The halls and walls haven't changed much over the summer but the start of a new school year fills those halls with new faces and hopes. Along with new seventh graders and transfer students, three new staff members are ready for the 2011-2012 school year at Maidstone High School.
Brad Holfeld is a second-year teacher who spent a year in Kamsack where he taught math, English, phys-ed and history. He comes to Maidstone to teach his favourite subject, phys-ed, to most of the classes as well as a math and a health class. He spent his childhood living in various communities throughout the prairies, graduating from high school in Winnipeg. He earned his teaching degree through four years at Augustana campus in Camrose and two years at the main campus of the University of Alberta.
Holfeld's hobbies include coaching, reffing, hockey, bowling and volleyball. He is living in Maidstone and is looking forward to being involved in the community and the school.
Hiedi Bodnarchuk spent a year teaching English and home economics in Hillmond and a year teaching in Goodsoil. She will be teaching all of the school's home economics courses as well as an English course, life transitions and psychology. She grew up in Kelvington and earned her degree at the University of Saskatchewan.
She enjoys cooking, sewing, snowboarding and spending time at the lake. Bodnarchuk was just married in July and makes her home in Lashburn. She plans to coach a girls' volleyball team, work with the SLC (Student Leadership Council) and help out with costumes for the drama production. She has already noticed the school spirit in Maidstone and is enjoying the welcome of the staff and school community.
Leah Huff started her career in Alberta as a teacher and school counsellor before becoming involved with the ASCENT program in Lashburn. She grew up in Edmonton and Athabasca and was educated at the University of Alberta. She lives in Lloydminster with her daughter who attends a French immersion program.
Huff has transferred to Maidstone to take on the position of vice-principal in charge of the Maidstone Transition School. The new program offers students flexibility to accommodate their lives and a chance for young people under 22 years to come back to school to finish credits they need to complete high school, free of charge. The program is located on site at MHS and currently has 10 students enrolled.
With the new program, family life, crutches and work on a master's degree, she doesn't have much time for hobbies but she hopes to be involved with the school's yearbook and make-up for the drama production.
Autumn is back and, ready or not, here comes the 2011-2012 school year.
