An alternative education program in Port Alberni is looking forward to the month of June when they expect to see more than 40 of their students complete Grade 12.
Students and staff of School District 70’s VAST program organized an Alternative Programs Success Forum on Jan. 22 in order to showcase the progress of their students and to motivate students nearing graduation to completion.
The gathering included displays of students’ work, special guests and video presentations.
SD 70 Superintendent Cam Pinkerton congratulated the VAST students for making it as far as they have come. He pointed out that most of the students faced huge obstacles, yet they showed determination by coming to classes to finish what they started.
“As a district, we know that 95 per cent of our students will graduate from school if they make it to Grade 12; our challenge is getting all students to Grade 12,” Pinkerton said after the forum.
“I will see you at the Alberni Athletic Hall walking the stage in a few months,” he told the pre-graduates.
Teacher Nick Seredick said he was there to celebrate the accomplishments of VAST students.
“I honor and encourage you to continue,” he told them, reminding them that there is more work to do but they are so close to graduation.
Seredick concurred with Pinkerton that many VAST students have faced challenges but each one has found motivation from within to continue on.
“Your success will be the achievement of your Dogwood Diploma and you will inspire others to follow in your footsteps,” Seredick said to the students.
Darla LaRue graduated from the VAST program in 2013. She told the crowd she faced many challenges, including teen pregnancy, addictions, and a less than ideal home life.
“I dropped out of school in Grade 8, then the addictions came.
She decided to turn things around and, she started attending classes at VAST and regained control of her life. And she’s done it with an 18-month-old child in tow.
“At first I felt so lost,” she admitted, but things worked out well. “Stay in school and go for your dreams,” she told the students.
Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council President Deb Foxcroft said many young Nuu-chah-nulth people go through the VAST program each year.
“I encourage you to reach for the stars, reach your goals; hang in there and keep going because each one of you is a star in my mind,” she told them.
NTC Education Manager Dawnda Johnson-Day thanked NTC Education worker Diane Gallic and NTC Post-Secondary Counsellor Kelly Johnson for making themselves available to high school students and lending their expertise as the graduates plan for post-secondary education.
“Congratulations on your success. You’ve proven to us and to yourself that you can overcome challenges and that says a lot about your character,” said Johnson-Day.
Teacher Kama Callicum invited resource people to speak to the students about their futures. Special guests included representatives from UBC’s NITEP (University of British Columbia’s Native Indian Teacher Education Program), Vancouver Island Health Authority – First Nations Health Authority, and the Nuu-chah-nulth Education Training Program were all there to provide information and answer questions.
About 40 VAST students are expected to graduate in June 2014. Graduation ceremonies will be held at the Alberni Athletic Hall.
