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Rodeo queens visit Red Deer school

St. Teresa of Avila students learn about being in the moment
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Miss Rodeo Canada Jaden Holle and Miss Rodeo America Taylor McNair spoke to classes at St. Teresa of Avila School in Red Deer about their passion for barrel racing. (Contributed photo).

Two rodeo celebrities spoke to Red Deer students about their passion for barrel racing.

It was all part of St. Teresa of Avila School’s focus on mindfulness and self-regulation techniques.

Miss Rodeo Canada Jaden Holle and Miss Rodeo America Taylor McNair shared their barrel racing experiences with four classes as a way of bringing some real-life learning into the classroom.

“Having Miss Rodeo Canada and Miss Rodeo America at our school is an amazing opportunity,” said principal Nicole Zimmerman.

“We are so excited for our students to have the opportunity to learn mindfulness skills from a variety of dedicated staff and community members.”

There were other lessons as well, including a session on mindful movement, faith-filled mindfulness, journaling, drawing and using music to attain calm.

Students learned that mindfulness means being keenly aware of the present and acknowledging actions and thoughts with a non-judgmental attitude.

Mindfulness focuses on the process of creating or doing, rather than the finished project or outcome, said school counsellor Cari Fleming.

The benefits, she said, are regulated emotions, improved decision making and creativity, self-confidence and positive thinking. It can also manage anxiety, depression and chronic pain.