Recreation How did it influence your studies following high school? In high school, I had not really participated with anything school related until ELP. I was all about the shop classes, only taking the minimal academics as required for an OSSD. Before ELP my main career aspiration was to become a contractor—nothing to do with the environment at all. ELP shaped me into the person I am today. It gave me a keen perspective on the environment while preparing me both physically and academically for a post secondary education in the environment field. I built amazing teamwork and leadership skills thanks to Mr. Sinclair and his program and it helped tremendously in college. What did you study following high school? After ELP I had bigger and better dreams. I enrolled in the Parks and Recreation Program at Sault College of Applied Arts and Technologies in Sault Ste Marie. It was a two year diploma program, with the option of a specialized third year. I enjoyed it so much that I wanted another challenge so I enrolled in General Arts and Studies, took some French and Political classes to broaden my horizons in the field, and obtained my Fish and Wildlife Diploma at the same time. When I finished college, I was also the Student Council President and had earned 6 years of post secondary education in only 4 years. My college convocation opened with a ten minute speech on accomplishments both politically and educationally and I was the man who got to stand up at the end of that speech—so thank you ELP for helping me along my voyage. Duncan Sinclair, along with Thames Valley School Board and many counterparts put a lot of time and effort into this program. I have gotten to know Duncan over the course of time—he puts everything he’s got into this, working not only the school day but well into the night. Mr. Sinclair has started a magnificent program at EESS and I would definitely commend him for all of his hard work and efforts for the last twelve years.
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ELP Alumnus Jennifer Wilson at work for the Long Point Region Conservation Authority. (Photo courtesy of Jennifer Wilson)
Jennifer Wilson Jennifer works currently as a Healthy Watershed Specialist for Long Point Region Conservation Authority in Tillsonburg. What did you study following high school? I graduated from Sir Sandford Fleming College in 2004 after completing both Ecosystem Management Technician (2 years) and Ecosystem Management Technology (1 year). What was your favourite memory of the ELP? Looking back, my favourite thought about the program is how ELP was able to morph a group of many quiet, shy, perhaps even insecure students (this includes me) into confident leaders who have great enthusiasm and keen interest in the future of our environment and the valuable resources it offers. I enjoyed all of the many trips and outdoor experiences, but am especially thankful for the memories created through social interactions and great friendships that were formed in the class. A favourite memory was paddling down the French River with Duncan as my paddling partner, leading the pack of canoes in a race to our first camp site of the trip—a good foreshadowing of the leader that I was about to emerge from the course as.
RELISH ELGIN EARLY SPRING 2012