Lois Neufeld
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1. Attended AYF 1975 -1979
2. Yes- I went to Waterton twice, I think it was summer 1977 and 1978.
3. I graduated in 1979 from Outlook High School
4. We would love to have a brief history of your post high school until now (hobbies, occupation, kids, where you’ve lived).
Following high school graduation, I attended the University of Saskatchewan, graduating in 1983 with a Bachelor of Education(Elementary). I had wonderful teaching practicum placements in Conquest and Rosetown. During my university years, I spent my summers working as a landscaper at Outlook Pioneer Home as well as volunteering as a camp counsellor, camp speaker at Christian camps. The winter months, I was involved in coaching figure skating and volunteering as a Skate Canada evaluator.
In the fall of 1983, I moved to the community of Waldheim, for my first teaching position, a grade 3 classroom in a K-12 school. I enjoyed my two years in Waldheim, volunteering as a Pioneer Clubs leader in a local church, coaching skating, as well extra-curricular teams at school.
During the summer of 1982, I was recruited by Loretta Lyons to take her place at the last minute as a camp counsellor at Christopher Lake Baptist Camp (now I think it was a set-up by her and Blake). It was here that I met Paul, who was the camp director. Paul and I were married in Sept. 1985 (Shirley decorated our beautiful wedding cake which I still have), and I made the move to Ponoka, AB where Paul was serving as the Youth Pastor at First Baptist Church.
The next years, I served as a consultant with Pioneer Clubs Canada, speaking/training at conferences across Canada as well the Director for Sask. Camp Cherith (Pioneer Clubs). In our local church, I assisted with JR/SR High Youth, taught Sunday School, and led Pioneer Girls program. Once, I obtained an Alberta Teaching Certificate, I began substitute teaching in various schools, in classrooms from K-12. And shortly after arriving in the community, I was recruited to coach in the Ponoka Skating Club (and am still there coaching Pre-Canskate and serving as the Coach representative on the Club Executive). .
Our daughter, Sara, was born in May 1987. I had the privilege of being a “stay-home” mom for her pre-school years. Sara kept me busy as a “skating mom” and a “dance” (ballet, jazz) mom. Sara, as a competitive skater in singles and ice dance, so we spent much time travelling the province and country. Sara also travelled out of country on a number of short term mission trips (Honduras, Bolivia, Kenya). Sara, completed all of her K-12 schooling in Ponoka (quite unusual for a PK). She then completed a Bachelor of Science (Honors) in Anatomy and Cell Biology (2009) and a Masters of Physical Therapy (2011), both at the Univ. of Sask. Her “dream job” just so happened to end up in her hometown of Ponoka (few centres with Neuro-Rehab. P.T.) at the world-renowned Centennial Centre for Brain Injury. She also coaches figure skating with the Ponoka Club.
I continued some substitute teaching after Sara was born, and in 1991 decided to go back to teaching full-time. Most of my teaching career was spent in grade one and grade two at Ponoka Elementary School,(PES), a Pre-K to Grade 6 school with over 550 students and 55 staff. While still teaching, through summer residencies and online courses, I obtained a Master of Arts in Leadership and Training (MALT) from Royal Roads University (RRU) in 2005. From 2008-2010, I served as the Assistant Principal at PES, and from 2010-2017, I served as Principal. In June 2017, after over 28 years as an educator, with mixed emotions, I made the decision to retire. Highlights of my career include: hiring one of my former grade one students as a grade one teacher; being involved in a school modernization process; starting a Pre-K (Play Academy) program; being the recipient of a Provincial Excellence in Teaching Award (2009); and having another OHS grad, Robin Irvine (Lockwood,1982), as a colleague in our Administrator’s Association for Wolf Creek Public Schools.
Paul moved into the role of Senior (Lead) Pastor in 1990, so has now served at FBC Ponoka for almost 34 years (Nov. 84- present). Continuing his education, he completed a Doctor of Ministry through Carey Theological Seminary. Highlights of ministry include two trips to Israel (as well as to Jordan); two additions on the church- a gym/offices (about 20 years ago) and then in 2017 a new sanctuary which can seat 450; and consulting work for the denomination(CBWC) in pastoral settlement.
We celebrated the marriage of our daughter Sara, to Brent Remyn (a Ponoka boy) on Nov. 12, 2017 in an outdoor ceremony at Silver Tip Resort in Canmore. Brent is a Project Manager for Scott Builders in Red Deer and on the side he farms (grain) with his dad and brother. They live in Ponoka, but take every opportunity to go hiking in the mountains or travel to foreign countries.
I am very much enjoying this new chapter of life with its “slower” pace - reading, gardening, baking, coaching skating, creating curriculum and teaching Children’s Church, teaching Sunday School, and attempting to take up running again (completed the Calgary Marathon in 1997).
So many special memories of my years in AYF at Outlook Alliance with Ray and Shirley and my high school peers - Waterton, Mission dramas, roller-skating in the city etc. Thank you Ray and Shirley for being wonderful role models and mentors to youth.
