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Okotoks students accomplish world record with maple leaf

Good Shepherd School students showed off their Canadian pride and ended up in the record books for their efforts.

Good Shepherd School students showed off their Canadian pride and ended up in the record books for their efforts.

The school earned a world record for the most people standing in the shape of a maple leaf when 970 students, a handful of teachers and volunteers gathered together to form the iconic Canadian symbol on May 18.

The record attempt was the brainchild of Leonie Gagnon, Good Shepherd’s French language assistant.

She said it’s an excellent way to bring together French and English communities at the school, and in Canada.

“Canada is not only about French, it’s not only about English, it’s about being a whole, together,” said Gagnon.

She said it’s also a great way to celebrate the school’s 25th anniversary and bring the students together.

“I’m just really proud of what we all did because it’s a school project and I’m really proud of what we did,” said Gagnon.

The rules were strict.

They had to document all the preparation work. The maple-leaf shape could only be outlined using chalk. The area where the maple leaf was to be formed had to be cordoned off and access limited while two people counted everyone coming in at both entrances.

Once the students were in formation, they had to stand to hold the maple leaf in shape for five minutes.

“That was the hardest part of the day. It was stressful, but I think everyone knew what to do,” Gagnon said.

The whole process was overseen by two lawyers and an RCMP officer who served as officiators for the event. She said there are strict rules for who could record the event and they can’t have any connection to the school.

Principal Wayne Lorenz said it’s a proud accomplishment for the school and its students.

“We’re an immersion, dual track school and it’s kind of nice that we can do that Canadian symbol, that unified symbol,” he said.

All the students and staff at the school on May 18 took part. Needless to say, there was near perfect attendance.

“I think the kids were amazing, they’ve been excited all week ever since we told them about it,” Lorenz said.

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