Next Step Senior High School hosts Holiday Lunch

Next Step Senior High School hosts Holiday Lunch

Michelle Pinon News Advertiser

Students and staff at Next Step Senior High School in Vegreville hosted a lavish and impressive holiday feast for special guests on December 12. Around 60 people enjoyed turkey and all the trimmings as well as first rate hospitality during the special luncheon. Teacher Tanyss Rogers welcomed attendees and explained a bit about the school which offers flexible programming and scheduling for students.

Rogers described the school as an outlet for students who don’t desire to go to Vegreville Composite High School. She said a lot of the students have been homeschooled, are athletes, want or need to work, want to finish school early or upgrade their marks,and that doesn’t usually fit into the regular school schedule.

Brianna Slater, left, and brother Kaleb Robbins, second from right, created a beautiful Christmas village display. Also in the photo are their special guests Chris Melnyk and Julianna Vincent.

(Michelle Pinon/photo)

She added that community involvement is a big part of the school, and Next Step students have assisted special needs students at the elementary school, helped English as a Second Language students, and assisted with various activities involving seniors citizens.

“The school for me was a chance to complete work at my own pace,” said Austin Liddle, who has been studying at the school for the past three years. He explained that because of his job he can’t come to school everyday. He said the online courses the school offers have also been a great option for him.

“I chose to come here because I was having trouble following along and getting help from teachers,” stated Grade 12 student Lily Voutier. “Here you can always get help.” Because of the low student to teacher ratio, Voutier has been able to access to all the resources she requires.

Guest Rod Stewart, an executive member with the Royal Canadian Legion in Vegreville, thanked the students, parents and staff following the meal. Stewart said the school “fills a very important niche” in education for young people. “Obviously they have successes, so certainly, they should be commended. Stewart said his favourite part of the annual luncheon is interacting with the students.

School board trustee Randy Footz and his wife Jeanette were in attendance. Footz, who taught school for 33 years, said the school is wonderful because it allows students to continue their education and pursue other interests at the same time.

“I’ve been through a lot of graduations in my time,” said Footz, who described the graduation at the Next Step Fort Saskatchewan location as the most moving and emotional graduation he has ever attended. He said the school is life changing, and for one student in particular, it allowed them to continue their education and play with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra.

Joseph Clark, Principal of the Vegreville Composite High School, said there are around 30 graduates per year from all three sites, (Vegreville, Fort Saskatchewan and Sherwood Park). Next Step opened in 1997 with the purpose of supporting students of Elk Island Public Schools with alternative program delivery options. According to the mission statement: “We focus on helping students and adults to connect or reconnect with school, create positive personalized learning experiences for all of our students, and assist students in their individual transitions to work, apprenticeship or post-secondary schooling.”

Susan Prestash, who home schools her children, said the school has been a “great fit” for her son Brad Sonnenberg. Prestash said her son wanted to transition out of the home in order to do community work. Because of the flexible schedule, Pretash said Brad has volunteered with the radio station and worked on a movie set. “Tanyss is an extraordinary teacher,” added Prestash. She also said staff have bonded with her son. “They (staff) have been very patient with me,” noted Prestash who has had to adjust and let go. “He’s made good friends, and it has been good for me too.”