CNA grads join first Team Canada at Abilympics
 When Skills Canada sends its’ first-ever team to the International Abilympics this fall, two of the competitors representing Newfoundland and Labrador will be College of the North Atlantic (CNA) Engineering Technology graduates. Justin Mercer and Paul Thorne, who both have cerebral palsy, will compete in Seoul, South Korea in September. Mercer graduated from Architectural Engineering Technology this spring and will compete in Computer Aided Design. He says he’s looking forward to demonstrating his philosophy that disability doesn’t mean inability.
“The whole purpose of the International Abilympics, in my opinion, is to showcase the talents and abilities of people with disabilities,” he says. “I hope to do well in my competition. I certainly hope to bring back the gold of course, we’d all like to do that, but it will be a learning experience for me regardless.”
Paul Thorne is a graduate of CNA’s Safety Engineering Technology program. He’ll be demonstrating his graphic design skills in Seoul. Thorne echoes Mercer’s expectation that the Abilympics will be an opportunity to gain perspective on the cross-cultural challenges faced by people with disabilities.
“I want to learn about other disabilities out there and how they’re impacting other people’s lives,” he says. “Maybe from my own experiences I can help someone else, and vice versa, maybe they can help me.” As they prepare for the competition, both Mercer and Thorne are brushing up on their skills with the help of CNA instructors.
The team is sponsored by Skills Canada Newfoundland and Labrador. Marketing and Communications Coordinator Melissa Halford says competing on the international stage will be both a thrill and an honour for the participants. “Regardless of what your background is, you’re representing your country, you’re going up against the best of the best,” she says. “You have this opportunity to take in what everyone else is doing in your field.”
Halford adds that sending a team to the competition is a way to expand the reach of the skills movement, by demonstrating the contributions that people with disabilities can make in the workforce. Mercer points out that those contributions are made possible when institutions like College of the North Atlantic are responsive to the accessibility needs of students with disabilities.
“The campus needed many upgrades… and I put in a request for these changes to be made,” he says. “When I started the program in September all these changes had been put in place. I really applaud the college for doing that.”
College of the North Atlantic offers a range of engineering programs, at a number of campuses. For more information about CNA’s School of Engineering Technology, visit www.cna.nl.ca
2011 Visual Arts Competition
There were approximately 40 entries across three categories (photography, painting, and sculpting) for the Visual Arts Competition and showcased a variety of talent. The judging was completed mid-June with prizes awarded for the top three submissions in each category. This art will be displayed throughout the Port aux Basques Campus for the next school year. During the week of June 20th the campus hosted a public viewing of the winners at the campus with over 150 people from the community viewing the art. The art was displayed in the corridors of the campus.
40th Reunion for Secretarial Science – St. John’s
 On the evening of July 16th 2011, thirteen ladies met for a class reunion at Portobello's Restaurant in a private upstairs room with a beautiful view of the harbour. Those thirteen ladies represented the entire graduating class of Secretarial Science 1971, as well as their first-year instructor, Judy Dean. Their second-year instructor, Doreen Hounsell, sent her regrets and was very much missed from the evening celebrations.
They felt so fortunate that after 40 years all the members of the class were able to attend. They remarked many times throughout the evening that the two years they spent studying at the College of Trades and Technology provided them with an excellent start to their careers. Many later achieved university degrees and/or professional designations and became instructors with the college, managers in education, government, private industry, as well as operators of their own businesses. Some remained true to their original training and continued as executive secretaries and office managers. Most of the classmates are now retired or semi-retired.
They want to send along thanks to College of the North Atlantic’s Business Department and the Alumni and Advancement Office who supported the event with gifts and prizes. The Business Department also arranged for Carla Joy (Audio Visual) to provide photographic services. “We are very happy to have beautiful professional photos to help commemorate our reunion."
Front Row, L to R: Robin (Butler) Butterworth, Nellie (Blake) Burke, Norma (Bryne) Elliott, Joan (Tilley) Rumsey
Middle Row, L to R: Maxine (Denney) Short, Judy (Peckford) Dean, instructor, Enid (King) Strickland; Judy Pennell
Back Row, L to R: Judy (Head) Rowsell, Linda (Sargent) Moyles, Donna (Hart) Osborne, Sandra Penney, Gail (Hewitt) Rahal
You could WIN 1 of 2 MINI Cooper cars with TD!
Just for the opportunity to provide you with a quote, TD Insurance will automatically enter your name in their national contest for a chance to win 1 of 2 MINI Cooper cars, or $30,000 cash. Let TD Insurance help you with all your insurance needs. Contact them at 1-866-334-0333 or visit www.melochemonnex.com/cna and let them show you how easy it is to choose the right insurance.
Bank of Montreal’s 5th award installment to CNA
 Past President Bruce Hollett’s accepts $10,000 for the fifth installment from Bank of Montreal for the BMO Business Awards and the BMO International Learner Entrance Award. BMO has committed a total of $50,000 over the last 5 years to full-time learners in the Business Administration and/or Business Management program and International learners in a full-time Business or IT program at the college. BMO has been a corporate leader and community investor in Canada and with the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador.
|
|
Atlantic University Pub Night
|
Get a group together or come along yourself
and join a night of fun with alumni and friends
of Atlantic Canadian Universities
and College of the North Atlantic.
Thursday, September 15th
7:30 – 9:00 p.m. and onward…..
Grace O’Malley’s
14 Duncan Street
Toronto
Signal Hill Live at 9:00 p.m.
For more information, please respond to cna.alumni@cna.nl.ca or contact the below:
Kathy MacFarlane
SMU Alumni Department
Senior Alumni Officer
867 Robie Street, Halifax, NS B3H 3C3
902.496.8276
kathy.macfarlane@smu.ca
All Fore! Literacy |
|
 The Children’s Literacy Festival, hosted at College of the North Atlantic’s (CNA) Prince Philip Drive campus as part of the Peter Gzowski Invitational (PGI) Literacy Event, saw nearly 600 children take part in a special literacy promotion.
Founded by Canadian broadcaster, writer and literacy champion the late Peter Gzowski , 2011 marked the 20th anniversary of the PGI Literacy Event. The Children’s Literacy Festival took place June 15 in St. John’s.
“I wanted this event organized in a fashion whereby smaller groups could come to a venue and take part in a variety of literacy-based activities for a short period of time,” says Paul Lahey, Provincial Chair of PGI – Newfoundland and Labrador and National Chair of PGI Canada. “Children’s attention spans are short and we needed to organize this event in a way that all children had a variety of activity. We wanted it to resemble the national event which was started in 1986 – a golf game.
According to Lahey, the Children’s Literacy Festival was implemented approximately four years ago as a means of drawing attention that PGI is not about golf, but about using golf as a means of bring people together.
“We wanted to bring in new elements that drew attention to literacy and to send a message that literacy affects all ages in that reading and writing is as important to children as it is to adults. If you catch them early, then together we can help in solving low literacy issues in our province.”
He feels the special literacy festival helps achieve this goal.
“Each hour one or two schools would arrive by busses with approximately 70–125 students from grades 2 to3. These students would be assembled into groups of 10–15 supervised by a teacher, then assigned a golf caddy and a team name – each named after famous golf courses in Canada,” he explains.
“They went directly to the CNA gymnasium, which was transformed into a simulated miniature golf course and each team was lead by the caddy to begin at a different hole. Similar to that of a golf tournament, teams all began at different holes and rotate to the next hole when complete.”
Teams participated in a special activity at each station or “hole”. For example, public libraries offered story time whereby they had a special guest arrive and read to the children, while CNA student volunteers had children create body shapes that spelled words or created letters.
“Once all teams had completed the round of stations, they proceeded to the middle of the gymnasium. At this point they would have had approximately 50 minutes of station activities completed. During this time, there was a magic show performed for all children then sitting on the floor. Then we began all over again.”
This process continued until approximately 550–600 children went through the course.
CNA sponsored the full PGI as the Education Partnership Sponsor, which contributed to three events; the PGI Rhythms and Rhymes concert, the Children’s Literacy Festival and the golf event.
The PGI Charity Golf Tournament in aid of literacy began with a shotgun start. Twenty teams headed off to the starting tee to begin a day of fun, hole activities, literacy challenges and a game of 18-hole golf.
“The weather was good, 14 degrees, overcast and at times a little misty rain. But that did not stop all teams from completing all holes, and all came in with big smiles on their faces, although maybe a few less golf balls, and a thought of supporting a great cause,” recalls Lahey.
Proceeds from this years’ PGI will be used to support on-going and new literacy initiatives in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. It will also support bursaries through the various Adult Basic Education (ABE) centres across the province, and provide $5,000 that will be put towards scholarships for ABE students of CNA.
“So far, the PGI’s in Newfoundland and Labrador have contributed approximately $37,500 to CNA to provide direct support to its ABE students,” says Lahey. “PGI’s in Newfoundland and Labrador have raised approximately $400,000 in the past 20 years and 100 per cent of its proceeds go directly to support literacy.”
In Canada, PGI’s have raised over $13 million. PGI’s are one of the largest literacy fundraising initiatives in Canada and Lahey feels it is great to be part of that national campaign that affects so many.
The battle against illiteracy is fought through ABE programs at CNA.
“Scholarships such as those donated through the PGI Newfoundland and Labrador have a tremendous impact on our learners,” says Lisa Shallow, manager of CNA''s Alumni and Advancement. “By receiving scholarships, ABE students have the opportunity to feel recognized for their achievements, which further fuels their desire to improve their futures through achieving greater literacy and academic skills at the college.”
"The college was proud to continue as the Education Partner for the PGI Literacy events taking place in St. John’s,” adds John Oates, senior campus administrator of Prince Philip Drive campus. “Improving reading and literacy skills is one of PGI''s major objectives and we are extremely honoured and privileged to partner with such a distinguished group. The Prince Philip Drive campus hosted a large group of school children and it is always such a pleasure to see the kids come to the campus each year to read books and have fun. Friday’s golf tournament was a tremendous success and we were delighted to once again help PGI raise money for such a worthwhile cause."
|
|
CAREER FAIR - 2011
Career Fair 2011 - a joint initiative between College of the North Atlantic and Memorial University. This is the 6th annual Career Fair and it continues to grow each year.
-
Over 40 exhibitors
-
Over 1,000 students and alumni in 2010
-
Diverse industry representation
-
Numerous networking opportunities
-
Students and exhibitors ranked the event a resounding success
WHEN?
Thursday, September 29th, 2011
WHERE?
Prince Philip Drive campus gymnasium; 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
*Closed for lunch from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
Careers
All that we are and all that we offer – world-class programming and training, a nurturing learning environment and precedent-setting partnerships – exist because of the expertise, energy and dedication of our faculty and staff. We recruit world-class employees to facilitate our leading-edge curriculum and provide a total learning experience to students that are second to none. Our reach spans the globe and our curriculum is taught in countries in Asia, and the Middle East, as well as at home in Canada.
Check out CNA on YouTube!
Promoting a Healthier Workplace
By Glenda McCarthy (Reprinted from Currents, Spring 2011)
Although it’s still in its infancy stage, CNA’s Smoke Free Workplace program is leading the way for those who have been looking for an example to follow. It’s been widely promoted and wholeheartedly supported by advocacy groups and throughout the institution, and while it has been just seven months since it began, Occupational Health and Safety Manager Craig Boyd says the program is enjoying great success.
“The Smoke Free Workplace program no longer allows smoking on any property operated by CNA – including all campuses, field sites and buildings, office buildings, learning centres and their parking lots and grounds,” he says. “It is a part of the college’s health and safety program which we’re always improving on. This is really innovative and is one of many programs we have to help improve health and safety at the college.”
Since the college became a non-smoking institution in September 2010, Boyd and his team have been promoting the tobacco-free policy and reminding people the program is for the health and safety of all employees, students and visitors at CNA.
“Someone at each campus level has been promoting the initiative,” he says. “The message I would like to see more is it’s still about health education. At the end of the day it’s for the health of everyone because no one wants to be subjected to walking through  smoke. If you go to a meeting, and come back, you have a right not to have to jeopardize your health in that way.”
He adds that the Newfoundland and Labrador Lung Association recently heralded CNA as a great model for other institutions and employers to follow in their efforts to promote a healthier workplace. The Lung Association is dedicated to achieving healthy breathing for the people of this province through programs in education, research and advocacy.
“Everyone knows research shows that smoking can be hazardous to your health so the Lung Association came up with an initiative to go out to colleges and universities in the province to promote their Smokers’ Helpline. The Lung Association was paramount in helping develop CNA’s initiatives last summer and spring before we announced it Sept. 1,” says Boyd.
“In addition to the Lung Association we have been working with the Alliance for the Control of Tobacco as well as other post-secondary institutions. Since the college has joined the increasing ranks of other employers such as education K-12 and Eastern Health, we have increased awareness to other post-secondary institutes to begin a Smoke Free Workplace program of their own.”
CNA is encouraging anyone who wants to quit smoking to call the Lung Association’s Stop Smoking Help Line.
“One thing (the Lung Association mentioned) was how pleased they are with the support from faculty and staff at the college. They did find College of the North Atlantic has been exemplary with the support they’re getting, especially in terms of the Smokers’ Helpline.”
“We, as a college, aren’t the experts to help people stop smoking. The people with the Lung Association are the ones who set up the support systems to actually help people kick the habit. We’re getting the message to our employees that this support is available through the Lung Association.”
While the college has enhanced its efforts in promoting the initiative provincially, Boyd says it takes time for everyone to be informed of and follow the new rules.
“There have been a few complaints and that is expected. I’m finding good support from management and human resources staff. If something comes in, I will go to the campus administrator or supervisor and relate them to the complaint, and then discuss what we can do about it.”
The Smokers’ Helpline offers help by phone, email or in person. For more information call 1-800-363-5864 or visit them online at www.smokershelp.net
Happy Valley-Goose Bay Campus Alumni Event
 
Twenty five alumni were present at the alumni event held in Happy Valley-Goose Bay Campus on July 22, 2011. They sifted through yearbooks, toured the campus, enjoyed lovely snacks and of course mingled and chatted with other alumni, staff, families and friends. Everyone had a great time enjoying a journey through time!
Passion for planes becomes lifetime career!
 Bruce Peddle can pinpoint the exact moment he fell in love with airplanes.
His family lived in St. John’s, but his grandfather had a fishing camp on Newfoundland’s west coast. When Peddle was just five or six years old, his father took him along for a fishing trip, which started with his first airplane ride.
“I still remember going to the airport, getting on that airplane and flying to Deer Lake and from that day on I was hooked,” he says. “I was the poster child for aviation. I had airplanes hanging from the ceiling of my bedroom. I put together all the airplane models. I knew all the names. I really, really was passionate about airplanes.”
It was a passion that his father encouraged by bringing him to the airport to watch the planes take off and land.
By the time Peddle graduated high school, he already had his pilot’s license. And while it seemed elementary that flying would become his career, fate had other plans.
“It was very difficult to find a job and I also had a little bit of an issue with my eyesight,” says Peddle. “That really prompted me to look further into continuing my aviation interest.”
He found the Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Technician (AMET) program at what is now the Gander campus of College of the North Atlantic (CNA). Peddle was soon immersed in hands-on projects that taught him everything he could have ever dreamed to know about the airplanes he loved.
“The first year was airframe technology and the second year was focused on engine technology,” he recalls. “But it was really about having projects that were focused on completing repairs of certain parts of the airplane. So there was a lot of practical workshop time and I really liked that.”
He says the instructors were a big part of what made the program work for him. “They had come from industry and were very knowledgeable about the systems on the airplanes.”
Peddle went on to work in the industry himself for several years after graduating from the program, but eventually he decided he wanted to move into the business side of aviation. He earned his business degree, and went on to work with aircraft manufacturer Bombardier in international sales and marketing. He moved on to work for another aircraft manufacturer, Embraer, where he managed their Asia Pacific division in Singapore, before becoming a company vice president.
Most recently, Peddle was named Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Flexjet, the world’s single largest closed fleet of Bombardier business aircraft, and is based in Dallas, Texas.
Even though he’s more focused on marketing than mechanics these days, Peddle says he still draws on his experience in aircraft maintenance.
“In discussions related to the maintenance, the costing of aircraft, the processes of overhaul, all these things, I think I have a pretty good practical perspective because of the hands-on experience I’ve had,” he says. “I sit through a lot of meetings where we talk about the cost of operation of airplanes and what needs to be done to aircraft through their life cycle, and I guess I get an immediate connection with that - really understanding what needs to be done.”
Peddle says that understanding comes directly from his time in the AMET program in Gander.
“If there’s one thread that carries through my whole career it’s all about airplanes and I think that really came from the first two years I spent at Gander,” says Peddle. “I have high regards for the college there.”
Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Technician is a two-year program offered at CNA’s Gander campus. Seats are still available for the 2011/12 year, which starts in September.
Students who graduate from the program get certification from Transport Canada and are recognized by the U.S. Federal Aviation Authority (FAA). The college is also working toward adding curriculum approved by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) under an agreement with Lufthansa Technical Training in Frankfurt, Germany. Once that curriculum is in place, graduates will have the option of completing an additional semester of training to become certified to service European registered aircraft.
CNA - Continuing Education Programs
Continuing Education Programs are an integral part of College of the North Atlantic’s mandate to provide quality, accessible and relevant learning opportunities to the community. Continuing Education programming includes part-time certificate programs, credit courses, non-credit courses, and professional development opportunities in various disciplines.
Training is offered in the following program areas: Information Technology, Engineering Technology, Medical Sciences, Natural Resources, Academic Upgrading, Industrial Trades, Business Management, Office Administration, Oil Related Training, Management and Supervisory Skills Training, Personal Growth and General Interest Courses.
For course schedule click here:
http://www.cna.nl.ca/continuing-education/course-offerings.asp
To speak to someone about Continuing Education programs, courses or admissions please call:
Toll Free 1-888-982-2268.
Registration is now taking place!!
Kneading, shaping, and rising in the foodservices industry
By Andrew Pike
Peter Andrews knows how to live a healthy and prosperous lifestyle. In 2007, just before graduating from the Nutrition and Foodservices Management program at College of the North Atlantic (CNA), he landed a job with Compass Food Services; a company that provides health care foodservices to Eastern Health. Andrews has been working there since graduation.
But this is only the tip of the iceberg for Andrews, who holds a CNA diploma in cooking, is currently working on a diploma in Business Management with the college’s Distance Learning Service, and has plans to pursue further study in the area of commerce.
“The college has prepared me to conduct my duties at work with the utmost professionalism, and to be proud of a job well done,” said Andrews. “It has shown me how to study and prepare for exams and projects, and I transferred the same processes towards my projects and duties at work.”
After initially completing the college’s Cook program, Andrews received a full-time position with a restaurant in St. John’s. He quickly worked his way into a position as the chef’s assistant. The experience gave him an appreciation of a stressful kitchen environment, as well as a strong background in foodservice and kitchen fundamentals.
“After several years I began to realize I wanted to do more than cook and applied to the Nutrition and Foodservice Management program at the college,” said Andrews. Until that point, Andrews’ interest was mainly in the tactical side of the foodservice industry. However – as is often the case when starting an educational experience in a new field – new avenues of interest and opportunity quickly open up.
“The (Nutrition and Foodservice Management) program seemed to be a way to extend the skills I had already learned before, little did I know at the time I would become so interested in business.” Andrews’ knowledge of cooking, nutrition, math, and customer service was strengthened, but he was also able to develop new essential skills.
“(It) forced me to go and get help with study techniques and help with research projects, along with public speaking,” said Andrews. “I had a real issue with public speaking, if there is one aspect of me that was created through the course, it was the fact I can now speak publically and with very few hang-ups. The program overall increased my public speaking confidence and skills that affect my daily performance at work.” The program’s instructor, Marg Ewtushik, speaks highly of Andrews’ time in the program.
“Peter was diligent. He spent extra time on the material he struggled with and he asked for help. He was detail-oriented in his work, he was well organized, and always prepared for class and labs,” she said. “He was a team player who got along well with his peers, other instructors and college staff. He gave direction well to others, had a sense of humor, and was always reliable and dependable.”
Andrews has developed a satisfying career for himself in the foodservice industry based on his dedication and determination. However, like many successful graduates, he is quick to credit the industry members that offered helpful guidance. “I owe a lot to the Nutrition and Foodservice Management program and am very grateful for the time I spent there.”
The Nutrition and Foodservice Management program is offered at the college’s Prince Philip Drive campus in St. John’s. There are still seats available for September enrollment. More information on this program can be found on the college’s website at www.cna.nl.ca.
JOIN CNA – Run for the Cure!
Mark your calendar for the 20th annual Run for the Cure. Whether you are a long time supporter or this is your first time participating in the Run for the Cure, thank you in for choosing to direct your time, effort, dollars and heart to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. The Foundation is making a difference because of your efforts.
Join us, Team College of the North Atlantic – St. John’s, as we help conquer this disease.
Run, walk, or support those who have already committed their time.
Event Information:
Date: October 2, 2011
Run Location:
Royal Canadian Legion #56 The Boulevard
Click here to Join!
Virtual characters earn real awards for CNA students
|
|
|
|
Micah Smith (top) and Tymur Markunin won awards in the Digital Animation category of Applied Arts Magazine's 2011 student competition.
Two College of the North Atlantic (CNA) students are making their mark on the national scene, after winning awards for their digital animation work.
Micah Smith and Tymur Markunin recently completed the Digital Animation program at the Bay St. George campus. Earlier this year, they entered their final projects in the Applied Arts Magazine Awards and beat out competitors from across Canada, the U.S. and abroad in the student category.
Their instructor, James Grace, says they checked out last year’s winning entries before deciding to enter. “We looked at the level of competition and felt we could win,” he says. “We entered two projects and sure enough, both of them won.”
Smith’s video, titled Nine, is based on an old Newfoundland joke, but with a futuristic twist. It shows a large robot following a smaller robot which is repeating the word “nine.” The large robot drops into a trap with eight others and the little robot starts saying “ten” as it goes off in search of another victim.
Smith, who grew up in Torbay, says the program challenged him to develop his artistic skills.
“The whole idea is to take something and make it come to life – it has to be believable,” he says. “I didn’t have a lot of artistic background when I came to the program, but the teachers were there to support me.”
Markunin’s video, titled Friends, depicts a boy who is being grilled by a doctor about his imaginary friend. At the end of the story, the boy is carted out of the room and it becomes evident that the imaginary friend, does, in fact, exist.
The Odessa, Ukraine native says he thinks the two videos won because they caught the judges’ attention by telling interesting stories in a brief two to three minute window.
“It’s difficult to make a good story with a twist at the end. Both our works had a really nice twist, which you are not expecting.” Carrie Martin of Applied Arts Magazine says the entries are judged by a carefully selected panel of professionals who have won awards in their respective fields.
“We line up judges across multiple disciplines across North America,” she explains. “We spend a considerable amount of time with this process to ensure that we have a well rounded jury. Feedback from the judges was that they were impressed with the calibre of the work across all of the categories.”
Award winners receive national coverage in the magazine’s November/December issue, and their work is featured on the magazine’s website for a year. They are also featured in a year-end winners’ exhibit, which includes a reception where they get to meet industry professionals.
Grace says the win is a testimony to the quality of the CNA program.
“This is a hidden gem. We have a very good program and talented students and what it comes down to is a demonstration of talent,” he says. “The program is structured uniquely. They get a lot of production experience and there’s a big focus on teamwork.”
Both Smith and Markunin hope to find jobs in Newfoundland, and there’s a wide area of employment opportunities for students who excel in the program, as they did.
“It’s about 50/50 between the entertainment industry, (movies, television and gaming) and other applications, like industrial and engineering simulations,” says Grace.
Digital Animation is a two-year applied arts program offered at the Bay St. George campus.
*Watch the videos:
http://vimeo.com/23546940
http://vimeo.com/23546692
Winning free tuition makes life easier for CNA student
 Carbonear Campus Administrator Gary Myrden presents Kelsey Maidment with a voucher for one year’s free tuition at College of the North Atlantic (CNA).
College of the North Atlantic (CNA) has announced the winners of the 2011 Summer Crew contest.
Kelsey Maidment of Lower Island Cove couldn’t have been happier with the news that she won a year’s free tuition. While she’s always excelled at school, maintaining a 90 average, her plans for a post-secondary education presented a problem.
“My mother lost her eyesight a couple of years ago and she’s on disability,” explains Maidment. “(My family) supports me in my studies but they can’t really support me financially.”
Her financial situation was also the reason she applied to CNA’s Comprehensive Arts and Science (CAS) Transfer: College-University program at the nearby Carbonear campus. She was trying to reduce the burden of the student loan she would carry after college.
“I was taking that program to save some money,” she says. “Instead of doing my first year of university in St. John’s I’d stay home and I wouldn’t have to spend so much. I could go back and forth to school every day and I wouldn’t need an apartment and tuition was cheaper.”
The CAS Transfer program provides students with a number of credits which can be applied to further studies at CNA or a degree at Memorial University (MUN).
“I heard it was a great transition from high school into university,” says Maidment. “I think that’s the best way to do it because it gives you more time to adjust to the difference between high school and post-secondary.”
After completing the program at CNA Maidment wants to apply to the School of Pharmacy at MUN. She says her mother was as excited as she was to find out that her first year of college will be tuition free.
“It really means a lot to me and it means a lot to her too – I called her and told her that I won it and she was so happy – she was relieved that I wouldn’t have such a big student loan to pay back.”
Now, Maidment is headed into her first year of college without the burden of paying for her tuition.
“I’m looking forward to a new experience and meeting new people. I liked high school but it’s six years of the same people. Now it’s new people from different places.”
Maidment will also receive a $150 gift certificate for CNA’s E-Store.
Four runners up were also chosen in the Summer Crew contest. Rachelle House of St. John’s and Stacey Cadet of Port Aux Choix will each receive a $100 gift certificate for the CNA E-Store, while Gerard Murphy of St. John’s and Ryan Murphy of Harbour Main will each receive a $75 gift certificate for CNA’s E-Store.
|
|
|
