"Altiora Peto"
STUDENT TESTIMONIALS
Let's SEE what some of our former graduates have to say...
Belinda Cancian
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What are you doing now?
I graduated from the Odette School of Business in 2018 where I obtained my Bachelor of Commerce Honours Business Administration Co-op degree, specializing in accounting. I completed all three of my co-op placements at the KPMG office in Windsor, working in their audit department. After graduation, I started full-time with them in October 2018 and enrolled in the CPA Professional Education Program to begin my journey of becoming a CPA (Chartered Professional Accountant). After two years of completing the program, I am happy to announce I recently passed the September 2020 Common Final Examination, the last step in obtaining my CPA designation. I am currently still at KPMG in a Senior Accountant position, performing audits of private and public sector clients in the automotive, agricultural, local government, and healthcare industries.
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What are your favourite memories of Kennedy?
My favourite memories of Kennedy include being a part of the basketball team, KOOK, and the holiday-themed assemblies run by students. We had amazing school spirit and a passionate team of individuals who ran these amazing events that students always looked forward to.
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What does it mean to you to have been, and always will be, a Kennedian?
To me being a Kennedian means being a leader and to inspire and help those around you. Throughout my four years, I had amazing teachers as role models who provided a supportive learning environment and inspired me to be the best version of myself. I am now a CPA mentor at my office as I want to help my coworkers who are working towards obtaining their designation by being available for support and giving guidance based on my experience.
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Advice for Grade 9s
My advice is to get involved in something outside of the classroom, whether it be joining a sports team or club. Also, start to build good habits now by working hard, staying organized, and always making time for yourself each day, whether it be working out, playing a sport, or whatever it is you love to do. In the long run, these habits and work ethic you build now will help you achieve any goal you have in the future.
ALI MEHAIDLI
1) What are you doing now?
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Attended the University of Windsor and received a bachelor’s degree in biology.
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Currently attending Wayne State University School of Medicine to become a doctor.
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Ultimate goal: to be an Orthopedic Surgeon.
2) What are your favourite memories of Kennedy?
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Winning WECSSAA junior football championship.
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Clippers for Cure football game (beating CCH).
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Kennedy football, basketball, soccer and track.
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KOOK, assemblies, pep rallies.
3) What does it mean to you to have been, and always be, a Kennedian
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Being a Kennedian is all about building character. It’s about being resilient in the face of adversity. It’s about being counted out and beating the odds time and time again. Kennedy taught me to see challenges as opportunities for growth. It taught me that if you get cut from 2 sports teams as a freshman you can still graduate as the most outstanding male athlete in the school. Being a Kennedian is about recognizing the legacy of the school and making it a personal obligation to continue it. I’m extremely proud to be a Kennedian, and I carry those lessons with me through college, through medical school and soon through my surgical training.
4) Advice for grade 9’s
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Be respectful of your peers. Everyone is growing, and people grow at different rates, so your words and action may leave lasting imprints on those around you.
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Read books to sharpen your mind, become a better problem solver, and become wiser in general.
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Stay away from drugs, and alcohol. I cannot stress this one enough.
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Dream big and set goals. Do not rest until you achieve them.
ALAA EISSA
Alaa Eissa just Graduated with a degree in Disability Studies and a minor in Strategy & Entrepreneurship at the University of Windsor. She is currently applying for her Masters in Social Work to specialize in Clinical Behavioral Therapy & Mental Health.
She has dedicated the past 4 years of her university experience to working closely with at-risk youth. She was the Expansion Director of Enactus Windsor’s Youthrive program which was geared towards educating youth on Financial Literacy. She also worked in the Deans Office of the Faculty of Arts, Humanities & Social Science to coordinate the 2019 African Diaspora Youth Conference (ADYC) a conference that is aimed towards empowering and encouraging Black Youth to pursue a post-secondary education at the University level. Currently Alaa is the Anti-Racism Network Assistant for RAACES (Researchers, Academics, Advocates of Colour for Equity in Solidarity) and the founder of her newly launching non-profit program called the ‘Black Youth Excellence Program’ that will be geared towards aiding Black Youth achieve academic and professional excellence.
“My favorite Kennedy memory was KOOK! I remember waiting all year for it. It was so much fun, and it was a great way to highlight the immense school spirit that Kennedy had. To be a Kennedian means to always strive for greatness; something that I’ve instilled in my practice since graduating from Kennedy 5 years ago – I’ll always be proud to have been a Kennedy Clipper!”
jana Khanafer
1) What are you doing now?
I am currently in my fourth year of Behavioural, Cognition, and Neuroscience at UWindsor, and I have aspirations to pursue a career in medicine. Stepping out of my comfort zone in university has allowed me to accomplish many goals, including doing cancer research, getting a publication, becoming a teaching assistant, and being current president of the Outstanding Scholars research program at UWindsor.
2) What are your favourite memories of Kennedy?
I could go days talking about my favourite memories of Kennedy. The hype assemblies, spirit weeks, sports home-games, KOOK, morning announcements, Christmas events, multi-cultural nights, and KCI students and teachers were all special and filled with memories. I enjoyed being involved with the KCI lip-dub and witnessing just how spirited we are as a school. I also made some unforgettable memories playing on the girls’ basketball team.
3) What does it mean to you to have been, and always be, a Kennedian?
It’s an honour to have been and always be a Kennedian. I wouldn’t be where I am today if I didn’t go to KCI. Even as a relatively small high school, KCI gives you many opportunities to grow as a person, make valuable connections with students and teachers, and explore your future career plans. The student spirit is like no other, and the teachers and staff always have your best interests in mind and are there to support you. Looking back, I’m grateful for all the memories and experiences I had at KCI.
