Scott Valois, Algonquin College

Scott left high school after Grade X and has returned to school to make a better life for himself. He felt he could work all his life to make other people rich or to make himself rich. He knows that education is the first step to escaping minimum wage jobs with no benefits.

Scott felt he was too old to go back to high school and after an interview with the Algonquin Academic Referral Centre was particularly pleased he could start immediately at no cost. He is planning to enroll in Small and Medium Business Management, a two year diploma program. He started in LBS 5 and must complete OBS IV communications, computers and math. Already he has completed the computer prerequisite.

He initially felt the two week orientation was a waste of time. He was anxious to get started. Now he appreciates that it helped him get “up to speed” faster especially the math review. He is happy to be in class with others who know why they are there and have goals. He was disappointed that he would not be obtaining a high school diploma, but he is satisfied that he will be getting what he really wants – entry to post secondary.

Scott lives with his girlfriend’s parents who are very supportive. He works part time for her father and has been able to reduce his work commitment to Saturdays only. Once he completes his studies his girlfriend will be returning to school. He reads on the bus and has quiet time to study before the others get home.

People in his life are very proud of him. He has discovered he enjoys writing stories about the interesting things that have happened in his life, and his teacher is really encouraging him. His self-esteem and confidence have improved significantly.

Scott is enthusiastic, “I’m more confident in my work and I feel great knowing I’m on the right track for my future.” He has clearly made an impression on his teachers, “It is a teacher’s pleasure to facilitate and assist a student like Scott who has a lot of potential and just needs to be guided in the right direction. With Scott’s enthusiasm and positive attitude, I know he will be successful in whatever he pursues. Keep up the good work Scott!”

Tasha Roy, Canadore

Tasha is a 21 year old single mother who has been out of school for 6 years. She left school before graduation because of her pregnancy, but her life had been difficult long before that. Tasha was the first youth, at 14, to be admitted to the North Bay Detox Centre. She has been clean for 7 years and plans to enter the 2 year Drug and Alcohol Counselling Program at Canadore.

She heard about the program from her boyfriend’s mother, a former Canadore teacher, and was motivated to enroll for a number of reasons: personal growth, a desire to be a good role model for her boys and a recognition that post secondary education is necessary to get a good job. She worked in a nightclub after leaving school as well as volunteering at the YMCA and the North Bay Museum and Arts Committee. Of course her biggest job was raising two boys aged 2 and 3. Tasha’s hobbies are dance, hiking and painting.