Roy Challis, a member of the board of Living Sky School Division, was presented with this year's Saskatchewan School Boards Association (SSBA) Award of Distinction Nov. 28 in Saskatoon at the SSBA ball assembly.
The award of distinction is awarded annually to a board member who has demonstrated outstanding service and has made a significant contribution to enhance education locally or at a provincial level.
Challis, who served as president of the SSBA from 2008 to 2010, was also awarded a life membership in the SSBA and was presented with a Star Blanket in recognition of his commitment to improving outcomes for First Nations and Métis students in Saskatchewan.
"Roy's time as president saw a major change in direction as the association worked towards putting direction, ownership and authority back into the hands of the membership," said SSBA president Sandi Urban-Hall. "In addition to engaging the membership, Roy was also a leading force in supporting and advocating for First Nations and Métis education. His contributions at home have been equally impressive."
Challis was nominated for the prestigious award of distinction by the Living Sky Board of Education. He has spent a number of years as a school board member with Living Sky School Division and, prior to that, the Battlefords School Division.
In nominating Challis, the board referred to the criteria of showing commitment to public education and advocating on its behalf, being a leader of positive change and proponent of achievement for students, and, as a board member, demonstrating effective governance, commitment, advocacy, ethics and participation in professional development.
First presented in 2003, it is now presented annually to a current or former school board member who has demonstrated outstanding service and made a significant contribution to enhance education on local and/or provincial levels.
A former high school teacher, Challis has also practised as a writer, director, actor, producer and teacher of theatre arts around the Battlefords area for more than 40 years. He has been associated with the Saskatchewan Drama Association since the late 1970s and has been awarded many acting and characterization awards.
