GRANDE PRAIRIE PUBLIC SCHOOL DIVISION
Grande Prairie Composite High School Student Receives Provincial Honouring Spirit Award

Grande Prairie Public School Division (GPPSD) is proud to announce  Paige Aubichon, a Grade 9 student at Grande Prairie Composite High School (GPCHS), has been honoured as one of 12 recipients of this year's Alberta School Boards Association's Honouring Spirit: Indigenous Student Award. Paige was selected from 230 nominees across Alberta - standing out for her exceptional leadership, courage, and commitment to her cultural and educational journey.

Since childhood, Paige has been crafting regalia and earrings with her family and community, and now in high school, she organizes and coordinates activities for GPCHS's beading club. Outside of school, she advocates for the younger members of the Traditional Paths community dance group and shares her cultural heritage through dance performances, including a recent performance in front of 1,400 student peers and staff during her school's Orange Shirt Day ceremony.

Paige received her award on June 11, during a ceremony held during GPPSD's Board Meeting. The ceremony was led by Elder Joey Lane and facilitated by Krista Umble, GPPSD Indigenous Program Coordinator. The ceremony included smudging, prayers and wrapping Paige in her Star Blanket - one of the highest honours in Alberta Indigenous communities.

Looking ahead, Paige hopes to pursue a career in healthcare while continuing to advocate for the importance of culture and education within her community. "I am really proud of my culture and who I am, and I will never stop advocating to teach others."

"We are immensely proud of Paige's achievements and the positive impact she has made within our school and the larger community," says Dennis Vobeyda, Principal, GPCHS.  "Her dedication to her cultural heritage, combined with her academic excellence, embodies the spirit of this award and what it means to be a Phoenix."

About Alberta School Boards Association: ASBA offers support and builds the capacity of school boards and individual trustees, ranging from advice and training to leadership, development, governance and advocacy. Learn more: https://www.asba.ab.ca/ 

About Alberta School Boards Association (ASBA) Honouring Spirit: Indigenous Student Award:

• The recognizes First Nations, Métis and Inuit students who model strength and commitment in pursuing their personal education path and embrace their gifts, strengths and potential while celebrating the ways of their people.
• Recipients receive a $2,500 scholarship, a handcrafted award certificate in the student's Nation or community language, and a Star Blanket.
• The hand-made Star Blanket includes the Honouring Spirit' star logo, a meaningful symbol representing the different First Nations, Metis, and Inuit cultures in a beading-inspired geometric design.