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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2002-05-01, Page 14ti-THI HURON IXPO$ITOI1a M y 111. 8001 LAWN QUESTIONS? 524-2424 ® Kra L. Pepper, RMT frsidered Contact Seaforth Chiropractic Clinic 527-1242 for an appointment For real peace of mind,, look for this symbol of protection. We provide insurance protection that lets you sleep at night. That's because the collective strength of our 50 community based mutual insurers makes us among the most financially secure insurance networks in the world. For you, it means friendly knowledgeable service from people who understand your needs and provide the protection and service you want. Sebringville llictlta/gi�aszwee r ni.Jrtuy s. 1-800-263-1961 A Member Of The A Ontario Mutual Insurance Association Call LYNDA VINCENT at 527-2204 or toll free 1-888-269-0377 News Agricultural school could open Feb. By Susan Hundsrtmark Expositor Staff The agricultural school concept for Seaforth District High School could be up and running by next February, says organizer Maureen Agar. Now called Stepping Stones, the program has become a semester -long co-op program, which will be offered to urban students outside of the Avon - Maitland school district. "The board gave us the okay to work on it last spring and we started to talk about it in September. I'd like to have 20 students enrolled for next February," says Agar. The SDHS school council has been actively working since September on the idea, which was first suggested several years ago as a way to generate more enrolment for the school during the ongoing threat of its closure. In 1999, former vice principal Rob Parr and Agar, who is the school council's president, began researching the possibility of offering agricultural courses at SDHS in partnership with the University of Guelph for urban students who want to specialize in agriculture or veterinary science. The idea had several misstarts when SDHS was Our Annual 2001 Winter Sports Edition will soon be published and we need your help! Please bring in your team pictures to the Huron Expositor at 11 Main St., Seaforth or mail to us at P.O. Box 69, Seaforth ON NOK 1WO (Please make sure you identify all participants) • OR To arrange a team photo, please call our editor Scott Hilgendorff at 527-0240 ALL PHOTOS MUST BE RECEIVED BY 5 PMFRIDAY, MAY 18. "Your Community Newspaper" named to be studied for closure in the fall of 1999 until the Seaforth community won a court challenge in the spring of 2000 against the board after it voted to close SDHS. The transfer of Parr to Bluewater Secondary School for the 1999-2000 school year and the transfer of former SDHS principal Jim Moore to Bluewater for the 2000-2001 school year also slowed the process. Current principal Jeff Raeburn, who is being transferred to South Huron Secondary School in Exeter for the 2001-2002 school year, joined the school council to help organize Stepping Stones during the current school year. Students enrolled in the program will get four co-op credits for their placement on local farms or agri-businesses. Raeburn says the board allowed SDHS to semester Grades 11, 12 and OAC for the 2001-2002 school year to allow the Stepping Stones idea to work. "Basically, the students (in the program) would only come here for one semester to gain some practical experience to find out what a career in agriculture or veterinary medicine would be like. It's not a commitment for their whole high school career," he says. He adds that students who enjoy their co-op experience in Seaforth could opt to enrol at SDHS full-time. Raeburn says he thinks Stepping Stones would be most attractive to students who would have no other opportunities to work in an agricultural setting but are curious about careers in agriculture. Agar, who grew up in a city, says she always loved animals and might have become a veterinarian if she'd had access to a program like Stepping Stones. "The closest you ever get to animals in the city is dogs and cats. This is a chance for city people to experience farm life," she says. Agar says agricultural colleges and the University of Guelph are discovering recently that there are three jobs in Ontario for every one of their graduates. "The number of jobs in agriculture far outweighs the number of students graduating from ag schools. Agriculture is the third largest industry in Ontario," says Agar. A letter that was recently sent out to local businesses in Huron County has already generated two or three companies interested in participating in the program, says Agar. "We're still working on how it's going to run and finding placements for the co-ops. The billets are also in the works," she says. Students will be billeted at local farms while participating in the program. Agar says she hopes to attract international students to Stepping Stones. On an agricultural chat line she visits on the internet, Agar says she's received some interest in the program from places such as Brazil and Japan. "The potential is quite explosive," she says. However. the program must still jump a few hurdles hclbre it begins. Agar says the school hoard must still approve a marketing and business plan for Stepping Stones, which she plans to present to trustees some time in June. "They could put the hammer down tomorrow." she says of the need for trustee support. As well. Agar sees the first semester's enrolment as being "the hardest part." "The biggest thing will he advertising to get the word out. It could take a while to get it built up." she says. So far, the school board has not offered any money to the Stepping'Stones project. which will need some funding to print and distribute brochures and posters. "We don't know if we'll need a financial commitment from the board yet." says Raebum. Despite the fact that he's being transferred. Raeburn says he's excited about the Stepping Stones project. He'll be replaced by Jim Moore. who is returning to SDHS atter a year at Bluewater and was supportive of the program when he_was last at SDHS. "I'm hoping the program will be a big success." says Raebum. He says the Stepping Stones organizers are not letting the recent accommodation study by a London consultant. which again suggests closing SDHS. slow them down. "We're going to focus on the positive and push ahead." he says. Janelle Murray places second It wasn't the culmination of a true fairy tale, but a second - place finish at the provincial public speaking event is still the stuff dreams are made. Janelle Murray, of RR 5 Seaforth, finished second at the Royal Canadian Legion provincial junior public speaking competition in Kapuskasing May 5. The daughter of Mark and Joan Murray had qualified for the competition by winning at the Legion branch, zone, district and area levels. "Words can't describe how wonderful it was," said Katherine Mabb, Mitchell Legion, branch 128, youth education chair, who attended r ASPHALT SEALING WHY GET DIRTY? "LET ME" * RENEW AND PROTECT ASPHALT SURFACES * DRIVEWAYS APPROXIMATELY 15' x 50' $50. RONALD W. RYAN RR 2 Dublin (519) 345-2560 the event with her husband Ted and the Marrays. "Janelle finished second in the province (four competed at the provincials) and that's really no disgrace," Mabb added. "We're really proud of her." Janelle's parents said the trip was well worth it, not only to hear their daughter's speech, but all the other competitors from every classification. The entourage headed north early on May 4 in a motorhome, arriving in Kapuskasing late that afternoon for a little sightseeing. The competition was the following day. May 5. before they headed home early the next morning, arriving home Sunday evening. Mabb said the Legion is very proud of her accomplishment and wish to thank her and her family for all their support and dedication. By Andy Bader Staffa couple return after Australian adventure Whether it's Africa, Australia or New Zealand, the Daynards feel at home while travelling abroad. Robin and Joan, who live just east of Staffa, have recently returned home from an 11 -month trip across Australia and New Zealand which totaled 147,000 - kilometres. The Daynards, who also have a son and daughter-in- law in Australia (under different circumstances), said it wasn't a hard decision to leave for the Land Down Under. "It was a good excuse to go," said Joan simply. The Daynards are experienced travellers and have visited Australia on a previous occasion, back in the 1970s, said Robin. He added that they have many friends YO��W�K PROWL• + MARKSMAN gives you cost- effective corn weed control for heavy weed pressure. You get superior control with the power of early and season -long controi. Control weeds and costs with PROWL + MARKSMAN. For more information on PROWL + MARKSMAN can O OW Aglisiollassim at 1 -877 -371 -BASF (2273) or visit our website at www.agsolutions.ca THINK P111o■ THINK PIIMPONMANOt THINK Pt1OWL there, and being outdoor types. the trip was only natural. He added that -being nature lovers, it's not possible to appreciate the beauty of the land by aiplane, so they rented a Land Rover (and by doing that committed themselves to a long drive), and set out across country. "If you have the wheels, you might as well stay a while." he said. The couple planned their trip to correspond with the seasonal changes (opposite from Canada) to best optimize their driving times and what parts of the country they wanted to see. "It really worked out well." said Joan. Asked whether the main, paved road was good to travel on, Robin laughed and said, "We tried to stay off it." Adding to their sense of adventure, the two travellers headed into the outback as much as possible. In many cases with respect to the Australian outback, you may not see another person or vehicle for weeks at a time. said Robin, who added there was one man v ho told them he was isolated sometimes for three or four months of the year, because of the outback's notorious climate. "It's a tough country," said Robin. But Joan also said that with some good planning (like enough diesel, tools and food). a trip like this was completely worthwhile. "When you're travelling, you realize just how little you really need," she said. The couple met many Australians who offered them accommodations and hospitality along the way. "It's one of the safest places in the world," said Robin. adding that perusing a dream of travelling Ilia state of mind. "If you want to do it (travel) then organize yourself so you can do it." By Chris Coljurllr