The Foundation for Education Perth Huron recently brought two unique career events to students at the Above the Falls Challenge Course at the Falls Reserve Conservation Area in Benmiller.
Band of Brothers, a career and mentorship event, included dynamic men in various career sectors who voluntarily met with grade nine boys from GDCI, St. Anne’s and CHSS to discuss their work, passion and career path. The roster included Justin Peters (National Hockey League – Carolina Hurricanes); Gary Renaud (paramedic); Sgt. Jamie Shewaga (Canadian Armed Forces); Michael McCourt (robotics engineer); Chris Patterson (Ontario Provincial Police); Terence Brandon (personal support worker); Nathan Marshall (Creative Supervisor – CKNX Radio) and Davis Murphy (Royal Canadian Navy).
see pictures from Falls Reserve Conservation Area
Similarly, grade 9 & 10 girls from CHSS and GDCI met with inspiring women the next day at LaLoba. LaLoba, meaning “she-wolf,” replaces the former Girls Unlimited which has been held in various locations across Huron and Perth over the last 6 years. Designed to empower young women, this year’s mentors included Kristin Ban (pharmacist); Pip Penrose (chiropractor); Lisa Courtney (Environmental Planner); Brittany Fry (Special Events and Marketing Consultant); Monica Walker Bolton (Professional Planner & Co-ordinator of Huron Manufacturing Association); Leanne Wilhelm (O.P.P. Constable) and Debbie Davidson (Project Co-ordinator with the Four County Labour Market Planning Board’s Skills Opportunities Trailer).
A new component of the events this year was the demanding and experiential adventure of Huron County’s new Above the Falls Challenge Course. “We found that the course encouraged students to push their limits, build relationships and sharpen problem-solving skills”, states Wes MacVicar of the Foundation for Education. “It was an element that seemed to amplify what career mentors were relaying to the students”.
Hosted by the Foundation for Education, Band of Brothers and LaLoba are generously supported by: Passport to Prosperity, a Province wide initiative of the Ontario Ministry of Education designed to increase employer involvement in school-to-work programs for secondary school students, and the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program of the Avon
Maitland District School Board.
For more information on these or other initiatives that the Foundation directs please visit www.foundationforeducation.ca