Transitioning with Pride and Purpose

Delta South MLA, Vicki Huntington interviews Rebecca Wilkens

Last Thursday, members of the 2011 graduating class participated in formal interviews to complete their Grad Transitions requirements.  A host of prominent community members volunteered their time to make this event possible. The interviews challenged the students to reflect on their accomplishments, and articulate their plans for the future. The feedback from both the students and the volunteer interviewers has been extremely positive! Our special guests were blown away by the quality of our students and the breadth and depth of their experiences and contributions to community. I've now heard of two students who will be offered jobs as a direct result of their interviews! This was a true community effort that could not have occurred without the vision and passion of Grad Transitions Coordinator, Mrs. Shoemaker, Career Advisor, Mrs. Livingston, and Counsellor, Mrs. Dueck, and the support of many parents and teachers.

Many thanks to our interview panel:

George Harvie, CAO Corporation of Delta

Vicki Huntington, MLA

Steve Fera, Vancouver Giants

Maryann Cardwell, Alternate Programs Coordinator, Delta School District

Guillermo Bustos, Ladner Rotary

Constable Sean Doolan, Delta Police

Joan Nielsen, Ladner Legion

Gail Erickson, Ladner Legion

Ron Erickson, Ladner Legion
Gerry Grexton, Ladner Legion

Graham Parker, Kiwanis

Bob Bourgeois, Retired DSS Counselor

Ray Holme, Retired DSS Principal

Lois Jackson,  Mayor Corporation of Delta

Don Tuck, Retired DSS Teacher

Norm Buchko, Retired DSS Teacher

Debbie Lindsay, DYSL

Randy Callaghan, PCL Construction

Philip Raphael, Publisher South Delta Leader

Laurie Collicutt, Delta Parks and Recreation

Teresa Phillips, District Administrator, Delta School District

Denis Denischuk, Delta Community Foundation

DSS will be graduating some impressive students this spring, who in the words of  Delta Mayor, Lois Jackson, “may just save the world.”

Mayor Lois Jackson reviews Cameron Phillips' Grad Transition's plan

As we consider a vision for what we aspire to as a learning community, I am deeply inspired by the stories of students who will be leaving us with a strong sense of accomplishment in what they have done and an equally strong sense of purpose for what they will do in the future.