Jasper to send six youths to astronaut lecture

Six of Jasper’s youths will be given the chance to meet with Dr. Roberta Bondar during Leadership West Yellowhead’s speaker series next week thanks to the municipality of Jasper. 

During last weeks Council meeting, Council voted to support the event by purchasing six tickets for Jasper youth, which will allow them to have a pre-dinner chat with the famous astronaut, who first went into space in 1992.

For deputy mayor and Leadership West Yellowhead steering committee member Brenda Zinck, it’s an opportunity for the youth, and adults, of Jasper to network with the broader community and interact with leaders in the community.

“It’s a good thing to have them there and have an opportunity to meet with someone like Roberta,” said Zinck adding that she has seen a presentation by Bondar before and found her “fascinating”.

“It’s inspiring to go and listen, but to go in a small group and actually ask them a question,” she said. 

For all generations, Zinck said the night was a great way for people to network with other communities in the region and find out about Leadership West Yellowhead.

“I think the opportunity to meet people in other communities and the opportunity to meet other youth,” she added.

Anyone in Grades 7 through 12 can enter to win the six tickets with one child from each grade being selected. Marianne Garrah, from the Creative Campus, has taken the competition on board.

Jasper’s youth are being asked what they think a leader is by finishing the sentence “A leader is...”, giving two or three reasons why and chances increase if it’s submitted in the form of art, music or photography.

Transportation for the winners will also be provided. 

Entries can be emailed directly to Garrah at admin@artofthe.com or directly to teachers/principles, marked “Leadership West Yellowhead and Municipality of Jasper Contest” before Oct 1. 

As well, tickets to the event which include a gourmet dinner are $65 and are on sale at SunDog Tours in Jasper.