Where Are They Now?

Featuring Information on Students Past and Present

With Lorne Schram

Previously published in The Paper courtesy of Louise Daymond

Previously Published June 7, 2006

Author's Note : The enlightened stories I hear about our grads continually fascinates me. When someone clues me in on a good lead it is my mission to get it in The Paper. This is one of those stories.

    Jayson Abraham, Brent Henschell, Jonathan Richards and Trevor Zetaruk formed a team to participate in the Neutropenia Association fundraiser golf tournament held at the Kingswood course in Lasalle on Wednesday, May 31 st . This was their 10th year of participation in which they also graciously donate $100 each towards this worthy cause. But there is more. This year Mike Boyle, Ryan Gamley, Josh Abraham, Devon Turner, Sean Gamley and Walter Bychuk also entered this tournament and they will all tell you they go for the fun, the freaky prize system and “for the cause”. Jack Turner was also part of this group “to keep the kids in line”, but they were prepared to retrieve Jack just in case he got lost in the bunker on the 16th hole, which reminds everyone of the Sahara Desert!

    Now the Queen Bee in this event is Brian Gamley. He, along with his good pa from the city, have organized this Neutropenia golf tournament for the past 13 years with one being held at Pinawa several years back.   Of interest, Neutropenia is a blood disorder in which the one marrow is not able to make enough neutrophils which is part of the white blood cells that are required to battle, surround and destroy bacteria in the body. Symptoms include a high incidence of infection that often occurs in the lungs, mouth, throat and skin. Several treatments may be used including intravenous antibiotics, chemotherapy and newer generation drug treatments that tackle infections and attempt to restore white blood cell counts.

    Brian Gamley is an advocate and has Neutropenia. By golfing in his tournament these students are supporting Brian and the cause he champions. It speaks volumes about the care these grads have, not to mention the “home cookin' that instills good values in these young men.

Previously Published June 14, 2006

Lindsay Barnsdale: She recently received her Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Canadian Studies and a minor in Sociology from the University of Manitoba. One of her professors nominated Lindsay to be the student representative for the Canadian Studies Committee, a group of educators including members from Labour, First Nations, Women's Studies and the Multicultural sector, all linked to maintain relevance in the Canadian Studies courses and programming at the University of Manitoba. Presently she is seeking out opportunities for a career in her field in Winnipeg. Lindsay has summer employment with the LGD at the Recycling Depot (her third year there). [Lindsay is the daughter of Bev and Tom Barnsdale]

Rob Kalupar: After completing his junior high at Pinawa Secondary he moved with his family to Hecla. He graduated from Riverton Collegiate then continued his schooling at Fairview Community College (in Fairview) located in the Peace River district of northern Alberta where he received his diploma in Golf Course Management Technology. Rob has had several employment experiences including being the groundskeeper at the Greenhouse on the Legislative property in Winnipeg and helped in the construction of the Gimli Golf Course. Presently he is the head gardener and greenskeeper at the Headingley Correctional Centre. [Rob is the son of Pat and Nick Kalupar] Of interest, Nick was the greenskeeper at the Pinawa Golf Course and received high acclaim for his work in establishing the Hecla Golf Course to the quality stature it presently receives.

Dominic Bernardin: After graduating from Pinawa Secondary last year he wanted to check out the work world and he landed a unique opportunity. Dominic is a technician on the bus assembly line at Motor Coach Industries located on Clarence Avenue in Fort Garry (Winnipeg). His rotation enables him to work on several tasks with his most recent assignment in the interior decor section installing blinds on windows and grilles in the ventilation systems. These buses are the expensive, custom-designed, multi-passenger luxury excursion units manufactured for Greyhound and other private companies in the United States. It seems like the assembly line has a limited challenge to Dominic as he plans to enrol at the University of Manitoba in the fall. [Dominic is the son of Lois and Romeo Bernardin]

Previously Published June 21, 2006

Travis McNichol: He attended high school at Pinawa and graduated from the New Directions program in Lac du Bonnet. He qualified for an internship as a millwright with Manitoba Hydro. Taking advantage of all his options, Travis joined the Navy after being recruited at the Winnipeg Armed Forces office. After completing his basic training in St. Jean, Quebec he registered in the Navy's technical sector as a marine engineering mechanic. He transferred to the west coast naval headquarters in Esquimault where he combined his ship duties and academic courses. He received his General Seamanship status and was on the emergency tactical squad to handle vessel firefighting, flood control, quick response maintenance and the sensitive nuclear, biological and chemical defence strategy. Travis received one of the highest honours for leading his team to save the HMCS Toronto from serious damage when the shaft and stern wheel hit an obstruction and it was Travis' quick action team that minimized major flooding in the lower levels. The citation reads, “…exceptional leadership and professionalism under extreme conditions…”

  He participated in many tours of duty at sea including the most challenging and stressful assignment in the Persian Gulf. Canada's naval role in the Gulf included the code name OP-AL-TAIR operation that was a cooperative effort with the U.S. Navy Command. Suspect shipping vessels in the Persian Gulf were under constant surveillance by this Canada/U.S. security control and the ship Travis was on, the HMCS Toronto, was involved in 180 foreign boardings meaning the uncooperative ships had to be stopped and checked. Although most incidents were routine a few situations “had its moments”.

    Between long stretches of duty Travis was able to enjoy shore leave in Bahrain and Dubai. After 800 days of accumulated sea duty combined with his exemplary service as a qualified Seaman he received an Honourable Discharge in Halifax on March 6, 2006. After enjoying some rest and recreation, Travis joined with fellow Seaman Michael Lyons and they headed west to work on the oilrigs. His future plans are to upgrade his academic status and pursue permanent employment with Manitoba Hydro. [Travis is the son of Darlene and Jerold McNichol, former residents of Pinawa who now live in Seven Sisters.]

Previously Published June 28, 2006

Rick Brunet: After taking some high school courses in Pinawa he moved to be with his dad in The Pas. He attended Margaret Barbour Collegiate then decided to take a break from school and worked for Waugh Woods, a sawmill near The Pas. Rick moved to Brandon and was employed as a telemarketer for Convergys. Presently he is back in Pinawa and works for Watertown in Lac du Bonnet getting boats showroom ready and assists with water testing engines. One weekends he is a bartender at the Pinawa Motor Inn. [Rick is the son of Laurie Noel who used to work at the Pinawa Branch of South Interlake Credit Union and is now with S.I.C.U. in Pine Falls]

Katherine Koroll: She just completed her third year in Agribusiness at the University of Manitoba. She was in the Science faculty but switched to Agriculture as it provided a greater challenge. Katherine has summer employment at the Mint (her 3rd year) where she has worked in the finance, accounting and purchasing departments. [Katherine is the daughter of Margaret and Grant Koroll]

Troy Miller: He just completed his second year in Geology at the University of Manitoba. His summer employment will gain him a wealth of experience as he will be working for the Manitoba Geological Survey. His first placement will be near Bear Lake in northern Manitoba checking rock formations and providing a geological database which will be a great assist for miners and prospectors. His second assignment will be near Flin Flon and the Manitoba/Nunavet border where his team will be searching for diamond formations. [Troy is the son of Audrey and Neil Miller]

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