Winston Churchill Inducts Three into School Hall of Fame

“The one connecting factor is their journeys started right here in the hallways of Winston Churchill,” said Wolcott.

Dixon was the first inductee to be honoured, as Hall of Fame committee member Jon Dick outlined the long list of accomplishments during Dixon’s powerlifting career. An accomplished football player at WCHS, Dixon was a league all-star in his Grade 11 and Grade 12 seasons, before he went on a become a five-time Canadian Powerlifting champion, and a two-time International Powerlifting champion.

Dixon earned first place in the 2011 Canadian Drug Free Powerlifting event in the open class, before he went on to take first place in the masters category in the squat event at the 2012 World Drug Free Powerlifting Federation Singe Event Championships.

He has followed that up with many titles in subsequent years, and capped off 2015 with first place in the masters categories in both the Canadian Powerlifting Championships and the American Athletic Union World Powerlifting Championships.

For all his success, Dixon credited his formative years at WCHS for laying the groundwork.

“My time at Winston Churchill had more impact on me than I ever thought at the time,” said Dixon, who added his journey all began in Grade 11, thanks in part to a young teacher by the name of Carey Rowntree. “This guy took time out of his own life to let us train on his own time.”

Dixon added dedication, patience and repetition were needed for him to perfect his craft.

“It’s not quick and easy,” he said, and added he will do 2,000 squats to train for a meet, just to do that one “magic” squat during competition.

Dixon also mentioned the ability to adapt and adjust along the way is also key to his sport.

“People can always learn – you just have to want to. I don’t care if it’s a career or a hobby – be invested and care about what you do and you will get more out of it.”

Rowntree, now the principal at WCHS, introduced Dr. Pauline Hall, a 1994 WCHS grad who is currently a dentist in Lethbridge. Hall earned her Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from Boston University School of Dental Medicine in 1997, and currently works at Hall Dental Centre.

“I remember all my teachers and the time they took with me,” said Hall of her time at WCHS, as she added her teachers provided a nurturing environment for herself and her classmates.

Those lessons paid off at dental school in Boston, according to Hall, who mentioned the students of today must also take advantage of their time at WCHS.

“My message to the students today is let your teachers teach you how to learn,” she said, as Hall added she was humbled and honoured to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Her brother, Dr. Paul Hall, a 1984 WCHS grad, graduated with a Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of Alberta, before he settled back in Lethbridge to open Hall Dental in 1995.

He is also active in the community, and the clinic has also been instrumental in supporting and establishing a dental school in Ethiopia.

Hall said while the physical structure of WCHS has changed his since time there, one thing has remained constant.

“The teachers and staff are truly caring people who care about your success,” he said, as Hall added his time at WCHS was certainly a positive experience.

He thanked his former teachers, and went on to say many of the life-long friendships he carries on to this day were formed at WCHS, as he finished off with a message to the current generation of students.

“The most important thing I learned at my time at Winston Churchill is your success depends on your efforts. You must work hard to achieve your goals and dreams.”

by Garrett Simmons - Lethbridge School District No. 51 - Communications officer

Winston Churchill Inducts Three into School Hall of Fame

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