Sun West Leadership Advisors Receive Leaders of Distinction Award

Congratulations to longtime Sun West Student Leadership Advisors Vanessa Lewis and Kristin Sampson, who received the Canadian Student Leadership Association (CSLA) Dave Conlon Leader of Distinction Awards on October 7 at the 2024 Canadian Student Leadership Conference (CSLC) in Haliburton, Ontario.

Every year, CSLA recognizes Leaders of Distinction from schools across Canada. Leaders of Distinction are student leadership advisors who consistently demonstrate excellence in leadership, and an extraordinary commitment to the development of student leadership in Canada. Each province and territory selects one or more Leader of Distinction and these are announced annually at CSLC. These awards were first presented in 2004, and this year were re-named the Dave Conlon Leader of Distinction Awards in honour of longtime Ontario student leadership advisor Dave Conlon.

Mrs. Lewis is a Learning Consultant and Ms. Sampson, is a Career Development Teacher for Davidson, Kenaston and Loreburn Central Schools.

During their times as advisors they have worked with well over a thousand students to plan the annual Sun West Student Leadership Conference, the annual Youth Consultation with the Board of Education, the bi-annual ROADS TO SUCCESS Career Fair as well as organizing the Sun West delegation to the annual CSLC and numerous other projects over the years.

Kindersley Composite School Student Leadership Advisor Deavin Vanthuyne presented Mrs. Lewis and Ms. Sampson with their Leaders of Distinction Awards saying “Their names are synonymous with student leadership in Sun West and in our province.” She described them as “Champions of student leadership . . . organized, efficient and endlessly positive . . . [and] role models for students and teacher [who] embody all the qualities our organization[CSLA] believes in.”

Mrs. Lewis stated: “I am honoured to receive the CSLA Leader of Distinction Award alongside my colleague and friend, Kristin Sampson. This recognition means so much, coming from colleagues who share the same dedication to fostering student leadership as we do. It was very special to receive this award in the year in which it was renamed in honour of Dave Conlon, a student leadership mentor and guru.”

Ms. Sampson stated: “It was an honour to receive this award at CSLC with Vanessa. Dave Conlon is an inspiration to all leadership advisors and is someone that will be missed within Canadian Student Leadership Association. We've been so fortunate to be able to work with such positive and enthusiastic student leaders over the years. It is truly the highlight of my job here at Sun West!” 

“Vanessa and Kristen have made a huge difference by sharing their dedication, skills, and enthusiasm with our student leaders, stated Vicki Moore, Sun West Director of Education. “We are very proud of them, and it is great to see them receive this well-deserved national recognition.”

‍