Service clubs give area students a glimpse of their potential futures

by Lucie Roy

Adventures trips are an annual outing for high school students to experience a taste of what their future could be like. On May 20, students Lane Lawrence and Aaron Rabski spoke to local Rotarians about their experiences on recent Adventures in Technology and Adventures in Citizenship trips.

Adventures in Tehnology

Sturgeon Composite High School student Lane Lawrence of Calahoo spoke to local Rotarians May 20 about his experiences on a Rotary trip to Saskatoon Apr. 27 to May 1. Lawrance was one of the 30 high school and three exchange students from across Western Canada to attend the Adventures in Technology (AIT) event, which involves exploration of advanced technology, research, development and applications.

Lawrence said his group toured different businesses looking at what kinds of new and innovative technology they use in real life situations and day to day business.

One of the companies Lawrence toured, WBM Office Systems, is one of Canada’s Top 50 largest IT Solution providers. They supply technical office solutions, including printers, photocopiers, and computers. “They install it and once installed maintain it and you can run your own business without worrying about updates on computers or fixing printers,” he said. “I’d like that. I like computers; I am into that kind of scene. I took an IT course last semester and found that one [WBM] really interesting.”

Another company Lawrence liked was Space Engineering Division (SED), who develop and integrate systems used in communications, test and control systems. “They are heavily involved in the satellite communications sector where they serve satellite manufacturers and operators,” he said, adding he saw a satellite control center that for an American dish network. “It was a big cable company down there, and they actually run that. I enjoyed SED the most due to the fact that I understood a lot of the things they explained there. My Dad has a history in that kind of stuff; he is a radio technician, and some of the work benches reminded me of my work bench — messy and stuff everywhere. I also saw a possible future of working at SED or a place similar to it.”

But the visits to tech businesses has not solidified his thoughts on what to do after school. “Throughout the trip, I didn’t see anything in exactly what I envision myself doing,” he said. “I enjoy sitting behind a computer and figuring things out, solving problems, and learning something while doing it. While I didn’t see anything like that, I could see myself building a career at a place like SED, WBM or Agtron in a sort of specialized position. This trip really opened my eyes as to what kinds of fields there are to make a living in.”

SCHS student Aaron Rabski

Adventures in Citizenship

Sturgeon Composite High School student Aaron Rabski was one of the 200 senior high school students from across the country to be the Rotary Club of Ottawa’s guest in the National Capital Region May 2 to 6.

For the 65th year, the club has sponsored the four-day Rotary Adventure in Citizenship Program to promote a better understanding of the meaning and responsibilities of Canadian Citizenship. Students selected for the trip have been recognized as the future leaders.

The program provides better understanding of the privileges and responsibilities of Canadian citizenship. Students return home with greater insights into the shared values and diversity of all Canadians.

Rabski, who hopes one day to be a senator, said he had no idea what to expect as he had never been to Ottawa before. Though he was not sure what he was getting into, in the end he said he “totally enjoyed the trip.”

Activities included a walk to Parliament Hill, the House of Commons Chamber, presentations by the Canadian Human Rights Commission, foreign diplomats, and First Nations. Rabski said the group attended a Citizenship Ceremony where he took part and renewed his Canadian Citizenship.

The student said the schedule was tight and ran from early in the morning until late at night. The first full day included a mock election campaign where participants campaigned from within their groups and elected their own Prime Minister. Rabski said he was happy with the speeches and debates and happier still to be on the campaign team of the political candidate selected as Prime Minister.

“[It was a] great experience to be part of that,” he said, adding a personal highlight of the trip for him was touring the Parliament Building, sitting in the House of Commons, and seeing where things actually happen.

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