[Applause] morning picture a group of students
morning picture a group of students
morning picture a group of students going out in blizzard conditions because
going out in blizzard conditions because
going out in blizzard conditions because of regardless of the weather they’re
of regardless of the weather they’re
of regardless of the weather they’re gonna go out and they’re gonna collect
gonna go out and they’re gonna collect
gonna go out and they’re gonna collect donations for a Christmas morning event
donations for a Christmas morning event
donations for a Christmas morning event then they’re gonna bring them back to
then they’re gonna bring them back to
then they’re gonna bring them back to the school and they’re going to
the school and they’re going to
the school and they’re going to carefully wrap them mark them from Santa
carefully wrap them mark them from Santa
carefully wrap them mark them from Santa Claus and have them ready for Christmas
Claus and have them ready for Christmas
Claus and have them ready for Christmas morning not all of them will be there on
morning not all of them will be there on
morning not all of them will be there on Christmas morning but those that can be
Christmas morning but those that can be
Christmas morning but those that can be will also be in a hotel on Christmas Eve
will also be in a hotel on Christmas Eve
will also be in a hotel on Christmas Eve because they have to be up at 6 a.m. and
because they have to be up at 6 a.m. and
because they have to be up at 6 a.m. and on their way to the Legion to create
on their way to the Legion to create
on their way to the Legion to create Christmas for seniors of the community
Christmas for seniors of the community
Christmas for seniors of the community seniors for whom Christmas is often a
seniors for whom Christmas is often a
seniors for whom Christmas is often a time of loss loved ones far away and
time of loss loved ones far away and
time of loss loved ones far away and long lost loved ones as well these youth
long lost loved ones as well these youth
long lost loved ones as well these youth would be amazing no matter where they
would be amazing no matter where they
would be amazing no matter where they were but now picture that their
were but now picture that their
were but now picture that their alternate school youth they are ones
alternate school youth they are ones
alternate school youth they are ones that wear stereotypes of being bad kids
that wear stereotypes of being bad kids
that wear stereotypes of being bad kids drug addicts those unable to complete
drug addicts those unable to complete
drug addicts those unable to complete school nothing could be further from the
school nothing could be further from the
school nothing could be further from the truth because there they are giving up
truth because there they are giving up
truth because there they are giving up their Christmas morning to make sure the
their Christmas morning to make sure the
their Christmas morning to make sure the seniors are looked after one grad who
seniors are looked after one grad who
seniors are looked after one grad who has been with us for a number of years
has been with us for a number of years
has been with us for a number of years and never misses an event once told me
and never misses an event once told me
and never misses an event once told me that her Christmases were awful because
that her Christmases were awful because
that her Christmases were awful because of her parents addiction these were the
of her parents addiction these were the
of her parents addiction these were the only good Christmases she had and now
only good Christmases she had and now
only good Christmases she had and now she wants her children to grow up with
she wants her children to grow up with
she wants her children to grow up with that as well hard to imagine but when I
that as well hard to imagine but when I
that as well hard to imagine but when I arrived at the school these were the
arrived at the school these were the
arrived at the school these were the outcasts of the community the community
outcasts of the community the community
outcasts of the community the community had put up a fight about the alternate
had put up a fight about the alternate
had put up a fight about the alternate school coming into town so that the
school coming into town so that the
school coming into town so that the alternate school would be in front of
alternate school would be in front of
alternate school would be in front of the high school they called trustees
the high school they called trustees
the high school they called trustees they tried to set up public meetings
they tried to set up public meetings
they tried to set up public meetings they didn’t want those kids anywhere
they didn’t want those kids anywhere
they didn’t want those kids anywhere near their kids but I came and I had a
near their kids but I came and I had a
near their kids but I came and I had a different idea I believe there’s no such
different idea I believe there’s no such
different idea I believe there’s no such thing as problem youth just youth with
thing as problem youth just youth with
thing as problem youth just youth with problems and if we can
problems and if we can
problems and if we can teach them to cope with those problems
teach them to cope with those problems
teach them to cope with those problems they can soar so we had to bring them in
they can soar so we had to bring them in
they can soar so we had to bring them in and we had to change a community
and we had to change a community
and we had to change a community perception first thing we did was we
perception first thing we did was we
perception first thing we did was we renamed the school we called it ace
renamed the school we called it ace
renamed the school we called it ace Agassiz Center for education and we
Agassiz Center for education and we
Agassiz Center for education and we changed it to a school of choice prior
changed it to a school of choice prior
changed it to a school of choice prior to that across BC I don’t know how many
to that across BC I don’t know how many
to that across BC I don’t know how many of you would know this but to get into
of you would know this but to get into
of you would know this but to get into an alternate program you had to be sent
an alternate program you had to be sent
an alternate program you had to be sent by a high school and you’d have had to
by a high school and you’d have had to
by a high school and you’d have had to have done something pretty drastic to be
have done something pretty drastic to be
have done something pretty drastic to be sent there but I thought about this and
sent there but I thought about this and
sent there but I thought about this and what message does that send it says to
what message does that send it says to
what message does that send it says to them you’re broken so we’re gonna send
them you’re broken so we’re gonna send
them you’re broken so we’re gonna send you over there and if they fix you you
you over there and if they fix you you
you over there and if they fix you you can come back to the real school the
can come back to the real school the
can come back to the real school the real school is something that I hear a
real school is something that I hear a
real school is something that I hear a lot that alternate schools are not real
lot that alternate schools are not real
lot that alternate schools are not real schools I was lucky I had a high school
schools I was lucky I had a high school
schools I was lucky I had a high school willing to work with me and we created a
willing to work with me and we created a
willing to work with me and we created a self referral process so as soon as
self referral process so as soon as
self referral process so as soon as things started going a little bit off
things started going a little bit off
things started going a little bit off kilter
kilter
kilter ace would be suggested or the students
ace would be suggested or the students
ace would be suggested or the students could come in on their own with their
could come in on their own with their
could come in on their own with their parents and we would have an intake
parents and we would have an intake
parents and we would have an intake meeting we would determine whether they
meeting we would determine whether they
meeting we would determine whether they needed an alternate program and if they
needed an alternate program and if they
needed an alternate program and if they did they were welcome to come into it
did they were welcome to come into it
did they were welcome to come into it this was the first step in changing
this was the first step in changing
this was the first step in changing perceptions we had to change perceptions
perceptions we had to change perceptions
perceptions we had to change perceptions in the community I had to convince the
in the community I had to convince the
in the community I had to convince the community that these kids were worth it
community that these kids were worth it
community that these kids were worth it and that we could do it but sadly
and that we could do it but sadly
and that we could do it but sadly because of the way they were sent
because of the way they were sent
because of the way they were sent sometimes I had to convince the kids
sometimes I had to convince the kids
sometimes I had to convince the kids themselves another misperception out
themselves another misperception out
themselves another misperception out there is that alternate schools are not
there is that alternate schools are not
there is that alternate schools are not real schools as I said I hear that quite
real schools as I said I hear that quite
real schools as I said I hear that quite often and it’s sad we are public schools
often and it’s sad we are public schools
often and it’s sad we are public schools there’s a belief that you can’t graduate
there’s a belief that you can’t graduate
there’s a belief that you can’t graduate from an alternate school nothing could
from an alternate school nothing could
from an alternate school nothing could be further from the truth
be further from the truth
be further from the truth alternate students received the exact
alternate students received the exact
alternate students received the exact same credentials as any other school but
same credentials as any other school but
same credentials as any other school but they also graduate with a perspective
they also graduate with a perspective
they also graduate with a perspective and a strength they wouldn’t get in
and a strength they wouldn’t get in
and a strength they wouldn’t get in other schools Frances for example came
other schools Frances for example came
other schools Frances for example came to us she had been an honor roll student
to us she had been an honor roll student
to us she had been an honor roll student but she’d had to miss two years because
but she’d had to miss two years because
but she’d had to miss two years because her mother was very ill
her mother was very ill
her mother was very ill her grandpa decided it was time to go
her grandpa decided it was time to go
her grandpa decided it was time to go back to school and he dragged her in
back to school and he dragged her in
back to school and he dragged her in pretty much kicking and screaming she
pretty much kicking and screaming she
pretty much kicking and screaming she had her own perception of alternate
had her own perception of alternate
had her own perception of alternate students and she believed that she
students and she believed that she
students and she believed that she wouldn’t be able to go to university and
wouldn’t be able to go to university and
wouldn’t be able to go to university and become the marine biologist that she
become the marine biologist that she
become the marine biologist that she wanted fast forward to now the loss of
wanted fast forward to now the loss of
wanted fast forward to now the loss of Francis’s mother was something we could
Francis’s mother was something we could
Francis’s mother was something we could help her deal with in an alternate
help her deal with in an alternate
help her deal with in an alternate program she is now on track she will be
program she is now on track she will be
program she is now on track she will be going to university and now she has no
going to university and now she has no
going to university and now she has no intention of leaving recently we had an
intention of leaving recently we had an
intention of leaving recently we had an interview four of our students Francis
interview four of our students Francis
interview four of our students Francis Ivy Leslie and Emma all spoke of coming
Ivy Leslie and Emma all spoke of coming
Ivy Leslie and Emma all spoke of coming to the alternate program and how they
to the alternate program and how they
to the alternate program and how they didn’t want to really come they had
didn’t want to really come they had
didn’t want to really come they had their perceptions based on these
their perceptions based on these
their perceptions based on these stereotypes that we fight every day and
stereotypes that we fight every day and
stereotypes that we fight every day and they didn’t want to be there but if you
they didn’t want to be there but if you
they didn’t want to be there but if you asked them now why they’re there they
asked them now why they’re there they
asked them now why they’re there they will tell you it’s because it’s safe
will tell you it’s because it’s safe
will tell you it’s because it’s safe it’s caring they’ll mention the supports
it’s caring they’ll mention the supports
it’s caring they’ll mention the supports but my personal favorite they’re there
but my personal favorite they’re there
but my personal favorite they’re there because they want to be in order to
because they want to be in order to
because they want to be in order to overcome a lot of the stigma of the
overcome a lot of the stigma of the
overcome a lot of the stigma of the alternate I decided that we needed to
alternate I decided that we needed to
alternate I decided that we needed to create partnerships in the community
create partnerships in the community
create partnerships in the community partnerships were going to be very
partnerships were going to be very
partnerships were going to be very important these kids had to be
important these kids had to be
important these kids had to be integrated back into the community so
integrated back into the community so
integrated back into the community so you will see the first one was the
you will see the first one was the
you will see the first one was the Legion Jim Johnson was a retired teacher
Legion Jim Johnson was a retired teacher
Legion Jim Johnson was a retired teacher he was the president at the time and he
he was the president at the time and he
he was the president at the time and he understood alternate students and what I
understood alternate students and what I
understood alternate students and what I was trying to accomplish so we created a
was trying to accomplish so we created a
was trying to accomplish so we created a partnership and he came in and you’ll
partnership and he came in and you’ll
partnership and he came in and you’ll see he brought artifacts and he let them
see he brought artifacts and he let them
see he brought artifacts and he let them try on the gas masks and he let them ask
try on the gas masks and he let them ask
try on the gas masks and he let them ask questions and he would teach them and
questions and he would teach them and
questions and he would teach them and sometimes he would stop by the school
sometimes he would stop by the school
sometimes he would stop by the school just to visit and if he wasn’t there for
just to visit and if he wasn’t there for
just to visit and if he wasn’t there for a few days the students would notice and
a few days the students would notice and
a few days the students would notice and comment on that the partnership grew we
comment on that the partnership grew we
comment on that the partnership grew we started using their Hall for a variety
started using their Hall for a variety
started using their Hall for a variety of vents which was really amazing
of vents which was really amazing
of vents which was really amazing because at the time we did not have a
because at the time we did not have a
because at the time we did not have a formal graduation but with the legion
formal graduation but with the legion
formal graduation but with the legion partnership there was a hole and it had
partnership there was a hole and it had
partnership there was a hole and it had a commercial kitchen so now we had a
a commercial kitchen so now we had a
a commercial kitchen so now we had a hole we had a kitchen and we had a grad
at the first grad am
at the first grad am named Frank approached me Frank had two
named Frank approached me Frank had two
named Frank approached me Frank had two grandchildren and my program so he
grandchildren and my program so he
grandchildren and my program so he understood what I was trying to
understood what I was trying to
understood what I was trying to accomplish and what alternate youth were
accomplish and what alternate youth were
accomplish and what alternate youth were capable of so he approached me but sadly
capable of so he approached me but sadly
capable of so he approached me but sadly the message was the seniors in the
the message was the seniors in the
the message was the seniors in the community are afraid of your students
community are afraid of your students
community are afraid of your students I found that sad and actually a little
I found that sad and actually a little
I found that sad and actually a little humorous because there was nothing to be
humorous because there was nothing to be
humorous because there was nothing to be afraid of but I talked to Frank and we
afraid of but I talked to Frank and we
afraid of but I talked to Frank and we created senior teen events and the
created senior teen events and the
created senior teen events and the vision was that they were going to have
vision was that they were going to have
vision was that they were going to have lunch together and the youth would serve
lunch together and the youth would serve
lunch together and the youth would serve the seniors and then they would spend
the seniors and then they would spend
the seniors and then they would spend the afternoon together in a variety of
the afternoon together in a variety of
the afternoon together in a variety of activities we tried a few different
activities we tried a few different
activities we tried a few different activities bingo ended up being the
activities bingo ended up being the
activities bingo ended up being the favorite by far the dance lessons not so
favorite by far the dance lessons not so
favorite by far the dance lessons not so much but in looking around the first day
much but in looking around the first day
much but in looking around the first day I realized seniors have a lot of love to
I realized seniors have a lot of love to
I realized seniors have a lot of love to give but not always people to give it to
give but not always people to give it to
give but not always people to give it to alternate youth need a lotta love and
alternate youth need a lotta love and
alternate youth need a lotta love and they haven’t always received what they
they haven’t always received what they
they haven’t always received what they needed so when we put them together
needed so when we put them together
needed so when we put them together magic happened and they started off
magic happened and they started off
magic happened and they started off small but pretty soon the hall was at
small but pretty soon the hall was at
small but pretty soon the hall was at capacity pretty soon I was having to go
capacity pretty soon I was having to go
capacity pretty soon I was having to go to the elementary school to bring
to the elementary school to bring
to the elementary school to bring students from there to help us out
students from there to help us out
students from there to help us out because we couldn’t keep up with the
because we couldn’t keep up with the
because we couldn’t keep up with the demand the seniors were talking and
demand the seniors were talking and
demand the seniors were talking and sharing their life stories and the
sharing their life stories and the
sharing their life stories and the students were excited about it and I was
students were excited about it and I was
students were excited about it and I was hearing that they were holding doors in
hearing that they were holding doors in
hearing that they were holding doors in the community and helping seniors with
the community and helping seniors with
the community and helping seniors with groceries and these great friendships
groceries and these great friendships
groceries and these great friendships came out of that gone were the days that
came out of that gone were the days that
came out of that gone were the days that the seniors saw those kids as scary
the seniors saw those kids as scary
the seniors saw those kids as scary because they now had names gone were the
because they now had names gone were the
because they now had names gone were the days that the you saw the seniors is
days that the you saw the seniors is
days that the you saw the seniors is boring because they heard the stories ah
while we were doing the senior teen we
while we were doing the senior teen we also were doing fundraising because that
also were doing fundraising because that
also were doing fundraising because that also integrated the kids into the
also integrated the kids into the
also integrated the kids into the community because we sell publicly you
community because we sell publicly you
community because we sell publicly you will see up here our famous ace burger
will see up here our famous ace burger
will see up here our famous ace burger which I’m sure will make some of you
which I’m sure will make some of you
which I’m sure will make some of you hungry but thankfully its before lunch
hungry but thankfully its before lunch
hungry but thankfully its before lunch so it’s on its way
so it’s on its way
so it’s on its way so the ACE burger barbeque was to get
so the ACE burger barbeque was to get
so the ACE burger barbeque was to get them in the community get them working
them in the community get them working
them in the community get them working with the community
with the community
with the community it went from selling 40 in about a two
it went from selling 40 in about a two
it went from selling 40 in about a two hour period to over
hour period to over
hour period to over people went crazy for the sauce we even
people went crazy for the sauce we even
people went crazy for the sauce we even had to start bottling and I’m working it
had to start bottling and I’m working it
had to start bottling and I’m working it and yes the students actually make and
and yes the students actually make and
and yes the students actually make and bottle the sauce but what was
bottle the sauce but what was
bottle the sauce but what was interesting about the barbecues wasn’t
interesting about the barbecues wasn’t
interesting about the barbecues wasn’t just that they were a success but they
just that they were a success but they
just that they were a success but they brought seniors out the seniors
brought seniors out the seniors
brought seniors out the seniors I guess partly they love the burgers I
I guess partly they love the burgers I
I guess partly they love the burgers I mean what’s not to love right so partly
mean what’s not to love right so partly
mean what’s not to love right so partly they love the burgers but they also came
they love the burgers but they also came
they love the burgers but they also came to support the students to see their
to support the students to see their
to support the students to see their friends they told their senior friends
friends they told their senior friends
friends they told their senior friends about it and pretty soon our barbecues
about it and pretty soon our barbecues
about it and pretty soon our barbecues became almost like a senior teen event
became almost like a senior teen event
became almost like a senior teen event with the two groups interacting yet
with the two groups interacting yet
with the two groups interacting yet again so from all of this exposure to
again so from all of this exposure to
again so from all of this exposure to seniors that I had I heard many times
seniors that I had I heard many times
seniors that I had I heard many times that they were sad that they didn’t
that they were sad that they didn’t
that they were sad that they didn’t complete their diplomas so being the
complete their diplomas so being the
complete their diplomas so being the somewhat unique individual that I can be
somewhat unique individual that I can be
somewhat unique individual that I can be I thought why not bring them back to
I thought why not bring them back to
I thought why not bring them back to school with the alternate youth I was
school with the alternate youth I was
school with the alternate youth I was capable of doing that thank you
capable of doing that thank you
capable of doing that thank you I was capable of doing that because I
I was capable of doing that because I
I was capable of doing that because I have adult and alternate coming out of
have adult and alternate coming out of
have adult and alternate coming out of the same school so I created and I had
the same school so I created and I had
the same school so I created and I had to come up with a funny name cuz that’s
to come up with a funny name cuz that’s
to come up with a funny name cuz that’s just how I roll high school seniors and
just how I roll high school seniors and
just how I roll high school seniors and the first year I brought in 89 and 80
the first year I brought in 89 and 80
the first year I brought in 89 and 80 and a 76 year old in and they studied
and a 76 year old in and they studied
and a 76 year old in and they studied alongside the youth and they were
alongside the youth and they were
alongside the youth and they were terrified because after that many years
terrified because after that many years
terrified because after that many years out of school there was no way they were
out of school there was no way they were
out of school there was no way they were gonna be able to do it especially math
gonna be able to do it especially math
gonna be able to do it especially math they complained bitterly about math but
they complained bitterly about math but
they complained bitterly about math but they did and all of them graduated and
they did and all of them graduated and
they did and all of them graduated and they graduated alongside the youth
[Applause]
[Applause] kay was 89 years old she was the oldest
kay was 89 years old she was the oldest
kay was 89 years old she was the oldest person in Canadian history to graduate
person in Canadian history to graduate
person in Canadian history to graduate and I think to this day we are the
and I think to this day we are the
and I think to this day we are the school that has graduated the oldest
school that has graduated the oldest
school that has graduated the oldest person I don’t think that’s changed but
person I don’t think that’s changed but
person I don’t think that’s changed but it was amazing there was there were
it was amazing there was there were
it was amazing there was there were reporters and cameras and I can’t even
reporters and cameras and I can’t even
reporters and cameras and I can’t even describe just a barrage of press
describe just a barrage of press
describe just a barrage of press everywhere and people said to me but
everywhere and people said to me but
everywhere and people said to me but it’s all about the seniors and I said
it’s all about the seniors and I said
it’s all about the seniors and I said but it’s not because the students are in
but it’s not because the students are in
but it’s not because the students are in the background of every picture they
the background of every picture they
the background of every picture they were interviewed they were on the news
were interviewed they were on the news
were interviewed they were on the news they went international as well so they
they went international as well so they
they went international as well so they still benefited how many alternate
still benefited how many alternate
still benefited how many alternate schools get that kind of coverage on
schools get that kind of coverage on
schools get that kind of coverage on their grad ever in class these are two
their grad ever in class these are two
their grad ever in class these are two others in a in a later program would now
others in a in a later program would now
others in a in a later program would now graduate at eight seniors to date so
graduate at eight seniors to date so
graduate at eight seniors to date so these were two others and you’ll see
these were two others and you’ll see
these were two others and you’ll see them interacting with the students the
them interacting with the students the
them interacting with the students the students have gifts that they can give
students have gifts that they can give
students have gifts that they can give the seniors like knowledge of technology
the seniors like knowledge of technology
the seniors like knowledge of technology that kind of thing that’s quite obvious
that kind of thing that’s quite obvious
that kind of thing that’s quite obvious and the seniors have an interesting
and the seniors have an interesting
and the seniors have an interesting perspective from their life stories
perspective from their life stories
perspective from their life stories their history their wisdom and the two
their history their wisdom and the two
their history their wisdom and the two interacting is amazing to watch it’s
interacting is amazing to watch it’s
interacting is amazing to watch it’s also interesting to watch when they’ve
also interesting to watch when they’ve
also interesting to watch when they’ve actually lived something as kay once
actually lived something as kay once
actually lived something as kay once told me she was so good at history
told me she was so good at history
told me she was so good at history because she was actually there so in
because she was actually there so in
because she was actually there so in addition to that they socialized they
addition to that they socialized they
addition to that they socialized they became friends it was like watching
became friends it was like watching
became friends it was like watching youth banter with each other we don’t
youth banter with each other we don’t
youth banter with each other we don’t allow swearing in the school and one day
allow swearing in the school and one day
allow swearing in the school and one day one of the seniors led the b-word slip
one of the seniors led the b-word slip
one of the seniors led the b-word slip so Austin started laughing and he looked
so Austin started laughing and he looked
so Austin started laughing and he looked at me to see if I was going to do
at me to see if I was going to do
at me to see if I was going to do anything about it so I looked at her and
anything about it so I looked at her and
anything about it so I looked at her and I said he’s laughing because he wants to
I said he’s laughing because he wants to
I said he’s laughing because he wants to know if I’m gonna discipline you so she
know if I’m gonna discipline you so she
know if I’m gonna discipline you so she was trying to convince me that the B
was trying to convince me that the B
was trying to convince me that the B word was not indeed swearing and then
word was not indeed swearing and then
word was not indeed swearing and then the play argument between the two of
the play argument between the two of
the play argument between the two of them began and at one point Austin even
them began and at one point Austin even
them began and at one point Austin even threatened to call the home and tell on
threatened to call the home and tell on
threatened to call the home and tell on her
and it was amazing to watch it was funny
and it was amazing to watch it was funny and I enjoyed it but it also were my
and I enjoyed it but it also were my
and I enjoyed it but it also were my heart because they were so comfortable
heart because they were so comfortable
heart because they were so comfortable with each other that they could have
with each other that they could have
with each other that they could have this kind of conversation it was like
this kind of conversation it was like
this kind of conversation it was like friends talking and I was amazing
friends talking and I was amazing
friends talking and I was amazing after that we created a big Buddy
after that we created a big Buddy
after that we created a big Buddy Program with Kent Elementary the
Program with Kent Elementary the
Program with Kent Elementary the principal approached me and wanted my
principal approached me and wanted my
principal approached me and wanted my students to kind of become the seniors
students to kind of become the seniors
students to kind of become the seniors and the role models for the youth so we
and the role models for the youth so we
and the role models for the youth so we go over there variety of activities
go over there variety of activities
go over there variety of activities sports crafts that kind of thing and
sports crafts that kind of thing and
sports crafts that kind of thing and sometimes just playing on the playground
sometimes just playing on the playground
sometimes just playing on the playground but my students take what they’ve
but my students take what they’ve
but my students take what they’ve learned from everything they’ve gone
learned from everything they’ve gone
learned from everything they’ve gone through and pass it on to the younger
through and pass it on to the younger
through and pass it on to the younger ones with behavior issues so that they
ones with behavior issues so that they
ones with behavior issues so that they can avoid the same pitfalls that my kids
can avoid the same pitfalls that my kids
can avoid the same pitfalls that my kids had to go through it is amusing because
had to go through it is amusing because
had to go through it is amusing because sometimes the behavior of the younger
sometimes the behavior of the younger
sometimes the behavior of the younger ones isn’t exemplary and my students
ones isn’t exemplary and my students
ones isn’t exemplary and my students will lose patience and come to me
will lose patience and come to me
will lose patience and come to me griping about what the younger ones are
griping about what the younger ones are
griping about what the younger ones are doing when I point out to them that that
doing when I point out to them that that
doing when I point out to them that that was them a few years ago I see the light
was them a few years ago I see the light
was them a few years ago I see the light bulb goes on and that’s quite amusing to
bulb goes on and that’s quite amusing to
bulb goes on and that’s quite amusing to watch a couple of them have said over
watch a couple of them have said over
watch a couple of them have said over the years that it’s the best birth
the years that it’s the best birth
the years that it’s the best birth control they ever had but what I like
control they ever had but what I like
control they ever had but what I like about it is it’s an excellent gauge for
about it is it’s an excellent gauge for
about it is it’s an excellent gauge for those kids those kids to see how far
those kids those kids to see how far
those kids those kids to see how far they have come another event we do as an
they have come another event we do as an
they have come another event we do as an intergenerational day not many people
intergenerational day not many people
intergenerational day not many people know it but June 1st is national
know it but June 1st is national
know it but June 1st is national intergenerational day so now we create
intergenerational day so now we create
intergenerational day so now we create an event and it can change from your
an event and it can change from your
an event and it can change from your deer depending on the business is
deer depending on the business is
deer depending on the business is involved but we have two constants and
involved but we have two constants and
involved but we have two constants and one is the wheelchair walk and the other
one is the wheelchair walk and the other
one is the wheelchair walk and the other is the ace burger BBQ of course
is the ace burger BBQ of course
is the ace burger BBQ of course so can’t elementary sends students to
so can’t elementary sends students to
so can’t elementary sends students to the home to pick up seniors who don’t
the home to pick up seniors who don’t
the home to pick up seniors who don’t normally make it to our barbecues and
normally make it to our barbecues and
normally make it to our barbecues and they push them several blocks in
they push them several blocks in
they push them several blocks in wheelchairs to the event so that they
wheelchairs to the event so that they
wheelchairs to the event so that they can participate it’s open to the
can participate it’s open to the
can participate it’s open to the community plus we have our regular so
community plus we have our regular so
community plus we have our regular so you can imagine when the wheelchair walk
you can imagine when the wheelchair walk
you can imagine when the wheelchair walk arrives the high volume and high stress
arrives the high volume and high stress
arrives the high volume and high stress of serving that many burgers because
of serving that many burgers because
of serving that many burgers because people are hungry and they want it now
people are hungry and they want it now
people are hungry and they want it now but my kids pull it off beautifully
but my kids pull it off beautifully
but my kids pull it off beautifully every year back to our Christmas event
every year back to our Christmas event
every year back to our Christmas event of all the events we do this one is
of all the events we do this one is
of all the events we do this one is probably the most endearing to the
probably the most endearing to the
probably the most endearing to the community it all began when I was not
community it all began when I was not
community it all began when I was not going to Alberta one year and that was
going to Alberta one year and that was
going to Alberta one year and that was where my family was and I was thinking
where my family was and I was thinking
where my family was and I was thinking about my invitations and everything I
about my invitations and everything I
about my invitations and everything I had to do but then I got me to thinking
had to do but then I got me to thinking
had to do but then I got me to thinking about the seniors the seniors would be
about the seniors the seniors would be
about the seniors the seniors would be alone unwrapped their gifts alone have
alone unwrapped their gifts alone have
alone unwrapped their gifts alone have breakfast alone and this is after years
breakfast alone and this is after years
breakfast alone and this is after years of looking after others and making
of looking after others and making
of looking after others and making spectacular Christmases for their own
spectacular Christmases for their own
spectacular Christmases for their own families so I thought this was wrong and
families so I thought this was wrong and
families so I thought this was wrong and I went into school and I proposed to the
I went into school and I proposed to the
I went into school and I proposed to the kids why don’t we do this event and we
kids why don’t we do this event and we
kids why don’t we do this event and we will cook them breakfast and we will
will cook them breakfast and we will
will cook them breakfast and we will give them gifts and the kids rallied
give them gifts and the kids rallied
give them gifts and the kids rallied because we only had just over a week to
because we only had just over a week to
because we only had just over a week to get it together but we did and it has
get it together but we did and it has
get it together but we did and it has become a tradition every year and then
become a tradition every year and then
become a tradition every year and then on Christmas Eve I take them to a hotel
on Christmas Eve I take them to a hotel
on Christmas Eve I take them to a hotel many of them haven’t been in a nice
many of them haven’t been in a nice
many of them haven’t been in a nice hotel they love the pool I have a hard
hotel they love the pool I have a hard
hotel they love the pool I have a hard time getting them out of the pool but
time getting them out of the pool but
time getting them out of the pool but one of my favorite memories is two girls
one of my favorite memories is two girls
one of my favorite memories is two girls coming down looking like they hadn’t
coming down looking like they hadn’t
coming down looking like they hadn’t slept at all so I asked him about it and
slept at all so I asked him about it and
slept at all so I asked him about it and they said what they couldn’t sleep
they said what they couldn’t sleep
they said what they couldn’t sleep because the electric fireplace was too
because the electric fireplace was too
because the electric fireplace was too hot
hot
hot knowing they would have been the ones to
knowing they would have been the ones to
knowing they would have been the ones to turn it on I said why didn’t you just
turn it on I said why didn’t you just
turn it on I said why didn’t you just turn it off and they said because we’ve
turn it off and they said because we’ve
turn it off and they said because we’ve never had one before and I was so nice
never had one before and I was so nice
never had one before and I was so nice and I thought wow they’ve never had or
and I thought wow they’ve never had or
and I thought wow they’ve never had or seen an electric fireplace and they’re
seen an electric fireplace and they’re
seen an electric fireplace and they’re giving up their Christmas to make sure
giving up their Christmas to make sure
giving up their Christmas to make sure others are looked after from the
others are looked after from the
others are looked after from the Christmas morning event we won an award
Christmas morning event we won an award
Christmas morning event we won an award we’ve won many awards actually and we’ve
we’ve won many awards actually and we’ve
we’ve won many awards actually and we’ve been featured in a lot of places but the
been featured in a lot of places but the
been featured in a lot of places but the Betty Urquhart award from the University
Betty Urquhart award from the University
Betty Urquhart award from the University of the Fraser Valley for community
of the Fraser Valley for community
of the Fraser Valley for community service was one of the bigger ones
service was one of the bigger ones
service was one of the bigger ones because the students were allowed to
because the students were allowed to
because the students were allowed to come with me so we rented a limo and I
come with me so we rented a limo and I
come with me so we rented a limo and I bought them all their own champagne
bought them all their own champagne
bought them all their own champagne glass we filled it with sparkling apple
glass we filled it with sparkling apple
glass we filled it with sparkling apple juice and we rode in style to the ufv
juice and we rode in style to the ufv
juice and we rode in style to the ufv campus all dressed up in our school
campus all dressed up in our school
campus all dressed up in our school colors which by the way was the students
colors which by the way was the students
colors which by the way was the students idea not mine and we piled out of the
idea not mine and we piled out of the
idea not mine and we piled out of the limousine and we turned heads and ufv
limousine and we turned heads and ufv
limousine and we turned heads and ufv treated us like VIPs and we went up and
treated us like VIPs and we went up and
treated us like VIPs and we went up and accepted that award in front of hundreds
accepted that award in front of hundreds
accepted that award in front of hundreds of people at their convocation and it
of people at their convocation and it
of people at their convocation and it was amazing and it had a lasting impact
was amazing and it had a lasting impact
was amazing and it had a lasting impact but for me this showed the community
but for me this showed the community
but for me this showed the community first of all they clean up really nicely
first of all they clean up really nicely
first of all they clean up really nicely don’t they okay
don’t they okay
don’t they okay showed them what we can do what
showed them what we can do what
showed them what we can do what alternate youth
alternate youth
alternate youth can do what overgrown alternate youth
can do what overgrown alternate youth
can do what overgrown alternate youth can do so I’m gonna leave you with this
can do so I’m gonna leave you with this
can do so I’m gonna leave you with this picture these are those kids now this is
picture these are those kids now this is
picture these are those kids now this is an important photo because it’s when I
an important photo because it’s when I
an important photo because it’s when I got my master’s degree and that for me
got my master’s degree and that for me
got my master’s degree and that for me was monumental for a variety of reasons
was monumental for a variety of reasons
was monumental for a variety of reasons but my convocation was a sad time
but my convocation was a sad time
but my convocation was a sad time because my mother was dying and my
because my mother was dying and my
because my mother was dying and my family couldn’t make it out from
family couldn’t make it out from
family couldn’t make it out from Edmonton but there’s my ace family
Edmonton but there’s my ace family
Edmonton but there’s my ace family rallying around me and making sure that
rallying around me and making sure that
rallying around me and making sure that day was special for me the outcasts are
day was special for me the outcasts are
day was special for me the outcasts are now the in casts and those kids are our
now the in casts and those kids are our
now the in casts and those kids are our kids and our entire community benefits
kids and our entire community benefits
kids and our entire community benefits from having them in our lives thank you
”
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