On Saturday, April 21st, 22 students who attend the Lloydminster Comprehensive High School in Alberta arrived in St. Alban’s as part of a SEVEC exchange program. The Society for Educational Visits and Exchanges in Canada (SEVEC) has greatly influenced a number of youth into becoming more involved in their community and in communities across the country. This group of students were accompanied by three chaperons.
The purpose of this exchange program is to give students an opportunity to experince activities with other students from a different part of the country and to learn about the different cultures and history relating to their lives.
The St. Ignatius, Knights of Colmbus, Council 13763, applied to SEVEC for a grant to assist with this program and many activities were planned out for the five day exchange.
The group arrived on Saturday evening and a dance was held at the Bay d’Espoir CYN. This was a wonderful opportunity for all the students to get to know one another and meet others in the local communities.
On Sunday they travelled to Hermitage where they enjoyed a boat ride to Gaultois on the Big Dipper, thanks to Cooke Aquaculture. The students really enjoyed the water experience and once in Gaultois they hiked and toured throughout the community. Later that day they returned to St. Alban’s to enjoy a weiner roast on the beach in Voyce Cove followed by a Karoke night at the CYN.
On Monday the students travelled to Harbour Breton and were treated to the Wacky Olympics at the Harbour Breton CYN. Three hikes were enjoyed to Dead Man’s Cove, the Lighthouse and the Gun Hill trail. Later that evening the group also got to enjoy an evening of many games and events sponsored by the Bay d’Espoir CYN.
The group visited Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro Generating Station at Camp Boggy on Tuesday morning and toured the control room and the outside grounds. They then continued on to the Arts and Exploration Center where they viewed some of the native culture and history. They followed this with some kayaking at Conne River.
Later that evening a traditional Newfoundland meal was prepared for parents and students at the St. Alban’s Lions Club and the youth from Alberta were all screeched in by Lion Conrad Collier. It was truly an experience many of the students really enjoyed and will never forget.
Wednesday, the final day, was used to see some sights in St. Alban’s. The group toured the new Hatchery in Voyce Cove, courtesy of Jim Murphy of Cooke’s Aquaculture. Following this they visited the St. Alban’s Museum/Heritage Center to observe some of the town’s history through the artifacts that were on display. The tour ended with a visit to the St. Ignatius Church. Finally brunch was served at the St. Alban’s Lions Community Center where they had to say their good byes to their new friends.
Hillary Wassenich, one of the chaperons with the group from Lloydminster, stated, “This has surely been an enjoyable experience and the time has went so fast. The group is not looking forward to leaving tomorrow.”
In May, the 20 students from St. Alban’s who hosted the SEVEC students will be travelling to Alberta for five days along with three chaperons, Christine Farrell, Pat Pittman and Sheila Wheaton. The group is looking forward to experiencing the culture of their new friends.
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