Working to turn their lives around

June 23, 2004, Ottawa Citizen, pg. D2
by Graham Hughes

Reprinted with permission

They arrived at the school on Percy Street months or years ago, confused, hostile, and problem ridden -- kids at risk.

Yesterday, about 20 of them marched onto the stage at Richard Pfaff Alternate School to receive their high school diplomas, the applause of family and friends ringing in their ears.

All received gifts with their diplomas, but three -- Aziza Cheikhezzein, Verity Freeman and Neal Billings -- received Community Foundation of Ottawa bursaries of $1,000 a year for three years of post-secondary education.

Kelly Roesler, who received the first foundation bursary in June 2001, told graduates they, and she, had proved "you can overcome obstacles."

When she arrived from Laurentian High School in 1997, "I was angry and frustrated," she told the audience.

However, she said, she discovered a passion for writing and went on from there. In June 2001, she received her diploma and $1,100 to study journalism at Algonquin College.

Ms. Roesler works part- time at the Citizen and plans to attend university.

"Find your passion," she urged the graduates, "something you would do even if you weren't getting paid for it."

Ms. Cheikhezzein, 21, who will enter Algonquin's hotel and resort management program, spent three years at Pfaff, earning 24 credits, after time at Rideau High School.

While she found some required courses uninspiring, she said, she got the compulsory courses out of the way first, then took those she liked.

Ms. Freeman, 19, will take two courses at Carleton University this fall to show she can handle courses leading to a degree in child and youth work.

"They don't offer university prep courses here," she said. In her 11/2 years at Pfaff, she earned 11 credits.

She attended Glebe Collegiate for two years, Ms. Freeman said. "The first year was good, but by the second year, I just wasn't interested."

Mr. Billings, 20, like the others, said he was "totally shocked" by the bursary. He'll study graphic design at Algonquin before going into business for himself, he said.

He moved to Pfaff two years ago after three years at Woodroffe High School.

"It's not easier here, but the atmosphere is better," he said. "I was here to work and that's all I did."

Tom Benke, the co-ordinator at Pfaff, said the trio overcame serious obstacles to graduate. Through a lot of work and perseverance, and making critical choices, they're moving on and the Community Foundation is recognizing their efforts to turn their lives around, Mr. Benke said.