Alumni Magazine - Spring 2023

Foothills Alumni

Table of Contents

It was a defining moment of who I became

1992 Graduate

Welcome Foothills Alumni

Welcome to the FIRST Foothills Alumni Magazine! This publication is dedicated to keeping our esteemed alumni community connected and informed about our school program's latest news, events, and achievements.

As an alumnus, you are an integral part of our school's history, and we are proud of the contributions that you have made to the community. Whether you were at Foothills for a short time or a long time, whether it was recently or long ago, we want to ensure that you continue to feel a sense of belonging to our community and that you are aware of the exciting developments happening here at Foothills.

In each issue, we feature articles on topics ranging from alumni-owned businesses to alumni success stories and updates on upcoming events, new programs, and opportunities. We also highlight the achievements of our alumni and the impact that they are making in their respective fields

We hope that you will enjoy reading this issue and that it will inspire you to stay connected with us. Your ongoing support and engagement are essential to the continued growth and success of our university and its community.

Thank you for being part of our alumni family, and we look forward to sharing more news and stories with you in the future

Karen MacMillan Simon Williams

PhD, R Psych Executive Co-Director Foothills Academy Society

MSEd, LQS Executive Co-Director Foothills Academy Society

What better place to learn than the great outdoors?

What's New at Foothills

Developed over the course of the 20212022 school year in conjunction with students, teachers and voices from across Foothills Academy Society

2 New Outdoor Classrooms were built on site.

The first outdoor classroom is on the east side of the building. It has movable desks and a conversation circle (with a mobile fire pit and log benches) and was designed with our elementary-age students in mind.

The second outdoor classroom is on the southwest side of the building. It has a multi-level seating bench with outlets for laptops, rocks for seating on one side, a platform teaching area, as well as a shade sail for the hotter days

The next steps for these spaces will be raised garden beds for our "Green Teens" program, which will be installed this spring

Morgan Burke

Morgan loved his time at Foothills Academy, the friends he made, the teachers who influenced him, and the experiences he had both in and outside of the classroom.

His time spent at Foothills was highly impactful. Before Foothills, Morgan noted that his prior school led him to believe he was incapable of learning and would not see academic success When Morgan started grade 7 at Foothills, everything shifted Those around him noticed a positive change in his education and confidence, and he was successful at school The support Morgan received was proof that he was intellectually gifted and more than capable of learning with the right support. In 2011, Morgan successfully completed grade 12 and walked the stage at his graduation with the rest of his class.

Following graduation, Morgan spent time working in the trades and developing his skills in carpentry, plumbing, HVAC, and cooking He is currently working with a lumber company alongside one of his good friends and fellow Foothills grad.

2011 Grad & Monthly Donor

Alumni Profile Feature

Morgan realized that he knew how to write while working in Mr Paulovich's grade 9 class "That's what he taught me, which was such a strange experience I had assumed that I had done a bad job of writing But he said, 'This is good; you don't need to change anything; you're good at this.'" This changed the story for Morgan and shifted his mindset and self-confidence.

This is one of the reasons we are so excited to share that Morgan's next step will be to return to school to study Psychology and Education, as he would like to be a teacher, similar to those who impacted him during his time at Foothills Academy Society His personal experiences have created a deep interest in researching how learning processes occur. He credits much of his success to Foothills Academy.

Morgan is a monthly donor at Foothills because he wants to be a part of the difference and see the amazing impact this school has on not only the students and youth who attend and their families but also within the community.

Shout Out!

Morgan would like to give a shout-out to a few folks from this time at Foothills: Trevor Anderson - You promised to write a book called "Gladly, He Taught", a collection of stories from your time teaching at Foothills. When is it coming out?

To the Graduating Class of 2011 - I think we were the best class. One of the teachers wrote in my yearbook that we were "way less trouble" than the 2010 class.

Grad season is here!

With grad season right around the corner for the class of 2023, we wanted to share a throwback to the graduating class of 1983.

What was your favourite memory from graduation? Share it with us!

alumni@foothillsacademy org

Upcoming Events

Summer Events

Summer is nearly here—time for warmer weather, longer days, and exciting events that are sure to create memories. Stay tuned for our Fall magazine, as we have lots planned in the coming months and our first-ever Alumni event.

Here are the upcoming events at Foothills Academy Society:

MAY 28

Calgary Marathon

Join the Foothills Academy team at the annual Calgary Marathon Charity Challenge.

AUGUST 10

Golf Tournament

The 13th Annual Gordon Hoffman Charity Golf Tournament will be held at Priddis Greens Golf & Country

Volunteers like you make a difference at these events! We have a ton of opportunities to get involved. Want to get in on the action? Email us!

alumni@foothillsacademy.org

You're Invited!

MAY 28

It's party time, and you are invited to join us for our FREE Calgary Marathon After Party.

What you need to know:

May 28, 11 AM - 4 PM

Family Friendly Free BBQ Music

Plenty of activities

Face painting

Petting Zoo

Massages from Alberta College of Massage Therapy & so much more!

Alumni Profile Feature

Matthew Bolt

Matt proudly graduated from Foothills Academy in 2009 With his deep passion for people, he worked with McMann Services as a youth mentor soon after graduation with a goal to help change lives. Over the years, Matt has changed the track his life was on (literally!). He is currently working for CP Rail as a Track Maintenance Foreman; Matt and his team are one of the reasons our railways run smoothly and safely.

Matt went back to school for his Rail Road Conducting Certificate from SAIT and upon completion, joined the team at CP Rail as a Train Conductor After transferring over to CP's Engineering Department, Matt has climbed through the ranks to become a Track Maintenance Foreman. He supervises his team and ensures the railways are safe and in good shape for trains to travel from coast to coast and reach their final destinations.

Those managing a team understand the challenges that accompany the position Managing a team in an industry where standards, expectations, and safety are extremely high and heavily regulated can be problematic. However, Matt's leadership journey started at Foothills.

- Matthew Bolt

2009 Grad & Current Golf Committee Member

"I was in Leadership at Foothills, some of the things I learned in that class are what allowed me to become a foreman and guide a group of guys."

Foothills Alumni Magazine

Alumni Profile Feature

Foothills continues to impact Matt today. The test-taking skills and strategies he learnt while at Foothills are still being used today in his everyday life. Railroad safety exams are frequently done and Matt proudly advocates for himself when he needs a quiet testing space

When reaching out to Alumni about opportunities to be involved in with Foothills, Matt offered to be a part of the Gordon Hoffman Golf Committee. He wanted to give back to Foothills.

Matt currently lives in Red Deer with his fiancee, where they have recently purchased a house. Next on the "To Do List" is to get married, which will be a new and exciting adventure for them both

Shout Out!

Matt would like to give a shout-out to two of his favourite people from this time at Foothills:

Vivian Toffolo - She had more of an impact on my life than she or I may have realized at the time. I remember so much of her and our time together.

Warren Paulovich - He was my art teacher and called me "Part-Duck" because I would be outside with my friends, penguin sliding on my stomach on the ice at school, and showing up to class soaking wet. Art was after lunch, so he had a really wet version of me in his class for a couple of weeks in the spring

Foothills made a difference for Matt, & led him to where he is today.

Pay it Forward to Foothills

It feels good to give back!

As a graduate o the impact that donations today

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Donate Today

Did you know that if you donate $20 or more throughout the year, you may qualify for a tax receipt?

Chat With Us!

Do you have a story, business or upcoming event you want to share with Foothills Alumni?

We encourage you to share any events, alumni-owned businesses, or your story with us. Our e-magazines will be going out every April and October to all alumni who have signed up.