Up front: Another class of emerging adults waves bye to high school page 3 News: Bears, bikes and barn fires keep Cowichan Bay hopping page 5
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Wednesday, July 2, 2014
courtesy Karen Burnham
Penelakut Class of 2014 grads, from left to right: William Jack, Sarah Charlie, Sarah Dee Louie, Richie Jim, Melanie Smith, Charles George, Shawna James and Kathlene Charlie. Missing are Loretta Edwards and Gilbert Smith. Kathy Santini
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ne little question changed the course of Melanie Smith’s life. Encouragement from her sister helped too. Smith is one of 10 graduates — the first in 20 years — who graduated June 18 with their adult dogwood diplomas from the Penelakut Island Learning Centre. “It’s a major accomplishment for them and for the teachers there,” said Penelakut band Chief Earl Jack. “We haven’t had much luck keeping our kids in school, but this year we did. We’re hoping this will carry forward
Hats off to a rare group of grads Grads to Watch: The first Penelakut Island grad class in 20 years celebrates a milestone for themselves and their community
and that they’ll all go on to do something great.” Smith’s life changed when her daughter Kara asked her what she did at her graduation. “I had no answer, because I didn’t graduate,” the 34-year-old said. “I didn’t want her to think that that was OK.”
At the same time her daughter was asking that innocent enough question, Smith’s sister Leona told her the school’s new teacher, Karen Burnham, was one fabulous teacher and that she should go back to school. “I had no plans to go back, I have little kids and the previous teachers weren’t as organized as Karen is, I
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was in and out of school,” Smith said. “Karen came in knowing what she wanted to do; the other teachers weren’t getting anywhere.” “It’s my daughter and sister that got me back (to school),” Smith said. Next up? The mother of three has been accepted and plans on attending Vancouver Island University this
September, she’s enrolled in the Child and Youth Care program. “Eventually, I want to start a program here on the island to keep our kids out of trouble, I’m not saying they’re all in trouble, but I want to be able to help keep them busy, to help them see that they can create a better future for themselves too.” Chief Jack said band unemployment is 90%. Other students who graduated are: Kathlene Charlie, Sarah Charlie, Loretta Edwards, Charles George, William Jack, Shawna James, Richie Jim, Sarah Dee Louie, and Gilbert Smith. Eight of the 10 have applied to VIU for acceptance this September. more on page 3
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