Yesterday at the Chinook School Division's board meeting in Swift Current some students from Maverick School gave a presentation on how a six-week program improved their lives.

Four students appeared in front of the board and talked about their learning, and use of, control theory (also called choice theory).

Each student spoke about its impact on their lives. There are several aspects of the theory, which was brought about by now-deceased American psychiatrist William Glasser, that the students used to better themselves - things like creating blueprints for who they want to be, and who they don't want to be, and making choices to satisfy the positive model. There are also 'signals' they could look for that might spur them to become angry or destructive.

Amber Pare is one of the students, and said it took her a bit to open up in the class, but once she did she loved it.

"It was a really long, and I just needed to open up because I've just been really closed inside. For the first week of control theory, I didn't say anything about myself. But as it progressed I was able to become more open and been able to realize my faults and how to better from them."

Pare said creating blueprints was one of the more-useful aspects of control theory.

"The blueprint is a really huge thing because it teaches us who we want to be and then who we don't want to be. So it gives you an outlook on that. And there's many aspects of it that'll help you, like signals, so knowing when you're upset or angry so you can control it so you don't hurt people or yourself by making those actions."

Pare added that she was hesitant to get started, but is glad she did as she'll have the takeaways from it her entire life.

"You carry it with you throughout your whole life, and it'll benefit you throughout your whole life. I was really thankful that [teacher Marnie Kay] convinced me to take it, because I was like 'I don't know if I want to do this,' but she convinced me and I'm really glad she did."

It wasn't all serious, as the group also said the floss dance moves were busted out a couple times.