Professional Curler Colin Hodgson Visits HPSD Students Through Classroom Champions Program
Two of our schools received a visit from world-renowned Canadian curler Colin Hodgson last week. This visit was a high point for students who have interacted with Colin throughout the year through the Classroom Champions mentorship program.
Colin Hodgson is a former professional curler who qualified for six Brier Canadian Men's Championships and two Canadian Olympic Trials. He has taught youth all over the world, served on national scholarship panels, safe sport committees, built performance programs for athletes in various sports, and is a mental health advocate and public speaker. Ranked as one of the top athletes in the world at his position, Colin strives to have positive change in the sport so that all feel welcome.
As Mrs. Samuelson from C.J. Schurter School described, " The Classroom Champions program consists of eight fully developed units including excellent read-alouds. The topics are Healthy Living, Emotions, Goal Setting, Feedback, Perseverance, Community, Teamwork and Leadership. I love how these lessons reiterate what the students are learning during their wellness/character education classes. Every unit has a short video about the topic from our Classroom Champion, Colin, but I can access videos from various athletes. Our specific program is called The Circle and provides resources focusing on the 7 Grandfather Teachings."
This is Mrs. Samuelson's fourth class to complete the program. She loves the videos because they give the kids a sense of connection. The athletes always relate the lessons to their personal lives, which the kids can relate to. They show what it takes to be a professional athlete, and that does not mean focusing your whole life on one single sport, but being active, learning from others, and making good choices!
Colin visited four classrooms to meet students and answer questions before culminating at Mrs. Samuelson's class. The students were thrilled to meet him in person and had many great questions. Afterwards, many students asked Colin to sign their Classroom Champions shirts. He then travelled to High Prairie to meet his second mentorship class, Mrs. Ragan's grade three students, at High Prairie Elementary School. After taking some time to answer questions, they enjoyed ice cream outside in the courtyard before playing a game of soccer with Colin.
Colin shared with students that he began curling at the age of four and has also played many other sports, including track & field, badminton, archery, fishing, golf, volleyball, and basketball. He has been a volunteer firefighter for two years after almost losing his home to a fire. The firefighters who saved his home were so helpful, and he wanted to be like them. Colin also owns a safety apparel company and is currently working to help India grow a curling program. He is a Métis athlete, originally born in Edmonton, and has roots tracing back to the Red River Settlement. He has reconnected with his family and community and shared with students that it is a good feeling to learn about origins and identity, and it is never too late to speak with family in different communities.
Thank you to Colin for coming all the way from Ontario to visit our students! Also, a big thank you to Plains Midstream for sponsoring this fantastic program. For more information on Classroom Champions, check out https://www.classroomchampions.org.