We cannot express our thanks and appreciation enough for all your support, patience and encouragement!
We could never imagine Casey's future when we took him out of regular school and began our journey with SunWest DLC. From my first uplifting conversation with Carol Lewis on to the conference call with both Cara and Renee which was infused with hope and encouragement for both Casey and I and their ongoing assistance with Casey.
Carla Lorer and John Jamieson....amazing...just amazing...Casey's first two teachers, you both have been amazing! Flexible, patient, thorough, firm when needed, encouraging, and just all in all super!
It has been a long time since we have experienced hope when it came to Casey and school, I cannot put into words to the extent we have experienced challenges......not without a lot of tears anyway.... You all gave us hope again....truly....
We wanted you all to know you are a major part of what he has been able to do this spring. At the Saskatchewan High School Rodeo Association Finals June 1-3, 2018, he won the SHSRA SR Bareback Champion along with a buckle and saddle. The other attachment is his eligibility to now represent SK along with SunWest DLC at the 70th annual largest rodeo in the world, the National High School Finals Rodeo (NHSFR) presented by CINCH scheduled for July 15th‐21st at the Sweetwater Events Complex in Rock Springs, Wyoming. Only the top 4 athletes from 44 states, 5 Canadian provinces, Australia and Mexico in all and 15 events competing for a World Championship Title. Casey is part of Team SK as the SK High School Rodeo Assoc. 2018 Sr. Bareback Champion. There is an expected 1,500 finalists at the NHSFR. The Largest Youth Rodeo in the World! He will also be attending the Canadian High School Finals July 26-29, 2018 in Merritt, BC to represent Team SK as well.
Casey would not be able to participate in High School Rodeo without being in school and in good standing. You have all made this possible for him....and so much more...
Casey Bear, a 17 year old Cree youth from Ochapowace/Chacachas First Nation currently a student with SunWest DLC is also attending the Calgary Stampede July 6 & 7th, 2018 for the Novice Bareback event, a selective rodeo event which only takes 30 competitors combined who apply to the Bareback and SaddleBronc events. It is attended by over a million people internationally. Casey is hoping to walk away with the Novice Bareback Champion. He got his Canadian Pro Rodeo Assoc. card this spring and would not have been able to be ready for Calgary if not entering and riding in so many AB and BC rodeos. He would not have been able to do this travelling in a traditional school setting and further more without the fantastic versatility his teachers have supported him with as he learned the DL platform and became accustomed and knowledgable with the learning as a whole through SunWest. Along with the support and answering of emails and accommodations which all-in-all is helping him achieve success....in school and in life. At this point, we just want to say thank you, our gratitude to you all is beyond words; if I could bottle the emotion, it would have knocked you off your seats when you opened this email....just saying...
We are thankful for you....
Respectfully,
Richard Bear