​​​Where are They Now? Profiles of CB alumni

Kaitlyn Langdon

Grad year: 2011

What are you up to now?

I am currently living in Valley City North Dakota finishing up my athletic training degree. Looking to continue my education and go to graduate school in the fall! 

How has la langue française served you since finishing high school?​

I worked with a school bus company a few years ago and many drivers preferred to speak French over English. It was a little rusty on my part but it felt great to speak French again! 

Any memories of Béliveau you'd like to share? People or experiences that made lasting impressions?

All the teachers have a special place in my heart! I have seen a few since I graduated and it's always such a pleasure to visit and catch up! I definitely miss the lounge and hanging out with all my friends in there! 

Any advice you have for current Cudas?

Follow your heart and enjoy the journey! You'll miss these days sooner or later! 

Sarah McNamara

Grad year: 1998

What are you up to now?

I am a lawyer in Dauphin, Manitoba. I have a general practice which includes criminal law, family law and child protection work, as well as wills, estates and real estate work. 

How has la langue française served you since finishing high school?​

La langue française m'a servi avec des possibilités d'emploi. Being bilingual has assisted me with job opportunities while I was still at Béliveau, after graduation and during my post secondary studies. I do (rarely) have the opportunity to utilize my French with clients in my practice.

Any memories of Béliveau you'd like to share? People or experiences that made lasting impressions?

Mr. Selby challenged me and I am eternally grateful that he believed in me. One of the assignments we had was to create a life list, more commonly referred to now as a bucket list. Although I haven't kept up with crossing all the items off, I know there are a number that I have accomplished already. ​

Any advice you have for current Cudas?

Life really does start after high school. Additionally, your dreams are attainable even if the path that takes you to them isn't the one you envisioned. ​

Ethan Cobb

Grad year: 2008

What are you up to now?

I'm living in Montreal temporarily. I am currently enrolled in a graduate program at the University of McGill. I'm studying Integrated Water Resources Management.  I want to let your students know that there are options outside of traditional sciences once they've finished high school – it's worth exploring!​

How has la langue française served you since finishing high school?

I didn’t speak French much after high school. I was still able to fluently speak it, however, which led me to choose Montreal as a destination to continue my education. I am glad I speak French because it has made the integration into the Montreal culture much easier! ​

Any memories of Béliveau you'd like to share? People or experiences that made lasting impressions?

My fondest memories from Collège Béliveau were the relationships I made with teachers and other students. Seeing past high school friends now-a-days always reminds me of the fun times we shared while in class or in the halls or outside of school.  

Any advice you have for current Cudas?

Have fun, but study hard because jobs are competitive! 

Mirella Edwards

​Grad year: 2012

What are you up to now?

I am currently a fourth year student at L'Université de Saint-Boniface studying towards my education degree, with a double major in French and English. I'm enjoying it very much. 

How has la langue française served you since finishing high school?

Some of the most beneficial ways my French has helped me since leaving Béliveau have been that I am eligible for plenty more jobs while in school and also I've made a lot of friends in my classes who don't speak English. 

Any memories of Béliveau you'd like to share? People or experiences that made lasting impressions?

My last year at Béliveau, I was honored with the leadership award for my graduating class. That year taught me a lot about interpersonal skills and how to better myself. The class was led by M. Brunel. I really enjoyed my time there. ​

Any advice you have for current Cudas?

I would say the most important thing is to focus on your classes more than everything else going on. I wish I did. That's one thing I would always go back to do, if I could. ​

Michèle Kern

Grad year: 2012

What are you up to now?

I am currently traveling in Europe! I've been working and volunteering for ten months now. I lived five months in Rome, three in Tuscany, three weeks in Gers, and seven weeks in Carcassonne with plenty of little trips in between. Next stop, England! 

How has la langue française served you since finishing high school?

Traveling has made me so grateful to have French as a second language. When I landed in Italy, I didn't speak a word of Italian. Working as an aupair with children who didn't speak English was not easy. I never would have been able to pick up Italian like I did if I hadn't had French as a second language. And of course living in France, it's essential for my everyday life. Being bilingual has opened so many doors.

Any memories of Béliveau you'd like to share? People or experiences that made lasting impressions?

The teachers! I didn't fully realize until after graduation how lucky I was at Beliveau. M. Roy was a huge part of my high school experience as my homeroom teacher, bio, physics and drama teacher. I was part of grad committee which he organized, and he was the director of both musicals I took part in. He was there through it all and someone I could always turn to. I hope to make him proud.

Mme Maynard and M. Tetrault backing the Youth Alliance club some friends and I created at Béliveau, and Ms. McKinnon with her volunteer trips, kick started my passion for activism and volunteering. Mme Gillis, M. Lemoine, Mme Ouellette... My teachers at Béliveau taught me so much more than how to play a G chord or how to conjugate verbs. Merci à tous! 

Any advice you have for current Cudas?

Get involved, join clubs and groups, don't be afraid to talk to your teachers, ask for help if needed, make friends, work hard and don't put too much pressure on yourself. Despite what a lot of people say, these are not the best years of your life. But there are a lot of things you can take away from this time. Make the most of it! And when high school is over, travel travel travel! 

Paul Tascona

Grad year: 2009

What are you up to now?

Currently in my third and final year at the University of Manitoba, Faculty of Law. I will begin articling next year. 

How has la langue française served you since finishing high school?

Maintaining my French as a second language has given the opportunity to work for the Federal Government. Without French, this would not be possible as the job required bilingualism. 

Any memories of Béliveau you'd like to share? People or experiences that made lasting impressions?

A lasting memory I have of Béliveau is going to France. It kick-started my love for travel.

Any advice you have for current Cudas?

Try and think about what you would like to do as a career now. I know this may be difficult, but it's so important moving forward. Never burn bridges. 

Crystal Teichrieb

Grad year: 2010

What are you up to now? 

I am enrolled in the Bachelor of Kinesiology program at the University of Manitoba and am currently the student council president of my faculty. I am preparing to do a fieldwork position with the U of M Bison Women's Volleyball team for the 2016-2017 season to cap off my final year of the degree.    

How has la langue française served you since finishing high school?

I wanted to go to USB to continue my French right after high school, but was pressured into going to the U of M. I have not had the opportunity to use it as much as I would like, but I know it has been an asset in me obtaining certain jobs because it gives me a leg up on the competition even if I never end up having to use it.  

Any memories of Béliveau you'd like to share? People or experiences that made lasting impressions?

One of the biggest impacts on me at Béliveau was team sports. Through all the teams I joined (volleyball, basketball, badminton, track, and soccer) I was able to come out of my shell and use my leadership skills which gave me confidence in myself and helped boost my once very low self-esteem. 

There were also many teachers who made an impact in my life such as M. Fillion, M. Mousseau, M. Charney, and M. Roy. They all instilled a love for the sciences and for mathematics in me because of their passion for teaching these subjects and had an immense impact on what I am doing today.

Going to Béliveau is the reason I am pursuing a degree in Kinesiology and why I found my passion. If it weren't for the amazing coaches that created great athletic experiences and the teachers that enthusiastically taught me the sciences, I never would have realized that there was a program out there for me that could combine athletics and science together so perfectly.

Any advice you have for current Cudas?

First off, do not take for granted that you are learning a second language. I repeat, DO NOT TAKE THIS FOR GRANTED! You are so unbelievably lucky to be able to attend a French Immersion school. I know it seems uncool to talk in French all day long, but if you don't use it, you will lose it. Trust me; I unfortunately know this too well. Also, listen to your English teachers when they're talking about homophones. It's super important.

Secondly, for all you soon to be graduates, university is the not the be-all end-all. There are so many options available to you and the most important thing is to find your passion! Finding your passion in life is what will make you the happiest in the long run. You are so young after graduation and still have your whole adult life ahead of you to figure it out. You don't need to rush anything. Also, once you do figure out what you want to do, please realize that the graduation year on your post-secondary diploma truly is not that important. If it means you got to experience more, and were more involved in the extra-curricular activities of your school, volunteered and gave back to your community, and made your years more meaningful, then the extra time was absolutely worth it.

Last piece of advice: stay in touch with the people you graduate with. They are some of the best people you will ever meet and are the kind of friendships that will last a lifetime.

Jared Gauthier                 

Grad year: 2011

What are you up to now?

I work at 92 CITI FM/102.3 KiSS FM, and VIA Rail during the summer. In my spare time, I volunteer at The Uniter, University of Winnipeg's bi-weekly newspaper.

How has la langue française served you since finishing high school?

In the media industry, bilingualism is an important asset to have. You never know who you'll need to interview, and knowing French has helped me tell the stories of many Francophones around Winnipeg.  

Any memories of Béliveau you'd like to share? People or experiences that made lasting impressions?

Some of my best memories from Béliveau come from the teachers for two reasons: They helped me pass math (which I thought was almost impossible), and they listened to me whenever I had something to say. The teachers, along with a few close friends that I still see every week, are what made my time there so memorable.

Any advice you have for current Cudas?

Don't take your time here for granted. Have fun with your friends. Ask the teachers if you want to learn more about something. And don't be afraid to try new things. You never know what'll come of it.

Kristine Massicotte        

Grad year: 2011

What are you up to now?

I am currently attending the School of Optometry and Vision Science at the University of Waterloo where I am studying to be an optometrist (Doctor of Optometry).  I am also a member on many different committees and clubs as well as the First Year Rep on CAOS (Canadian Association of Optometry Students); as part of my role, I am the primary liaison for Optometry Giving Sight.  

How has la langue française served you since finishing high school?

After graduation, I continued to study in French at the Université de Saint Boniface; I graduated last year with my Bachelor of Science. I have also worked in various French environments such as a tour guide for Tourisme Riel and as an educational assistant at Collège Jeanne Sauvé. All these experiences have allowed me to remain bilingual and have and will continue to open many doors for me in the future. 

Any memories of Béliveau you'd like to share? People or experiences that made lasting impressions?

All the teachers played an important role in who I am today. Without them pushing me to challenge myself I wouldn't be as successful as I am today. I miss talking to the teachers at lunch, joking around in class, winning Airbands and all the school trips.

Any advice you have for current Cudas?

Get involved in your school and keep in touch with your friends after graduation. Cherish your time at Collège Béliveau now because you will miss the memories you've made later.