Cultus Lake Golf Club & DRIVING R ANGE DRIVING RANGE • TOURNAMENTS WELCOME • OPEN ALL YEAR • Call 604.858.9902 • www.golfcultus.com 18 Hole Par 63 Beautiful! Place to be 6473661 Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner 7 DAYS A WEEK Junior Golf Camps Every Week All Summer Student SUCCESS Chilliwack SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON STUDENT SUCCESS IN CHILLIWACK ▶ June 2014 BY ESTHER KIM SUCCESS: Chilliwack Middle School In life, everyone has aspiring dreams and goals they want to achieve. However, these goals are often clear as mud, especially during high school. The district-wide Work Experi- ence Program (WEX) provides opportunities for all teens with hands-on work experience. WEX is an extra four-credit course for high school students outside the timetable where students have the opportunity to explore and learn about different work fields in Chilli- wack. There are eight focus areas students can discover such as Business & Applied Busi- ness, Health and Human Services, Science & Applied Science and more. This all year- round program is provided to high schools such as Sardis Secondary, Chilliwack Second- ary and G.W. Graham Mid- dle-Secondary School and other alternative sites to fully meet every student’s need. In addition, students are required to complete 100 hours which can be structured to suit every schedule. As early as Grade 10, students can develop employability skills, gain quality and authentic work experience in their choice of field while networking in the community. There are many benefits to the WEX program. “The WEX is phenomenal. I learned so many valuables lessons and employability skills I know I will need for my career,” says a Grade 12 Sardis student. It gives students a sense of direction for their future by providing opportunities to fulfil any prerequisites and create a well-rounded portfolio. Moreover, one of the biggest advantages of this program is the net- working between not only the students from other schools with similar inter- ests, but with possible future employers and members of the Chilliwack community. As a result, social skills are also enhanced during their placement. The five dedicated co-ordinator and facil- itators of the WEX department work as a liaison to many businesses and charitable organizations which cultivates new passions for teens. “This program is for everyone,” says the Sardis senior student. “It is uniquely designed to match your schedule and your interests.” WEX is an exemplary program that truly provides unique experiences and prepares students with life skills before they take their step in to the real world. ☛ For more information, please visit: www. workexperience.sd33.org or email:workexpe- [email protected]. BY NADIA VAN DEN BERG SUCCESS: Sardis Secondary To be hungry at school when your friend takes out his sand- wich, hungry at night when you cannot fall asleep because of your growling stomach, hungry at work when your co-worker goes “out for lunch,” this is a challenge many have never faced, and probably never will. However, for more than 3,800 people in Chilliwack, this is their stark reality on a daily basis. In 2009, the first ever Free the Children We Day Vancouver was held at G.M. Place. With more than 16, 000 students in attendance, it was a day to inspire, give hope, and motivate. Students from all over British Columbia went to Vancouver; many coming from Chilliwack. It was here that the idea of Halloween for Hunger was first introduced. The challenge: going out on Halloween night to collect non-perishable food items instead of candy in aid of local food banks in your com- munity. In Chilliwack, the project began relatively small, with a few eager students from numerous middle and high schools going out and knocking on doors. However, over the course of four years, Halloween for Hunger has become one of the largest youth operated community service projects in Chilliwack. In October 2013, more than 120 volunteers from six schools, including Sardis Secondary, G.W. Graham, Mount Slesse Middle School, Vedder Middle School, and Chilliwack Middle School came together, collecting 5,260 items in one single night. This year, Halloween for Hunger 2014 is already in motion, and the plan is to surpass the goal of 5,000 items once again. Although students have not yet eradicated hunger from our community, they have given us hope. Aim of student project is to eradicate hunger WEX gives students real-life exposure Student Success photo Plans are already underway for this year’s Halloween for Hunger event. Target goal of 5,000 food items
Transcript
Cultus Lake Golf Club & D R I V I N G R A N G E
DRIVING RANGE • TOURNAMENTS WELCOME • OPEN ALL YEAR • Call 604.858.9902 • www.golfcultus.com18 Hole Par 63
Beautiful! Place to be
6473661
Breakfast, Lunch& Dinner
7 DAYS A WEEK
& D R I V I N G R A N G E
Call 604.858.9902 • www.golfcultus.com
& D R I V I N G R A N G E
Junior Golf Camps Every
Week All Summer
StudentSUCCESS Ch i l l i w a c k
S H I N I N G A S P O T L I G H T O N S T U D E N T S U C C E S S I N C H I L L I WAC K ▶ June 2014
BY ESTHER KIM
SUCCESS: Chilliwack Middle School
In life, everyone has aspiring dreams and goals they want to achieve. However, these goals are often clear as mud, especially during high school. The district-wide Work Experi-ence Program (WEX) provides opportunities for all teens with hands-on work experience.
WEX is an extra four-credit course for high school students outside the timetable where students have the opportunity to explore and learn about different work fields in Chilli-wack.
There are eight focus areas students can discover such as Business & Applied Busi-ness, Health and Human Services, Science & Applied Science and more. This all year-
round program is provided to high schools such as Sardis Secondary, Chilliwack Second-ary and G.W. Graham Mid-dle-Secondary School and other alternative sites to fully meet every student’s need.
In addition, students are required to complete 100 hours which can be structured to suit every schedule. As early as Grade 10, students can develop employability skills, gain quality and authentic work experience in their choice of field while networking in the community.
There are many benefits to the WEX program.
“The WEX is phenomenal. I learned so many valuables lessons and employability
skills I know I will need for my career,” says a Grade 12 Sardis student.
It gives students a sense of direction for their future by providing opportunities to fulfil any prerequisites and create a well-rounded portfolio. Moreover, one of the biggest advantages of this program is the net-working between not only the students from other schools with similar inter-
ests, but with possible future employers and members of the Chilliwack community. As a
result, social skills are also enhanced during their placement.
The five dedicated co-ordinator and facil-itators of the WEX department work as a liaison to many businesses and charitable organizations which cultivates new passions for teens.
“This program is for everyone,” says the Sardis senior student. “It is uniquely designed to match your schedule and your interests.”
WEX is an exemplary program that truly provides unique experiences and prepares students with life skills before they take their step in to the real world.
☛ For more information, please visit: www.workexperience.sd33.org or email:[email protected].
BY NADIA VAN DEN BERG SUCCESS: Sardis Secondary
To be hungry at school when your friend takes out his sand-wich, hungry at night when you cannot fall asleep because of your growling stomach, hungry at work when your co-worker goes “out for lunch,” this is a challenge many have never faced, and probably never will. However, for more than 3,800 people in Chilliwack, this is their stark reality on a daily basis.
In 2009, the first ever Free the Children We Day Vancouver was held at G.M. Place. With more than 16, 000 students in attendance, it was a day to inspire, give hope, and motivate.
Students from all over British Columbia went to Vancouver; many coming from Chilliwack. It was here that the idea of Halloween for Hunger was first introduced. The challenge: going out on Halloween night to collect non-perishable food items instead of candy in aid of local food banks in your com-munity.
In Chilliwack, the project began relatively small, with a few eager students from numerous middle and high schools going out and knocking on doors. However, over the course of four years, Halloween for Hunger has become one
of the largest youth operated community service projects in Chilliwack.
In October 2013, more than 120 volunteers from six schools, including Sardis Secondary, G.W. Graham, Mount Slesse Middle School, Vedder Middle School, and Chilliwack Middle School came together, collecting 5,260 items in one single night.
This year, Halloween for Hunger 2014 is already in motion, and the plan is to surpass the goal of 5,000 items once again. Although students have not yet eradicated hunger from our community, they have given us hope.
Aim of student projectis to eradicate hunger
WEX gives students real-life exposureStudent Success photo
Plans are already underway for this year’s Halloween for Hunger event.
Target goal of 5,000 food items
WWW.STILLWOOD.CAPhone: 1-800-507-8455 or 604-858-6845 • Email: [email protected]
EARTHEARTHEARTHEARTHEARTHEARTHEARTHEARTHEARTHEARTHEARTHTO THE ENDS OF THE
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6507048
A2 Thursday, June 19, 2014 CHILLIWACK TIMES
Student Success SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON STUDENT SUCCESS IN CHILLIWACK
We are Student Success. A Sardis Secondary entrepre-neurship team that has worked with the Chilliwack Times to create a world-class paper focused on highlighting success stories written by the students themselves for the community to enjoy.
Our aim is to bring the school community together by sharing stories, showcasing programs and raising money for the dis-trict’s sports programs.
We want to thank to Mr. Geary and his English 12 class for writing and editing the articles. Also, we would like to thank Mr. Ross, our Entrepre-neurship 12 teacher and men-tor, for inspiring and giving us direction to create this legacy.
We’d like to acknowledge Nick Bastaja and Ken Goud-
swaard of the Chilliwack Times for their support and encour-agement.
Student Success will have plenty of room to grow while sharing stories of student life
and provide funds to continue and grow athletic programs for our schools.
In the future, we are looking forward to publishing a fall, winter and spring issue.
Editors of Student Success:
Zach ParkerMarten Sieg
Cameron JacksonCameron Marshall
Welcome to Student Success
Rod Ross photo
From left to right: Cameron Marshall, Cameron Jackson, Marten Sieg and Zach Parker.
Sharing the best of student life in School District No. 33
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CHILLIWACK TIMES Thursday, June 19, 2014 A3
Student Success SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON STUDENT SUCCESS IN CHILLIWACK
CALEIGH MITCHELL
SUCCESS: Chilliwack SD33
The Secondary School Apprentice-ship Program (SSA) is a provincial program that gives students high school credits, up to 16 credits 4 courses, hours towards their appren-ticeship and a $1,000 scholarship.
This program started in 1995 and has gained in popularity ever since. In order to qualify for the scholar-ship students must complete the four apprenticeship courses, main-tain a C+ average in their Grade 12 courses and work a minimum of 900 hours.
Students have six months after they graduate in order to accumu-late these hours. Seventy-four schol-arships were awarded this year.
This year more than 200 students are enrolled in the program. All secondary schools in the district are
involved both public and indepen-dent.
This program offers students an opportunity to start their career while still in high school. Students can choose from more than 100 trades, everything from carpentry, welding, cooking, hairstyling and electrical. Students can also partic-ipate in their first year of technical training in a variety of trades: pro-fessional cook training, autobody repair and collision, heavy duty mechanics as well as dairy produc-tion and welding.
These programs are dual credit meaning students get high school as well as trades school credits towards graduation.
This program will be expanded in the future to include hairdressing as
well as auto service technician and production and landscape horticul-ture.
In order to be eligible for the SSA program, students need to be a min-imum of 15 years old, attending high school and working in an appren-ticeable trade. This program is for both students who are academic and who are interested in the trades. It also gives students an opportunity to graduate early and get a head start at a future career. For students who are academic it gives them experience in a trade and more cred-its towards graduation.
☛ For more information contact Mr. Mitchell Secondary School Appren-ticeship Coordinator at 604-798-0797 or [email protected].
Apprenticeship program getscareers started in high school
Allows students to get a head start
BY CARMEN TAYLOR
SUCCESS: Little Mountain Elementary
Tennis isn’t exactly the first thing to come to mind when school sports are mentioned. However, for Vice-Principal Greg Nelmes, it was the obvious choice to bring into Little Mountain Elementary. From April 28 to May 6, Tennis XL intro-duced 363 students to something new.
Tennis XL introduced something new to gym class for the students. Lessons, including skills training and basic game rules, vary for each grade-level. For the younger crowd,
they worked on basic gameplay, whereas for the intermediates they were able to bring out the nets.
“By the end, all of the intermedi-ates were playing a great game,” Mr. Nelmes said.
When asked about why he chose to pursue Tennis XL, Mr. Nelmes responded with, “Tennis is a pas-sion of mine; I am a pretty serious player.”
His passion for both helping students and playing tennis is obvious. Previously, Tennis XL was offered at Promontory Elementary, and when Mr. Nelmes was trans-ferred to Little Mountain, he was
determined to bring the program over there as well.
Last October, he, along with the Tennis XL instructor Nash Vuletic, presented the idea of the program to the PAC in search of funding. In response to their presenta-tion, the PAC generously paid for most of the program, while the rest of the costs were able to be supplemented within the school budget. Therefore, the program was available to each and every student regardless of their family’s financial status.
The program co-ordinators also supplied the equipment needed
for the lessons. The students were kitted out with smaller, lighter rackets, with a bigger sweet spot in the middle to suit their smaller frames. Instead of tennis balls, big-ger foams balls were used as they are easier to get over the net due to them being designed for beginners.
However, it doesn’t end there. While participating in the pro-gram the students were given “Fair Play” tickets to keep track of things they were doing well. In a future assembly, there’s going to be a draw with those tickets, and six rackets will be given away, along with little trophies, in order
to celebrate their success, and in hopes of motivating students to continue improving their ability.
“We hope that this will become something that will happen in the future. That they will continue to have this opportunity in future years,” Mr. Nelmes said.
And it makes sense. If the program is able to continue, the students will be able to advance their skills each year as they carry on through elementary school. Thanks to Greg Nelmes’ enthusiasm and commitment, the students can participate in a rewarding sports program.
T E N N I SA N Y O N E ?
Zach Parker photo
Mr. Mitchell is the Secondary School Apprenticeship Coordinator.
Check out ourSummer Camps!
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A4 Thursday, June 19, 2014 CHILLIWACK TIMES
Student Success
BY CASSANDRA MARENDIUK
SUCCESS: Chilliwack Middle School
“Leadership is not only a course, it is a way of being.”
This is how the WEB (Where Everybody Belongs) is described on the Chilliwack Middle School page. WEB has been designed to give the students an opportunity to become leaders, motivators, mediators, and mentors among their fellow classmates, while practising the concepts of team-work, school spirit and fun.
The students that have been chosen to be a part of this pro-gram have many marvelous qual-ities to them. Although the school is not looking for students with top academic marks, they do take pride in noticing students with attributes that include genuine enthusiasm, interest in helping others and a respect for diverse ideas. These qualities, and more,
help aid the students in develop-ing other key leadership qualities, which later they can present to their community.
The students in this program will be labeled in their school as WEB Leaders, which is something to take pride in. Being selected as a leader comes with a responsibil-ity. Despite that the word respon-sibility itself sounds boring, the WEB program devised a plan to make it the exact opposite—fun!
Students will be given the opportunity to work alongside the new Grade 7 students entering Chilliwack Middle School, and provide welcoming activities for them to take part in. This includes an Orientation Day assembly, created just for the new students.
Studies show that having a pos-itive, uplifting experience within the first week at a new school, students are deemed to feel more
at home with their new surround-ings. The leaders themselves will also participate in various activi-ties aimed to establish peer men-toring skills, which they will use in guidance while alongside their assigned peers.
Through an extension to WEB activities, these students will have the freedom to construct a wide number of community involved activities, including volunteer options, and various cleanups. By creating these and many other activities, the students will learn to strive for their community in the future.
The WEB program has been running for a number of years, and has been teaching students important qualities that will only help them further on. Not only the program itself, but the students involved, help to make Chilliwack Middle School a wel-coming place to learn and grow.
BY JENNY HOWARD SUCCESS: Yarrow
For more than six years, Yarrow Community School, lovingly known as Yarrow Elementary, has been home to an in-school program called the Peer Helping Program. This program was designed to help children build confidence in their school, and reach out to their peers when they need assistance.
Children naturally look to their peers for guidance when they are experiencing frustration, worry or concern. Peer helping assists children and adolescents to feel capable, understood and respon-
sible, and teaches young people decision making skills and how to combat negative peer pressure. It also helps to expand communica-tion skills in children to encour-age understanding of others, and of themselves.
The helpers are the main reason that youth at Yarrow Community are known for their respectful, kind attitudes, when approached by other children, and parents.
Peer helpers are friends and companions to new students in the school, and to existing stu-dents that simply need a friend
to talk to. They are role models for youth of all grades, and help exhibit appropriate behaviours, making the school yard more peaceful for everybody.
Peer helpers have made a solid impact on the overall outlook on Yarrow Community School, and on the students, as they provide: friendship, guidance and support, decision making assistance, con-flict resolution, problem solving assistance, and referrals to profes-sionals for further guidance.
These helpers have changed our schools for the better. Have you seen the difference?
Peer helpers are friends
Caught in a WEB at CMS
WHY PARENTS LOVE OUR PROGRAM:
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WHY KIDS LOVE OUR PROGRAM:
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CALL DAN THE KARATE MAN TODAY FOR MORE INFORMATIONemail: [email protected]
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Student Success SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON STUDENT SUCCESS IN CHILLIWACK
BY MICHELLE JEONG
SUCCESS: Sardis Secondary School
Founded in 2011, the Sardis Secondary Ecomaniacs is a student-initiated environ-mental group.
This student-led club was established by a group of environmentally conscious Grade 10 students, who will now be gradu-ating this year, with the support of a Sardis science sponsor teacher. Over the past two years, they have worked together to complete various projects with the goal of “changing the way Sardis students view and treat the environment”.
The Ecomaniacs club is divided into three subgroups that work together to complete multiple projects. One group focuses on fundraising to adopt endan-gered animals around the world and donate to organizations that support animals in need due to environmental cir-cumstances. They have fundraised more than $400 in the last two years, through different events, such as bake sales and raf-fles. A second group organizes the annual bottle drive, raising money to distribute to various projects involving environmental issues. This year they raised more than $300 with a school and community bottle drive. The last group focusses on a school-wide composting program.
Last year, the Ecomaniacs established the first school-wide composting program.
Preparation for the commencement of this program consisted of months of research and careful planning by the club members, before it was finally introduced to the school.
The program began with only six large plastic buckets lined with plastic bags, due to a lack of resources and sufficient funds. However, with the aid of donations from Chilliwack community members, in addi-tion to funds raised by club members, the Ecomaniacs were able to slowly expand their program.
Today, large compost bins with lids line the hallways, as well as individual compost bins for teachers’ rooms. The bins are all
lined with biodegradable bags, in order to be more environmentally friendly. Twice a week, club members volunteer their time after school to empty and clean compost bins as needed.
Although there were only a few people who used the composting bins last year, the bins are being more and more frequent-ly used each month, with more students and teachers participating in the school-wide program. The Ecomaniacs continue to raise funds to support their composting program, hoping that the composting program will be continued by future club members in future years.
Not only do the Ecomaniacs participate in school projects, they also participate in community projects as well. Each year, club members come out to the Chilliwack Blue Heron Reserve to partake in the Chilliwack Vedder River Clean Up. They also volun-teered with the Fraser Valley Watersheds Coalition and the Interact Club of Chilli-wack to plant trees in order to help restore salmon habitats along the Vedder River.
The student-led Ecomaniacs club is comprised of passionate young individuals who strive to improve their local and global environment, as well as raise awareness about environmental issues. They meet on Wednesdays in room C215 during lunch at Sardis Secondary, and would welcome new and interested members.
Ecomaniacs keeping things green
A6 Thursday, June 19, 2014 CHILLIWACK TIMES
Student Success SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON STUDENT SUCCESS IN CHILLIWACK
BY SARAH WILTSHIRE
SUCCESS: Vedder Middle School
Every year at Vedder Middle School, Mrs. Northey helps her Grade 9 leadership class take the first steps towards becom-ing the change they want to see in the world.
The students are taught essential skills to help them stay organized, productive and happy, but with this course, that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
Throughout the year, the students get experience on how to plan events by organizing dozens of school functions and activities that are usually done to help fundraise for either the school, the community or a chosen cause. For example, almost every year there is the annual Water Capture the Flag game that raises money for wells in Africa or the class goes out carolling for cans around the neighbourhood at Christ-mas for the food bank.
For school events, students plan things such as Spirit Week, sock hops, assemblies and bake
sales that involve their fellow schoolmates and raise money towards the school and/or their chosen cause. In the class, the students are put into groups and they create an event and build it from the ground up. They plan, with guidance from Mrs. Northey, almost every detail, thus gaining important life skills.
One of the main focuses of the course is the study of a book called ‘’The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens” which teaches them how to better themselves and better the world around them. Some of the habits include, be proactive, put first things first and seek first to understand, then to be understood.
Outside of the class, students are required to complete a minimum of 15 service hours a term. To collect hours, a stu-dent must volunteer on their
own time at either a commu-nity or school event outside of regular school hours.
Students are encouraged to get out into the community and volunteer for things that help out the city or that raise money for an important or needy cause. These hours give the students an opportunity to start getting involved and to make a difference.
Overall, the class is making the biggest difference in teach-ing our new generations to step up and help out. Most of these students move on to their high school and continue the cycle that they’ve learned. Without this class and Mrs. Northey, Vedder Middle and the Chilli-wack community wouldn’t be the same and our new gener-ations would be missing out on this amazing course that changes their outlook on their life forever.
Helps them become the change they want to see in the world
Leadership class at Vedder Middleteaches students essential skills
Marten Sieg photo
Mrs. Northey teaches the leadership class at Vedder Middle School.
SUMMER CAMPSSummer camps consist of one week of scheduled play time for ages 7-12yrs. Youth will experience the fun of full day out trips. Parents, please prepare your child(ren) for the day with an allergen free lunch, snacks, swimming attire, towel and proper footwear (sandals not permitted).
ADVANCED AQUATIC LEADERSHIP TRAINING (ALT) LIFEGUARD – AQUA CLUBAqua Club 1: Canadian Swim Patrol – targets those age 9-11 years old. A work-hard/play-hard approach develops swimming strength and effi ciency with emphasis on personal responsibility for Water Smart® behaviour. CSP provides enriched training for those who are ready to go beyond learn-to-swim. Swim Patrols 3 levels – Rookie, Ranger, and Star – continue to develop candidates swim strokes and provide the skill foundation that prepares them for success in the Bronze Medal Family.
Aqua Club 2: Bronze Star – targets12 year olds. Participants develop problem-solving and decision-making skills as they relate to water rescue and fi rst aid. Candidates develop Water Smart® confi dence and the lifesaving skills needed to be their own personal lifeguard.
Aqua Club 3: Bronze Medallion – pre-requisite is 13 years old, or Bronze Star Aqua Club 4: Bronze Cross – pre-requisite is Bronze Medallion
SUMMER FUN FOR ALL AGES!SUMMER CAMPS FOR AGES 7-12ALT LIFEGUARD TRAINING FOR AGES 16+
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CHILLIWACK TIMES Thursday, June 19, 2014 A7
Student Success
BY VANESSA MEERES
SUCCESS: Vedder Elementary
Racing down the court, she puts her stick out to receive the ball. Controlling it with every step, she shoots for the lefthand corner of the net. The goalie reaches for it but is too slow. She shoots and she scores, all the kids cheer and a big smile spreads across her face.
Since 2004, Mr. Fast has been in charge of the after-school floor hockey program at Vedder Ele-mentary School. This program allows kids to gain confidence, work together, learn a new skill, fulfill their daily physical exercise and have fun.
Every Friday from the middle of September until the beginning of
April at 2 p.m. the kids set up the court and play till 3 p.m. along-side Mr. Fast and Mr. Wojcik. It is open to both girls and boys in Grade 5 and 6. This provides a good opportunity for the girls to show that they are just as good as the boys.
Mr. Fast and Mr. Wojcik not only coach the players throughout the game helping them to devel-op their ability, but they play on the teams which gives the more advanced players a challenge.
The only penalty called is high-sticking, the game is always fun and while competitive there has never been any issues with fighting, yelling or slashing. The floor hockey group even travels to other schools many times
throughout the year to play against other students. Each game ends with a shootout which gives everyone a change to shoot on the goalies and practice their shot.
As a former Vedder Elemen-tary School student and floor hockey participant, I can agree from first hand experience that this program is very fun and gives kids a chance to try a sport that they might not usually participate in outside of school. I interacted with kids I might not have if I didn’t play and made many new friends, learnt a new skill and had a blast all at the same time.
I would highly recommend checking this out next year if you are a student in Grade 5 or 6.
Floor hockey more than just fun
BY NATHAN PURCELL
SUCCESS: Sardis Secondary School As many teenagers enter high
school they find themselves bom-barded with so many more clubs and opportunities than there were at their old middle schools or elementary schools.
A lot of people will try out for the sports teams, and then some people join the leadership club or the tons of other programs that are present at the school.
However, a lot of kids aren’t interested in any of those things, so usually the social outcasts of society are wonderings what they’re going to do. Thus the Dra-ma Club is there for them.
The Drama Club at Sardis Sec-ondary is one of the most dedicat-ed, hard-working group of people that you can be a part of.
Sardis usually puts on around
one play per year around the end of November or the beginning of December, but the effort that goes into creating one play is certainly astounding. The work put in by all the cast members from Septem-ber to finale night is something that you can only understand by going through a musical theatre production on your own.
Although, it’s not just the cast
that is hard-working, the crew backstage is a non-stop machine. Sardis has large sets that are creat-ed in their own in-class program, and the crew works hard on mak-ing these sets and getting all sets into place while the show is run-ning during performance week.
Furthermore, you can’t forget the director of the play, Mrs. Guy, who is always pushing for absolutely everybody present to do their best. It doesn’t matter if you’re a backup dancer for one scene, or if you’re the lead, she will always be striving for perfection from you.
The Drama program at Sardis is full of kids from all corners of the school that just want something to belong to. The program brings tons of people together like a family during performances, and sometimes that’s just what people need from a club in high school.
All the world’s a stage for Drama Club
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A8 Thursday, June 19, 2014 CHILLIWACK TIMES
Student Success SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON STUDENT SUCCESS IN CHILLIWACK
BY MELISSA MCQUADE
SUCCESS: Watson Elementary
Excitement fills the children as the thing they have waited seven years for approaches.
Months of fundraising have led up to this point as the annual end-of-school trip to Evans Lake Camp for the grade six students of Watson Elementary has arrived.
For many years Mr. Petkau and Wat-son’s other Grade six teachers have worked with their students with the goal of creating a lasting memory to top off the students years a Watson. It is a reward for the diligent work they have done.
The students have spent many hours earning money towards their experi-ence. How? They sold Poinsettias at Christmas. Forgotten clothing was gathered from closets to bring to the Salvation Army and flowers were again sold for Mother’s Day—the last of their fundraising.
Undaunted by the two-hour drive north of Vancouver, they set out. They laugh at the bumpy forestry road that
leads from Squamish up to the lake. The students freely surrender their technolo-gy upon arrival at the serene lake.
Once at camp the children learn many skills. Archery is taught at an out-door shooting range among the trees. They learn to canoe upon the glacier fed lake. Failure means an icy dip. The bravest among the students take a polar plunge before breakfast. The rest save swimming for the afternoon.
In the open field between cabins and the lake, students try their hand at ori-enteering. Guided only by a compass and cardinal directions they find their goal.
They are taken on hikes through the hills surrounding the lake. Each night is topped off with a campfire and scary stories told by the teachers.
The memories made stay with the students even as they forge their path into the adult world. It truly is a trip to remember.
