McCallion
Quest

Councillor Mia Prentice and the Junior Achievement Program Visit Our Grade 8's

By Sonia Krol

Last week, Monday, April 24, Junior Achievement came to Hazel McCallion to do a special program for grade eights. The program teaches students about the real world, basically dealing with the real truth about life after school. Everything from possible careers, to taxes, and budgeting is discussed and a variety of activities let the grade 8's role play what it would be like.

            Our school was lucky enough to have many volunteers come from Hydrogenics Inc. to share the program with the grade eight students. As I’m sure you’ve all heard, Mayor Hazel McCallion was even rumoured to come to our school last Monday. The truth is that every year, Mayor McCallion sponsors a few schools so that they can experience the program. This year, HMC was among the chosen schools. Unfortunately, the mayor couldn’t make it, but she sent a representative, one her councillors named Mia Prentice. Mrs. Prentice was nice enough to grant me a minute of interview time. This is what she has to say about the Junior Achievement Program.

Sonia- "Why did Mayor Hazel McCallion decide to sponsor Junior Achievement?" 

Mia Prentice- The Junior Achievement program is very important for students because it helps them become aware of possible career choices, and informs them about their future and what challenges they will face along the way. The earlier that this is taught to our students, the better. Even though you are still young, it’s important that you learn about the different opportunities in life.  

Sonia- Why is the program only for grade eights? 

Mia Prentice- Well, if it was possible, we’d make the program available to 6, 7, and 8. But the reality is that we only have a certain amount of volunteers that want to do this program. It probably also has something to do with the fact that grade 8 students are at the stage where they need to start to make their own decisions in terms of high-schools, and course selections.

I’m sure the entire Grade eights can agree that we learned a lot on Monday, and for some of us, through the activities, we got quite the shock of our lives. Thanks again to Hydrogenics, Mayor Hazel McCallion, Mia Prentice, and all the staff at Hazel that took part in Junior Achievement and helped organize it. We look forward to an equally successful program next year!