Ryan Plante named to Education Ministers Student Advisory Council

Ryan Plante
T.Lucas photo

Toni Lucas, Pincher Creek Voice

Ryan Plante, a student at Matthew Halton High School in Pincher Creek, has been named to the Education Minister's Student Advisory Council (MSAC), also known as the Speak Out Council, starting in September 2013.


"In school, I'm on the regular (Matthew Halton) Student Council and I'm also on the Regional Student Council," said Plante, who has been on both of these councils since entering Matthew Halton in grade 7.  He explained that the Regional Council includes Crowsnest Pass, Nanton, Lundbreck, Taber, and the Pincher Creek area.  "Mr. Sheen (a teacher at Matthew Halton) has been giving me great advice," he said, when talking about the mentoring that happens on the local and regional student council boards.

Plante is entering grade 9 in the fall and is active in swimming, skiing, basketball, and volleyball.

He found out about the MSAC when he attended the annual Speak Out Conference held April 12 -14 of this year.  200 people attended the conference.  "One of the members that was already on the Advisory Council told me about it, and it sounded pretty cool.  So I went online, filled out the application, and sent it in."

The Minister’s Student Advisory Council has representatives from 14 - 19 years old. "I feel pretty excited that I have been elected to be on it, because it's only 24 kids in the entire Province of Alberta," said Plante.  The council is chosen to reflect a wide range of educational experiences including urban, rural, and home schooled.   After his application was reviewed Plante was interviewed over the phone, before he was accepted to the council.

These members of the MSAC will be responsible for gathering input from their peers and their community.  This council is designed to have an impact and improve the education system.  At this point Plante believes the council meets four times during the school year in Edmonton and September will be the first meeting he is to attend.

"It's an opportunity to help people and better my community for the younger grades coming up.  It will make their experience going to the same school I went to better than my experience was, and it builds."

Related link: www.speakout.alberta.ca