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They all go together if you’re a Sigma grad. Throw in a watermelon eating contest, and the celebration is complete!<\/p>\nHotdogs, sunshine, a few life challenges – and graduation in Hume Park.<\/p>\n
They all go together if you’re a Sigma grad. Throw in a watermelon eating contest, and the celebration is complete!<\/p>\n
About 40 students and their teachers from the New Westminster Secondary School-based Sigma program celebrated high school graduation last week.<\/p>\n
After spending a bit of time in the afternoon sun competing in egg races and watermelon eating contests, each of the students received certificates for completed courses<\/p>\n
The nearly 30 graduates then donned hats and gowns in formal recognition of their achievements – accomplishments often achieved in difficult circumstances.<\/p>\n
“Truthfully, this has been a good year for our students,” said youth care worker Sara Weatherby. “And this is one of life’s biggest accomplishments.”<\/p>\n
Despite the challenges new grad Josh Kocsar has faced in his living situations, he says he’s never lost his motivation to learn.<\/p>\n
Now 18, he’s had six different social workers and has lived on his own for four years – in a shelter, in foster care, ‘couch surfing’ and most recently through a provincial government “Youth Agreement” providing some financial support until age 19.<\/p>\n
Kocsar felt his early experience in homeschooling for six years meant he lacked social connections from grade 4 to grade 10. .Although exposed to lifestyles in his teens that might have taken him down some dubious paths, he’s never lost his focus on school. And he’s had a consistently high grade point average.<\/p>\n
“I didn’t really ever see any other options to school. \u00a0I was always a step ahead: I’m a planning person and I knew that’s the direction I would go.”<\/p>\n
Kocsar went to NWSS but counsellors transferred him to the Sigma academic – and it was a good fit. “Sigma is really flexible; you take your time on topics, you can go slow and that’s what I like. ”<\/p>\n
As for what he’d like to do now that he’s graduated, – he says he ‘s got too many interests to decide quite yet. \u00a0While he likes computer coding , he also likes to draw and do photography. \u00a0In fact, he’s already had a month-long showing of his photographs at Cafe Bon Chaz on Main and Broadway, and he’s keen to collaborate on more photography projects.<\/p>\n
Counsellor Sara Weatherby applauded each of the students’ graduation, a remarkable success, thanks in no small part to Sigma’s unique programming and dedicated teachers. It’s also thanks to the significant role of the apprenticeship program at NWSS, Weatherby said.<\/p>\n
It’s here that many students are truly motivated by hands-on, real-world training to find their paths – in carpentry, chef training, plumbing or automotive work.<\/p>\n
“One young woman who missed a lot of school got 100% on her test and is now a motorcycle technician,” Weatherby said. ‘Apprenticeships completely turn many of our students around. It offers a structure, it’s hands-on, and it’s a change.”<\/p>\n
While Sigma offers core courses in English, Science, Socials, Biology and more, it also offers numerous electives as well as the opportunity to take courses at NWSS.<\/p>\n
Sigma teacher Nina Binpal is a ‘sponsor teacher’ for new graduate Jordan, who took a shine to science and is already enrolled at Douglas College for the fall semester to study kinesiology. \u00a0Sponsor teachers meet with students on a regular basis and work with them in realizing their goals.<\/p>\n
“It’s flexible and we talk; we develop strategies together and a plan to address student circumstances and goals,” said Binpal. “These are important life skills.”<\/p>\n
For Jordan, work as a cashier at Safeway takes up a major chunk of her time. \u00a0She has been in at Sigma for two years. As an avid athlete – and a fan of softball and kickboxing – kinesiology is a natural fit for her dreams. \u00a0“I like sports and figuring out how the body works.” She’s glad to be on her way.<\/p>\n
Grade 12 student Nolan Bellerose\u00a0shared his story earlier this year on the national CBC radio program\u00a0The Current<\/a>, highlighting how football was the turning point that saved him from addictions, gangs,and depression. He served as a 225-pound offensive lineman with the New Westminster Hyacks Senior football team, and is now a graduating student in the Sigma program at NWSS.<\/p>\n