Meet the Candidates
Brooks Candidates' Forum: Sunday, October 19 at St. Mary's Church from 2 pm to 4 pm. Election Day is Monday, October 20th
Louise Henrickson (acclaimed - no election will take place)
Drumheller School Board Trustee
I have lived in Drumheller for 41 years, where I met my husband, John. We’ll be celebrating our 40th wedding anniversary in January 2026! Together, we’ve raised three wonderful children and are now blessed with three energetic grandchildren under the age of five. I’m deeply passionate about lifelong learning. My journey in education began with a Teacher Assistant Certificate from the University of Calgary in 1998. I started with Christ The Redeemer (CTR) Catholic Schools in 1996 as an Educational Assistant at St. Anthony’s School, where I served until 2018. That experience strengthened my commitment to student success and community collaboration. I’ve always been a big-picture thinker and a passionate community builder, someone who sees potential and works to bring people together to achieve it. I chose to run for Catholic school trustee because I believe in the transformative power of Catholic education. St. Anthony’s School holds a special place in my heart, and I want to help ensure that future generations experience the same nurturing, faith-filled environment that shaped my own family’s journey. This role is a way for me to give back and reignite my connection to a school, church and a system that has meant a lot to me. As a trustee, I want the community to know that I lead with empathy, integrity, and a deep respect for diverse perspectives. I believe in the power of collaboration, compassion, and shared purpose, and I’m committed to making decisions that reflect the best interests of students, families, and educators. My hope is to contribute a strong voice for collaboration, transparency, and innovation to the Board of Trustees of CTR Catholic. I want to help strengthen partnerships between schools and families, support inclusive and faith-based learning environments, and advocate for resources that empower every child to thrive, academically, emotionally, and spiritually.
Michelle Gietz
Brooks School Board Trustee Candidate
How long have you lived in your community? 34 years Please tell us a little bit about yourself and your family. I grew up in Scandia. I am the Executive Director for the Brooks Community Adult Learning Council. I farm with my husband, Ron, just south of Brooks. We have five grown children, all of whom graduated from St. Joseph’s Collegiate in Brooks. What do you hope parents, students, and staff will know about you as a trustee? I hope people know me as trustworthy and committed to serve. My favorite bible quote is "Be not afraid" and I act where I feel I am called to go. Explain why you want to be a Catholic School Trustee. With current world events, I felt a need to be more assertive about my own faith. I feel that in today's world we are stumbling in our commitment to ensure that Christian, and particularly Catholic faith and traditions, endure and that this is primarily done through a solid education rooted in faith. What do you value most about Catholic education in your community? Catholic education allows Catholic families to acknowledge, use and express their faith on a daily basis, helping children to understand that faith is a part of everyday life guiding our decisions and supporting our challenges.
Shane Grove
Brooks School Board Trustee Candidate
How long have you lived in your community? I have lived in the Brooks/Duchess area my entire life — 49 years. Please tell us a little bit about yourself and your family. My wife, Cindy, and I have been married for 25 years; we have four children who are each either currently enrolled in Christ The Redeemer (CTR) schools or have recently graduated. I have been self-employed for 29 years in our community. My main business is Grove Freshwater Trucking, which I began when I was 19 years old. In 2019, I became a licensed home inspector in the province of Alberta. I also do some farming on the side. I am active in parish life at St. Mary’s Parish in Brooks. My family and I participate in weekly Mass and together with my wife, have helped to lead Rite of Christian Initiation (RCIA) classes for the past five years. What do you hope parents, students, and staff will know about you as a trustee? First and foremost, my goal is that the good news of Christ would continue to be shared in our community through the ongoing work of CTR Catholic. I hope people would know that nothing makes me happier than when I hear of students being impacted by the gospel. Explain why you want to be a Catholic School Trustee. I feel that my involvement in the community, whether it is through business, church, volunteering, or family ties, makes me uniquely qualified for this position. After seeing the good that CTR Catholic has done in my own children’s lives, I am motivated to take on this role if chosen, putting my skills to work helping other children to be equipped with a quality education to pursue their dreams — all the while remaining centred on Jesus Christ. What do you value most about Catholic education in your community? Catholic schools are an amazing option for students, whether from Catholic families, non-Catholic Christian families, a different faith background, or families that don’t identify with any faith or religion. Many people, especially young people, have existential questions about life and crave meaning — and even sacredness. The ability to openly talk about and explore these topics brings about a more complete education.
Chris Neeser
Brooks School Board Trustee Candidate
How long have you lived in your community? I have been a member of St. Mary's Parish (Brooks) for 25 years. Please tell us a little bit about yourself and your family. I am the father of three -- now adult -- daughters, which I had the privilege to raise on my own after my wife's death from cancer in 2008. I have served on the St. Joseph's Collegiate Parent Council from 2013 to 2019 and have been involved in various liturgical ministries at St. Mary's Parish in Brooks since 2010. What do you hope parents, students, and staff will know about you as a trustee? I hope that I will be known as a trustee who seeks to put our young people at the center of parish life. I will strive to make myself available and to listen to parents, students and staff, and to communicate concerns and new ideas to the leadership of our school division. Explain why you want to be a Catholic School Trustee. I see it as a service to my community and as a call to promote the hope we have in Christ to a new generation of Catholics. What do you value most about Catholic education in your community? Catholic education is called to be universal and filled with great wonder for all of creation. It is forward looking and without fear, because we trust in the Lord who is with us until the end of time. Like our own lives, it is always a work in progress.
Christopher Lauzon
High River School Board Trustee Candidate
How long have you lived in your community? 3 years Please tell us a little bit about yourself and your family. I live in High River with my wife Christine and our two children, Lorelai and Sebastian. Our family is active in local schools and youth sports, and we enjoy being part of the High River community. Family is at the center of my life, and it motivates me to serve and support our schools. What do you hope parents, students, and staff will know about you as a trustee? I want parents, students, and staff to know that I will listen, be accessible, and always act with honesty and respect. My focus will be on supporting safe, caring, and faith-filled schools where every student has the chance to succeed. I will work hard to represent High River while keeping the best interests of the whole division in mind. Explain why you want to be a Catholic School Trustee. I want to be a Catholic School Trustee to give back to the community that has welcomed my family and to support the mission of providing authentic Catholic education. I believe in creating safe, caring, and faith-filled schools where students can grow academically and spiritually. This role allows me to serve High River families while helping ensure Catholic education remains strong for future generations. What do you value most about Catholic education in your community? I value that Catholic education in our community places faith at the center of learning while fostering strong academics. Our schools provide a safe and caring environment where students are supported not just in their studies, but also in their personal and spiritual growth. This balance of faith, family, and learning is what makes Catholic education so important in High River.
Jacqueline Vanderfluit
High River School Board Trustee Candidate
How long have you lived in your community? In 2008, I permanently relocated from Calgary (born and raised) to rural Alberta (Livingstone Macleod) where I have resided for 17 years. Our family moved to High River in May 2020 just to be eligible to register our child in this Catholic elementary school we heard about named Holy Spirit Academy. Since then, our family continues to be transformed by the love and support we receive from our Catholic school community where the teachings of Jesus Christ permeate throughout our faith-based journey. For more information, please visit my website at jacquivanderfluit.ca Please tell us a little bit about yourself and your family. I attended Catholic school (CCSD) in Calgary from Grade 1 to 12. I graduated from University of Calgary with a B.A. in Communications having served an elected term as VP Finance, Students Union. I earned my diploma in Web/Graphic Design from Selkirk College. My employment history includes several years in the hospitality industry with emphasis on advertising and marketing. I have a background in bookkeeping, records/archive management, policy/bylaw development and fundraising. I love serving my community in a volunteer capacity. My loving and patient husband of 14 years, Trevor, works as a clinical pharmacist in rural Alberta. We have one amazing 13-year-old son, Caleb, a Grade 8 student at Notre Dame Collegiate. Caleb was baptized into his Catholic faith by Fr. Marius at St. Francis de Sales on July 25, 2023. This sacrament was very special for our family because Caleb chose to be baptized after learning about baptism in religious studies at HSA. What do you hope parents, students, and staff will know about you as a trustee? It is my hope that parents, students, staff and parishioners will all come to know and witness my commitment to faith-based leadership. As a trustee, I will continue to contribute positively to Christ the Redeemer’s top three priorities: (i) Catholic Faith-Based Education, (ii) the Pursuit of Academic Excellence and (iii) Advocacy for Safe/Healthy Schools. I vow to govern my actions in compliance with CTR’s code of conduct while always reminding myself to keep Jesus at my centre. In spiritual preparation for a role in public office, I strive towards living my life in accordance with the Fruits of the Holy Spirit. Part of self-discipline includes taking a thorough inventory of both my strengths and my personal defects. I promise to always be welcoming, respectful and caring of each of you and I remain open to feedback and correction in all areas where we all share in the expectation for excellence from our local trustees. Explain why you want to be a Catholic School Trustee. I want to be a Catholic school trustee to continue my journey as one team member who is called to serve in our faith-based, school division. My child is categorized as a learner with complex special needs. CTR provided the opportunity for our family to shift away from a place of parental fear, anxiety and uncertainty toward a position of strength, confidence, grace and healing. I experienced a “calm” in placing my trust in Catholic education which then, in turn, opened the door for personal, spiritual growth and a renewal in my Catholic faith. In return, I felt called to give back to my Catholic school communities in faithful service. I am privileged to have served as VP Chair for School Council at both NDC and HSA and I enjoy volunteering for school events, fundraisers, hot lunch, Council of Councils and parent sub-committees. I was fortunate to serve on the Minister of Education’s Parent Advisory Committee (MPAC) and I continue to seek these meaningful roles which provide me the opportunity to advocate for #CatholicEd! What do you value most about Catholic education in your community? At CTR, we believe that parents are the primary educators of our children. I am so grateful that CTR adopts this foundational principle which I value the most. I am a Grateful Advocate for Catholic Education! (Learn more about GrACE at https://www.gracealberta.org/). I deeply value our s.29 Constitutional protected right to live and learn in our Christian faith as we strive together for excellence through Catholic Education. Alberta is one of three provinces in Canada where we still are afforded the right to access publicly-funded Catholic education. It is unsettling to live with knowledge that other provinces in Canada have amended laws in favour of secularizing their education system. Our family began our journey in a public school because Catholic education was not offered within that boundary ward which is why I value Catholic school. I do not take for granted even the most basic right for my child to open class in prayer.