Page 6 October 1986 Cassiar Courier Cassiar Countr A native of Vanofka, Czechoslovakia; a farmer’s son raised in southern B.C.; an apprentice in Prince George; a tradesman in the logging and construction industies; shop steward; instructor; pilot; historian; amateur trail guide - all of the preceding describe Bill Zemenchik. His latest accomplishment is his appointment as Mine Manager for | Cassiar Mining Corporation. had to move out the previous occupants, pack rats, before Mr. Pat Hickman Industrial Education, Math 9 settled into my tiny cell-like room, Later I walked them After his parents emigrated to Canada, Bill went to they could begin to settle in. Eventually a garden sprung ; back to their car, and as I waved good-bye, I realized that school just outside Mission City, B.C. He worked asa , up (one which still produces in September!) and a dock Mr. David Hogg Principal, Math 8 for the first time in my life I was ina place where I knew labourer for a couple of years after graduation before was built to accomodate the Zemenchik Cessna 185. / NO ONE! This realization shocked me quite a bit for I obtaining his apprenticeship. He spent the next few Flying is a hobby Bill acquired in the north. “It opens | Mrs. Darlene Larden Custodian : noticed my knees were shaking. I walked back to my years in Prince George (where he met Eileen), Burns Lake up a whole new world to a person,” he tells us. “And | ' building and climbed the three flights of stairs to my and Kemano on various construction projects. Newly- vou can find great fishing spots!” Mrs. Eileen Miller Library Aide floor. In the hallway there was a group of girls talking. married he then moved to Vancouver with Eileen. At Bill’s devotion to family life probably stems from ‘As I opened my door they walked towards me. These this point in his life, Bill decided he wanted more from his his early life in Czechoslovakia where the village in which Mrs. Julie MacRae English, Communications 11 were the humble beginnings of my deep friendship with i career and he took night classes in mechanical engineering _ he lived was almost entirely related. Bill and Eileen have these girls. Later on in the evening we met David Suzuki 1} at BCIT, as well as other courses to develop his manage- 2 sons, Michael and Richard; and 3 daughters, Brenda, Ms. Norma Ray Child Care Worker which was one of the highlights of the week. David, as a ment skills. Holding a full-time job and attending night classes involved a constant struggle for time. He managed to read and study during the time he spent waiting for his by Karen Taplin Whenever time allows, Eileen and Bill can be found out at the cabin, summer and winter. Bill gets a chance to do more research on the Cassiar gold rush, and has even managed to pan for gold in the creek. Although he has occasionally been successful he hasn‘t found anything large enough that would let him retire. When they first purchased the cabin, Bill says they Janice and Tracy. The family spent a great deal of time enjoying Cassiar’s natural resources while the children were growing up. One memorable summer in 1972 saw In and STAFF AND RESPONSIBILITIES Mr. Jack Alward Consumer Math 9/10, Consumer Ed 11, |} Social Studies 8/11, and PE 9 Mr. Warren Cocking Art 9/10 and Library Ms. Pat Dimsdale Commerce, Art 11/12, Computer Literacy 9/10, English 11, Communications 12 Mrs. June Evans Office Secretary Ms. Denyse Tavener Home Economics, Counselling Around Cassiar Secondary NEW TEACHERS WALTER van der KAMP Ue _ __.. Cassiar Courier October 1986 Page 7 UBC CONNECT by Amarjit Athwal On June 20, 1986 I left Cassiar by bus to Watson Lake and from ‘there by plane to Vancouver. I was met there by my relatives and stayed with them for a day. On Sunday, June 22 my uncle drove me to the UBC campus. Sitting in the car, with this awkward sensation developing in the pit of my stomach, I realized how excited I really was. This was my first trip of this kind. After much trouble we found the Place Vanier residence and I regis- tered in the Common Building. With my cousin’s help I he asked us to call him, made a simply beautiful speech. _I just sat on the floor of the lobby absorbing everything he said like a sponge in water. David Suzuki has the abil- daughters who were at piano class. “I used to stay in the Bill, Eileen, Tracy, Michael, Richard and Tony (Bill's Mr. Eck Trask Science 8/9, PE 8/9, Typewriting _ity to explain any kind of complicated science idea so car and use the dome light to read by; | refused to go in Po brother) on horseback to Atlin. The trip, a definite Science and Technology 11 the average man on the street can understand. Later on and listen to the squeaks and squawks!” Indah histtoanetentihands learning experience for the family, took three weeks and in the evening we signed up for different seminars just. While living in Surrey, Bill worked fora number of hockey team was managed under hi Pp the return portion of the trip was motorized. Although Mrs. Iris Trask Special Education, Learning like they do in universities. I got most of the seminars I companies in various positions, ranging from foreman to master mechanic to service manager. After 10 years the family decided to leave the “big city” and go north. In April of 1967 Bill answered an ad in a Vancouver news- paper. Cassiar was looking for an assistant equipment superintendent. While Bill was advised that the job had been filled, he was also asked whether he would be inter- ested in the position of Heavy Duty Mechanic Instructor. for several years. Bill was also involved in Minor Hockey, an experience he describes as occasionally something of a losing proposition. “On trips out of town, the kids used to get me to hold their spending money,” he tells us. Unable to keep track of all the individual allotments, he was always short on personal funds at the end of the trip. : : Bill was also involved in construction of the airport. the Zemenchiks owned several horses, Bill notes that the family riding skills were “haphazard at best.’ To illus- trate the point, we are told that the first day on the trail covered 2% miles and the family made camp at 2 in the afternoon, when Bill was “‘never so beat in my life!” Having read the description of the trip in the November 1972 issue of the Asbestos Sheet, | was surprised that Bill arrived back in Telegraph Creek with horses: he was Assistance, Drama 9/10 Mr. Walter van der Kamp Science, Algebra, Computer Science Mr. Kees van der Pol Social Studies, Law, Math 10, Counselling wanted and everyone was pleased. For the next four days we attended classes like any other student attending the university. The only differ- ence between UBC students and UBC Connect members ‘was that we all carried blue books around with us contain- ing maps, schedules, etc. So if someone didn’t know where they were supposed to go they could simply follow the people carrying the blue books and would probably y Ee, we ° ; i erators “ " f a Within a year he held the position originally advertised, He notes a Lala eabeice aia) nh URN oa ent bitten and kicked on numerous occasions! Mr. Norm Vickery French, PE 11/12, Biology: 11 end up in the right place. The classes we took were all and:g mere: sigumonths: fater::her was,.mace ee Hei oe ebb ware re oA complete the project. He Although most of Bill’s family has now left Cassiar, different for there were some classes which were really, Superintendent, a position he held until June o ; Baas one son and one daughter remain. Richard works in the NON-INSTRUCTIONAL DAYS interesting like the Fun of Chemistry where the two pro- At that time he became the Plant Superintendent, and filled in on occasion for the Personnel Manager. He was made Mine Manager effective September 1, 1986. During his years in Cassiar, which number 19 as of this date, Bill has been very involved in the community. He was a C.C.C. director for 3 different terms, and Pres- ident for 2. He acted as Construction Manager and President of the Arena Association. The Maintenance also served as an R.C.M.P. Auxiliary constable from 1969-1987. Extremely interested in the history of the Cassiar area Bill purchased some acreage and a cabin located at the old mining town of Laketon on the shores of Dease Lake. An archeologist from the B.C. government advised Bill that the cabin dates from 1874-75 when it was constructed as a Hudson’s Bay Company trading post. dease lake shell Polaris Snowmobile Sales & Service Tire Sales and Service mill for Cassiar and Tracy is raising her family here. Mr. Z. has seen many changes in his long stay in Cassiar. When he and his family arrived in September of 1967, the tailings pile was no higher than the old mill; the pit was very shallow; and the town ended at Carmacks Street. The Rec Centre/Pool Hall facility had just been Continued on Page 16 All professional development days this year will have as their focus the whole lanquage program. Friday, Sept. 26 (all day) - overview of whole lanquage program and introduction to reading component Friday, Oct. 24 (all day) - followup on reading program and introduction to writing component Wednesday, Dec. 3 (aftemoon only) - whole language activation Thursday, Feb. 19 (afternoon only) - publishing student work (at the local level - i.e. library) There are tentatively two other professional development sessions in the coming school year, to consist of a S.D. No. 87 conference to be held in Dease Lake. The dates anticipated at present are Thursday and Friday, March 5 and 6, 1987. These dates will be finalized in early Octo- ber. * REMAINING CALENDAR PARENTS’ ADVISORY COUNCIL The present PAC has recommended the formation of two councils. One would represent parents of elementary children, and the other, parents of secondary schildren. As most of the existing PAC members are “elementary” parents, “secondary” parents are needed to fill positions ECK TRASK JACK ALWARD fessors used almost all of the “toys” chemists play with. There were also some classes where you could hardly stay awake. In the evenings we took part in activities such as swimming, running, movies, tours, concerts, etc. There was also a get-acquainted night where we met others at aie the program. We also attended.a concert given by the — “MixMasters”, a local university group. I found I really” enjoyed the concert even though I was a little sceptical beforehand. After attending UBC Connect ’86 I learned a great deal of things. Things that I couldn’t learn by reading a text book. In the short time I was on the campus | learned that university is what you make it and it is for everyone. The UBC campus is not just for studying; it contains many other things like gardens, sports centres, stores, restaurants, movie theatres, and almost everything ‘else you can think of, The days I spent on the campus were some of the most interesting days of my life. The people I met at the program will always have a special place in my heart. I'd like to thank the CSS, school ‘board, and teachers for giving me the Opportunity to take part in this excellent program, and I would certainly recommend that someone else be given the opportunity . to attend UBC Connect ’87. Student Society for the benefit of all the students in the school. I would like to thank the teachers and the C.SS. for — making it possible to attend this conference. SUMMARY Cassiar Secondary is operating smoothly thanks to the efforts of the staff and students. Ms. Tavener and Mr. van rs. ee Co get LD TS = ~ eg October 13 Thanksgiving LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE 4 November 11 : Remembrance Day byLisalosesh i November 14 First Report Issued y osep ; e November 19 Parent-Teacher Conferences As a member of the Cassiar Student Society at Cassiar is A t & : \ December 22 - High, I attended the Provincial Leadership Conference at © i U O eo Ve €pal CS January 2 Christmas Vacation se University of Victoria. ‘ January 5 School Re-Opens Topics included at the conference ranged from Time 1 lewis 30 cond iBenoct lace | Management and Public Speaking Techniques to Conflict ie} SARA Parent Taschen Contain: Resolution and Techniques for Conductivity of Meetings. March 16-20 Sanus Wewaier Initially small groups utilized ice breakers, cheers and April 10 Third: Report Issued group names, and colours so that individuals would April 14 Pyant Tester Cone become members of the team. ue April 17 Good Friday In these groups we were taught how to communicate I L S April 20 Een onan and cooperate with other people. Each day we went to N ew 1987 SNO W MOB E May 18 Victoria Day our groups and talked about ourselves to the group and June 5 Grad Ceremonies and Banquet faut se to e. ourselves, not the image our environ- we % aes d ment has set us up for. N Ane es S t ac k fal ; zs e ORS as Ds oe AS The social aspect of the conference included prepar- June 19 (pm) Awards Day ations by each individual group for picnics, talent nights, June 25 ; Final Reporiuleied dances, and spirit groups, to be enjoyed by all participants. ; last Dey Hopefully these ideas can be used by the Cassiar on the Secondary PAC. Please refer to the PAC Report in © this edition of the Courier. / ACTIVITIES students are programmed according to their needs and SCHOOL PHOTOGRAPHS Volleyball has now begun. — Mr. Trask, Mrs. Trask, Mr. desires. Students have displayed great maturity as they Saco tn wee pis talenten Sapte We week Alward and Mr. van der Kamp are practicing with the have been re-institutionalized after a long summer recess. pected to be returned to Cassiar schools by early Novent We look forward to an excellent year. Dene ee me ined zs = — ee — : oi aes iad ‘ der Pol have worked exceptionally hard to ensure that