Dual credit classes have been wrapping up this month at all Georgian College campuses. Celebrations are held at the end of each course, with certificates presented to students and words of congratulations offered by administrators and faculty.
Sometimes a student will step forward to summarize the experience for the class, as Shannon Banfield did very eloquently. Here is an excerpt from her speech:
“I came to the dual credit program to get the last three credits I need to graduate and without this program, I doubt I’d be graduating anytime soon. Depression took my grade 12 year away from me. I couldn’t face high school any longer, adult learning programs were out of the question, but getting credits in college? A place I can fit in? Where I feel I belong at my age, where I was supposed to be if mental illness hadn’t consumed me? Absolutely. This program gave me the second chance that I needed and for that I will forever be thankful. I was able to come to a judgement free zone, to learn and be treated as a human being and have fun doing it!”
Shannon went on to thank her “interested and interesting” professor Lindsey Jones, and the secondary teachers who supported her dual credit. She is enrolled in the School within a College program for the Simcoe County District School Board, on the Barrie campus, and is just about to complete her diploma. Starting in January 2017, Shannon will be enrolled in Georgian’s Massage Therapy program.
