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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1996-10-02, Page 20i COMMUNITY Times -Advocate, October 2, 1996 Page 19 Where Are Sandra Where Are They Now? is an extended series on South Huron District High School graduates and their career choices Roo: Rooseboom: working with tro EXETER - As a registered nurse with a New Horizons ministry in the Dominican Republic. Exeter native Sandra Rooseboom has experienced the challenges and rewards of working with troubled youth. "We have really extreme hard core kids in our program," she explained before returning to the Dominican last week. "We work them in a very highly structured program...We're constantly pushing them...We break them. We try to get to their big issues right away." The program, also in place in Missanabe, Ontario as well as Indiana, treats American 14 to 18-year-olds who have severe behavioral problems. According to Rooseboom, students have been placed in other programs that don't meet their needs and they have often been falsely diagnosed. Although teens participate in New Horizons for an average of two years, each case is individualized. The program, which is set up in the mountains of the Domnican, focuses on strict discipline and physical labor. New participants don't have a choice in the tasks they can -y out and often use a machete to cut the grass of the school's main campus or rely on picks and shovels to dig ditches. "It takes the shallow problems away and gets down to the core," explained Rooseboom. Submitting to authority and showing a change in attitude allows participants to earn privileges, such as choosing lighter jobs of laundry or kitchen work. At this stage they are allowed to socialize. Time is also put aside for community work in the nearby town of larabacoa. At first it was difficult for Rooseboom, who has been working with the students for a year, to witness this transformation process. The program is set up as a community for nearly 50 youths at a time. The School of the Carribean is a 10 -minute walk for the students who are segregated by sex and appointed house parents - young. married, North American couples who are carefully screened before they are assigned as hosts. "Those two people have to be very distinct," explained Rooseboom, adding although the positions don't require degrees, specific characteristics are necessary; generally the father disciplines and the mother nurtures. Of the 40 -member staff including teachers, counsellors and house parents, Rooseboom is the only medical personnel on site. One of the greatest challenges, she admitted, is dealing with what she describes as "power games." Because the "kids aren't given power for anything," she explained, they often try to convince her they can't do their work due to a physical condition. ey've often arrived at New Horizons after living on the street, however, and do suffer from disease, malnurishment or drug addiction. Besides nursing skills, Rooseboom's job also requires some physician work as well as knowledge in sexually transmitted and tropic diseases. She graduated from Cr.-) South Huron District High School in 1989, then attended Bible College in Michigan for two years before studying nursing. "I always wanted to work with youth," she said, adding she was a musical director, counsellor and program director at Camp Shalome before working in the Dominican. Although she hasn't been with New Horizons long enough to witness long-term changes in individuals, the improvements . she has seen so far have been rewarding. Christianity plays a big role in the program, which has been set up in the Dominican for 25 years. Students are taught Bible basics and many leave as Christians but the main goal is to teach a value system. Once they've completed their treatment, most youths are transferred to Indiana where they receive further guidance. "At that point a lot of students are completely functional on their own," said Rooseboom. Once on their own, students have little contact with New Horizons staff and keep in touch on their own accord. After two years of treatment, explained Rooseboom, their biggest fear is being hassled. She claims although this is the case with many other programs, it is not a problem with New Horizons. Besides working with the teens, Rooseboom hikes, motor bikes, seeks out waterfalls and swims in the ocean. "They allow us to come home once a year," she added. "You need that time away." Although she admits her job is stressful, she likes the intensity it provides and says she learns from the students. "You're always dealing with different crises that arise...There's never a dull moment with these kids...Kids that have a little bit of deviance in them are fun." Besides, she added, "I feel like that's my home now." What are you looking most forward to this year at school? 2c Matt Sims, grade 12, SHDHS "Playing sports.... volle yball. I'm looking for- ward to going to tourname nts and hopefully win- ning some games." Rob Morrissey, OAC, SHDHS "Graduating." Scott - Garrett It was a beautiful sunny day on August 24, 1996 when Ann Garrett and Mark Scott were united in marriage by Pastor Normalie Voakes as- sisted by Revgrend Bruce Po- cock at Granton United Church, Granton, Ont. Atten- dants were Brenda Pentland, Erika Phelps, Joan McClary and Dorothy Foster, Terry Noy- es, Steve McAuley, Michael tt and Philip Lynn. Parents are Wilfred and Marguerite Garnett of Granton, Ont. and Alan and Elizabeth Scott of LuCan, Ontario. A reception was held at Lucan Community Merrforlal Centre, Lucan, On- tario, Milk and Ann 14 resid- ing at R.ft1 Lucan, Ontario. Trocchl - Somerville Stacy Somerville and Vince Trocchi are pleased to an- nounce their marriage which took place on July 27, 1996 at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Windsor. Parents of the bride are Carol and Tom Somerville (recently de- ceased) of Centralia. Parents of the groom are Maria and Antonio Trocchi of Windsor. Matron of honour was Sandy Somerville Bonner, sister of the bride and best man was Joe Trocchl, brother of the groom. Bride's attendants were Julie Russell, friend of the bride; Stephanie Heeg and Shannon Thomas, cou- sins of the bride; Anna Troc- chi, Lucy Belcastro, and Marti Trocchl, family of the groom. Groom's attendants were Chris Carpals, friend of the groom; John Trocchl, John D/Stefano, and John Belcas- tro, family of the groom; Craig Bonner and Todd Heeg, famI y of the bride. Ringbearers were Stacey and Vince's nephews, Gage Bonner and Joshuah Trocchl. After a hon- eymoon in the Caribbean, the couple still enJoys the seemly sthe 401 end the Ione ditance phone. calla. 4.1 n•rew Palmer, OAC, SHDHS, "Graduating. I plan to go to university in accounting." uzy t. us e, gr. 12, SHDHS, want to be on the honor roll. That's my lofty goal for the year. i also want to get my drivers' licence." envy Carlson, gr. 12, SHDHS, "1 hope to maybe get on the honor roll." ura Youmans, gr. 12, SHDHS. "The thing I'm most looking forward to this year is my spares.* o n 'ry-e, gr. 10, SHDHS. "!'m looking forward to next summer. I'm also look- ing forward to improving my marks." ure ap- ton, Grade 7, Hensall Public School "I kind of look forward to a great year. All the new activi- ties that Grade 7 brings. It's going to be challenging but fun." ura . er, Grade 5, Hensall Public School "I'm...interest ed in Egyptian history. 1 Kind of look forward to doing re- search." Youth to canvass for South Huron Hospital They will be going door-to-door for South Huron Hospital. By Carmel Sweeney Zurich correspondent ZURICH - Tickets are available for the Chamber of Commerce draw on Saturday, October 5 for a trip to the Stratford Festival. The Figure Skating Club are also selling tickets for a draw on October 14 for a 14" color T.V. Both these tickets can be bought for $20.00 at various places in town or members of the two groups. Harvest Dance The K. of C. Harvest Dance will be held November 16 at the St. Colum - ban Hall with Mozart's Melody Makers providing the music. Ladies Auxiliary The Ladies Auxiliary meeting was held at the Rest Home on Tuesday, October I at 7 p.m. UCW The United Church Women will be meeting at the Rest Home Apart- ments in the Common Room on October 3 at 7 p.m. Nature walk The annual nature walk at the Bannockburn Wildlife Conservation Area, 2 kilometers north of Huron County Rd. three is planned for Sunday, Oc- tober 6 from 2 to 4 p.m. Participants are to bring a mug to enjoy some fresh apple cider afterward. Canvass St. Peter's Lutheran Church Youth group will be canvassing door-to- door for the South Huron Hospital, October 5 from 9 a.m. to 12 noon in Zurich. Life chain A Life Chain organized by Right to Life is scheduled for Sunday, Octo- ber 6 in Stratford from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. A family get-together was held at the home of Wendy Rowan recently to celebrate birthdays for Jeremy Rowan who was 11 years old on September 24 and the first anniversary for son Darryl and Cheryl Rowan, Hensall on September 23. Don and Donna O'Brien and Denny and Rose -Anne Overholt recently spent a few days travelling through the States in their motor home. Euchre party A good time was had by those attending the euchre party at the Town- ship Hall on September 23 with 11 tables in play. Highest score went to Laird Jacobe and second was Audrey Christie with Lone Hand winner Orlen Schwartzentruber. The next card party is October 28. Barb O'Connor from Chicago has teen icag spending the past couple weeks visiting with her mother Gerry Kane. Richard and Kathy Breakey have returned home to Edmonton recently after spending the last month visiting his mother Dorothy Breakey, Zurich and her mother Irene in London. Bingo The Zurich and District Optimist Club will be having a bingo at the Are- na on Sunday, Mob* 6 at 1 m. The doors will be open at l 1:30 a.m. Oh pbalatb doing tduk H tdty Living.wormy There will be a solo tournament on October 5 at the Seaforth Legion. Registration is at 12:30 p.m. and the games start at 1 p.m. The entry fee is $5.00. The grade one classes of students at St. Boniface School visited Jody Durand's farm last Friday. Personals Congratulations to Cathy and Shawn Rau, RR 2 Zurich, on the arrival of their second daughter, Sarah Catherine, born September 23. Irene and Vic Hartman have their seventeenth grandchild, a girl, born on September 27. She is a second daughter for Mark and Tracy Hartman of Owen Sound. Grandma and Grandpa Hartman are presently in Owen Sound helping out. Happy anniversary wishes to Ken and Roxanne Brideau on September 29. Happy birthday last week to Wayne Meidinger and Lance Bedard, both on September 27; and to Jacob Rathenberg on October 1. A supper was held on Sunday at Erb's Country kitchen for Earl Flaxhard and his family to celebrate his 80th birthday. George and Rosalie Harvey of Michigan spent a few days at their home north of Si Joseph this past week. A birthday supper was held at the Sweeney home on Friday for daughter Beth Sweeney of Toronto, who was 27 years old on September 27. Francine Vanasse enjoyed a 16 -day bus trip in Italy with her sister from Quebec. Elaine, Cord, Andrea and Emily Hampton, Mississauga, and Jim and Marj Love, Zurich spent the weekend in Windsor with their aunt Matilda Denomme and cousins to attend the Mennard-Costa wedding at St. Anne's Church, Tecumseh. Kathy and Cam Steckle, Carolyn and Mike Regier attended their cou- sin's wedding, Chrystal Jones to Darryl Smith in Wyoming, Saturday, September 28. An enjoyable weekend was spent in Sarnia by Emma Schilbe and fami- ly, taking a cruise and dinner on the St. Claire River on Sunday afternoon. A bridal shower was held at St. Boniface Parish Hall on September 29 in honor of Cathi Overholt, daughter of Martha and Willy Overholt, Zurich, given by her sister and sister -in-laws. She is the fiance of Mark Clausius, son of Judy. They are planning to be married in October. Todd LaPorte and Kim Hoffman were married at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church on Saturday, September 28 with dinner and reception held in Exeter. The bride is the daughter of Bob and AnMarie Hoffman of Dashwood and the groom is the son of Paul and Isidore LaPorte, Zurich. The couple will be living at RR2, Zurich. Rachelle Ann Rau, daughter of Kim and Darryl Jr. was baptized on Sep- tember 29 at St. Peter's Church by Fr. Monis. Her Godparents are Joyce Rath and Paul Scicluna. Lloyd Cripps of Erb's Country Kitchen and Edwina Rogers were mar- ried on September 28. The couple will be living at the Rau Apartments in Zurich. Janice Ducharme and Jarette Kobe were married at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Grand Bend on September 27. The bride is the daughter of Ray Ducharme, Exeter and the late Grace Ducharme. Chrystal Jones and Darryl Smith were. married at the United Church in Wyoming on September 28. The bride is the daughter of Grant Jones, Hensall. The couple will be living in Wyoming.