On top of being a business owner and councillor, Adam Bureau is hitting the books to get his high school diploma at the Centre for Individual Studies in Cobourg.
“I’m going back to high school to get my grade 12,” Bureau states proudly in front of the school on D’Arcy Street.
Bureau said he did the speech last year as a member of Cobourg Council for the graduates and now it’s time to “walk the walk.”
“I knew a lot of people in the audience who were graduating and it inspired me to get my grade 12. If they can do it – I can do it.”
Once the maturity credits have been calculated, Bureau still needs four courses for his grade 12 diploma including three English credits.
When Bureau dropped out of school, he said, “it wasn’t right for me.”
“I had to leave my house and I was homeless at the time. I always wanted to go back and get my grade 12, but I had to work, family and survive.”
“Going to school wasn’t right for me at that time.”
Bureau said he did have reservations at first about fitting in with others at the school.
“Being 45-year-old, town councillor, business owner and I’m in a grade 10 English class.”
“It was awkward going in but what I’ve learned is all the students are independently learning, so we aren’t all doing the same thing.”
Life is good for Bureau and even if it’s taken him a few years longer then some to do it, he’s meeting the challenge head-on.
“The teachers are inspiring and the principal is one of the nicest people I’ve ever met. They are very welcoming and enjoy working with you.”
“I encourage anyone who wants to go back to school to do it – you won’t regret it.”
If all goes well, Bureau will be graduating with the other students in June 2020.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
