Being involved in prominent leadership positions during her entire 34 year career as an educator, Louan Statchuk had those qualities recognized last fall when she was presented with the Leader of Distinction Award for Alberta, presented by the Canadian Student Leadership Association.

Louan Statchuk joined the staff of Olds High School in 2007, and almost immediately took up the role as Student Leadership Advisor, where she helped to organize dances, staff appreciation events, ‘Just be Kind’ campaigns, and the relay for life.

For her being a leader came naturally, and it became her passion after she attended the very first Canadian Student leadership conference in Saskatchewan when she was in grade 11.

Statchuk is always there to support and implement student’s activities such as dances, spirit days, and campaigns focusing on helping others, something she says wouldn't be possible without the shared enthusiasm of those around her, including fellow leadership teachers KK Naidoo and Santana Scarff.

“It’s not just an award for me, I have amazing students, and parents and staff to work with, and an administrator that’s supportive of any wild idea that we get, so it makes things a little bit easier when you have that support.”

Statchuk says what is most honouring about this award, is the fact that she was nominated by her colleagues in the teacher-leadership world

During her time in Olds, she brought the Canadian Student leadership Conference to the school in 2009, as well as the Alberta Student Leadership Conference in 2015.

She also helped organize a fundraiser's for the schools affected by the Humboldt Broncos bus crash, as Olds High School lost a grade 12 student of their own in an accident a few weeks prior to the Humboldt crash, also while he was on his way to a hockey game.