The Canadien Champion, Friday, Novembor 26, 19~ Secondta-ary sdlol students cornefrom afar to. learn about life, leadership at E. C. Drury-hosted event By IRENE GENTLE The Champion Last Friday was a typical day at E.C. Drury High School, except for the 250 extra stu- dent bodies clad in vivid orange t-shirts roamning the halls. Or the roomn jam-packed with their belongings, enough to see them through an intense four-day Ontario Secondary School Student Association (OSSSA) conference hosted by E.C. Dniry. Student delegates came from across south-westem Ontario for the annual event wi th the aim of learning s little about leadership and a lot about life. i2here was one girl who told me it had really changed her lîfe," said E.C. Drury teacher Ross Thomson. But students on dhe conference committee began learning well before the event which was officially launched late st week, he added. That's because everything from food preparation to the hiring of motivational speakers and event security was tbe rcsponsibility of students, he said. Student delegates also took home a ton of learning from the weckend. Communication, risk, trust, self-awareness, time and stress management as well as conflict resolution were on tbe agenda. The goal was to take Canada's future leaders to the top just a little bit faster. And have a bst white they're doing it, said Mr. T'homson. It's nice for them," he said. It's so much fun for them, 1 think it's not until later that they realize how much they've ieamed." To attend, the kids had to play a leadership roie of some sort at their school and pay a $85 fée. As it happens, OSSSA was student-driven right from the stasi. It began as a grassroots grouping of London area students out- ragcd at the suggestion that the achool year be extcnded tlsrough- out the summer months. Their dedication to the cause soon caught the eye of the provincial govemment of the day. It responded by giving the students a small grant to host their own conference, and from that, the OSSSA was bom. Now the group is a provincial organization with 12 divisions throughout Ontario. It's thought to be the largest student-run body in the world. And it stili has the car of thc Province through the Ministry of Education, said president of OSSSA's Niagara district Aaron Van Booek, 18. "We hope to really be thc voice of students," he said. "Our slo- GICRaes valabe oitïie RtRateslbl to change 8.28% 1 yr. 6.0% 3 yirs. 7.05% 83% 5 yrs. 7 .28%> -s-..-. Abbey Plaza, Oek(ville <3rd Lino et Upper Middle Rd.) 905-827-8009 tyGoodwfll C, fvstm'as 7sag S-aU Sunda, Nov. 28tti 11 amto 2 m At ail locationls (excludes Foshion Finds & Sulent Auction emrs) 'SensatùÀM Sensoa4 Savbln! ,ýood Z9aILe À 'ýooC eatg! And remnember ta fill ouf a ballot for a chance to wîn a beautfully decorated Çhesmas treel Visit LUsa & her team at 550 Ontario Street South - iDâ . gan is 'Your Voice, Only Louder."' The goal is to catch thse gist of teen talk on current issues and present it. to the Province. So white Uic conférence is primarily aimcd at boosting leadership qualities in teens, it will aiso be used as a fact-finding mission. Spccitically, understanding how stu- dents view their own generation (tagged thc 'echo' or 'y' genera- tion) was explored at the event. Also on the agenda weoe student views on teachers, principals, and ideal ieamning environments. "We'll use it to find out what students think and what students feel," said the OSSSA's minister of provincial affairs Devlin Femandes. "This is the first step in understanding how wc see ourseives." Though not in the mandate of the recent conference, student reaction to the new grade 9 cunriculum and the issue of potential school closîngs will be on the OSSSA agenda later in the year. But more light-hearted learning was on the roster for the week- end affair,'said Mr. Van Borek. "You learn so much about yourself. You discuss everything," he said. 'There are a lot of things you wouidn't talk about maybe even to your beat friend but you talk about it here." SPEND TIME WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY OVER THE HOLIDAYS. Plan to spend time soaking over the holidays with friends SOS and family in your brand new Beachcomber Hot Tub. There is no better way to bring in the year 2000!! ORDER NOW TO INSTALLATION CHRISTMAS Receive in discounts and value. a.~~ 1AuoS ________y__ Hours: Mon. to Fri. loam-6pm ISat. loam-5pm 1 Sun. 1lam-4pm ----- 1 1