This year’s graduates of Sun Peaks Secondary Academy told SPIN how much they loved the experience of getting to learn and grow in Sun Peaks.
Having a tight knit community appealed to each of the four grads, and it’s helped them along the path to where they are today.
Marking the completion of their secondary education, a ceremony will be held Wednesday, June 26 with a village walk at 4:15 p.m. followed by speeches and awards at 4:30 p.m. at the upper village stage.
Kelly Deis
Born in the Kootenays and having lived in Alberta and Kamloops as well, Kelly Deis didn’t grow up in Sun Peaks, but she and her family love the area and were grateful to move here two years ago.
The draw of the mountains and benefits of nature is what Deis loves about Sun Peaks.
Before moving to Kamloops, she spent two years living in Sun Peaks and going to elementary school, which she found more exciting than the online-run high school.
“I think I learned better in a normal school, but I preferred the school so much more up here and like the community,” she said.
Next year, she will be joining Thompson Rivers University (TRU) for a degree in natural resource science, having always been drawn to nature. She plans to go into forestry conservation after that.
Paula Erler
After struggling with a torn meniscus injury during her 15 years of dancing, valedictorian Paula Erler hopes to pursue biology and become a doctor to help others like herself.
“I’ve always enjoyed helping people,” she shared.
Erler is choosing to take a gap year to work and travel, then will be starting at TRU next fall in the science program.
Having grown up in Sun Peaks, she said she’s the first girl to have gone through all her schooling from kindergarten to Grade 12 in town.
“Everyone knows everyone, and everyone cares about everyone,” she said of growing up in such a small community.
Nayte Brown
Sun Peaks has been a perfect place for Nayte Brown to have spent the last eight years, given his passion for snowboarding.
He was born in Sechelt, B.C. and grew up in Kamloops, where he lived prior to Sun Peaks.
This summer, he’ll be trying to get into wildland fire fighting, then plans on continuing to compete in freestyle snowboarding this winter, as well as coaching.
The self-paced school system in Sun Peaks worked well for him, as he graduated with district honours.
“I find it a lot easier reading and being a technical learner instead of an audible learner,” he said.
He has no immediate post-secondary plans, but said he enjoyed many courses in school, making it hard to choose one path.
Ryland Brown
Unlike the others who are all 18 years old, Ryland Brown is graduating at only 16, alongside his older brother Nayte.
During his time at school, Ryland worked jobs at Masa’s Bar and Grill and Cleavage Axe Co. Now he plans on spending the summer working construction.
“From there, I’ll decide whether I want to pursue it as a career or if I feel like I want to do something else with my education or work,” he said.
During high school he enjoyed math and science, particularly physics, but if he were to pursue post-secondary, he’d opt for the construction trades program.
Being able to take the number of courses required to graduate early and joining the workforce at 12 years old, he said he’s proud of what he’s accomplished.
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