Winners say YMCA helped identify career choices continued from p.12 and then as a team leader. She has put in hundreds of hours to improving it, resulting in a new communication program for integration campers and their parents. O'Brien said she felt overwhelmed and honoured by the recognition because of how long she's been with the organization. "The community here is something I haven't experienced at any other place I've been at. The Y is like my second home, my second family. The best part about working here is I get to work with some of my best friends," she said. The 22-year-old also developed a camp-wide training process to prepare new counsellors to work with children with exceptionalities and designed new sensory boxes for kids in camp and child care. "The things I've learned here I will be able to hold onto forever. It's given me a new outlook and appreciation for every single child and their abilities," said O'Brien. This fall, she will be attending Brock University to obtain her bachelor of education and pursue her goal of becoming a teacher. "The YMCA has made me realize I wanted to become a teacher. If it wasn't for the Y and working with the kids, I don't think I would have had the same experience and known that's what I wanted to pursue," said O'Brien. Pettinato began volunteering at the YMCA when she was 12 and became a March Break and summer camp counsellor when she was 16. The 21-year-old is currently a program coordinator for CIT (counsellor in training) and LIT (leadership in training) camps, where she teaches teen campers to become better leaders. "I am a Y kid. My mom is here and I really love kids. I wanted to see if teaching was something I wanted to pursue," said Pettinato. "I knew I wanted to become a teacher after working at camp. This is the environment I want to be in for the rest of my life." For her efforts, Pettinato garnered the spirit award and was nominated for the Rookie of the Year and Counsellor of the Year accolades. Pettinato is in her fourth year at McMaster University and hopes to be a high school teacher. Bourne joined the Y as a summer camp counsellor in 2013. She received a spirit award after her first season for her positive energy and dedication to ensuring children had memorable experiences. In 2014, she came back to work in beforeand-after school care, facilitating educational programming before moving to the camp department once the season began. The 22-year-old was nominated as Counsellor of the Year in 2015 for creating a positive and rewarding environment for campers. In the future, Bourne hopes to get a master's degree in physical education to become a physical therapist for children with disabilities. Rouse, 18, started as a volunteer in the Y's aquatics department in summer 2013. She developed strong leadership skills and volunteered more than 258 hours to teach children to swim and participated in aquatics leadership training. She recently helped develop a new aquatics program for children who are comfortable in water, but unable to swim long distances. Rouse created lesson plans for the program and worked with children of all abilities and levels, including three individuals who didn't speak English. Rouse will be attending the University of Western Ontario in September to study nursing. 19 | Friday, August 19, 2016 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com OPEN HOUSE SUNDAY 2-4PM EXECUTIVE COUNTRY ESTATE ON 10 ACRES WITH LAKE Sales Representative CHRIS DOSNE Dir: 416-578-2343 1-888-450-8301 $1,399,000 12614 FIFTH LINE, NASSAGAWEYA, MILTON 401 TO MILTON CITY EXIT 25 NORTH TO 25 SIDERD TURN LEFT TO FIFTH LINE TURN LEFT Only 10 mins to 401/Milton city, spectacular Executive Country Estate on 10 acres over looking private sand beach lake and forest, automatic large gated driveway with 7 car garage, 5 bedrms, over 5000 sqft living space approx., updated center island kitchen with granite counters, breakfast rm, cathedral ceiling massive great room, sep dining, rec rm, games rm, 2 ponds. A must see! Specializing in Country Properties www.chrisdosne.com for photos each listing Millennium Inc. Brokerage Independently Owned & Operated It's in your nature AFFINITYCONDO.COM Register at From the upper N 40 3 Ki Fa l Sh a Fi lm de la an da co n ng 200's Q EW Rd E Blvd Bl vd Nor W at er do w le sR d Pl ai n nd n Av e Av e Rd E hore th S COMING THIS FALL to BURLINGTON Rosehaven Homes brings you a 6-storey condominium designed with unrivalled quality and attention to detail. Two stunning contemporary buildings rise above the tree-lined streets. Prepare yourself to experience the elevated lifestyle that is Affinity. Lake Ontario Specifications are subject to change. Renderings are artist's concept. Map is not to scale. E&O.E.