Local Youth Encouraged To Consider Starting a Small Business This Summer

Youth interested in launching and running their own business this summer are encouraged to apply by May 15 to the Summer Company program offered by the Peterborough & the Kawarthas Business Advisory Centre (BAC). 

photo courtesy of the Peterborough & the Kawarthas Business Advisory Centre.

The Summer Company Program is the Government of Ontario’s flagship youth entrepreneurship program which helps youth aged 15-29 try their hand at business ownership by providing up to $3000 in start-up funding, one-on-one guidance from business advisors, mentorship from local business leaders, access to business workshops, training and resources and ongoing business support. Summer Company is a free youth skills program, and students are encouraged to apply early as there are limited spots available. 

“March break is a great time for students to start thinking about summer employment opportunities. While there are many excellent summer jobs available through local employers, students often overlook the opportunity to launch their own business, and Summer Company is a low-risk way for youth to try entrepreneurship,” said Madeleine Hurrell, BAC Manager for Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development. 

The Peterborough & the Kawarthas Business Advisory Centre, operated by Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development, has been the program provider of this program for the City and County of Peterborough since 2001.  

To learn more about eligibility and to apply, visit the website.

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Photos: High School Students Stage Protest For Climate Action

Students from Peterborough Alternative & Continuing Education (PACE) staged a walkout from school and protested to spread awareness about climate change as part of a movement named “Fridays for Future” at Confederation Park on Friday.

Photo by Luke Best.

The students were part of the Youth Leadership in Sustainability program held in partnership with Trent University.

Aisling MacQuarrie,16, is a Thomas A. Stewart Secondary School student who is taking Youth Leadership in Sustainability. A program that prepares grade 11 and 12 students for leadership roles in sustainability initiatives at the local and global levels. Photo by Luke Best.

“In 2019, the city announced a climate crisis and they also committed to reducing greenhouse gases by 40 per cent by 2031. We're here to remind them of that promise and make sure they're upholding and making actions to get there,” said Aisling MacQuarrie, grade 11 student. “We wanted to try to make more of a difference in our community.”

Fridays for Future is a youth-led global climate strike movement that started in August 2018 when then 15-year-old Greta Thunberg began a school strike for the climate.

For three weeks leading up to the election, she sat outside Swedish Parliament every school day, demanding action on the climate crisis.

Mayor Diane Therrien encouraged the students in their protest and movement before heading to the Peterborough Environmental and Climate Action Expo (EnviroX). Photo by Luke Best.

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Lindsay Student Awarded $8,000 From Province-Wide Bursary

Lindsay’s Henry Stephenson was selected for the Ontario Minor Hockey Association (OMHA)-Dairy Farmers of Ontario bursary for $8,000 as one of five high school graduates announced on Friday.

Photo courtesy of OMHA.

The bursary is awarded for students who achieved academic excellence and made a big impact in their schools and in their communities in the 2020-21 school year.

Maintaining a 98 per cent average is challenging enough yet deciding to learn Mandarin on top of Stephenson’s regular academics proved to be no issue.

Not only did he excel academically but he also played hockey with Lindsay Minor Hockey, was a cross-country provincial finalist. He was also a member of the soccer, rugby, tennis and badminton teams during his time in high school. Additionally, he is a Level 10 piano player with the Royal Conservatory of Music.

He also put together recorded musical recitals for seniors’ homes in the area and was a regular volunteer at the local food bank.

“Henry’s on a different path than most. He’s an elite young man and he’s going to do amazing things. It wouldn’t shock me if one day we’re all working for him,” said Trevor Catherwood, Stephenson’s hockey coach. “He’s an excellent kid to coach.”

Stephenson is in his first year studying Bioengineering at McGill University.

“I really like that I’ll have the opportunity to solve problems that might not have come up before,” he said.

“We are extremely proud of the five recipients chosen for the Dairy Farmers of Ontario Bursary this year,” said Ian Taylor, OMHA Executive Director. “Their desire to give back during a challenging year in hockey and their excellence in the classroom shows their leadership as people and players. I am confident these five great athletes and students will continue to shine in their post-secondary education.”

Applications for the 2022 Bursary Program will be announced in the coming weeks.

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Here's A Poem A PCVS Student Wrote For Her English Assignment About Her School Closing

How could they?
Why would they?
Why should they?
Love.
Compassion.
Acceptence.
PCVS is more than a school.
PCVS is a home.
A home where hate withers.
Love grows in its place.
A home is where family lives.
We're family.
As the words run through my head.
"PCVS has been chosen to be closed."
I'm in denial.
This isn't happening.
How could they?
Why would they?
Why should they?
I've been stabbed in the back.
Just getting used to this environment.
Just to have it taken away from me.
We had a family building.
It's being torn down.
Ripped to shreads.
Thrown away like it meant nothing.
Rusty Hicks.
Spend a week here.
See what you think.
What do you see?
Each and every student.
Inspired.
Creative.
Loving.
Passionate.
They've taken away our family.
We're leaving a broken home.
How could they?
Why would they?
Why should they?

[via Peterborough Needs PCVS]

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