Davina Merritt (right) with Olds High teacher and leadership advisor Louan Statchuk. (Supplied)

By rdnewsNOW Staff

Olds High School

Chinook’s Edge graduate Davina Merritt named top student leader in Canada

Oct 4, 2023 | 1:41 PM

A graduate from the Chinook’s Edge School Division (CESD) has been named the top student leader in the country.

Davina Merritt, who graduated from Ecole Olds High School in June 2023, has been awarded the Bill Conconi Leadership Award by the Canadian Student Leadership Association (CSLA).

The award goes to one high school student leader in Canada each year and comes with a $1,000 scholarship.

“I honestly feel like I am in awe,” said Merritt. “I did some research on past recipients and I am humbled. Mostly, I am grateful for all of the opportunities that I have had that led me to this prestigious award.”

Bill Conconi, was a teacher in Victoria, British Columbia, who encouraged his students to make a difference in their schools and local communities. He also made a impact in CSLA, specifically with students and adult leaders involved in CSLA. Conconi was known for his leadership style of leading by doing.

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The process of selection for the award involves member schools making nominations to CSLA. One student is selected from each province or territory for a total of 12 students who receive provincial recognition and $500. Merritt received the Alberta award.

Davina Merritt (Supplied)

“Davina is very deserving of this recognition, and the fact she calls Ecole Olds High School home is humbling,” said Meaghan Reist, Principal at Olds High. “When we think of students who truly make change in their school communities, who do so because they love it but also because they know the difference it will make in the lives of others, we think of Davina. Her leadership capacity is natural; she is humble, humorous and hardworking. Our whole community is so proud of Davina.”

From the group of 12, CSLA narrows the selection to three top leadership students and completes interviews with candidates and their teachers. CSLA chose Merritt as the recipient for the award in 2023.

“Her contributions to the community, her consistently positive attitude to making things work, and her ability to bring other students along to make them feel successful, mentoring and encouraging students around her,” said Dave Conlon, Program Director of CSLA. “Davina’s advisors consistently mentioned that she willingly did all of these incredible things without looking for recognition or praise.”

Merritt is also the recipient of the Alberta Premier’s Citizenship Award, the Rotary “Service Above Self” Award, the Lion’s Legacy Award, and the Town of Olds Youth Volunteer of the Year Award.

“Davina’s commitment to enhancing the lives of others in her school is matched only by her commitment to activities that benefit the larger community. She took advantage of all opportunities her school and community offered including leadership, athletics, dual credit, and fire cadets while remaining on the honor roll and maintaining several part time jobs,” said Kevin Hronek, a teacher at Olds High.

Merritt participated in the Fire Cadets program in Olds and said it was one of her favorite programs to take part in. (Supplied)

Merritt also received a leadership scholarship from the University of Alberta. She is now a student at the University of Alberta, studying Environmental Studies with a minor in Politics, Society and Global Environment.

“Davina leads with kindness, care, and compassion. Her actions are an example for others. She is a ‘quiet confident leader’ who listens before taking action. Our school and the community of Olds were fortunate to have a vibrant young citizen such as Davina who was always depended on to lend a helping hand or take the lead,” said Louan Statchuk, Olds High teacher and leadership mentor.

Merritt says she dreams of working for Rotary or eventually the United Nations in the organization’s environment sector. Regardless of where she lands, Merritt said, “I hope to continue to be involved in volunteering in some way.”

“My best advice for students who are going into high school is to just get involved,” she said. “You are going to have a way better high school experience if you’re actively a part of the school culture! You have nothing to lose by trying out different opportunities. You don’t have to do everything; the most difficult thing is finding the courage and drive to just start.”