2 Friday, July 12, 2019 brooklintowncrier.com "Proud to be a Brooklinite" Founded in 2000 and published 24 times per year. Editor, Richard Bercuson 613-769-8629 editorofbtc@gmail.com The Brooklin Town Crier is locally owned and operated and is a publication of Appletree Graphic Design Inc. We accept advertising in good faith but do not endorse advertisers nor advertisements. All editorial submissions are subject to editing. For advertising information, contact: 905.655.7642 Email: brooklintowncrier@gmail.com Next Issue: Friday, August 30, 2019 Deadline: Friday, August 23, 2019 Brooklin Town Crier Hiring Advertising Sales Representative - Earn extra money! - Set your own schedule! - Work independently from home! - Get to know your community! If interested, please email: brooklintowncrier@gmail.com Less than half the picture: By Richard Bercuson Stepping into a career in media There are few perks that come with the vaunted position of BTC editor. I do have business cards, an anachronism in an age when, with a couple of taps on the phone, I can share/receive contact info. One though is an affirmation that the next generation of young adults includes plenty who are conscientious, hard-working and ambitious. I get to meet one in particular each June at Brooklin High's Commencement ceremony. For the last three years, the BTC has given a worthy graduating student a $400 bursary if they are entering a post-secondary program in English, Media Studies, or Communication Technology. Which brings me to Holly Hodgson, this year's winner, a young lady who's already looking into the future with her looming Durham College program in broadcasting and media as perhaps one step along that path. The two-year diploma offers the option to bridge with a degree from UOIT in another two years, something she's considering. "I'd love to be an editor or producer on a TV series or film," she says. "To do that, I'd have to go to film school after this program. I'm a very creative person and would love the chance to collaborate on that kind of thing." So far, her learning curve has included high school productions on which she was either an ensemble cast member or co-script writer. Her grade 12 program included the Writer's Craft course and, like last year's recipient Emilie Surette, Hodgson gives a lot of credit to her teacher for allowing the creative juices to flow and giving her and classmates creative control, as she puts it. What's especially interesting about Hodgson though is that she is entering a program with no prior experience either behind a microphone or in front of a camera. It doesn't phase her much. "I'm the kind of person who, if I go right at something, I'll be okay. I don't have any real worries about it, except perhaps for live streaming. I guess you could call it a bit of stage fright." Hodgson attended Brooklin Village PS before joining BHS's first grade 9 class in 2015, thus becoming part of the high school's inaugural group to complete the four years. She honed her creative skills by immersing herself in drama and related extracurriculars from the get-go. The Durham College program would seem, for her, to be not just the next step, but also the first one. As she says, "It would be so cool if, in a few years, I could be on the news. I like the idea of telling people what's happening." Brooklin will be listening, and watching. Brooklin High School 2019 Commencement Awards Andrew Foundation Award - Valerie Nguyen Awarded to the student with the highest overall average in six grade 12 university or mixed level courses which must include one Math and one Science, and who is continuing on to university. Brooklin High School Staff Awards - Jonah Anderson, Mary Bennett, Joseph Chung, Sydney Holmes, Amy Janes Awarded to five students who display some, or all of the following criteria: high academic average, involvement in extracurricular activities, leader in the school community, has overcome challenges and has made noticeable improvement over the course of the year. The winners were nominated and voted on by Brooklin High School staff members. Brooklin High School Culinary Arts Award - Ryan Bell To a graduating student who demonstrated passion towards culinary arts, exemplary grades and dedication through volunteering Brooklin/Ashburn/Myrtle (BAM) Lions Club Award - Corina Robitaille Awarded to a graduating student who best demonstrates humanitarian leadership in one or more of the Lions five service areas: vision, hunger, the environment, pediatric cancer and diabetes. The service effort to be exhibited in our BAM community. Brooklin Natural Health Centre Award - Brandon Benham and Sydney Holmes To one male and one female who has excelled in Introduction to Kinesiology and has contributed greatly to the athletic community Brooklin Optimist Volunteer Award - Kate Skitch To a graduating student who is moving on to post secondary education and who has provided a lot of service effort in the Brooklin/Ashburn/Myrtle community. The recipient demonstrates an optimistic attitude and always tries to bring out the best in kids, their community and themselves. Brooklin Optometric Centre Award - Hannah Hill Awarded to a student pursuing post-secondary education in Math, Science, or Health Care. Brooklin Town Crier Award - Holly Hodgson Awarded to a graduating student who is attending a post-secondary school in the field of English, Media Studies, or Communications Technology. Brooklin Village Church Award - Chloe Edwards Awarded to a deserving graduating student who is pursuing studies in Theology, Religion, or Humanities. Brooklin Village Dental Award - Dylan Tobin and Taryn Byers Awarded to two students who have displayed community involvement and maintained a high academic average. One university bound student and one college bound student will be presented with this award. Brooklin Village Physiotherapy Award - Julia Dixon To a graduating student who has a high mark in Introduction to Kinesiology and is pursuing a post-secondary program in life sciences, health sciences, or kinesiology. Chartwells Award - Joseph Chung Awarded to a graduating student pursuing culinary arts in the future. Dixon Mathematics Award - Mason Martin Awarded to a graduating student who has demonstrated a great improvement in mathematics and will be attending college in the field of trades. Durham Region Ontario Principal's Council Student Leadership Award - Mary Bennett Awarded to a graduating student who has demonstrated academic excellence, involvement in co-curricular activities and proven distinction in community involvement. Durham Region Federation of Agriculture Award - Maggie Barnett Awarded to a graduating student who has demonstrated exceptional interest in agriculture and excelled in the SHSM Agriculture program. Environmental Stewardship Award - Madison Parks and Jonah Anderson Awarded to the graduating student who has been an active member of the Brooklin Eco Club while promoting environmental awareness within our school. Ethel Pearl Dunfield Rogers Scholarship - Erin McNair Awarded to a graduating student continuing to post-secondary education who exhibits good leadership qualities and humanitarian characteristics. Fabricland Award - Kayla Stachiw Awarded to a graduating student who has taken at least two fashion courses at Brooklin High School, has made a positive contribution to the fashion program and is pursuing a post-secondary education in fashion either at college or university. Governor General's Academic Medal - Valerie Nguyen