| "The people there were exceptionally kind and brilliant, sharing their warmth with everybody. We all quickly bonded, becoming close friends in a matter of days, and truly inspired each other to achieve our potential. That month at Shad Valley was definitely one of the best of my life, opening up fantastic possibilities and creating life-long friendships." |
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| Katelyn Johnstone |
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| “Shad Valley was an experience that truly matured and changed me as a person. I was revealed to so many fields of science, engineering and business that I could pursue in the future. I faced so many great experiences. Shad Valley opened the doors of possibility for me. No longer was I just looking at being a doctor, but I considered a future that fit better for me.” |
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| Zhuojing (Jean) Wang |
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| “Shad was more than just making life-long friends, it was about learning about yourself and others just like you; discovering your own capabilities as an entrepreneur and innovator. It taught us how to think and look at the world differently, to question everything and to try to make it better.” |
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| Tyler Bennett |
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| “The Shad Valley program has taught me about so many different subjects, cultures and people. I now have a better idea of my future career path and have a better idea of the type of person I want to be. I know that I will always look back at my Shad Valley experience as a turning point in my life.” |
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| Jina Nanayakkara |
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| “Being thrown into a group of people whom I had never met before was an opportunity, an opportunity to be a new person. At Shad Valley, with a clean slate, I had the chance to try a myriad of new things that I would have never dared to try otherwise. Shad Valley has allowed me to build my self-confidence; it has allowed me to become a leader, not only of groups, but of my own life.” |
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| Richard Liu |
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| “The students in the program, the Program Assistants and all of the lecturers and speakers that I had the privilege of meeting have truly inspired me to seek excellence in everything that I do. The program has instilled in me the confidence to be a more creative and innovative problem solver, giving me new ways to approach everyday and world issues.” |
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| Hanna Bincik |
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| “The person I became after Shad Valley 2010 was different from the person entering. The person who had come to Shad was a tenacious, strong willed boy who had hundreds of interests and confusion about what the future held for him. The person who came out was a curious, motivated, and confident young adult who is motivated to change the world while staying rooted in the values and things most important to him such as family, nature, drama, and academics. The person who came out can look to the future and not know what is coming, but knows the type of person they want to be when they get there.” |
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| Kershanthen Thevasundaram |
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| “Shad opened doors that I never thought would be possible. I met other like minded students at Shad and know that these people will be life long friends. I spent the month of August doing an internship at an engineering firm and I would never have had this opportunity had it not been for Shad. It makes me see my future as an engineer and makes my studies seem all the more worthwhile.” |
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| Teague Ollivier |
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| “Shad Valley has definitely had a much deeper and more profound impact on me. It has transformed the way I feel about the world around me, about what I can accomplish and more importantly, about myself.” |
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| Linda Zhou |
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| “I still feel the effect that Shad had on my life; I have confidence in both my intellectual and my social abilities, confidence that I never could have gained without this program. Not only was Shad Valley an unmatchable opportunity for personal growth, it was the most exciting and enjoyable month of my life.” |
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| Anna Pachal |
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| “I got more out of this program than I ever expected. I have learned so many life lessons, met so many inspirational people, and discovered an inner confidence in myself that I didn’t know I had. Shad has made me a stronger person, with bigger dreams. Seeing so many accomplished teens and what they are doing really inspired me to do so much more.” |
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| Mariya Turchin |
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| “I can confidently say that Shad Valley was by far the most eye opening experience I have ever had. Shad Valley challenged me to see the world in a different way; to recognize the opportunities in obstacles, the unexplored potential in all individuals, and the value of true personal relationships. Being exposed to a university atmosphere and being surrounded by some of Canada’s most ambitious youth has inspired me to work even harder to reach higher academic standards, to contribute more to my community, and to strive to become a better rounded individual. Shad Valley has given me the tools I need to be successful in whatever I choose to do in the future.” |
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| Joey Loi |
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| “Shad Valley exposed me to a part of the world that I didn’t even know existed: it introduced me to careers that I had never considered; it brought me into cosmos of labs and workshops; it uncovered a mask of state-of-the-art facilities and advanced technologies as well as having revealed a number of opportunities that I had not known were possible.” |
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| Linda Zhou |
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| “Shad Valley is not simply a summer camp. Shad helped me grow and develop as a student, a budding entrepreneur, a problem solver, a potential engineer, a musician, an artist, an athlete, a team player. But more importantly, Shad helped me grow as a human being.” |
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| Deanna Choi |
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| “I admired and embraced the intelligence, confidence and curiosity that surrounded me. Each of us was free to be ourselves and take risks because it was such a trusting, accepting environment.” |
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| Danielle Biss |
|
| “Shad Valley turned out to be the life changing experience it had promised to be, but in an entirely different way from what I had expected. Shad introduced me to 58 unique individuals from across Canada, all gifted with distinguishing talents and abilities. Shad Valley helped to open my eyes to the world, and gave me a glimpse into the truly diverse and talented nation we inhabit.” |
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| Sherry Chu |
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| “I realized that these were some of the most amazing youth in Canada and that they would quickly become an important part of my life. Each one was unique and each person had something different to offer. The friendships I made at Shad I know will last a lifetime and the experiences that we shared will never be forgotten. Shad gave us the opportunity to explore so many different fields, things we may otherwise never have had a chance to try, giving me a chance to consider careers I would never have otherwise even imagined.” |
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| Philippa Gosine |
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| “The experience completely surpassed my expectations! It was a unique chance to develop interpersonal skills and to challenge my creativity and scientific thinking. I met students from one end of Canada to the other, with interesting and varied backgrounds.” |
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| Haris Khan |
|
| “What I remember most is living, trusting, and laughing with 59 strangers on Day 1, and 59 family members by Day 27. I cannot put into words what an amazing experience Shad Valley was for me, but ‘the best month of my life’ probably sums it up (although, I must say, ‘best’ doesn’t do my memories enough justice). I truly feel changed and refreshed, ready to face my future without the fear that once held me back.” |
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| Chloe Chau |
|
| “Shad Valley is about so much more than just academics; it’s about discovering who you are and learning to appreciate yourself as well as the others around you. Shad is about developing a community with an everlasting bond between each of its members. It is definitely one the greatest experiences I will ever encounter in my life.” |
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| Adèle Bourgeois |
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| “Shad Valley transcended everything I initially anticipated, becoming an extension of my principles, beliefs, and perspectives on the world. Indeed, I learned much within academia, but the engaging environment instilled an additional dimension of discovering team dynamics, collaborative thinking and innovation that one is not exposed to in a conventional school setting. In many ways, Shad Valley’s mission statement of providing a 'transformational' experience is an understatement. My creative spirit and leadership affinities have been unleashed, and I have been motivated to continue striving in all that I do.”
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| Josh Segeren |
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| “My experience at Shad was defined by the wonderful people, the eye-opening activities and overwhelming sense of connection and family I felt with everyone and everything around me.” |
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| Kerri Lu |
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| “I expected myself to be faced with countless challenges to overcome, numerous opportunities to try unfamiliar things, and of course a lot of fun as well. But what I experienced completely surpassed my initial expectations. Not only did I gain the insight I desired, I also attained things that were unimaginable before my month away at Shad. I learned how to genuinely open up to people, I was able to stretch my limits, I was inspired to do and be more in life, and most importantly, I gained 59 invaluable friends that have truly influenced me to be the best person that I can be.” |
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| Wanda Lee |
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| “Not only did I have the opportunity to experience the ‘University Life’ and explore potential post-secondary options, but I also was able to push my learning, creative, and critical thinking abilities to their limits in an inviting, fun, and energetic setting. I was able to broaden my horizons and was exposed to many things that I had never even dreamt about back in my small hometown. Since the Shad Valley Program has ended, I now see that the experience will help shape the rest of my life and has given me the confidence and drive to excel at anything that the future may throw my way.”
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| Alison Gamble |
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| “Only at Shad was I able to meet and be influenced by a diverse group of students from across Canada who share my insatiable thirst for adventure. Shad allowed me to push my limits, stretch my boundaries and experience a mentally invigorating setting that cannot be found within a regular high school classroom.” |
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| Dongni Zhang |
|
| “Those lectures and workshops on advanced math or rocket science aren’t there to make us experts on each topic overnight, but they were there to broaden our horizon and stimulate our interests. It was then that my attitude toward learning changed from ‘learn what I like’ to learning for what I’m passionate about and learning for the future. Overall, Shad has inspired me to reach for the better and to grasp each opportunity to help me work toward my goals.” |
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| Jessica Chi |
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| “What I have experienced this summer will continue to inspire me to drive further, stretch higher, and dream greater, in the true spirit of Shad Valley, in every aspect of my life.” |
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| Louisa Ho |
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| “The supreme opportunity for growth that Mitchell has had through Shad Valley is really quite remarkable and valuable and very difficult to describe. He will be forever changed in a very positive way from the experience. Thank you very much for the gift you have helped to have passed on to my son.” |
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| Desmond Cahill |
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| “Shad taught me to be positive in every sphere of my life. Shadditude is such a powerful attitude!” |
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| Yassir El Ouarzadi |
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| “I feel extremely grateful towards Talisman Energy for giving me the opportunity to explore a discipline that I have been considering as a career path for several years. It was very valuable to be immersed in the industry and have the chance to talk to so many professionals at the company. Hands on experience is one of the best ways to gain a better appreciation of what engineering entails and I now have a much clearer idea about what I would like to pursue in the future.” |
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| Kathryn Boon |
| Shad Intern at Talisman Energy Inc. |
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| “I was very impressed with her capabilities, especially her ability to do self-directed research/work and her skills with Excel and Power Point. I also thought her presentation to management was very well done and that she handled herself very professionally in a situation where I think most people her age would have been intimidated.” |
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| Justin Thomson |
| Manager Business Development |
| Vision Quest (TransAlta) |
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| “Lauren did a fantastic job on all levels. As a member of the organization for 5 weeks she was very mature and professional both in regards to her work ethic and motivation to succeed and learn as much as possible. All concepts presented to her were understood and carried out in various exercises. Lauren was a pleasure to teach and work with.” |
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| Mandi Gogowich |
| Geologist |
| Talisman Energy |
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| “Veronica was higly motivated and a capable individual whom excelled in the project. She was able to grasp the theory in a short period of time and applied it in practice. Very resourceful and innovative.” |
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| Ray Jong |
| Patent Scientist |
| MDS Sciex |
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| “Kevan completed the TLP project in the allotted time. He demonstrated an amazing ability to learn new things and manage his time. The internship is so compressed, it is a challenge to ramp up on the complexities of the engineering environment let alone become productive in one months time. Kevan was able to both learn and complete his project in the one month time which was very impressive. Kevan exceeded our expectations.” |
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| James Guthrie |
| Gennum Corporation |
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| “Annabelle was a quick learner and grasped very complex concepts. She worked well with the team and provided much of the 'social glue' that helped bring them together. She was given the responsibility for creating the proposal to help BCH become more innovative.” |
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| Mark Dayton |
| Innovation & Technology Project Leader |
| BC Hydro |
|
| “With no prior experience using Access, Sarah was able to produce a complete and functioning database that met all of the departmental requirements put forth. Sarah was able to quickly understand the requirement and apply the technology to our needs. I was extremely impressed by this accomplishment in such a short period of time. She exhibited strong interpersonal skills and was well respected by those she interfaced with.” |
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| Walter Hillje |
| Manager of Project Engineering |
| Bantrel |
|
| “When I look around at the people who have truly made a difference in my life, the ones who have inspired me again and again, they all seem to share the same quality of character as those I met at Shad.” |
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| Ed McNamara |
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| “I am so grateful to EnCana for this internship! This hands on experience has helped me embrace engineering, when before I was intimidated by it. It has affirmed my university and career goals by helping me understand the industry, while teaching me some cool stuff along the way.” |
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| Mary McPhail |
| Shad Intern at EnCana |
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| “This summer internship was an excellent opportunity for me to experience the real business environment and learn skills that would assist me wherever I go in life; I am thankful for that chance and am satisfied to have taken fullest advantage of it. It is undoubtedly the perfect complement to the already exceptional Shad Valley program, serving as a medium in which one can further develop and apply the skills learned the previous month, while continuing to realize his or her potential.” |
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| Jeffrey Gao |
| Shad Intern at Maplesoft |
|
| “My internship through Shad Valley was epitomized by my supervisor taking his first look at my computer and saying, 'That won’t do.' By the end of the week, I had a dual core. My work modeling thermal conductivity during a chemical process was engaging, useful, and fun. The life experience gained is truly invaluable.” |
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| Ross Chaudhry |
| Shad Intern at NOVA Chemicals |
|
| “The Shad Valley internship provided me with an amazing opportunity. Seeing how much I could make use of the knowledge that I learned from school and the Shad experience makes me believe in my abilities; seeing how much I still need to learn and to improve on makes me believe that when there is potential, there is possibility.” |
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| Modi Jiao |
| Shad Intern at BC Hydro |
|
| “Most student jobs now are ones that don’t challenge the students enough and don’t allow the student to work to their full potential. Most will find themselves working at a fast food restaurant, retail store, or super market. Most students are simply happy to make money and don’t think much of it. Shad students, however, are different. Shads are an ambitious group who want more than just the normal, they want the extraordinary. Companies that offer internships open the doors to these elite individuals to step into a new environment to showcase their unique skills and abilities to create a positive difference in the company they work for. It is this kind of work that will have a Shad student leave the work environment with a sense of accomplishment and a hunger for more.” |
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| David Cocchiarella |
| Shad Intern at Dofasco |
|
| “Working at a Shad Valley Summer Internship was an extremely valuable experience for me. I was able to see the lessons from school and Shad put into real life scenarios, and now I feel more prepared for entering the work force.” |
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| Ryley Kornelsen |
| Shad Intern at RBC |
|
| “Attending Shad Valley had already been something out of the ordinary for me – and my summer internship was even more unique. Opportunities like this almost never happen, and I truly believe that everyone should take advantage of what Shad has to offer. Although I was never initially interested in business or science, Shad Valley turned out to be the best summer of my life – I made lifelong friends, workplace connections, and valuable experiences gained through an incredible internship in music. I couldn’t have possibly asked for more.” |
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| Sally Kwok |
| Shad Intern at Bell Canada |
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| “Overall, I think that the internship at Simply Audiobooks through Shad Valley has been a very beneficial experience. I have gained indispensable work experience through Shad Valley and I am very grateful for that opportunity. It's a big deal for students, especially around my age, to get work experience of the caliber that I did through Shad.” |
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| Colin Merkel |
| Shad Intern at Simply Audiobooks |
|
| “When Shad connected me with an internship at a company that is as established and recognized as IBM, I knew that I would have the experience of a lifetime – and I did.” |
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| Gabriel Chan |
| Shad Intern at IBM |
|
| “Shad Valley prepared me for the real world! It taught me to keep an open mind, to be polite, be confident and even how to give proper handshakes. Thanks Shad Valley!” |
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| Slavena Petrova |
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| “My internship at Dofasco allowed me to develop my problem-solving skills and gain an insight into the working world. The work I did really mattered. It really completed the Shad experience.” |
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| Gautam Kamath |
| Shad Intern at Dofasco |
|
| “To be able to experience the real world at such a young age is a gift that will stay with me forever. This internship is a life changing experience that will guide me in my journey to success.” |
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| Navid Nathoo |
| Shad Intern at Petro Canada |
|
| “A Shad internship isn’t just the proverbial 'icing on the cake'; the term cannot even begin to describe it. Rather, I think it’s more accurate to say, 'an advantageous reciprocal relationship', or something of equal caliber, on top of the 'demonstration of the absolute apex of life experience' that is Shad Valley.” |
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| Edward Yu |
| Shad Intern at RBC |
|
| “WOW! Shad Valley encompassed nothing but indescribable feelings, unforgettable experiences, lifelong friendships and the relaxed environment to learn things that you would never get a chance to learn anywhere else. The networking potential, the people you meet, the things you see and experience, the eye-opening moments and all the fun you’ll have are all worth the wait! It is truly an indescribable experience so apply now and wait your turn in line to enter a whole new dimension known as Shad Valley!” |
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| Pranavan Ganeshalingam |
|
| “Among students today, there is a common perception that computer science is a solitary activity and career, involving programming in a cubicle. At IBM, I worked with a team to refute this belief and to further educate students via webpages - a truly unique and invaluable learning experience.” |
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| Jennifer Wong |
| Shad Intern |
| at IBM Toronto Software Lab - Centre for Advanced Studies |
|
| “All in all, my time spent at my internship was a wonderful experience, developing my independence, creativity, and initiative. It wasn’t about the money that I earned; it was about the new skills I acquired and the knowledge that I gained. I would go back and do it again in a heartbeat.” |
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| Ariel Taylor |
| Shad Intern |
| at School District No. 17, New Brunswick |
|
| “The Shad internship allows you to challenge and contribute your intellect in a corporate environment while maturing essential workplace skills under no pressure.” |
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| Edwin Cheng |
| Shad Intern |
| at Imaging Dynamics Company Ltd. |
|
| “As a Mathematics and Science teacher, I feel extremely fortunate to have participated in the Shad Valley program during July 2006 & 2007. Shad Valley has been one of the most life-enriching experiences in my life, and I am a better person and teacher for having been a part of the program the past two years. I am inspired by the staff of the Shad Valley program, and equally by the students, and can only hope that I have given to the program as much as I have gained. I assure you that encouraging your promising students to apply to the Shad Valley program will open doors for them, in academia and beyond.” |
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| Lexi Juurlink |
| Math & Science Teacher (Shad Teaching Fellow 2006 & 2007) |
| Tantramar Regional High School |
|
| “Shad cultivates youth, 'the leaders of tomorrow', and by providing interns to companies out there, it not only does these youth a favor but also the company. My Shad experience was invaluable, and was enhanced by the opportunity to work for RIM.” |
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| Umar Aftab |
| Shad Intern (Health & Safety Aide) |
| at Research In Motion (RIM) |
|
| “What is a fabulous way to spend a summer? Going to Shad Valley and then having an internship afterwards of course! This is exactly what I did and it has been the most rewarding summer ever.” |
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| Michelle Bendrich |
|
| “The program was amazing but in my mind the most important factor was the people themselves. Meeting people from across Canada who were similar in drive, but unique in talents opened my eyes to the diversity and strength of Canada.” |
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| Brendan Yorke |
|
| “I have worked with many youth over my career as a mentor in chemistry 20 enrichment programs, science fair projects, lab instructor and lecturer and found Michelle to be one of the best in terms of initiative, ability, personality, and willingness to work. It is a tribute to the Shad Valley interview and screening process!” |
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| Les Stehmeier |
| Senior Scientist |
| NOVA Chemicals |
|
| “The educational lectures were amazing and covered a wide range of topics. I personally was originally interested only in the sciences, but Shad opened up my eyes to other possible fields, such as business, entrepreneurship, engineering, and so much more. The extracurricular activities (hiking, kayaking, dancing, sports, etc…) were plentiful, as were other activities which helped to balance out the intensive learning program we were undergoing. Beyond all the learning and activities, I formed very strong bonds with my fellow Shad Valley participants: friendships that will definitely last a lifetime.” |
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| Hymn Mach |
|
| “I have always enjoyed having a Shad student with us. It certainly reaffirms why we are in the business of ‘education’.” |
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| Nancy Boucher |
| Director of Education |
| School District #15 |
|
| “My experience in Shad prepared me for the real world, something I got to test out during my summer internship. I am now a much more confident person in every aspect in my life.” |
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| Sarah Essak |
|
| “I would like to commend you for the excellent Shad Valley experience that you provide for high school students across Canada. Every one of the Iroquois Ridge High School students who have participated in Shad have returned to our school inspired, excited, and recommitted to learning. They use their leadership skills in various ways in the school and community, and radiate a confidence and maturity that serves as a role model for others.” |
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| Leona Woods |
| Principal |
| Iroquois Ridge High School |
|
| “I was delighted to see that he got involved in many different projects, was a team player, asked good questions, and got a lot out of this experience. He really exceeded all our expectations. He is very mature and thoughtful. He comports himself and works at a level much higher than even some university graduates.” |
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| Françoise Ko |
| Senior Analyst |
| Courtyard Group |
|
| “Dofasco has been participating in the Shad Valley program for a number of years. I have personally worked with 10 or so students over the years and without exception the experience for Dofasco and the Shad student has been enriching. The Shad Valley program is an excellent concept and a great way to provide young, gifted students with a real world experience.” |
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| Tom McGuire |
| Manager, Environment |
| Dofasco Inc. |
|
| “I am involved in counselling students for 'life after AvH', and during an information session with admissions officers from MIT two years ago, it was mentioned that, practically as a matter of course, they expect Canadian engineering applicants to have taken part in the SHAD programme. I think this says it all.” |
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| Dr. Gisela Steinle |
| VP Academic, Directrice adjointe |
| Alexander von Humboldt Schule Montréal |
|
| “Throughout Shad, it was clear that the students in this program were gifted academically and that they possessed a social consciousness, that said, the creative talents of this group was something that I had underestimated. Among the Shads there are poets, songwriters, musicians, dancers, artists, writers, and eloquent speakers. And each Shad used their talents (however big or small) at the Banquet to communicate one message their appreciation for the Shad program.” |
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| Michelle DeVidi |
| Shad Valley Carleton Faculty |
| Carleton University Library |
|
| “The quality of Priyanka’s work and her ability to “ramp up” on understanding the various products she worked on was more than I expected. She produced work in a very fast manner; she has a strong work ethic and was eager to always take on more. Priyanka jumped into a Marketing Department with a bunch of strangers, working with a Supervisor in another province and did so without a hitch.” |
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| Lynn M. Flewelling |
| Business Development Mgr, ISP |
| Bell Aliant |
|
| “My school and my students will benefit from my time with Shad. I will encourage not only my science elite students, but also my students with leadership aspirations and an above average aptitude for working with people. I encourage enthusiastic high school teachers to talk about Shad Valley with their students, and provide a gift that lasts a lifetime.” |
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| Ian Fogarty |
| Enriched Chemistry and Physics Teacher (Shad Teaching Fellow 2006) |
| Riverview High School |
|
| “Schools are sometimes asked what we do to support talented students. Guiding such students toward programs like Shad Valley is a valid answer. We don’t necessarily have to provide enrichment programs; providing direction is still support.” |
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| Pat Kaiserseder |
| Science Curriculum Specialist |
| Calgary Board of Education |
|
| “We recognize that Shad Valley participants are among the premier students in Canada and regularly admit Shad Valley alumni.” |
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| MIT |
|
| “My students had a rich academic, intellectual and social experience. They returned to school the following September as 'Shad Survivors' with a renewed commitment to their own intellectual development and a depth of human understanding gained from interaction with their intellectual peers that few programs can offer students.” |
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| Elizabeth Smyth |
|
| “Shad Valley is an excellent program, focusing on the development of our talented young people so that they develop the confidence and ability to 'see the future' and then make it happen. I encourage any teacher to promote participation.” |
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| Gwen Johansson |
|
| “Our school has benefited by having Shad Valley students back for their senior year where their leadership skills and new ideas have improved school life.” |
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| Eileen Mackay |
|
| “Shad Valley is an opportunity not to be passed by. This program is enriching educationally but also blended so well with life skills and simply broadening a childs interests.” |
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| Larry & Laura Ziprick |
|
| “Absolutely the most life-altering experience our daughter has had. A 'boot camp for bright kids'. I would recommend this to anyones children. It was fantastic in every aspect.” |
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| Michael Murray |
|
| “Definitely money well spent.” |
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| Bernice & Rick Chmelyk |
|
| “Shad Valley has helped our daughter make a very successful transition from Secondary School to University.” |
|
| Andy Pink |
|
| “My daughter gained academically, strengthened emotionally, grew personally and developed lovely bonds and friendships - a real holistic experience!” |
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| Dr. Uma Agarwal |
|
| “It was a fantastic experience - Cliff's younger brother, currently in grade 10, will definitely be applying.” |
|
| Glen & Karen Murphy |
|
| “Shad Valley gave my son a tremendous boost in self-assessment and helped him to define what subjects he wants to study in the future.” |
|
| Miroslaw Florjanczyk |
|
| “I feel very fortunate that our daughter had the opportunity to have an experience that will be with her all of her life.” |
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| Pearl McGregor |
|
| “Kira is much more optimistic about her opportunities ahead. She is much more comfortable with her academic abilities having learned that Geeks are cool! She has created a vast network of high performance friends.” |
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| Timothy Burger |
|
| “[Karmel is] more aware of world issues, more interested in learning, and more mature in social behaviour.” |
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| Tammy Wong |
|
| “It changed her life! She has a new outlook on science and her career. She needs only two credits to graduate. She was determined to travel for the final year and do the two courses through distance education. Since attending Shad, she dropped that idea and is doing a full course load in high school even though she doesnt need the credits. She even repeated a math that she did last year because she felt that the mark she received would limit her scholarship opportunities.” |
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| Kim Thistle |
|
| “He has become more focused and dedicated to his goals yet enjoys himself all the time.” |
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| Betty & Peter Chan |
|
| “I believe my son will never experience anything like this ever again.” |
|
| Laurie VanGenne |
|
| “Every component of Shad Valley affected my daughter positively and will continue to inspire her on future endeavours.” |
|
| Luciana & Kenneth Lam |
|
| “My daughter has a greater willingness to consider post-secondary options beyond where we live.” |
|
| Judith deKemp Scott |
|
| “Kristian is the third child in our family. He is also the third child to have attended the Shad Valley Program.In all of them we could see a development in their sense of independence. Through their month long 'immersion' they had their horizons broadened. Meeting young people from across Canada in such an intense setting provided them with different perspectives as well as life long friendships. They were exposed to a higher level of teaching, to new concepts and to peers who rise to the challenge of a whole new set of parameters. Our only regret is that we have no other children to send to the program.” |
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| Erna and Andy Montano |
|
| “The impact Shad Valley had on Stephen continues to amaze me. Words seem inadequate to describe this influence. His incentive to do well was initiated by his Shad Valley experience and for this I thank Shad.” |
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| Judith Kelloway |
|
| “The opportunities and decisions of her future have been highly influenced by her Shad experience.” |
|
| Ken MacKenzie |
|
| “I think that it is an awesome, mind expanding experience that no student, given the opportunity, should miss.” |
|
| Fiona Skogstad |
|
| “Being chosen a Shad has given her so much more self-esteem. A very inspiring program and the growth seen in our daughter is astounding!” |
|
| Karen Gracie |
|
| “Shad Valley offers a tremendous opportunity for your child to be a part of an innovative leadership program where exciting challenges and self-discovery await.” |
|
| Carole Martin |
|
| “The experience expanded Michael's horizon and has served as a major building block in developing him to become a mature and responsible young adult.” |
|
| C. Andrew Montano |
|
| “She's now more determined, focused and goal oriented. In just a few words: prepared for the future.” |
|
| Emilian Enache |
|
| “Shad offered a constant level of challenge, from physical and artistic challenges to teamwork and engineering challenges.” |
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| Jason Farris |
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| “Shad was the first place I had the chance to spend time with so many individuals I can only describe as truly amazing.” |
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| Ofer Allan Avital |
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| “Shad is an experience like no other, where you learn to be your own person while learning to be a vital part of a team at the same time. The friendships are many and genuine, and will no doubt last a lifetime. Shad is not just a lesson in academics, music, or athletics. It is a lesson in life.” |
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| Subir Sutradhar |
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| “More than anything my work term has shown me that there is more outside the box, more to realize, more to learn and more to strive for.” |
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| Najmus Sadat Ibrahim |
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| “When I walked into Research in Motion I was thrown into an exciting, high-tech, fast-paced, environment where it seemed I was learning new things by the minute.” |
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| Dan Holowack |
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| “Shad Valley challenged me to step out of my comfort zone. It taught me to ask questions, set goals, work hard, and establish a support network of peers. The lessons I learned that summer continue to shape my daily decisions.” |
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| Baillie Aaron |
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| “The Work Term was amazing for me because it was a chance to put into practice, all the things I learned at Shad. They go together hand in hand because they both offer a great deal of life changing events.” |
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| Kurt MacDonald |
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| “Shad Valley is an experience, not a program. It will touch every one of the participants in a different way, but change them, their hearts, and their minds for the rest of their lives.” |
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| Jeff Cho |
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| “Shad helped me realize the possibility of scientific entrepreneurship. In fact, it was encouraged as an exciting and respectable career path.” |
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| Ofer Allan Avital |
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| “The previous school year did not encourage me to challenge myself so I felt Shad Valley was the perfect opportunity to make up for lost time. Plus, the experience came highly recommended by several peers and educators.” |
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| Jeremie Maillet-LeBlanc |
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| “I could say Shad Valley is about people and learning, but that would be underestimating its true power. Shad Valley is about the best people you will ever meet striving to be the best they can be. It is about friendship, learning, loving, laughing, crying, caring, and living a true life, one without limits. It is about soaring to the stars with your feet on the ground. It is about seeing life as it should be seen; surrounded by the greatest friends you will ever know.” |
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| Luke Potter |
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| “More than anything, the most important thing Shad gave me was the motivation to work harder and actually dream at a higher level.” |
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| Craig McAdam |
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| “The pace, the challenge and the quality of people involved are hallmarks of Shad.” |
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| Jason Farris |
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| “The community and camaraderie that were created during those four weeks [at Shad] was incredible--it was a huge confidence builder.” |
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| Craig McAdam |
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| “I consider my work term a huge success; because of it I have decided my future career studies in computer engineering.” |
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| Michael Liu |
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| “Shad was instrumental in helping me gain the confidence I needed to do the things I always dreamed of doing.” |
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| Sara Ehrhardt |
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| “Shad Valley has taught me life-long lessons, equipped me with a repertoire of new skills and a new awareness of my potential and endowed me with newfound confidence. I have learned that I can tackle new challenges, that I should strive for my dreams and that there are boundless opportunities in the world that await me.” |
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| Valerie Tsang |
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| “Shad Valley was a place to expand my horizons through the intriguing lectures, the wide range of incredible workshops, the inspiring Shad speaks, the high intensity fitness workouts and the mind-expanding excursions. The Shads were fascinating, the staff was fun, the food was good, the campus was beautiful and the memories were priceless.” |
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| Giselle Davidian |
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| “You are challenged mentally and physically, while having fun the whole time. I have never been surrounded by so many amazing people who are so talented and have so much to offer. Some of the most valuable lessons you learn are not during lectures, but in the early hours of the morning while working on a group project. Nothing seems out of reach while you are at Shad.” |
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| Amandev Aulakh |
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| “I was surrounded by an amazing, talented and intelligent group of individuals. I was encouraged to develop and pursue new ideas.” |
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| Jennifer Corriero |
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| “Everyone at Shad was so goal-oriented. People had multiple interests. It made me realize what my options were.” |
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| Rhea MacDonald |
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| “Shad showed me how many interesting and challenging things were available in engineering, and how technology and entrepreneurship meet and complement each other.” |
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| Christine Desmarais |
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| “Shad did not only encourage me to develop my abilities, it also affected me on a deeper level. We participants had the chance to discover our limits and know ourselves better. Shad has opened our eyes, inspired our minds and enlightened our hearts.” |
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| Kun Shi |
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| “So many people from Shad are doing amazing things and really changing the way society works. Shad develops leaders.” |
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| Sara Ehrhardt |
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| “In today's society, Canada's youth are pushing themselves that extra mile to prove they have what it takes to succeed. Many are exploring various educational or career paths, developing personal and work related skills, or traveling and meeting new people. This summer, the Shad Valley program gave me the opportunity to do all these and more.” |
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| Laura Coutts |
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| “The work I did during August has been assigned to a new team, and they are continuing it. I was elated and proud to find that my efforts during the summer have improved the infrastructure of the company.” |
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| Katrina Piggott |
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| “Every minute at Shad Valley was fast-paced, packed with new experiences and discoveries. We had stimulating lectures on subjects ranging from cryptography to colliding galaxies, marketing plans to bioethics. Throughout this month, we dived into many topics in the realms of science, technology, engineering, entrepreneurship, leadership, and beyond. At Shad Valley, it was not just about the things we learned, it was also about the people. It was exhilarating to be working hard, and playing equally hard, if not more, with people of the same caliber as I am. Through the program, I have made many long-lasting friendships with people across Canada, more than what I would normally make in a school year. I think that was an unexpected bonus, out of the many things I received from Shad Valley.” |
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| Rebecca Tong |
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| “Shad Valley is not a destination or a place. Shad Valley is a frame of mind, a community, a vision that lives within each of its members. Once you enter the valley, you remain a part of it forever because it lives on in the values you have adopted, in the memories you have painted, and in the friendships you have created. The Shad Valley experience changes the way you see your own potential and the way you envision the world.” |
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| Angie Ip |
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| “Shad really opened my eyes to what technology can do. Its multidisciplinary approach to learning is what makes Shads the future technical and life leaders of the country.” |
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| Christine Desmarais |
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| “An indescribable experience. To go so above and beyond ordinary secondary school was such a refreshing change. To be challenged on a daily basis was something that I had never experienced before. To work with a team that I could count on was appreciated every day. If anybody thinks that this is high school for a month they are completely misled!” |
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| Brandy Moran |
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| “Shad Valley gave me the personal permission to strive for anything I dreamed. I believe that Shad Valley lights fires inside youth to explore the sciences and engineering. It lit a fire inside me.” |
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| Andrea Ottensmeyer |
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| “My experience at Shad helped me recognize new talents, skills, abilities and potential.” |
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| Jennifer Corriero |
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| “Shad is a place of discovery. You discover the person you are, the person you want to be, and the person that you can become. You discover the joy of learning because you want to, and working hard for no other reason than your own personal drive.” |
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| Kelly Harris |
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| “Matt proved to be a very competent and independent worker. He was willing to attempt any task that was asked of him with a maturity beyond his years. It is obvious that you attract very high calibre students to Shad Valley and we were very lucky to have been part of the program this year.” |
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| Michele Lodge |
| Coordinator, Emerging Entrepreneurs |
| Enterprise Saint John |
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| “Sometimes I forgot he had just graduated from high school. He exceeded all my expectations for him.” |
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| Eileen Su |
| Fincentric Corporation |
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| “Investing in our young people is making an investment in the future of Canada. RBC's partnership with Shad Valley is one way we help to support and develop the talent, leadership skills, and innovative abilities of our next generation. The Shad program challenges young Canadians to be the best they can be and to embrace the entrepreneurial qualities that will make them tomorrows leaders. Were proud to be associated with such a high quality initiative.” |
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| Anne Sutherland |
| RBC Financial Group |
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| “In early 1995 George Henning joined OCM Technology as a co-op student. Almost ten years later he is now our VP of Manufacturing. Giving young students an opportunity early clearly works. This is why OCM Technology is supporting Shad Valley and other co-op programs at every opportunity.” |
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| Michel Julian |
| OCM Technology Inc. |
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| “Bryan achieved more in his 5 week placement than a previous university coop student accomplished in 8 months.” |
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| Marcellus Mindel |
| Program Director, Centre for Advanced Studies |
| IBM Canada Ltd. |
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| “Paul demonstrated strong leadership skills during his time at BC Hydro. He also consistently produced beyond expectations and was given the lead role in creating the website.” |
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| Mark Dayton |
| Innovation & Technology Project Leader |
| BC Hydro |
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| “Our student, Dirk, applied himself to any task set before him. He was very quick to learn and responsible, demonstrating initiative completing projects.” |
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| Doris Brocke |
| Executive Director |
| South Peace Enterprise Centre |
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| “It was a real pleasure to work with Sapna. She was intelligent, organized, and confident. Sapna adapted well to working in an environment of minimal supervision and was always willing to voice her ideas and suggestions.” |
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| Charles Samolczyk |
| Bell Mobility |
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| “I was very impressed with the initiative Alvin demonstrated in learning new programming languages on his own. He took his assignment very seriously and performed professionally in our corporate environment.” |
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| Borika Vucinic |
| Manager CR Switch Engineering |
| Bell Mobility |
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| “In the short time since joining the group, Rucha has added great value to the team by undertaking a multitude of assignments.” |
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| Allan Cotterill |
| Associate Manager |
| TD Bank Financial Group |
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| “With little experience in the engineering trade Richard showed that he was capable of developing solutions.” |
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| Chris McKee |
| COM DEV |
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| “I gave her a text book on pulp and paper procesess and asked her to review a few chapters based on what I had shown her on our tours through the mill site. She demonstrated a very quick ability to grasp the processes and why and how they are used.” |
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| Don Murray |
| Manager of Environmental Affairs |
| Bowater Canadian Forest Products, Inc. |
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| “Roshan took an initiative to generate and compile a great deal of information for his research topic. His work has covered a broader scope than what I have expected.” |
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| Patrick Lam |
| Sr. Scientist, Product Research Group, Polyolefins |
| NOVA Chemicals Corporation |
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| “He did an outstanding job!!!! He showed great initiative. When the task was assigned he owned the task and took it to successful completion. Worked well independently and he asked very appropriate questions. Hard to believe he is only a grade 12 student.” |
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| Marta Farkas |
| The Toronto-Dominion Bank |
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| “While working in the various engineering disciplines, Michael executed the tasks assigned to him with exceptional efficiency, often completing the tasks much quicker than we anticipated.” |
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| Brian Jackson |
| Bantrel |
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| “We enjoy the opportunity to work with Shad Valley students. We both grow from the experience.” |
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| Doris Brocke |
| Executive Director |
| South Peace Enterprise Centre |
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| “He compared very well with past employees who had graduated with University Science degrees. He did require more background, but he learned very quickly and understood the concepts readily.” |
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| Stella Purac |
| Twinstrand Therapeutics Inc. |
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| “Travis performed very well under pressure. He met all deadlines and accepted responsibilities without hesitation. He also showed a great amount of confidence in his abilities.” |
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| Armin Layegh |
| HR Consultant |
| PMC-Sierra, Inc. |
|
| “The high quality of this student reflects very well on this program and I will definitely recommend it to others.” |
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| Grant Hutchison |
| IBM Canada Limited |
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| “Rob's work was very impressive. The scope of the task given to him was similar to that assigned to University co-op students, or even Level 1 Graduate Engineers at SCIEX.” |
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| John Screech |
| MDS Sciex |
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| “Cayley completed tasks quicker than we had anticipated without sacrificing quality. She worked very well on her own and was very motivated to learn more.” |
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| Tammy Polvi |
| Shell Canada Limited |
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| “Rosh produced the report three days ahead of schedule and included more details to make the report very clear and informative. He executed the project the same way that I would have done it.” |
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| Mike Oballa |
| NOVA Chemicals Corporation |
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| “David showed excellent initative, motivation to learn and tremendous attitude for the materials covered. He presented himself well and was an asset to the team.” |
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| Jeff Plate |
| Manulife Securities International Ltd. |
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| “Richard was extremely motivated and needed little supervision to perform tasks at a level that far exceeded my expectations.” |
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| Shane Kerschetien |
| University of Victoria Faculty of Engineering |
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| “Needing a component in a hurry, he designed it on a CAD computer system he learned himself in a few hours and had it fabricated overnight in our Model Shop's 3-D CAD driven solid model sytem. Amazing!” |
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| Terry Schmidt |
| Chief Scientist |
| Christie Digital Systems |
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| “Stephanie's perfomance surpassed my expectations. She encountered instrument problems and was able to find innovative ways to get the data needed. I really cherished the fact that she was independent in her work habits.” |
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| Rob Donaldson |
| NOVA Chemicals Corporation |
|
| “Shad excels at finding a talent pool of high potential individuals early and introducing them to opportunities at IBM. One key advantage Shad provides for IBM is the opportunity to look at all the top talent in a particular region early on to select from this group whom to offer a work term. By integrating Shad into our overall HR strategy, IBM will continue to bring in a steady stream of top talent while most companies puzzle over what to do as the boomers begin to retire in record amounts.” |
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| Marcellus Mindel |
| Program Director, Centre for Advanced Studies |
| IBM Canada Ltd. |
|
| “I am always reminded of our own changing workforce when I meet students like those in the Shad program. As more and more employees become eligible for retirement, it is this next generation of workers we need to attract and retain in the years to come. Making BC Hydro an attractive workplace will be challenging as we try to compete in a very competitive marketplace for talent.” |
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| Bob Elton |
|
| “While my initial impression was that I could 'keep a Shad amused' for a month, upon interviewing the 3 candidates, it became obvious that these students could contribute positively to the organization.” |
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| John Screech |
| MDS Sciex |
|
| “Shad has challenged and expanded the young minds of tomorrows leaders for 20+ years. Those tomorrows are now upon us as a diverse and proven leadership talent pool of Shad alumni is now stocked. It behooves leaders of all innovative, world-class Canadian companies to keep stocking the pool through Shad sponsorships, and in doing so, gain their company a license to fish the mature talent pool today.” |
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| Jason Farris |
| President & Chief Executive Officer |
| Citizens Bank of Canada |
|
| “Far from being a drain on my personal resources, our Shad actually made me more productive over the 4 week period. I honestly did not think anyone could do my job effectively or with the same enthusiasm. Frances proved me wrong!” |
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| Jim Casey |
| Technology Specialist, Research & Development |
| Dofasco Inc. |
|
| “The future of our business isn't just being formulated in our R&D facilities. Its being molded in programs like Shad Valley.” |
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| Paul Clark |
| Vice President, Research & Technology (retired) |
| NOVA Chemicals Corporation |
|
| “I have personally been involved with Shad Valley from 1998 to the present. During that period all five of our children were selected to, and attended, the program. Their experiences were all the same: life changing. My exposure to students in the various program locations convinced me that these were many of our country’s high performers and future leaders and as such, Jacques Whitford consciously hires a number of Shad students every year with the goal of having them join us as future employees. We have been so impressed with the results that this year we decided to formalize our commitment to the program.” |
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| Michael Whitford |
| Principal, EVP Client Services & Quality |
| Jacques Whitford Ltd. |
|
| "Within days she was part of our team, and was instrumental to getting a number of projects completed for our organization." |
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| Anne Laybolt |
| Discovery Centre |
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