June is an exciting time of year as we get ready to transition into summer, and mark the end of the school year.
I attended the graduation ceremonies for Penticton Secondary School to hand out a city bursary. For the first time ever I had an award winner at the start of the evening, yet I still stayed until the end as I enjoy hearing the graduates’ aspirations for next year and I love seeing the students toss their caps into the air.
2018 marks my 30th anniversary of graduating high school and I can’t believe how fast time flies as I still remember my friends, teachers and adventures as if it was yesterday. Life was simpler years ago. We didn’t have the technology or the opportunities youth have today. We still had bullies, bad influences and complicated family scenarios back then but it seems in today’s world with the internet, complex social issues, and the need to be cool, along with the high cost of schooling, housing and life in general — it really adds to the pressure and stress youth are under.
I’m happy that the YES (Youth Engagement Strategy) and their new youth centre building are moving forward and gaining momentum. They just announced a new fundraising campaign and I hope the community can rally around the cause. Youth are our future and if we can reach and help someone at a young age they have a greater chance of success.
I recently attended a campaign launch for Walk to Defeat Depression and learned about Martin House. It is a program run by our local mental wellness society, and it operates out of their office at 246 Martin St. They offer education and support services mainly for families and youth dealing with mental wellness. It is another hidden resource to help individuals and families plus reduce the stigma that surrounds mental illness.
This week I also attended a youth fire academy graduation ceremony. It was an excellent partnership initiated by Fire Chief Larry Watkinson with the school board to identify students interested in firefighting. The students had to work through various written and physical entrance exams (just like the real world) to be accepted and then over 100 hours of hands on training over spring break. Having a training centre in Penticton not only helps local and visiting fire departments with valuable training, it also provided the practical training grounds for students to gain experience and insight into a prospective job. The students also went on four ride-alongs with the department to witness real-life scenarios in comparison to the controlled environments of the training exercises.
We need to have more hands-on training partnerships with our schools and potential fields of employment as there will be significant demand when various workforces retire or transition into new areas of interest. It is encouraging to see such a focus on our youth and to celebrate the many opportunities they have in our community to keep healthy, active and optimistic about what their future may bring.
Andrew Jakubeit is the Mayor of Penticton and provides the Western News with a column twice a month. Contact him via email Andrew.Jakubeit@penticton.ca. Follow him on Twitter @AndrewJakubeit