Student and Graduate Profiles

Georgina Clarke - Esthetics and Spa Management With Electrolysis Graduate

As a recent Esthetics and Spa Management with Electrolysis program graduate, Georgina Clarke is excited to begin her new venture.

She recently opened Aurora World Spas Electrolysis and Aesthetics, located on 468 Main Street in Whitbourne.

Georgina Clarke, owner and operator, completed her program in September 2009, graduating with honours and distinction. She has also completed many courses and workshop to augment her credentials in the Aesthetic and Spa industry.

Her spa provides a wide range of services at her spa such as manicures and pedicures, hot stone massage, eyelash and brow tinting, signature facials, and electrolysis.

She is now offering Christmas Specials from the "Sparkle and Glow" body scrub, a 2.5-hour procedure for $65.00, to the 5-hour "Spoiled Rotten" package, which includes body scrub, body wrap, massage, facial, manicure, and pedicure for $175.00.

If you're planning to visit Georgina’s beautiful salon, Aurora World Spas Electrolysis and Aesthetics, Whitbourne is about a 45-minute drive from St. John’s.

The spa hours are as follows:

• Tuesday to Friday 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM 
• Wednesday 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM; 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM 
• Saturday 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM 

For more information about Aurora World Spas Electrolysis and Aesthetics, please call 709-759-2327 or email aurora.worldspas@live.com. You may also visit her website at http://www.wix.com/Moonwillow/Aurora-World-Spas-and-Electrolysis-Clinic to learn more about her spa and the services Georgina provides.

A front lobby of Georgina Clarke's new salon, Aurora World Spas Electrolysis and Aesthetics.

Georgina Clarke next to a spa bed.

Sarah White - Therapeutic Recreation Graduate

Sarah White began the Therapeutic Recreation program in September 2007, and remembers the first semester feeling completely overwhelmed with portfolios, assignments, volunteering, and deciding her first work term host.

Fortunately, she had some help from incredibly supportive classmates, along with a motivating and enthusiastic instructor, Joanne Bennett. Sarah honestly believes that without a strong support system Academy Canada provides to its students, she would not have the desire and motivation to pursue a Therapeutic Recreation related career.

During her two years at Academy Canada, Sarah completed six placements, including the Autism Society of Newfoundland and Labrador, Glenbrook Lodge, Rainbow Riders, Hoyles-Escasoni Complex, and Elizabeth Towers. She volunteered at numerous events such as Casio Days, the Friendship Club, Bridging Cultures groups, and Rainbow Rider’s Therapeutic Riding Facility.

According to Sarah, she believes this combination of hands-on and classroom experience, along with her academic studies, makes the Therapeutic Recreation program second to none.

Two years later, Sarah is currently working at the Elaine Dobbin Centre for Autism as their Therapeutic Recreation Coordinator. She absolutely loves the Therapeutic Recreation field, and strongly recommends not only this program, but other Academy Canada programs to anyone interested in pursuing a post secondary education.

Joanne Bennett, Therapeutic Recreation Instructor, and Sarah White.

Tiffany Lawlor - Legal Studies (Paralegal Professional) Graduate

Tiffany Lawlor is a recent graduate of the Legal Studies (Paralegal Professional) Program and is currently completing her work term. Tiffany is well known at the Kenmount Road Campus; she began her program in September 2007, she has been involved with many campus activities, including the Peer Mentorship Program, as well as ticket sales for various charities, and the Graduation Committee.

Tiffany has been very enthusiastic about starting her paralegal career, and contacted the office of Rogers Bussey in December 2008 to inquire about potential work there. On January 31 2009, she was contacted for an interview and had this interview on February 2, from which she was hired on the spot! She began her part-time work on February 3 with the intention of completing her work term there as well, which did come to fruition.

Tiffany enjoys playing acoustic guitar and is a photography hobbyist (her mother Michelle Lawlor is a current, and very talented, Photographic Studies student). She is also the youngest student to graduate in her class; she turned 19 in December 2008.

Natasha Jones - Welding Graduate

From her first day in class, Natasha demonstrated extreme dedication to her program, strong course material interest, tremendous support and leadership toward her peers, and a wonderful welding talent.

Throughout her Welding program, she maintained a perfect attendance record, and took every opportunity to learn and practice. As a result, she achived the highest theory and shop marks.

Not only has Natasha displayed required course element excellence, but she also taken an interest in the school as a community and participated in all extracurricular activities. She even volunteered as an unofficial campus photographer to document campus life for the Academy Canada website.

Natasha was awarded the Welding Program Award at Convocation 2009 Ceremony for her extra-curricular and academic contributions.

Without a doubt, Natasha's willingness to learn new things, accept challenges, and great attitude makes her a valuable contributor to the Academy Canada community.

Melissa Druken - Business Administration Student

Ask Melissa Druken any question regarding Shea Heights history, and she could write you a book! And, in fact, that is exactly what Melissa has done.

As part of Come Home Year 2009, Shea Heights Community Centre Board asked Melissa if she would be interested in researching and writing a paper about Shea Heights history. Through her extensive research into this community, she discovered so much information that the paper grew into a book to be published in July 2009.

The book entitled "Shea Heights: The Real Story of Our Home" is a St. John's based Dicks and Company published book. During Come Home Year week, Melissa will be giving two presentations which coincide with the book's contents.

After the first presentation on July 20th, the book, which is currently in its preorder phase, will be made available to the public. Melissa will also submit two copies to the National Library of Canada.

Melissa had the pleasure of working with a co-author who is a long standing Shea Heights resident with family roots tracing five generations. According to Melissa, her co-author helped provide the direction and guidance for this project, which allowed her to write this book easier.

Shea Heights has a rich and sometimes tragic history, which Melissa has detailed in her book, including the National Sea Food Products Plant closure in 1990, resulting in 400 job losses. These job losses had a profound impact on this close-knit community.

Despite theses setbacks, Shea Heights always had a strong community sense, and residents were never afraid of taking on a worthy cause. This is evident in their decision to build the town's first school during the Great Depression.

Besides her strong community involvement, Melissa was also involved with all activities the Business Administration (Marketing, Human Relations, and Accounting) class hosted this year.

The Business Administration class raised funds for Daffodil Place, and hosted other events such as a Ball Hockey Tournament and Barbeques. In addition to her community and school involvement, Melissa is married and the proud mother of Daniel, age 3, and Jacob, age 7.

Left to Right: Daniel Druken, Jacob Druken, and Melissa Druken

Rolanda White - Construction/Industrial Electrician Graduate

Rolanda White, a Long Harbour, Placentia Bay resident, graduated from Academy Canada's Construction/Industrial Electrician Program in July 2007.

She has recently completed two advanced level Apprenticeship Training components at Academy Canada, and we look forward to working with her as she progresses through the Apprenticeship system to become a certified tradesperson.

The Construction/Industrial Electrician program consists of three advanced level training blocking and an additional block if registered as an Industrial Electrician. Once all training blocks are completed along with required work experience between each block, an apprentice is eligible to write the Red Seal Exam, giving you national mobility in your trade. This process usually takes 4-5 years.

Rolanda is currently employed as an apprentice with the St. John's Dockyard, NEWDOCK, located at 475 Water Street in St. John's.

St. John's Dockyard currently employs approximately 250 people, but the number can range from 100-300. The dockyard is involved in ship repair, but also an offshore fabrication facility as well. Therefore, they employ Welders, Millwrights, Machinists, Electricians, and Pipefitters.

Academy Canada has built a strong relationship with St. John's Dockyard, NEWDOCK, as an employer and work term hosts for our students and graduates.

We look forward to working with the St. John's Dockyard, NEWDOCK, in the future.

Nerissa Ayuso - Therapeutic Recreation Student

Academy Canada Corner Brook Campus has a new face this semester, an international student, Nerissa Ayuso from Belize City. She first landed in Deer Lake, Newfoundland in September 2008.

What attracted Nerissa to Canada you may wonder? She was interested in furthering her education beyond Belize. While in searching for where to go and what to study, she stumbled upon a news paper article stating Memorial University of Newfoundland was coming to Belize to recruit international students to Canada. Nerissa attended the session, applied, and was accepted for MUN.

Since arriving in September, Nerissa decided that MUN was not where she wanted to study. One day walking past an Academy Canada campus, she notice our college was an educational institution. Once Nerissa found our website, she browsed around and found her insights in our Therapeutic Recreation (Disability Support and Geriatric Professional) program.

Nerissa is now enrolled in the Therapeutic Recreation (Disability Support and Geriatric Professional) program at Academy Canada. She enjoys the smaller classes, and according to Nerissa, “you are not just a number, the staff, students and instructors actually know who you are and care how you are doing here”.

Nerissa is very happy with her decision in attending Academy Canada. She has made some adjustments in moving to Canada, but is amazed with the beautiful scenery and friendly people here in the Corner Brook area.

Academy Canada would like to welcome Nerissa to our college, and to the Corner Brook area. We are so delighted to have her as our student.

For more information about our Therapeutic Recreation (Disability Support and Geriatric Professional) program, call toll free at 1-800-561-8100 or click here.

Sheri-Lynn Bussey - Criminology Graduate

Academy Canada congratulates Sheri-Lynn Bussey for her new position with the Recovering Addicts Fellowship Team or RAFT for short. She completed her studies in the Criminology program at the Kenmount Road Campus in August 2008, and her workterm with RAFT this past summer. After she completed her workterm, she was hired as Executive Assistant Director.

The Recovering Addicts Fellowship Team, or RAFT for short, provides social support to individuals recovering from various addictions. In addition to counselling, the organization plans group activities and outings, in which members can participate without being exposed to those things that might stimulate their addictions.

Academy Canada offers its Criminology program starting several times a year at our Corner Brook and Kenmount Road campuses.

For more information about our Criminology program, call toll free at 1-800-561-8100 or click here.

Denise Etheridge - Esthetics and Spa Management Student

In October 2008, Denise Etheridge, an Esthetics student at Academy Canada's Kenmount Road Campus in St. John's, participated at the International Esthetics, Cosmetics, and Spa Conference in Orlando, Florida, USA. During the four day event, she completed courses in Spa Business, Air Brush Makeup, and Chemical Peel Solutions. It gave her exposure to Esthetics practitioners from across North America.

Throughout her studies, Denise continues to distinguish herself as a student personally committed to professional development. Since beginning her studies in September 2007, she has completed a Professional LCN Nail Technician Course with East Coast Beauty alongside her studies at Academy Canada. In addition, in Spring 2008, she placed second at the Skills Canada inhouse competition in the Manicures Category.

The Esthetics and Spa Management program with optional Electrolysis semester is offered several times at Academy Canada's Kenmount Road Campus in St. John's throughout the academic year. Click here to visit our Health and Human Sciences programs page, or contact our Admissions Office at 1-800-561-8000 for more information about our Esthetics, Esthetics and Spa Management, and Esthetics and Spa Management with Electrolysis programs.