Adult Learners’ Week Virtual Gala
by Pearson News Staff
Recently, Director of Continuing Education at the LBPSB Maggie Soldano hosted the Adult Learners’ Week Celebration Virtual Gala Event. “The Lester B. Pearson School Board is proud to continue the tradition of celebrating our adult learners’ perseverance, courage, and success,” said Ms. Soldano. “This event is a testament to the dedication and hard work of those who have chosen to continue their education as adults, despite the challenges and obstacles they may have faced along the way.”
The event featured Pearson Board Chair Judy Kelley and the Directors of the Adult and Vocational Centres, as well as Recognition of Acquired Competencies (RAC) administration. There were also words of congratulations from the Director General of the Lester B. Pearson School Board, Dr. Cindy Finn.
One student from each centre received a special bursary and shared inspirational stories of overcoming hardships to ultimately succeed in their chosen program of study.
Chester Dominic Pangilinan of Place Cartier Adult Centre shared his story of overcoming culture shock as an immigrant from the Philippines to secure his high school leaving credentials. Annabell Yambao So of the West Island Career Centre, in the Licensed Practical Nurse program, told her story of second chances after being diagnosed with cancer three years ago. Puneet Bhandal of the Gordon Robertson Beauty Academy, who, at the age of 19, completed her DVS in Hairdressing and is finishing her Esthetics DVS, will continue to pursue the Starting a Business course and the Electrolysis and Laser program.
Nazidi Nundu spoke of moving from the Congo to Toronto, studying Civil Engineering in Ottawa, and then discovering his passion for cooking. With two young children at home, he achieved certification through the Recognition of Acquired Competencies. Shamaria Alana Corridon of the PACC Adult Education Centre described her experiences returning to school to complete her high school diploma after having dropped out at the age of 16, enrolling from a shelter where she was living with her daughter. Mitchell Clarke of Verdun Adult and Career Centre explained his struggles as a young person who needed to leave high school to work factory and shipping jobs to help support his family, returning to school to complete the Centre’s Plumbing and Heating program.
Youssri El Khadem of the Pearson Electrotechnology Centre, an international student raised on both sides of the US/Mexico border in the Sonoran Desert, said, “Just like the Pearson community, my family spans the globe,” as he was recognized for his excellence in his studies and his perseverance while balancing family responsibilities. He was recognized for his success in the Computing Support program. Luciano La Palerma described how studying in the Institutional and Homecare Assistance program came about after his passion and dedication to healthcare began with a housekeeping job in a hospital. “If you truly want to achieve something and you have a goal that you’re going towards, you have to dedicate yourself,” says Luciano.
The administrators presenting awards were: Peggy Grant of Place Cartier Adult Centre, Jad Deegan of the West Island Career Centre and Place Cartier Vocational Centre, Roger Rampersad of the Gordon Robertson Beauty Academy, Qaadira De Coteau of the Pearson Adult and Career Centre (Adult Education), Michael Clark of the Verdun Adult and Career Centre, Christie Brown of the Pearson Electrotechnology Centre, Marilyn Aon of the Pearson Adult and Career Centre (Vocational Training), and Coordinator of Career Development Services Mark Newton.
Have a look at the full event in the video below:
