Seven candidates are running to join the six-member Holy Trinity Roman Catholic School Division board in the Nov. 9 school board election, although five candidates will be acclaimed.
The organization is separated into the subdivisions of Moose Jaw, Shaunavon and Swift Current. Four candidates will represent Moose Jaw, and one each will represent Shaunavon and Swift Current. Three current board members are running for re-election: former board chair Joann Blazieko, Christine Boyczuk and board chair Derek Hassen.
All four Moose Jaw candidates and the candidate in Shaunavon have been acclaimed. Voters in Swift Current will have to choose between two individuals.
Visit www.htcsd.ca for more information.
Here is a breakdown of the candidates:
Joann Blazieko (Moose Jaw) has a nursing degree and diplomas in health-care administration. She sits on St. Joseph Parish’s pastoral council and has been involved with Moose Jaw Soccer and Little League Baseball. Blazieko is a strong proponent of the Catholic faith in the separate school system. As board chair, she helped approve a new school in Swift Current and the proposed joint-use school in Moose Jaw.
Christine Boyczuk (Moose Jaw) is a member of St. Joseph Parish and has served in several educational roles, including teacher, consultant, and education director. Following retirement, she served as a regional co-ordinator for the Moose Jaw South Central Region and works part-time for the Moose Jaw Literacy Network.
She also serves on several boards and committees that foster the well-being of children, youths and families. She is also interested in early childhood development, mental health, literacy, quality improvement, and governance.
Alison Bradish (Moose Jaw) earned a journalism degree from Campion College at the University of Regina, followed by two years of pastoral studies in Rhode Island. She has worked for three school divisions, a daily newspaper, a provincial cabinet minister, and a sports organization. She is a member of the Archdiocese of Regina’s news team and is active at St. Joseph Parish, Moose Jaw Right to Life, and the École St. Margaret School Community Council.
Bradish and her husband, Robert, are Vanier Collegiate graduates and have two children in the division.
Derek Hassen (Moose Jaw) has spent 24 years in education. He worked for the school division and was a long-time volunteer coach. As a business owner, he wants to continue contributing to Holy Trinity and believes his planning skills help others understand the division’s finances. He also believes his time as an educator helps with managing the direction of the division.
As board chair, he supported creating a consultation program that helped the division better understand its stakeholders. He is involved with both Catholic parishes and would continue building relationships among school, church, and home.
Stephanie Nelson (Shaunavon) lives in Shaunavon with her husband Travis and their four girls. She and Travis attended Christ the King School, where their daughters also now attend.
Nelson returned to school three years ago as a mature student and became a Licensed Practical Nurse. She works at Shaunavon Hospital and Care Centre and the Cypress Regional Hospital. Education is important to her and she would contribute to the building up of Catholic education.
Lamont Dyck (Swift Current) is a deacon who works at St. Joseph Parish in Moose Jaw, is married, and has a daughter. He is a pastoral assistant with the parish, a position he acquired in 2006 after similar ministry work in Kindersley. He provides leadership and instruction in sacramental preparation, family catechesis, school visits and other parish ministries. He wants to contribute to the division’s goal of Christ-centred, lifelong learning.
Edward (Ted) Wallen (Swift Current) worked for SaskTel for 31 years before retiring in 2007. He and Denise have been married 40 years, raised four children, and have five grandchildren, three of whom attend schools in the division.
Wallen has been the finance chairman of Christ the Redeemer Catholic Parish since 2002, has participated in community groups in Swift Current, has coached soccer and assisted with Scouts Canada, and if elected, would focus on strengthening the relationship among families, schools and parishes.
