
Senior students at North Star High School got a look at life beyond high school thanks to some recent graduates.
“Alumni Scholars Unplugged: Lessons Learned” saw eight recent graduates of North Star return to the Amherstburg-based public high school to tell current students of their experiences and what they can look forward to. The graduates were assembled in a panel discussion where they could talk to their younger counterparts and answer questions from them.
“We’ve invited eight of our top scholars to come back and talk to the students about their post-secondary experiences,” explained guidance counsellor Kary Coulson.
Coulson said the goal was to have the alumni speak to the students on what they can expect to encounter when they attend college or university and how the preparation the graduates received at North Star High School helped them along their journey. Coulson added they also want to highlight the school’s academic programs and highlight them like other departments in the school area.
Returning alumni were Jordan Talbot, Emma Osbourne, Makayla Kelly, Kyle Coulson, Lily Mulder, Maxton Evans, Addisyn Walker and Lladaneyah Gayle.
Gayle said she learned just how prepared she was for her post-secondary education while being a student at North Star High School.
“The teachers (at North Star) prepared me more than I could ever ask for,” she said.
Walker indicated she learned a lot in Grade 12 and her first-year university courses are extensions of what she learned.
Kelly urged high school students to learn to manage their time wisely and balance their priorities while Talbot was one of the graduates who said high school students should hang on to their notes for next year as they are good references for when they are in university.
“The teachers here are amazing,” Talbot said. “You are going to want to keep your notes from your classes here.”
Other questions involved academic integrity, study habits, where to go for assistance, choosing classes, obtaining visas in cases of attending school internationally and attendance.
Mulder was one of the students who now attends university outside of Canada. She is going to West Texas A&M in Canyon, Texas, not far from Amarillo.
“It was definitely a culture shock for me,” Mulder explained. “Going away is definitely difficult.”
Mulder said she missed her hometown of Amherstburg a lot when she first left but thought to herself “Lily, you’ve got this.” She met a new circle of friends and is gaining a lot from the experience. She encouraged high school students to do so if that’s what they want to do.
“If you want to move away, don’t think twice on it,” said Mulder.
The “Alumni Scholars Unplugged: Lessons Learned” was filmed by the school’s communication technology program.
The initiative will likely become a regular occurrence at North Star High School.
“We want to do this annually,” said Kary Coulson.
Alumni mentorship program comes to North Star High School
By Ron Giofu
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