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Meet former �ǿմ�ý Adult Upgrading student, Richard Burke

Can you tell us a bit about your life before starting the program? 

I grew up in Abbotsford living in B.C. Housing until I was 15. Raised by my single father from when I was seven until the day I moved out. Life was hard, and as a result my education took a back seat. As a grade ten drop out life went on and I married my high school sweetheart. We bought our first home in 2013 and have four beautiful children. 

What inspired you to return to school and pursue Adult Upgrading? 

As one could expect, raising a family on the jobs that having “no education” provides is challenging to say the least. Jumping from job to job most of my adult life, I found an opportunity to go back to school.  

So, at forty years old, I reached out to �ǿմ�ý to see what it would take to get my grade twelve. I took their entrance exam and enrolled a few months later. 

How was your experience with Adult Upgrading at �ǿմ�ý? 

I found the atmosphere at �ǿմ�ý felt more like a home and nothing at all like the high school I attended as a teen. The difference in being at school when you want to be with adults that are also there by choice is absolutely amazing.  

The teachers, like mentors, went way beyond just teaching the courses that I enrolled in, they taught me how to learn!  

And for that I will never be able to thank them enough. I studied hard and after I passed all my classes, doors that were always out of reach started opening. So, when I got to the point that I could do whatever I wanted to and to know that I could succeed doing it, the weight was lifted.  

What have you gone on to do since completing the program? 

After Adult Upgrading, I did the Piping Trade Foundations program with �ǿմ�ý and passed with distinction! I joined my local fire hall and became a volunteer fire fighter with the Enderby Fire Department. I know time moves forward and there is no rewind or pause button, but �ǿմ�ý gave me a fresh start.