Feature Article August 28, 2002
LAND O' LAKES NewsWeb HomeContact Us
Persistence pays off for Brad Bertrim of SLHSby Jeff GreenAs students return to school next week, there are only a handful, except for those entering junior Kindergarten, who have any chance of outdoing OAC scholar Brad Bertrim from Hinchinbrooke.
In Bradleys 14 years of schooling, from kindergarten right through Grade 13 (there was no junior kindergarten when he started school) he never missed a day of school. Not one.
At Octobers commencement ceremony for Sharbot Lake High School, he will be receiving, in addition to a perfect attendance award, the K.A. Alexander trophy for highest achievement in Grade 13, the Limestone District School Board Achievement award (which comes with a $500 scholarship), the Governor Generals Academic Medal, the Kingston Regional Arts Council Award, and the Don St. Pierre Art Award.
Bradley is leaving home this week to begin his studies at Sheridan College in Oakville, where he will be taking the Art Fundamentals course. He is hoping to eventually be able to take the computer animation course at Sheridan, which is world renowned. He will not, however, be able to maintain his perfect attendance record, because he will have to miss at least one class to come to Sharbot Lake and receive all his awards at the High School Commencement ceremony in October. The ceremony takes place on a Friday, and his preliminary course schedule for Sheridan tells him he has a class at 3 and at 5 p.m. on Fridays, so I think Ill have to get a friend to take notes for me at the five oclock class, because Im not going to miss the ceremony, Bradley told the News.
There were days when I told him he should stay home because he had colds and flu, but he would always refuse, especially after hed gone all the way through primary school at Hinchinbrooke without missing a day, his mother Judy said. Bradley said To tell you the truth Im not exactly sure why myself. When I first had perfect attendance I received a small medallion for my achievement. By the time I reached Grade 8 the medallion wasnt really important, but it had become kind of a habit. Around Grade 10 I started to realize that this could really help me to get into college and get a job after high school so I continued to get perfect attendance.
Judy Bertrim said Its not as if he was unhappy when there was a bus cancellation day or anything, he was never that crazy about school, but he just didnt want to miss a scheduled day of school and spoil his perfect record.
As far as Bradleys academic standing, his mother said he really started to enjoy his schooling in the final two or three years of high school, and thats when his grades started to pick up.
In the past year Bradley has distinguished himself through the computer co-op program with the Community Technology Development Corporation (CTDC) and was part of the winning robotics team that Sharbot Lake High School (SLHS) sent to Sydenham High School last winter. By the end of the school year he had developed the necessary skills not only to control small robots through a computer link, but also over an internet connection.
The last time a local student went through school without missing a day was about 20 years ago, when Gordon Cota graduated, according to Judy Bertrim. At that time, its unlikely anyone at SLHS had any experience on the internet, never mind the ability to control robots through it. However, one thing hasnt changed from Gordon Cotas time through Bradley Bertrims and beyond to the next youngster who might set a school attendance endurance record. Each and every morning, for 14 years, rain or shine, flu or cold, sore throat or not, that student has to get out of bed, get dressed, and get to school.
