Aspen Grove School saluted by 3D Children’s Society

Nov 8, 2026 | 6:00 AM

Grande Prairie’s Aspen Grove School has been given some recognition by the 3D Children’s Society.

The school has been given the organization’s Ryan Wagner Memorial Award.

3D executive director Darren Foley says the award recognizes things like funds raised, sportsmanship and participation.

“Aspen Grove has been knocking on the door the last three years and were just narrowly edged by other very deserving schools.”

“We couldn’t turn away from Aspen Grove this year. For a little school, they’ve got a lot of heart there.”

Foley says the award is “a celebration of a young man that was taken far,far too soon.”

“It just happened that the date we decided to go over to Aspen Grove was the anniversary of his passing.”

“Ryan will always be a hero to anybody whose path he crossed.”

Wagner was one of hundreds of kids helped by the society.

Foley says Wagner spent most of his life in hospitals before he passed away from cancer at age 19.

He adds that people who met Ryan would never know he was sick.

“He was always kind and resilient, and all of those things you think of that just makes somebody great.”

A banner raising was held at the school last Wednesday.

by Curtis Galbraith