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19 Thursday , O ctober 28, 2010 O A KVILLE BEA V ER w w w .o akvillebeaver .co m November 4th OAKVILLE Abbey Park High School, 1455 Glen Abbey Gate, Oakville November 30th BURLINGTON Robert Bateman High School, 5151 New Street, Burlington December 2nd ACTON Acton District High School, 21 Cedar Road, Acton January 25th BURLINGTON Polish Hall, 2316 Fairview St, Burlington January 26th GEORGETOWN Georgetown District High School, 70 Guelph Street, Georgetown January 27th OAKVILLE Galaxy 707 Hall, 475 North Service Road E., Oakville Go to www.hdsb.ca/pathways or www.schooltocareer.ca for more information Halton District School Board Promoting Potential Inspiring Futures PARENTS AND STUDENTS: The Halton District School Board invites you to nd out about the opportunities and specialized programs available in high school. Information Evenings 6:30pm to 8:30pm By Andrew Wood GRADE 12, T. A. BLAKELOCK H.S. T.A. Blakelock is team-ing up with local busi-nesses to provide teens with a chance to deal with real life work situations. High school students who do get the chance to be involved with co-op education should consider it a good way to explore potential careers. Students rarely get an opportunity to experience a job in which you have to solve prob- lems that really appeal to us. I have been so fortunate with my co-op placement at Hustler, a perfect little skate shop on Kerr Street. The shop has been around since the early 1990s and its forts selling top-notch skate- board and snowboard products. I am an avid skater and I also snowboard. The Hustler placement is an ideal way for me to secure a high school credit and learn about the sport and the retail business. I have always dreamt about one day opening my own skateboard shop or starting my own skate board company. The skateboard sport and industry has fluctuated a lot since it originated in the 1970s. It started as a pass time for surfers when the waves were dead. By the mid 1980s skateboards were being mass-produced and sold throughout the USA. Today skateboards and snowboards are the basis of a billion dollar plus industry. Student mixes business and pleasure at co-op Kids across the continent are scouted as the search for talent progresses. New companies, brands, technologies and parks are evolving. Skate parks are designed with input from local skate- boarders. Skateboarding is competi- tive and there are many elec- tronic video games on the market. The industry also supports the design and production of shoes and clothing lines. It is a testament to the sport that many young people wear skater attire even though they may not participate in the activity. My co-op starts each day at noon and finishes at about 4 p.m. During my work day I often put together new skateboard or doing quick change ups for customers who are seeking a better ride. In addition, I ensure the work cloths and products are clean, organized and ready to go. I price new inventory, break down boxes and help customer as much as possible. The cool thing about skate- boarding is that it is a fully solo sport. The feeling can't get any better. Skateboarding is challeng- ing and not many people are willing to put in the time, effort and pain. Planning and practicing new skills, landing new tricks, is a feeling like no other and one many cannot live without. I can also tell you that I'm in great shape as I travel up to eight kilometers on my board to skate at Shell Park. My skateboard is my trans- portation. I have my drivers licence, but prefer to travel green, to my school and co-op every day. Lights, camera, action instruction The Youth Exchange Program is inviting youths aged 13 to 24 to Tobacco Free Sports and Recreation film orientation/training ses- sions on Wednesday, Nov. 3 and Saturday, Nov. 6. The event on Nov. 3 will be at 171 Speers Rd., Unit 20 from 5-7:30 p.m. The Saturday, Nov. 6 ses- sion, to run from 1-8 p.m. will also be held in Oakville; its location to be announced. It will assist those interest- ed in compiling an entry to the Play, Live, Be Tobacco Free film contest (visit www.plalivebetobaccofree.ca). In this one day training, experience filming and edit- ing first hand. All films will be submitted to the upcoming Tobacco Free Video Contest for a chance to win a prize worth $1,000. Its required participants attend the orientation to participate in the workshop. The deadline to register is Friday, Oct. 29. Contact Holly Zapreff, outreach and event specialist for The Youth Exchange Program at 905-875-3851, ext. 5020 or hzapreff@tcet.com. Author of Repairing Rainbows, Lynda Fishman, who knows all too well about loss, will speak in Oakville about the difference between living and merely existing. Fishman will be speaking at Shaarei Beth El Congregation on Sunday, Oct. 31. The book was published this summer on the 40th anniver- sary of a tragic plane crash that claimed the lives 160 individu- als on board, including Fishmans mother and two younger siblings. The flight was from from Los Angeles to Montreal and crashed in Malton, now Mississauga. Fishman was 13-years-old and only her dad remained as her immediate family. In her book she describes the agonizing memories, hard- ships and loss. She talks about hope, anger, pity, determina- tion and, more importantly, truly living. She will speak at 10 a.m. All are welcome to attend. The synagogue is located at 186 Morrison Rd. For information, visit www.sbe.ca. Author knows about surviving tragedy