News Leader News
BCSTA HONOURS COMEAU
Gordon Comeau was awarded a Life Membership in the British Columbia School Trustees Association at a dinner hosted by School District 58 (Nicola-Similkameen) on June 1st.
Comeau has worked on behalf of public education in BC and Canada for 24 years as Trustee, Board Chair, BCSTA Director, Vice President and President.
He has also just completed a term as President of the Canadian Trustees Association.
Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Bob Peacock, noted at the awards dinner that Gordon had also just been recognized by the BC School Superintendents Association for his work in public education, the first Trustee to receive this recognition.
Dr. Peacock also commented that in looking at his own career as a principal he was responsible for the education of maybe a gymnasium full of students and as superintendent he was able to affect the education of a couple of gymnasiums full of students.
"However, Gordon Comeau, in his unstinting work on behalf of education was able to positively affect the lives of students filling all of the gymnasiums in BC."
Penny Tees, current President of the BC School Trustees Association and Lee Southern, Executive Director of BCSTA came to Princeton to present the Life Membership.
Tees described Comeau's terms working with BCSTA as "substantial in bringing together the necessary partners in education so that the work of student achievement could progress."
Comeau said he was at a loss for words, but did point out much of his success in pushing forward the agenda of public education was due to the support of his partner, secretary, receptionist and wife, Gayle who gave up vacations and weekends of not having a husband at home all the time.
School Trustee Dina Slowikowski-Campbell was pleased to see Comeau receive the honour.
"Gordon has nurtured the role of education in a strong yet respectful manner that is marked by humour and integrity."
DISTRICT STAFF RECEIVES HONOURS
The 4th annual Retirement/Long Service Recognition Night was hosted last Monday by School District 58 (Nicola-Similkameen).A total of 16 teachers and support staff were recognized in Princeton schools for their dedication and years of service.
Princeton's Maintenance staff had two members presented with honours. Both Pat Lueke and Lynda Hodgson received 15 Year Pins.
Vermilion Forks Elementary School had a total of six members honoured. Lesley Szymczak (10 Years), David Brum, Jean Haugland and Lisa Miller (15 Years), David Smith (20 Years) and Wah Fee Low (30 Years).
John Allison Elementary School saw two staff members recognized.
Janet Taylor (10 Years) and Sylvia Adams (15 Years).
Princeton Secondary School had six members honoured.
Linda Neumann (10 Years), Laurence Newman (15 Years), Sharon Bamford and Sharon Clarke (20 Years) and Diane Rodewoldt (30 Years).
Joe Nitsch, who is retiring this year following nine years in the district, was also recognized for his service to local education.
An additional 49 teacher, staff and School Board members in Merritt were also recognized with Long Service Pins at a function there.
CAWSTON TEEN SEEKS BROADWAY
Cawston's Alysha Harker is going places.
On June 22nd she will start the first day of an intense two year training program at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City. It's the same school that was the basis for the 1970's movie and TV series "Fame."
Harker told the News Leader her days will be full.
"I'll be singing, dancing and acting for eight hours a day, every day except Sundays."
She says the course is so intense that the Academy requires a doctor's note stating that she can handle the pressure.
Harker will participate in the Performing Arts Training Program where she will train in singing, dancing and acting for film and television, musical theatre and dance.
Students are accepted for the program from United States, Canada and twenty two other foreign countries.
Harker says the two year program will prepare her for the next step.
"After the two years there are national auditions attended by film and theatre producers."
The Cawston teen, who turned 18 last Thursday, already knows where she wants to be by the end of her training.
"I'd like to end up on Broadway or in a movie."
Harker will miss her Graduation June 30th and Prom on July 2nd from Similkameen Elementary Secondary School in Keremeos. An event she was very involved in planning with her Graduation Committee.
"I'll miss it. I will miss everything and I helped put it together."
As for preparation for the giant step from Cawston to New York City, Harker has been doing some homework.
"I've read about New York, where to go and where not to go."
Harker says the intensity of the training program she will be taking will not allow time for very much of anything else.
She's also been working hard building up strength for the program.
"I've been training in dance daily to get in shape."
Her family, while fully supporting her goals, are dealing with losing their little girl as best they can.
"They're taking it good but there's so much paperwork to do that they haven't had time to let it all sink in."
Harker's parents, Bruce and Kathy, own and operate Harker's Fruit Ranch in Cawston.
Kathy says the family is very proud, "but a little apprehensive in sending her so far away all on her own with no one that lives in New York or close by."
The family spent one day two weeks ago to get passports processed, purchase additional pairs of dance shoes and outfits as well as complete student visa forms, medical and insurance forms and all her school paperwork.
"We are very confident that she is ready for anything that is put in front of her in the music industry and theatre arts," Kathy says.
"We know when we leave her behind on the 28th the tears will flow for a long time, as they are now. Her brother and sister are very proud of her and knew that one day her dreams really would come true."
"I'm just so excited," Alysha told the News Leader via her cell phone in Vancouver.
"This is my dream coming true."
Anyone wishing to send words of encouragement to Alysha can do so via the internet.
Her e-mail address is aly_harker @hotmail.com.
YOUTH AMBASSADOR TALENT NIGHT & APRON AUCTION
Last Thursday night was the Youth Ambassador Talent Night and Apron Auction.The evening, MC'd by Diane Wentland and Ashley Dore, was filled with humour and good, clean fun.
Each candidate gave a short sponsor speech and displayed their aprons, each highlighting the artistic skills of the candidates.
The talent portion of the program was impressive. Miss Valley First Financial Group, Colby Whelpton, performed a hilarious stand up comedy routine.
J-lee White, Miss Similkameen Spotlight, displayed her flare for acting with a monologue titled, "The Stepsister Speaks Out."
Miss Princeton Lions Club, Kassi Crimmon, performed an energetic hip hop dance.
Ashley Goreas, sponsored by Princeton Rotary Club, dressed volunteerSamantha Bertucci in firefighting gear and explained what each piece of apparatus was used for.
Miss Royal Canadian Legion, Rebecca Donahoe, explained her interest in welding - her chosen career plan.
It was obvious the panel of judges, Marg Eyre (Head Judge), Judy Short, Gillian Hodgson, Kelsey Kelovic, Ruth McLeod and Sandra Webster, did not have an easy task in scoring the candidates on their talents.
While they tallied up scores, Friendship Ambassador Natalie Ihlen recited some of her own poetry, Vice Ambassador Amy Liberatore performed a highland dance and Ambassador Renee Cleven told a rather interesting chicken joke.
Dean Stinson auctioned off aprons designed by candidates and reigning royalty.
Friendship Ambassador Natalie Ihlen's apron was titled "100% pure Canadian Beef" and earned $25 in the auction.
Vice Ambassador Amy Liberatore's apron celebrated the fact that it's "Cool To Be Canadian" and raised $26.
Ambassador Renee Cleven's apron, titled łGarden Party˛ raised $74 for the Ambassador program.
Colby Whelpton, Miss Valley First Financial Group, created a western-themed apron titled "Cowboy Up" and it was auctioned off for $96.
J-lee White, sponsored by Similkameen Spotlight, had an apron named "Shakespeare Speaks" which was auctioned off for $96.
Princeton Lions Club candidate Kassi Crimmon honoured her fellow candidates with an apron titled "Proud To Be An Ambassador." It was sold for $140.
Ashley Goreas, Miss Princeton Rotary Club, created a holiday-themed apron titled "Fun In The Sun" which earned $180.
The Final Apron was Rebecca Donahoe's (Miss Royal Canadian Legion). It was titled "Family Ties" and was designed with help from a younger sibling. The apron sold for $120.
All proceeds collected from the apron auction go towards costs associated with out of town travelling for the Ambassadors.
