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The Oakville Beaver, Friday February 3, 2006 - 17 Helping teens plan their futures By Melanie Cummings SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER Preview 3:6u pm, A u c tio n Tuesda1 February 7/06 ( a n tiq u e s a n d c o lle c tib le s e tc . f r o m 6 :3 0 p m ; AUCTION SALE At The King's Court Banquet Hall 1159 King Rdr Burlington w w w .s h a f e r a u c tio n .c o m pm Making career decisions that are expected to last a lifetime at the young age of 15 is a heavy burden. When Steve Allen asked his high school-aged sons about their post-secondary plans, their resulting shoulder shrug was, in the eyes of the father of five, under standable. "They said `yes' to university because they figured that was the right answer, the rule," said Allen. The difficulty he faced in helping them to realize their undetermined goals, was akin to the blind leading the blind. Secondary school guidance counsel lors are outnumbered 500 students to one, so it' s unfair to heap the blame on their overburdened shoulders, said Allen. "Nonetheless, it was hard for my sons to get the attention I wanted them to get," he added. The counselor/chartered accountant (he specializes in coaching family busi nesses across Canada) later learned that this frustration is shared by university administrators who were equally dis mayed that high schools weren't dissemi nating accurate information about their institutions to potential undergrads either. By the fall of 2004 Allen had founded SelfQuest, to fill this two-way void and spare students from making fruitless, uninformed, rash academic decisions. Retired guidance professional Margaret Cosgrove was "a real find"- for the local company. With 25 years experi ence and impressive academic credentials to boot, she knows the educational system inside and out. On the flip side Trish Walker, a former university associate registrar ably provides the post-secondary perspective parents and students need. Lome Brown is a coach aS well and Taylor Train is SelfQuest' s vice-president with over 25 years experience working with people of all ages in many areas including education. "Kids grow up learning how to fit into society, according to their parents; school, church and community leaders -- they are a product of everyone else's prefer ences," said Allen. SelfQuest helps teens determine a per sonal vision of .their future by developing realistic and achievable goals and mapping out an action plan that'll put them on the track that is right for them. The private counselling and guidance centre is suited for students in Grade 10 to 12 and according to Allen attracts teens from public (80 per cent) and private schools (20 per cent.) Certified counsellors lead workshops and comprehensive career and personality assessments, which are analyzed and interpreted. Students conduct their own research into post-secondary school options, create personal portfolios and write career and academic action plans. After up to 30 hours of individual and small group sessions over the course of six weeks, previously uncertain students are able to articulate their goals to their par ents, and know the steps they'll need to take, to achieve them. SelfQuest is located at 1464 Cornwall Rd., Unit 3. Call 416-922-3335 or visit www.selfquest.ca. KING RD IS 2 BLOCKS WEST OF THE IKEA STORE ON PLAINS RD. An excellent estate auction from the estates of Boyd, Hounsell, Martin and ^others. Featuring a collection of contemporary and antique furnishings and accessories, glassware, dinnerware, doll collection. ^ Cash, Visa, Interac, 10% Buyers Premium GOOD ACCESS, ABUNDANT PARKING, DELIVERY, BAR, GOOD FOOD . SHAFER AUCTION CO. LTD. 905-634-6300 Pictures @ www.shaferauction.com Reduce · Reuse European Engineering Combined With Traditional Workmanship Authorized Dealer LI ESA KORTMANN I OAKVILLE BEAVER "Building cm the Brightest Ideas Around Glass" A GUIDING HAND: SelfQuest owner Steve Allen with a few of his clients Monica and Justine Goodchild, Evan Kadet and Josh MacGregor Sexsmith. 905 849.0266 Nottinghill Co-operative Preschool . iscover the ^ I J ijjerence O AKVILLE CH R ISTIAN SCHOOL An academic school where Christian morals and values are taught and modelled. A student body that rainks in the top 11% on Canada's national CAT3 tests. A science program that produces regional science fair winners every year. Athletic teams that compete in 9 different sports, starting as early as Grade 2. Extracurricular opportunities that meet the intellectual, physical, social and spiritual needs of all students. Christian service involvement in the community. A music program that trains vocal & instrumental groups who represent the school at different community fugctions. Fully networked computer lab - networked computers in every classroom. A family atmosphere with 265 students. On-site before & after school care. f 0 * T H E B E S T T O M O » »O V < OPEN HOUSE & REGISTRATION for th e 2 0 0 6 /2 0 0 7 school year. Saturday, February 4 - 9 a.m. -12 noon · Energetic, enthusiastic ECE-trained teachers · A safe, nurturing environment for ages 2 to 6 · Two-morning arid three-morning programs geared towards individual age groups · Five-afternoon JK program · Readers Count - an alternate day SK enrichment program 1469 Nottinghill Gate (in Glen Abbey United Church) 9 0 5 -8 2 7 -1 4 4 2 At Oakville Christian School our mission is: Nurturing Excellence in a Christ-Centred Academic Environment" O a k v ille C h ris tia n School 112 Third Line, Oakville (905) 825-1247 ocsadmissions@ocsGnline.org Visit our new website a t www .ocsonline.or OAKVILLE i Stoney Creek F U R N I T U R E See our flyer in today's O akville Beaver