where I’m able to connect with kids and talk about the impact they can have in their own backyard. Particularly for Indigenous youth, I want them to know I believe in them and I believe they can do anything they set their mind to.”

Grande Prairie schools are long-time Classroom Champions participants. Grande Prairie Mayor Jackie Clayton understands the power of bringing positive role models to kids and bringing together communities across the city to address important themes.

In addition to all Grande Prairie schools being invited, community leaders from across the area will be invited to attend; Peace Wapiti, Kelly Lake, Horse Lake, Hythe, Beaverlodge, Wembley, and Sturgeon Lake. Students will participate in a discussion by interviewing Lacquette about persevering in the face of obstacles and having the ability to bring what they face daily to their community.

Information provided by Classroom Champions