Accelerated Christian Education Canada, headquartered in Southport, held its Prairie Regional Student Convention this past week—drawing participants from across Western Canada, including British Columbia. Alfred MacLaren, manager of the organization, oversees the annual gathering, which features academic, artistic, and athletic competitions for senior students.
Competitions and participation
He explains the convention includes 144 events spanning platform speeches, music performances, athletics, visual arts, and English composition. This year’s edition welcomes 49 students, with top performers eligible to advance to the International Student Convention in Muncie, Indiana, later this month.
“We have schools from across the prairies, actually as far away as BC, Fort St. John BC, and Langley BC here,” he says.
Regional conventions also occur in the Maritimes and Ontario, while a junior event for ages 7–12 will take place in Alberta within weeks. MacLaren adds that while Canadian students may attend the international convention, participation criteria remain flexible.
Legacy and community impact
The Prairie Regional Student Convention has operated for nearly four decades, fostering lifelong connections among participants.
“Students are making new friends that they meet for the first time, and a lot of these friendships will last for a lifetime,” MacLaren continues.
MacLaren emphasizes the event’s enduring role in building community. Accelerated Christian Education Canada plans to sustain the tradition, aligning with its mission to integrate faith-based learning with skill development.
