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Wednesday, July 3, 2013
Students offer diverse range of skill, interests
Valley grads: Not a lot in common, and that’s why we like them Ashley Degraaf
News Leader Pictorial
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Andrew Leong
Circle of friends, graduates and members of the senior boys basketball team Jerod Dorby, Andrew Larson, Jordan Zhang, Will Slang, Foster Schlienz, Marcus Moreno, Cyrus Gray, and Aaron Gagnon united for one departing photo, prior to the Cowichan Secondary School’s Valediction Ceremonies at Island Savings Centre Arena Thursday. For more on our grads, see Pages 11 through 17.
achinima, maple syrup and winging McIntosh speeches. Sportsperson of the year, first-time soloist, Lisa Simpson wannabe, Colin James fan and carpenter-extraordinaire. And Europe- and Stanford-bound, paper publishing, paid-artist students. What do these things have in common? Nothing. And that’s exactly what excites us here at the News Leader Pictorial. This year’s batch of Cowichan Valley’s graduating students profiled in our annual Grads to Watch section each have very different stories of their final year and their crystal-ball future visions. Beyond scholarships, grade-point averages, final marks, post-secondary destinations — all very important aspects nonetheless — what stood out were the student’s quirky traits, side-gigs and pastimes. “When we’re looking at these grads to watch, traditionally we think of the kids with the highest achievements,” said Chemainus Secondary principal Sian Peterson. “Instead, we now have such diverse range of students to spotlight, who are all searching for ways they can
live out their passions. “They’ve made their passions known and they’re pursing them,” said Peterson. What’s really cool is what the future holds, added the secondary school’s leading lady. “It’s exciting for the world’s future, when you see these hard-working students. “But they don’t see themselves as spectacular, it’s just a way of life for them,” she added. Cowichan Secondary School principal Charlie Coleman couldn’t have said it better. “One of the things I noticed from this group is they weren’t afraid to be different or individuals,” said Coleman, who found narrowing students down for profile suggestions a tough task. He provided the News Leader Pictorial 14 options when asked for a couple of students. “They’re definitely varied and unique and great at multi-tasking,” Coleman said. “They also don’t have that sense of needing to conform or find that clique. “They’re comfortable with their differences.” And if there’s a connection, Peterson can pin-point it. “What does connect them is they all have this ‘I can do that’ spirit.”
Trash-fire draws ire, action limited from local government Reserve burn: Cowichan Tribes could face federal action after toxic smoke fills Duncan last week
Peter W. Rusland
News Leader Pictorial
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rosecution of those who torched a mountain of garbage near Duncan last week is being considered by Cowichan Tribes. “There have been some new developments Cowichan Tribes is in the process of working
through, and at this time cannot comment on the penalties that may or may not occur,” Tuesday’s email from Tribes’ GM, Maureen Tommy, says. Action about the toxic smoke that filled downtown and the Duncan area Tuesday to Friday — before being ordered snuffed by chief and council under Tribes’ May 15 burning ban — comes under the Federal Indian
Act governing Tribes. The land is registered to Tribes, and is located on reserve, Tommy’s email explains. A staffer with Aboriginal Affairs & North Development was checking case facts at press time Tuesday. “We do have the authority to enforce bylaws on our reserve lands,” last week’s email from Tommy says, noting environ-
mental health is a top priority for chief and council. However, it was foggy on deadline what action Tribes’ leaders were taking after the massive burn of construction debris, tires, wood waste and other junk in the dump off Indian Road, along Qwulshemut Road.
Peter W. Rusland
The Duncan area was choked by toxic, black smoke from trash more on page 7 torched on Native land, off Indian Road, since Tuesday.
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