Submitted by STAR Catholic
St. Thomas Aquinas Roman Catholic Schools’ Board of Trustees has selected Lacombe Trustee Thalia Hibbs as its Board Chair.
The selection was made at the Board’s annual organizational meeting Wednesday, June 15, 2016. Hibbs has served for the past two terms as STAR Catholic’s Vice Chair before accepting the position as Board Chair.
“I am honoured to take on this role within STAR Catholic, and humbled by the support given by my fellow Trustees. We have accomplished so much as a school division and are blessed to have such growth. I look forward to continuing the work we have begun and am excited about the direction we are headed,” said Hibbs.
Mrs. Hibbs is an Athabasca University Commerce undergraduate who lives in Lacombe and attends St. Stephen's Parish. Since completing the RCIA program in 2003, she has served on many ministries there, including secretary of the Parish Council and past president of the Catholic Women's League (CWL). Her three children attend Father Lacombe Catholic School. Mrs. Hibbs is in her second term as trustee and sought election because she is passionate about Catholic education, and believes Catholic trusteeship is an excellent ministry for serving her community. An avid runner, cyclist and reader, Mrs. Hibbs also volunteers in local sports organizations as a coach, manager or executive member.
Wetaskiwin Trustee John Tomkinson was elected to serve as STAR Catholic’s Vice Chair. Tomkinson has served previously as Board Vice Chair, before serving two terms as Board Chair.
Born and raised in Alberta, Mr. Tomkinson is a pilot and air traffic controller who moved to Wetaskiwin from Ontario in 2006 with his wife and young family, five of whom attend Sacred Heart School. Since then, he has become involved in many ministries with Sacred Heart Parish in Wetaskiwin, including Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) coordinator, the Knights of Columbus, and the adult faith formation committee. Mr. Tomkinson is a second-term trustee and was motivated to seek the position because of his great interest in protecting and advancing the delivery of education, centred on the Catholic faith. His volunteer experience includes speaking about God's impact on his life at community and mens' groups, retreats, and conferences.