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GDHS Barb Mansfield (second from right) was recognized for her many volunteer activities, including fundraising an estimated $50,000 for various GDHS programs. On hand for the presentation are (from left): vice principal Carol Davin, student council president Liz Colter and HDSB trustee Gillian Tuck Kutarna. The students and staff at Georgetown District High School thanked the school's many volunteers and sponsors recently at a special awards ceremony. Volunteers from all areas ­ from the sports fields to the tech department ­ were thanked for all their hard work, dedication and donations over the years. Photos by Eamonn Maher RIGHT: John Armstrong (left), who owns the Mississauga-based Formatic 2000 metal fabrication firm, has donated thousands of dollars worth of equipment, along with new and scrap materials, to the GDHS tech department over the past decade. Thanking him for his contributions are GDHS tech teachers Carlo Crechiola (centre) and Sam Assad. LEFT: Members of the committee responsible for the Field of Dreams project ­ slated to be ready in September ­ were recognized at the volunteer appreciation reception. From left: Steve Pettit, Cindy Robinson, Alice Strachan, Ian Troop, Jim Kardash, Gillian Tuck Kutarna, Manny Saitis and Randy Keast. The gym at Gary Allan High School's Halton Hills campus was packed on June 24 as 63 students happily received their Ontario Secondary School Diplomas. Students from the Secondary Teen Education Program (STEP), the Teen Education and Motherhood (TEAM) program and the adult self-reliant program ­ as well as proud friends and family ­ attended the graduation and awards ceremony where many of them received awards donated by the Kiwanis Club of Georgetown, the Georgetown Lions Club and the Halton Learning Foundation. Congratulations, grads! Photos submitted by Karen O'Brien 13 In Focus, July, 2010 Graduation LEFT: STEP grads Elizabeth Hunter, Matt Norman and Michael Grubbe share a smile. RIGHT: Valedictorian Victoria Julien addresses her fellow grads. Gary Allan's self-reliant grads celebrate at their graduation. (From left): Brent Haldenby, Deb Hart, Allison Christiansen, Kelly Usher, Gord Allan, Kyla Reid, Lauren Mascherin, Kim Lyle, Beth Ann Jackson, Vanessa Gunn and Kinjal Patel. Gary Allan High School's 2009-2010 Student of Excellence Award Winner Victoria Julien, a student in the Halton Hills' TEAM program, is Gary Allan High School's Student of Excellence Award winner for the 2009-2010 school year. Victoria is in her second year at Gary Allan High School. She joined our TEAM program last year and returned promptly in September of this school year to get started again. Victoria's grades are exemplary. She consistently earns marks in the 90s, including an SBI3C1 (Biology) mark of 94%. Her biology summative was based on the controversy surrounding vaccinations for children and, after her research, is confident that she is making the right decision by getting her son, Sebastian, all of the appropriate vaccinations. Also, in her Parenting course, she earned 92% and created a children's interactive book concept that the teacher recommended she send to publishers. Aside from her academic achievements, Victoria is clearly the leader of TEAM and a very strong advocate for the program. She is always talking to young moms about finishing their high school with us and encourages them as they make the transition back to school. She also works with the YMCA, our daycare providers, to ensure that the program is meeting the needs of all of the girls by making suggestions for modifications to the program. Halton Hills Campus To Register in September Call Early Registration Aug 30 & Sept 1 10 am - 2pm Regular Registration begins Sept 7 905-873-8783 Victoria's accomplishments as a student leader are very important, but what is most impressive is that this young woman is a wonderful and caring mother to her son, Sebastian. He is a bright and capable child and clearly has a mature and thoughtful mother. Her interactions with Sebastian and the other children in the program are exemplary and the other mothers gain quite a bit from this role model. Victoria is truly a Student of Excellence.