Success Magazine 2009 - 2010

Success

T o s u c c e e d , w e m u st f i r st b e l i e v e t h a t w e c a n .

Maricar Smith

Student of the Year

Heads Held High Stenberg Grads enter workforce with clarity & confidence

Doors Wide Open Sanela Bektic overcomes injury & conflict to realize dreams

More than a Career Path Tamanna Nabizadah finds her calling

Call of Duties Neil Campbell works overtime to help special needs children

NEW BEGINNINGS Sheeja Joseph finds meaning in new career

Heads Held High Stenberg College’s graduating class enter the workforce with clarity and confidence

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ollowing a procession led by the thundering bagpipes and rumbling drums of the SFU Pipe Band, Stenberg College’s 2009 graduating class marched proudly down the aisle of the Chandos Pattison Auditorium last September to culminate a year of sacrifice and success.

After countless early morning study groups and late night assignments, there was a palpable sense of excitement and release in the air as the students lined up to receive their diplomas.

Dressed in shimmering blue robes and with their family, friends and instructors cheering in the crowd, the newly anointed graduates soaked up the ceremony with a sense of joy and accomplishment.

“This graduation is a milestone,” keynote speaker Dr. Lee Ann Martin of the BC Cancer Agency said to the graduates. “It is the starting point and the corner stone of your whole future life and career. You’ve been trained at a place that is going to fulfil your career goals, so you’re ready to go. No one can ever take that away from you.

You’ve earned it.”

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A private health care and human services college based in Surrey, B.C., Stenberg offers students intensive, career-orientated programs that take from six to 23 months to complete. By using the most current industry techniques and placing students in on-the-job practicums, Stenberg thoroughly prepares its students for the workforce by the time they graduate. In fact, many students are hired while on practicum before they graduate!

While the students may have felt overwhelmed at times with the course load, the stress had long since melted away as they crossed the stage to receive their diplomas.

Greeted with a hearty hug and handshake by their instructor, the graduates from each class convened at the end of the stage to celebrate their year of hard work. For many, it was the end of a long and emotional journey.

“Before today, each individual here was on a different path in their lives,” Monique Szekeres, a Special Education Assistant (SEA) graduate and Stenberg’s class valedictorian, told the audience.

“Each person faced some obstacle or hardship.

Whether it be financial complications or fear of

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the unknown, we all had a common goal. We all wanted to create a better life, not only for ourselves, but for the people around us.”

Having had the opportunity to apply their schooling on practicum and in the workforce, the graduates praised Stenberg for the education they received.

“The education I received at Stenberg helped give me the knowledge and confidence I needed for my practicum,” said Maricar Smith, an Special Education Assistant graduate who was chosen as Stenberg’s Student of the Year, an award that comes with a complete tuition reimbursement. “And I was able to directly apply the details and responsibilities I learned in my program to my job.”

Like many of her peers, Smith was hired directly out of school and now works as a casual for the Surrey School District and as a part-time Behavioural Organizer for Harmony House. By delivering programs that have strong prospects for employment and are in high demand, Stenberg College has managed to achieve a placement rate of over 94 per cent in area of study within

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said Szekeres. “We weren’t just another number 6 months of graduation. At a time of global on a piece of paper. Our concerns were met with economic uncertainty, it is a statistic that gave importance and respect. Our ideas about how the graduating students the assurance that their the school should be run were considered with dedication and finances had been well invested. validity and worth. We never felt that we were But more than providing certified training and employment security, Stenberg follows an educational philosophy that doesn’t just focus on learning “Stenberg College not only taught a set of job skills or memorizing us what we were there to learn, but facts, but develops a higher order our instructors and the staff actually of awareness, thinking, problem solving, emotional maturity and took the time to get to know us,” said social skills that distinguish its Szekeres. “We weren’t just another students as excellent contributors in number on a piece of paper. Our work and life.

In order to help support students concerns were met with importance along this path, Stenberg creates a and respect. Our ideas about how the strong community inside and outside school should be run were considered the classroom. The school offers a number of services for students, with validity and worth. We never felt including free ESL programs, study that we were doing this alone. It was a and life skills coaching, personal comforting feeling.” and professional development workshops, typing tutorials and campus life events. For many of Stenberg’s students, this personal doing this alone. It was a comforting feeling.” support was just as important as the education Because of this connection, the graduation they received. ceremony was as rewarding for Stenberg’s “Stenberg College not only taught us what instructors and staff as it was for the students. we were there to learn, but our instructors and the As each graduate went up to receive their staff actually took the time to get to know us,”

diploma, their instructors beamed with pride and congratulated them on their achievement. Jeremy Sabell, Stenberg College’s Executive Director, said the graduation was an inspiring event for staff, who are committed to seeing every student flourish.

“Working at Stenberg College is more than just a job,” he said. “Each of us participates in post-secondary education for exactly what this graduation represents—being involved with people who are trying to make a positive change in their lives. It is an honour that all our staff gets to share in. Our students’ success is directly connected to what we view as our success.”

At the end of the graduation ceremony, the practical nursing students threw their throwback caps in the air and each student turned to each other to find that they were now graduates. After an emotional and extremely gratifying year together, the young professionals followed the bagpipes as they marched back to their families and on to promising futures.

“We walked through the doors of Stenberg College so long ago, unknowing and curious and perhaps a little shy,” said Szekeres in closing her speech. “Today we walk out with our heads held high ready to take on the universe.” v

Stenberg College’s graduates are led by Simon Fraser University’s award-winning Pipe Band Success Magazine

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Maricar Smith receives the Student of the Year Award and a cheque for $9,900 for the BC Cancer Foundation

Stenberg College Student of the Year

Maricar Smith W

hen Maricar Smith arrived in Canada 21 years ago, she came looking for an opportunity. With few economic prospects in her native Philippines, Canada gave her a chance to get an education and follow her dreams.

But immigrating to a new country and culture also came with a new set of challenges and it took Maricar some time to find herself.

“I’m really tiny and coming here from a different country was tough,” says the petite and gracious 39-year-old and recent Stenberg College graduate. “I was really quiet because I wasn’t very confident with my English and I’m shy, so most of the time I stayed at home with my grandmother.”

Still adjusting to her new community,

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Maricar ended up taking a job at a fast-food restaurant. It was here that she began to feel at home—the older female co-workers adopted her as their surrogate daughter, while the younger workers helped her fit in. And it was during her morning shifts that she met her future husband, Stenberg College

Chris. Together they have three beautiful children, now 14, 11 and 4 years old.

For 16 years, she worked tirelessly at her job to support her family. Through extra shifts and promotions, she was able to save up enough money to sponsor her parents and bring them to Canada. And she took morning and night shifts in order to make sure her kids could make it to school and soccer practices.

However, Maricar began to need more flexibility and income to take care of her growing children. But after 16 years at the same fast-food job, she thought she had too many bills and too few skills to ever get her dreams back on track.

“I didn’t know what I could do,” she says though tears. “It always seemed like there were

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just too many barriers, too many things holding me back. I felt stuck and I thought I wasn’t good enough to do anything better.”

Despite her struggles, Maricar never gave up on her goal. Looking to her mother for inspiration, who had five children and still managed to return to school, she stayed determined and started volunteering at her children’s pre-school.

She found that she enjoyed working with other children and, eventually, began working with disabled children.

It was through disabled children that Maricar finally found the challenge and fulfilment she was looking for. Her dreams started taking shape again.

“It’s just the smile that you get when you do something that the child likes,” she says. “Or when they hold your hand, because it’s hard for them to communicate, and they come close to you. It was the little things that gave me such a wonderful feeling.”

But when Maricar went to Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) to get job training support, she was met with more roadblocks. Staff told her there were no jobs or not enough hours. When she found the jobs herself, they told her that, at 5’3”, she was too small to be working with children twice her size.

“I just told them, ‘I might look small, but I’m strong,’” she says staunchly. “Just because I’m small doesn’t mean I’m going to be scared.

Because that’s what I’ve been feeling all of these years. There’s always something keeping me back, so I’m not going to let my size stop me.”

With HRSDC funding, Maricar enrolled in the Special Education Assistant (SEA) program at Stenberg College. In order to focus on her studies, she and her family had to make a lot of difficult sacrifices. Her husband went back on night shifts. Her daughters helped baby-sit their younger brother. And while the kids were at soccer practice, Maricar transformed her car into a library—turning the engine on every once in a while to get some heat so she could keep studying.

After waiting so long to start her career, Maricar dove headfirst into her schooling. She took on extra assignments. She continued to volunteer with special needs children outside of the classroom. Throughout it all, she managed to maintain an incredible 98 per cent grade average.

As the year went on, she quickly became an inspiration to those around her.

It was this dedication to her education and community that helped make Maricar Stenberg’s 2009 Student of the Year—an award that comes with a full tuition reimbursement.

“When Maricar started the program she demonstrated right from the start that she was completely dedicated and committed to excellence,” says Lisa Shaw, Stenberg’s SEA

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instructor. “She’s the kind of a person who does a little bit more. I think that’s a remarkable quality because she was so consistent with that.”

Because she was an HRSDC sponsored student, Maricar donated the $9,990 Student of the Year award to the B.C. Cancer Foundation.

Having lost her sister-in-law to brain cancer 11 years ago, the award gives Maricar a chance to commemorate her sister-in-law and support others who are bravely fighting through the disease.

“My sister-in-law was only 37 years old when she passed away,” she says. “It was really tough and that’s the reason why I chose the B.C. Cancer Foundation. The donation will hopefully help some of the people who have been diagnosed with cancer to get better treatment.”

Stenberg’s one-year program has now helped launch Maricar’s much-awaited and longed-for

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career. She was hired as a casual for the Surrey School District right out of school and also works part-time for Harmony House as a Behavioural Organizer, doing early intervention work with an autistic child.

“The job I’m doing is instant gratification,” she says. “It’s an amazing feeling to see a child learn and grow.”

Maricar now has a new sense of confidence.

Once shy and insecure, she now beams with pride and looks to her future career with happiness.

Two decades after having first arrived in Canada with the hope of something better, she has finally realized her dream.

“If you have a dream and you can’t get there right now, there’s always tomorrow,” she says.

“Never give up.” v

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Stenberg College Student of the Year Runner-up

Doors Wide Open Stenberg grad Sanela Bektic overcomes injury and conflict to realize dreams

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orn and raised in the Bosnian capital of Sarajevo, in many ways Sanela Bektic had an ideal childhood.

Summer vacations on the Adriatic Coast, a loving family and a close group of friends—everything a young girl could ask for.

Until the war broke out in 1992 and the life she once knew was ripped apart. Overnight friends became enemies, and Sanela and her family could only watch in horror as the city was razed to the ground.

“It was a fight for survival,” recalls Sanela.

“One day I got up in the morning and half of the people I grew up with were gone. The fear of being captured and taken to a concentration camp drove them to run for their lives.”

Though Sanela, along with her mother and sister survived the three years of brutal violence, over 250,000 people were killed in the war— among them Sanela’s father and many of her relatives.

However, thanks to the help of Quakers on Vancouver Island, Sanela was able to finally flee the war in 1995 and made a fresh start in Nanaimo. But the emotional scars she carried from the war soon came back to haunt her.

“Once I settled in I had nightmares and flashbacks,” says Sanela. “And then I started to get huge anxiety and panic attacks. At first I didn’t know what was happening but then I was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).”

Alone in a new country, but determined to one day bring her mother and sister to Canada, the then 20-year-old Sanela worked through her trauma and slowly began to put her life back together.

Sanela learned English, found work as a pharmacy technician and, after years of hard work, was eventually able to bring her family to Canada. But it wasn’t long before she was confronted with another life-altering trial.

In 2006, Sanela was in a car accident that left her with serious back injuries. Unable to return to work, it was time to reevaluate her life. She decided that she wanted to return to school and do something meaningful with her life.

After securing funding from Employment & Labour Market Services (ELMS) (formerly Human Resources and Skills Development Canada – HRSDC), Sanela moved to the mainland and enrolled in Stenberg’s Nursing Unit Clerk program.

“I was scared because of not being in school for such a long time and the problems I had with my health—I wasn’t quite sure if I was going to make it through the program,” she says.

“But from the moment I came to Stenberg it was great. I researched other colleges for this program, but Stenberg was the only place where I felt comfortable.”

As with everything else in her life, Sanela was determined to succeed in her studies and it wasn’t long before the now gregarious 34-year-old was helping other students in the program.

“If I saw someone struggling I always offered to stay after class or meet up early and help explain it to them,” she explains. “I love helping people and want everyone to succeed in life.”

Wendy Scott, Sanela’s Nursing Unit Clerk instructor, agrees.

“People would turn to her,” says Scott, “she was just a natural leader. A question would come up and people would look to her.”

Though still suffering from symptoms of

Sanela Bektic receives a cheque for $5000 for Canuck Place Children’s Hospice 6

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PTSD, Sanela found comfort in her studies, which she took on with enthusiasm and dedication.

“I enjoyed every moment of school. It was stressful, but it was great because I’m so interested in medicine,” says Sanela. “Learning something new every day was amazing. I still pick up my anatomy book and read through it.”

Sanela’s hard work didn’t go unnoticed—she was the runner-up for Stenberg’s Student of the Year, and since she was government-funded, Sanela donated her $5,000 scholarship money to the Canuck Place Children’s Hospice.

“It’s a huge honour,” she says of the award. “I went through a lot and for me to be here and to be able to give away $5,000 is pretty incredible.”

Today Sanela is working part-time as a Nursing Unit Clerk at Eagle Ridge Hospital in Port Moody. And though the job can get a bit hairy at times, she loves every minute of it.

“It gets really crazy, but I don’t get stressed out—I think partially because the staff is so great.”

As for the future, Sanela feels as if she’s prepared for anything.

“Part of what keeps me going is the war that I went through. I went through that so I know I can get through anything. Today the door is wide open for me.” v Sanela and her Nursing Unit Clerk classmates celebrate their success

Stenberg College Student of the Year Runner-up

More than a Career Path Practical Nursing graduate Tamanna Nabizadah finds her calling

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or Stenberg College graduate Tamanna Nabizadah, nursing has always been more than a career path, it’s been a calling.

Tamanna was just six-years-old when her brother Yama was born. The only child of Massuod and Jila Nabizadah, Afghan immigrants who fled to Canada during the Soviet invasion, Tamanna was eager to welcome a sibling to the family.

But when Yama was born he didn’t look like other babies.

“My brother was born with a cleft lip and palate,” explains Tamanna. “He went through a lot Success Magazine

of different surgeries and I experienced that along with him.”

Though Yama’s condition was shocking for her parents, Tamanna remained hopeful.

“From the first day at the hospital she was comforting me,” recalls her mother. “I was crying because I had never seen a baby like him and she was saying, ‘Don’t worry mommy he will be fine.’

I’ll never forget that.”

Determined to shoulder some of her parents’ burden, the young Tamanna took a hands-on approach to her brother’s care.

“I remember watching how the nurses were Stenberg College

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Tamanna Nabizadah receives a cheque for $5000 from Sarina Corsi and Jacquie Stene Murphy

become a nurse. It was a friend who told with Yama, how caring they were and that Tamanna about Stenberg’s Practical Nursing inspired me to do a lot of nursing stuff with him diploma program. myself. After all the surgeries he couldn’t eat “I did some research on the school and the through his mouth so I would feed him through program and Stenberg looked great.” his gastric feeding tube and I even made a feeding tube for a science project at school.”

The Nabizadahs were warned Yama’s cleft lip and palate would result in developmental delays, but as time “It was really difficult and it’s really went on they became concerned with frustrating that there are doctors and his lack of social interaction; Yama health care workers out there who never learned to speak and seemed to live in a world of his own. The family don’t listen to their patients to get began to believe he was autistic. the input from them,” says Tamanna.

But their family doctor refused “Instead they’re just stubborn and to believe Yama was suffering from autism. It wasn’t until Yama was nearly arrogant. This made me want to six years old that the doctor finally become a nurse even more so I can gave in. However, by this time, the be there for patients and speak up for Nabizadahs had lost crucial earlydevelopment time to work with Yama. them and be an advocate.”

“It was really difficult and it’s really frustrating that there are doctors and health care workers out there Tamanna graduated with her diploma in who don’t listen to their patients to get the input January and was named runner-up Student of the from them,” says Tamanna. “Instead they’re Year—something she never imagined on that first just stubborn and arrogant. This made me want day of class. to become a nurse even more so I can be there “When I first saw the amount of work we had for patients and speak up for them and be an to do … Oh my! I was so close to just running out advocate.” of the room. I went home and said, ‘Mom, I don’t Tamanna, along with her parents, worked think I can do all of this,’ but she told me not to one-on-one with Yama and he soon began to worry and to always keep a positive attitude.” improve. Though non-verbal, he is now able to With such a challenging course load, Tamanna make eye contact. sought the support of her fellow classmates, who Tamanna had found her calling: she would 8

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she calls the highlight of her time at Stenberg.

“My class was the best. In the beginning it was hard, but we became a family. We grew together.”

After three semesters of gruelling coursework and two preceptorships— one in the Downtown Eastside and one at a long-term care facility, Tamanna was rewarded with a placement at Burnaby General, the hospital where she was born.

“My last placement was my favourite. I was always on the run and actually got to experience a real hospital environment.”

Today Tamanna is taking courses to become a Registered Nurse. Inspired by her instructors at Stenberg, she hopes to teach one day as well.

“I want to go into paediatrics so I can work with kids, but I also want to teach. My teachers at Stenberg are both nurses and teachers and they were amazing, they helped us do it all.”

As for Tamanna’s future, Jila is sure her daughter will be a success.

“When Tamanna first told me she wanted to be nurse, I told her it was excellent. A nurse should be a caring and kind person and I don’t know anyone else like Tamanna. The way she cared for Yama… I pause because it’s very difficult… I get emotional.

One day she will help other families that are going through the same thing we did. Tamanna has a very bright future.” v

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Stenberg College Student of the Year Finalist

Call of Duties Stenberg grad Neil Campbell works overtime to help special needs children

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ach night, Neil Campbell heads to work Shaw, Neil’s instructor at Stenberg College, says he understood the difficulties that families have at the Coast Mountain Bus Company in raising a special needs child and helped others (CMBC), where he’s served for the connect the academic with the personal issues. past eight years as transit supervisor.

“When Neil did his presentations, they always It’s not an easy job: when he’s on duty, Neil had this personal, human touch to them,” says Lisa. is responsible for the Lower Mainland’s entire system, ensuring that the buses run smoothly and on time. There are unexpected crises daily and sometimes that means re-routing Neil thinks that it’s his strength as a buses on the fly. listener that helps his students trust “It can be stressful,” he admits. him and creates a positive relationship “It’s almost like air traffic control.”

But while he finds his job with them. satisfying, the 46-year-old father of “I’m open to their thoughts and two was still looking for something ideas,” he says. “And I like to have fun. more meaningful.

A native of Surrey, Neil’s easyI don’t take things too seriously.” going manner makes him a natural with children. He coached his kids’ baseball teams, which included “I recall a time when he spoke about the funding youths between the ages of 5 to 20, and enjoyed challenges that a family with an autistic child had making a difference in their lives. and everybody in the class was in tears. He touched “I like working with kids,” Neil says. “It’s a lot of people by saying, ‘We’re not just talking very rewarding, it’s fun and it keeps the mind about a diagnosis; this really impacts people’s active.” lives.’ He’s really doing a remarkable job.”

Not surprisingly, his wife Kim recognized Because of his approach and dedication, Neil her husband as someone who would be great was one of six nominees for Stenberg’s Student of with special needs children. A graduate of the Year award.

Stenberg College’s Special Education Assistant “Neil is a person who is really dedicated to (SEA) program three years ago, it was Kim who making a difference in the lives of children,” says suggested that he enroll in the same program.

Lisa. “He’s very creative and person-centred.”

Attracted to his wife’s experiences, Neil found the Neil has worked as an SEA at a high school idea compelling. in Langley since January 2009, and in that time “Kim loves her job and she comes home he’s been paired with over 10 different students, every day from work happy,” Neil says. “She said the schools need more men and thought that it was each with their own unique set of needs. For his part, Neil brings to the relationship whatever the a perfect fit for me.” student’s needs require.

Following his wife’s lead, Neil enrolled in “Sometimes that means just writing notes for Stenberg’s SEA program and quickly made an them because they can’t write,” he says. “Some impact on his instructors and classmates. Lisa Success Magazine

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students have attention problems and different learning difficulties; some of the kids are looking for a bit more structure.

They might be having all sorts of emotional or family problems. It’s something that I seem to be able to talk to them about.”

Neil thinks that it’s his strength as a listener that helps his students trust him and creates a positive relationship with them.

“I’m open to their thoughts and ideas,” he says. “And I like to have fun. I don’t take things too seriously.”

Having graduated at the top of his class at Stenberg, the special-needs children he works with now mean the most in his life. For Neil, there’s nothing greater than seeing one of his students succeed. He remembers one student he worked with to help pass his provincial English exam.

“For months I worked with him so he could graduate,” Neil recalls. “Seeing him pass the exam and then jumping up and down—this from a kid who wouldn’t show any emotion all year.

It’s pretty satisfying.”

Neil is now balancing two demanding yet distinct job roles. But while working two jobs might overwhelm some, Neil says he’s motivated by the change of pace.

“It’s a totally different atmosphere, working one-on-one with a kid who needs the guidance,” he says. “You get a real sense of appreciation and self-worth after helping a kid.”

And it is this line of work that Neil plans to continue to do even after retiring from his CMBC position.

“It makes me feel young being around the kids,” he says. “And makes me feel like I’m really contributing.” v

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Stenberg College Student of the Year Finalist

New Beginnings After 25 years, Stenberg grad Sheeja Joseph finds meaning in a new career

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hen Sheeja Joseph enrolled in Stenberg’s Resident Care Attendant program last October she was feeling a tad

apprehensive.

Though she holds a Bachelor of Science (she majored in Botany and Zoology), 25 years had passed since she’d been a student back in India.

“I was so, so nervous,” says the 45-year-old mother of three. “After 25 years to come back to school again. It was a big change and I didn’t know if I could still study, still remember things, still get a good mark.”

Sheeja was born in Kerala, India—the oldest of four children. She was married at 19 and, after

graduating with her BSc, moved to Doha, Qatar where her husband worked as an accountant.

“My three children were born there. I didn’t

work—I raised our children. Then we moved here because we heard about Canada and the education system. We thought this is the best thing for our kids.”

And while the Josephs settled happily in Richmond, where they soon became active in the Pentecostal Church, life in Canada hasn’t been without its hardships.

With two kids in college and another finishing high school, Sheeja went to work so the family could make ends meet. She got a job with a manufacturing company, but was laid off when the company abruptly relocated.

“For the past two years we have been really struggling,” says Sheeja. “We thought we might

Sheeja Joseph receives a cheque for $1000 from Sarina Corsi and Jacquie Stene Murphy 10

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have to go back [to Qatar]. It was very hard.”

It was Sheeja’s church friends who suggested she go back to school to become a resident care attendant.

“I didn’t think about becoming a Resident Care Attendant, but I always enjoyed working with and helping people,” she explains. “My friends watched as I volunteered at the church helping others and they told me, ‘This is your field so go make a living out of that.’

“A friend told me about Stenberg College. She took the same course and told me the college was great and that’s why I came.”

Once Sheeja began classes it wasn’t long before her propensity to help others kicked in.

“Sheeja was amazing and a positive role model for the other students,” explains Stenberg instructor, Jag Tak. “Being a mature student she took on the role of helping others in the class, especially immigrants. I only have a certain amount of hours and she stayed the extra time.”

Sheeja says she’s most happy when she’s helping others.

“After each lesson I would talk to the students about what we learned that day,” explains Sheeja.

“I would draw pictures and explain it to them.

They really appreciated that. And when I help people I feel a real joy. I feel content because our lives are meant for others—that is our purpose.”

And with three kids in school, Sheeja was never short on study partners at home.

“Nights and weekends my children and I

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“Sheeja was amazing and a positive role model for the other students,” explains Stenberg instructor, Jag Tak. “Being a mature student she took on the role of helping others in the class, especially immigrants.

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spent studying together. It was a new experience for me and they helped me with the differences between India and here.”

As for the most challenging part of her time at Stenberg, Sheeja says it was her practicum at the Fellbern Care Centre, a residential care facility for seniors.

“All we learned we got to put into practice” she explains. “It can be hard to manage—different people have different problems, especially dementia. So the reality is big. Learning their point of view—how the patient thinks, how they feel, what is going on in their lives.”

“But we learned all about holistic care, which is so important because we are there to help the people—the way we talk, the way we listen, are all very important.”

The passion and integrity Sheeja demonstrated while at Stenberg certainly wasn’t missed by Jag, who nominated her for Student of the Year.

“Sheeja is compassionate and genuine,” he says. “Her personality shines—she brings a positive light to everything, even with just the smile on her face.”

“The award nomination was a surprise to me,” says Sheeja. “I never expected it, though in the past when I was in school I was always the first in my class, always the teacher’s pet,” she laughs.

“But this is different. This is very special to me because I am older now—I finished my first degree at 20 years and now, after another 25 years I know I can still do well.” v

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Student of the Year 2009 - 2010

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he Student of the Year Award is full reimbursement of one student’s tuition, a value of anywhere from $7000 to a maximum of $20,000! We encourage every instructor and staff member to nominate the student that they feel is deserving of this honour.

The Student of the Year Award is presented to the student who best embodies Stenberg College’s values of excellence, caring and community spirit. In addition to a minimum academic record of 80% and an attendance record of no more than 7 absences, we are looking for the student who best exemplifies the following attributes: • Excellence – as a student, a professional, and a person • Leadership and Responsibility • Positive, Caring & Proactive Attitude • Community Service & Volunteerism (both within and outside the classroom) • Campus Spirit All students in good standing who attended class after September 1, 2009 and have or will graduate by the September 2010 grad are eligible.

For more information 604-580-2772 www.stenbergcollege.com

CREDITS

All photographs by Ken Villeneuve © 2009 Articles by Sean Condon, Amy Juschka and Kevin Hollett Copyright © 2010 by Stenberg College Stenberg College is owned & operated by TEC The Education Company