GARDNER

GAVE UP

SECRETARIAL LIFE

FOUR YEARS ago North Vancouver resident Sharon
Gardner had a routine job as a secretary.

She had also been out of school
for 18 years.

Deciding that she wanted to do
more with her life, Gardner quit
her job and returned to school.
She began studying academics at
Capilano College.

Gardner says she didn't know
what to expect when she returned
to school after being away for so
long, but one thing she did not
expect was to be named Capilano
College’s 1990 valedictorian,

“It came as a surprise to me,”
says Gardner.

Not only was she named this
year’s valedictorian, Gardner was
also named a winner of the
women’s studies and anthropology
book awards, as well as being
nominated for a third book award
by her English professor.

_ And while the summer season
means the end of school for most
students, Gardner plans to con-
tinue hitting the books rather than
the beach. She plans to spend the
summer at the University of B.C.,
studying math and mythology.

News Reporter

She will then go on to Simon
Fraser University where she will
study for a bachelor of arts degree
before entering the field of geron-
tology.

“I like older people and {i think
we can learn a lot from them,"
says Gardner.

Gardner says she is glad she
decided to return to school and
advises anyone who is looking for
a lifestyle change to do the same.

“I didn't want to be a secretary
for the rest of my fife,’’ she says.
“I thanked my teachers for chan-
nelling me into a different career.
When | was growing up, women
were encouraged to get married
and raise children after graduating
from high school."’

Before she decided to go back
to school, Gardner said she look-
ed around at other post-secondary
educational institutions, but in the
end decided Capilano College had
the most to offer. She adds that

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PAGE 46°

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NEWS PHOTO Nell Lucente

CAPILANO COLLEGE'S 1990 valedictorian Sharon Gardner givers her address to this year’s college
graduating class. Gardner, who returned to school after an 18-year absence, encourages others who are seek-

ing to change their lifestyle to do the same.

she has not regretted her decision.

“{ fike the atmosphere at
Capilano College. It's a very
close-knit feeling. The cooperation
and sharing I experienced here has
been great."”

Gardner says one of her
favorite courses at the college was
women’s studies. But she is
disappointed that the federal gov-

ernment chopped funding for
women's programs, which resulted
in the closure of Capilano Col-
lege’s women’s centre.

Gardner says that between
studies she will continue to work
as a volunteer with the North
Shore Health department, where
she has been active in the hot-
meal program as well as taking

seniors shopping.

Gardner says one of the reasons
it was possible for her to ac-
complish the things she did at
Capilano College during the past
four years was her husband.

“I'm married with a very sup-
portive husband. That helps a
lot...1 think that is very impor-
tant.”’

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