On the last Saturday of November, Selkirk College brought together 70 screens from across the region for its Virtual Community Celebration.
Subbing in for the annual Selkirk College Gala, students and staff put on an hour-plus showcase of talents featuring the Professional Cook Training Program, Resort & Hotel Management Program and the Contemporary Music & Technology Program. Recipes were shared, music was enjoyed and appropriate current-time connections were made with supporters of remarkable regional post-secondary education.
Professional Cook Training Level II student Ali Coco and Chef Gary Thompson demonstrate how to make Shrimp Provencal in the classroom kitchens on Nelson’s Tenth Street Campus during the Virtual Community Celebration on November 28.
“Every November we look forward to throwing a big party with our donors and community supporters, so this year we had to find a new way to connect,” says Selkirk College Advancement Coordinator Kelsey Baerg. “Nothing can replace seeing people in-person, but this night was pretty special. Getting to see the faces on screen and having the opportunity to showcase a least a bit of the amazing student talent was a great way to transition into December.”
Access to Post-Secondary the Focus
The annual Gala is an important fundraiser for student scholarships and bursaries, but the Virtual Community Celebration was free. Aimed at building community spirit, the event was a thank-you to all those who contribute to making post-secondary more accessible for all learners.
Post-Graduate Diploma in Hospitality Management Program student Arya Permana shares his signature cocktail called the Tamaclo Special with those who tuned into the Virtual Community Celebration on November 28. With roots from his native Bali, the second-year student combined bourbon, maple syrup, mandarin orange and other special ingredients.
“It has been a challenging year for students who continue to struggle with ways to pay for their education at time when even more barriers have emerged due to the pandemic,” says Baerg. “The support we have received over the last nine months from the community to provide emergency and technology access funding has been tremendous. Many of our learners have been given a much-needed boost by the generosity, both financially and mentally. This virtual event was just one way to show our appreciation.”
Selkirk College looks forward to resuming the larger in-person Gala event when safe to do so in future years. You can find more about the Selkirk College Foundation’s current annual fundraising campaign, Forward Together.