Dasan Crowshoe and Nicole Quinlan listen to Kirra McGill share her experiences in the Facilitating Awareness Character Building Exercises for Students (FACES) program with Livingstone Range School Board.
Facilitating Awareness Character building Exercises for Students (FACES) has been changing students’ lives in Livingstone Range School Division for a long time.
Teacher Rick Bullock and students Kirra McGill, Nicole Quinlan and Dasan Crowshoe of F.P. Walshe school shared their experiences Jan. 8 with trustees.
They opened by showing a video of some of the activities undertaken during the two-week session after Grade 9, including rock climbing, classroom work, rafting, making masks and playing team-building games.
After the video Bullock said FACES had three great sessions this past year.
“Lots of great leaders and great kids,” Bullock said.
The three students then shared some of what they learned.
At first Kirra McGill did not want to go on the FACES trip but eventually did, and never regretted it.
“I can trust the people around me and they’ll help me through the tough things,” Kirra said. “I’m more trusting of the people around me.”
Dasan Crowshoe said he was a different person after FACES.
“I had a really amazing time,” Dasan said. “It was absolutely magical.”
The challenges Dasan faced have raised his motivation for everything.
“If you can do a climb, you can definitely do this next (school) assignment,” Dasan said.
“It was very beneficial for me,” Dasan later added. “It’s the best positive thing the school’s done.”
Dasan said FACES also made him a better person and taught him accountability.
“It was a fantastic, magical experience,” Dasan said.
Nicole Quinlan was not sure she would get a lot out of FACES. She was always told she had a good head on her shoulders but was also concerned she was a follower.
FACES presented a lot of personal barriers with which Nicole had to deal.
“Things I would not otherwise have dealt with,” Nicole said.
Nicole added everyone has big issues of their own to deal with every day.
“FACES really brings those to light where you can talk about them (in a safe place),” Nicole said. “I learned a lot about the person I want to be.”
Nicole also realized she wants to help others but needs help too. FACES helped her recognize and deal with barriers.
Afterwards, Bullock explained that each school has its own selection process for FACES. A total of 32 students attend each of the three sessions.
Bullock has found that with summer jobs and other commitments, not many students who want to go don’t get to go.
