Both a retired and current teacher at Lacombe Composite High School were honoured yesterday by a former graduate.

Ron Thompson and Dana Schafer received the Teachers Building Leaders Award, an award given out by the Loran Scholars Foundation.

The award recognizes primary and secondary school teachers who proved early inspiration, guidance and growth opportunities for students.

2012 grad Maryellen Gibson nominated the two teachers and said seeing them receive the award is extremely special.

“In so many instances I was thinking there are these key people in my life who really did influence where I’m going and made this all possible.”

“I wished there was something more than just an email or a phone call to let them really know. This is a wonderful opportunity to do that.”

The Loran Scholars Foundation also honours students from across Canada from a pool of over 4,000 applicants based on their character, service and leadership.

The Foundation grants awards valued at $100,000 to up to 33 students after a rigorous selections process. Gibson is a former winner of the award.

Schafer and Thompson said it means a lot to them, knowing they made a strong impact on a student’s life.

“It’s a really nice surprise. You don’t even know that you’ve impacted a student until you find out and then lots of kids never tell you, so you don’t even know; so, it’s kind of cool,” said Schafer.

“I’ve been fortunate to have the kind of students that Maryellen is; students who are working at the very top of their ability to do everything they can to succeed in school and in life,” said Thompson.

Gibson is a graduate of International Studies of University of Saskatchewan and is now working on her Masters.