Success for Life » Work

Courtney Wenzlawski – Overcoming Life’s Hurdles

News Desk — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 19:18:05 +0000

Courtney is a young woman with a lot on her plate. She is a mother of two children who has had to move frequently over the past year or so, not to mention having health issues to deal with and financial concerns to sort out. Nevertheless, she has prioritized finishing her high school education, by working on completing her final five classes through the Madill COPE program.
Courtney first moved to this area in 2007, and despite a number of difficulties, there were some things she really liked about attending Madill. She liked math class, and always appreciated how well Miss Bos explained difficult concepts. She also really enjoyed laughing and spending time with Mrs. Jackson in the Student Success room. That was where she began to think a lot about her personal life goals.
Life changed dramatically when she became pregnant, though. Now, her chief goal is to stay at home with her children until they are in school, and to be a stable influence and a good role model for them. That’s part of the reason why she is determined to earn her diploma. She wants to be the first Wenzlawski to do so, and she wants to always be able to tell her children what she accomplished. She knows, though, that the most important goal must be to get to know herself, and to find personal happiness from within. Good luck, Courtney!

Denver Geddes Designs His Future

News Desk — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 16:10:23 +0000

Denver Geddes has returned for his fifth year at CHSS to complete his OSSD requirements. Denver lives in Seaforth and participated on basketball teams at high school. He has a keen interest in drawing cartoons and images that could be used as design logos.
Through a family member, Denver is applying for a position working in the Parks Department for the City of Niagara Falls. The position would provide Denver with an understanding of landscaping, and the possibility of using his artistic abilities to do some design work. His family has been supportive of him and has encouraged him to pursue a career that he will enjoy.

Josiah Schade – Job Shadow Points The Way To Future Career

News Desk — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 15:42:09 +0000

Josiah lives in rural Perth County and is the second of five children in his family. He went to Downie Central P.S. before coming to Stratford Northwestern in Grade 7. Josiah’s favourite activity is horseback riding. He has his own horse named Lexie and he rides as often as he can.
When Josiah was working at his part-time job at Thistledown Equestrian Centre, someone came one day to take down a tree. Josiah was so interested in the process that he asked the man about his career. Ever since then, Josiah has been interested in becoming an arborist.
In Grade 10, Mr. Roth helped Josiah arrange a job shadow with Tim’s Tree Care. The job shadow turned into a summer job. “Tim taught me a lot. I got a lot of hours there and I know that’s what I want to do now.” Josiah still works occasional hours with Tim’s Tree Care. He is taking Co-op this year and hopes to do his placement there.
Josiah’s favourite courses at Northwestern have been the tech courses. He’s taken wood shop, manufacturing, and farm mechanics. The arborists he’s talked to say it’s important to take courses in math and mechanics. “You need to know about engines and hydraulics, in case the chipper breaks down.”
Although he appreciates high school for all the learning and the friends, Josiah is eager to be done. He plans to work for awhile and then go to the mountains and climb the 150-foot tall trees.

Danielle Dinney Gains Valuable Experience

News Desk — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 14:39:17 +0000

Danielle is currently finishing her grade 12 year at SHDHS. Throughout her high school experience she has left her options open as to what she may do in the future. Last year, she took a parenting course which helped to increase the number of options she had for post secondary plans. Growing up, she was always dead set on pursuing a career involving accounting. A year later her oldest sister became a teen mom, and that completely changed the way Danielle looked at children. She now knows she wants to work with children. In her final semester of grade 12, Danielle plans to attend a co-op placement at the Relouw Early Childhood Learning Center as she wants to become more familiar and comfortable around children.
Next year Danielle will not be attending a fifth year at SHDHS, and she also won’t make her way to any post secondary schooling. She will be working a full time job, either at her current workplace, Dairy Queen, or Exeter’s newest restaurant Crabby Joes as a host. Throughout her year off working, she will volunteer at things such as Big Brothers/Big Sisters to gain extra experience with children and get a taste of what her future may be like.
Danielle’s family is very supportive of her decisions, and happy to know she has taken the responsibility of making such important life choices. No matter the field she ends up in, her parents will always be there 100% for her.

Jacob Lacourse Directs His Future

News Desk — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 21:21:50 +0000

Born in Stratford and a Bedford Public School graduate, Jacob has grown up playing video games, cycling and basketball as his favourite pastimes. His high school years gave him a chance to explore all his options. After eleven years in the French Immersion program he decided to withdraw in his final year at high school and focus on his real love of communications technology. He proudly said that while on a school trip to France, Spain and Monaco earlier this year he was complimented on his French speaking ability. This ability will be a great asset when he pursues his photography career.
Jacob said he has been interested in film for a long time and the excellent communications program here at Stratford Central SS helped with his decision to follow his dream of becoming a director of photography for a film company. His fondest memories at high school will be the Much Music trips and the overnight field trip to Toronto at the PAL show where Jacob had the opportunity to work with Roland Systems Group (a company that develops sound boards). Mr. Crumback had particular influence on Jacob as he pushed him to reach his full potential in the fields of film and television.
Jacob plans to go into the workplace next year to work full time at Boston Pizza in the kitchen (he currently works part time there) to save up for his next step which is to go to Humber College and eventually begin an internship for a film company.
His family has been very supportive and has helped him with many decisions.
Philosophy of life–‘Carpe Diem” (Seize the Day)!!

Kyle Coulson – Achieving His Dreams

News Desk — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 20:50:56 +0000

Kyle has many plans for life after achieving his goal of earning a diploma. Kyle’s high school career has provided the opportunity to try different things. He has appreciated many teachers in his high school career – Mr. Curtis, Mr. Linley, Ms. Mezei and Ms. Brodhagen stand out in particular. His best experience outside class has been rugby. He enjoys being part of the team and has played since he was in grade nine. Kyle’s absolute best memory is of customizing a lawnmower to cut grass at lightening speed of 40 kilometres an hour!!

Kyle has enjoyed the Dual Credit program at Lambton College and the chance to learn about something he likes while meeting people from different schools. Kyle wants to find a job he enjoys and that allows him to spend time with his family. He knows he has the background to achieve his dreams.

Kayla Ernest-Rominger – Be Yourself

News Desk — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 20:34:01 +0000

Kayla Ernest-Rominger loves animals and children. She plans to work in one of these areas after completing her secondary school education. Currently she volunteers at Kids Club every Tuesday. She helps the children with their crafts and games. Kayla is going to use her co-op placement to explore career options in the Veterinary area.
Her favourite course in high school is drama. She enjoys drama because it is “OK to pretend to be someone else and being a Drama Queen is acceptable”.
Kayla advises students to “Be yourself. Don’t pretend to be someone you are not. It will only catch up with you in the end”.

Courtney Carrick Sets Her Future Goals

News Desk — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 20:11:08 +0000

Courtney has attended GDCI for five years. While here, she has played soccer, rugby, badminton and participated on the school’s swim team. She was also a member of the OSAID club. In her spare time Courtney likes to paint and hang out with her friends.
Next year Courtney plans to take a year off to help save money for school. She plans to go into a social services field such as developmental service worker or correctional services.
In 10 years, Courtney hopes to be living on her own and working with youth in a social service field.

Hayley Ostrander – High School A Time Of Discovery

News Desk — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 19:54:25 +0000

Looking back on my years at DCVI, I see that my classes, teachers and classmates have helped me realize what I’m looking for in a career. I’ve discovered things that I like as well as things I dislike. School has not yet provided me with a clear path of where I want to go after graduating, but has given me many ideas to consider. After graduating, I hope to move out of St. Marys and find a job. I think that eventually I will go to college, but not until I have decided exactly what I want to do for a career.
My favourite class has been art class. I have really enjoyed the people in my art classes and feel that Ms. Jorna always works hard to make sure that class is interesting. My job working at the Independent has been great, as I’ve been given the opportunity to take on more responsibility and work independently. The people that I have met throughout the last few years have had a great impact on me and has given me many good memories. At home, I feel that the support from my mother has been beneficial, as she always pushes me to try to do my best and always encourages me.
I’m looking forward to going out to begin the search to find a job that I will enjoy. I think that I have gained the skills to be a responsible and effective employee.

The Choice is Yours

News Desk — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 14:54:21 +0000

It is important that young people find work that is rewarding, dignifying, and allows them to become valuable contributors to our communities. This search may lead directly to work, to an apprenticeship, to college or to university. Which pathway will you choose?

A pathway is designed to lead a student to a particular destination. This does not mean the student will always end up at that destination. Students should be free to make new choices as they develop new interests, skills and abilities. Thoughtful course selection with a realistic examination of interests and abilities is an important aspect of a successful pathway. Sometimes, parents and students are influenced by how society views success in secondary school. Often, success is perceived to be completion of college or university. It is important to realize that these goals may not match the strengths and needs of all students. Many will find rewarding opportunities in direct entry to the world of work or apprenticeship. We need only to look at our own communities to see entrepreneurs and skilled trades people who have expanded their knowledge base.

The following student profile stories are all about making choices, how it has worked for our students and how you can help yourself make the right decisions.