Landmark learning key for ‘07 grads

BY WENDY ELLIOTT

Kings County Register

Eighteen young adults from across Canada - and around the world - proved they had overcome their learning disabilities by graduating from Landmark East School in Wolfville - the largest group of graduates yet.

“Landmark East has given me skills that I never had," saysgraduate Shane Gibson. "The structure has taught me that I can manage my assignments by doing them in small portions."

The Bahamas native added "Landmark East has encouraged me to pursue a career after high school. I know I can succeed.”

Fourteen-year-old Lauren Mills, who just finished her second year at Landmark, says, "having a learning disability is hard!

“When I was in the public school system, I disliked all my classes and I would get 30s and 40s. The kids would make fun of me because I could not concentrate in class when everyone was talking."

Since coming to Landmark East, "life has been better for me. I have met many friends from different places around the world. I get better grades now and it’s easier having six or seven people in a class, instead of 30 or 40."

Mills is originally from Gander, Newfoundland. She attended Landmark as a boarder last year. This year, she was a day student as her family moved to Kentville.

Wolfville resident Laura Trenholm, 12, notes, “there are two things I have learned overall: one, you have to accept the way you are; and, two, that you are smart, even though you learn in a different way.”

“Landmark East helped me with my learning disability because the teachers taught me how to accept the fact that having a learning disability isn’t bad," says student Erica Leseur. "I have learned I am still smart, even though I don’t learn the same way as everyone else."

The Bermuda native says Landmark has proved there are other kids with her challenges.

Martha Sobey, a Landmark East Foundation trustee and former teacher at the school, gave the graduation address. Kai Fritz-Watson was named male athlete of the year, while Anna DeLong received the female athlete of the year award.

For over 20 years, Landmark East has served high-potential students aged 10 to 19 with a learning disability and/ or attention deficit disorder.