Two Portage la Prairie School Division Trustees were honoured at the Manitoba School Boards Association (MSBA) Convention earlier this month.

Hélène Hoggarth and Shauna-Lei Leslie were recognized as trustees at the Convention with Long Service Awards.

Hoggarth has twelve years of service, while Leslie has sixteen.

Hoggarth says it has been an honour to serve the division for as long as she has.

"Obviously, there's trust from my community to keep me on board, and I appreciate that. You do it out of the love of the children."

Before becoming a trustee, Hogarth had worked many years within the division as an EA and substitute teacher, roles that she loved.

"They (the students) inspire you so much. They have so much to offer and to give," she continues. "We're so lucky in our school division to have good staff, whether it's teachers or the support staff. Everybody is there for one goal, and that's the students, and that's so rewarding to see."

Meanwhile, Leslie says that she isn't in the business of being a trustee for the recognition.

"I believe in the public school system," notes Leslie. "I like the camaraderie of our trustees and our senior administration. We seem to be meshing, and we're doing good things for the Portage la Prairie School Division students and staff."

Both Hogarth and Leslie add that while they are focused on their current term on the school board, they are still determining what the future holds for them.

The Manitoba School Boards Association's 59th Annual Convention was held March 16th - 17th at the Delta Hotel in Winnipeg.