CICE Graduate Honoured with the Dwayne Barber Memorial Award

Submitted by Jodie Macquisten, Program Liaison and Faculty, Community Integration through Cooperative Education (CICE) Program Brockville campus 
 
We are proud to celebrate the outstanding achievement of graduating student Steph Swolfs, who has been named the recipient of the Dwayne Barber Memorial Award through Career Services in Brockville. 

Steph's story is a powerful example of determination, resilience, and personal growth. She showed remarkable initiative by independently researching post-secondary options and discovering the CICE program on her own, then navigating the application process with support, beginning an experience that would transform her academics, confidence, and sense of self. 

When Steph first joined the program, she faced challenges, including anxiety and low self-esteem, and was quiet and hesitant to step outside her comfort zone. Over her two years in CICE, she consistently rose to meet every challenge with courage and perseverance, culminating in the moment she led a flower arranging workshop during a CICE Social Society session, drawing on skills from her placement at Wild Little Roses to confidently instruct both peers and staff. 

Steph has shown kindness, empathy, and leadership by supporting fellow students facing similar struggles, becoming a source of strength within the CICE community. Her evolution into a confident self-advocate reflects hard work and determination, and as she prepares for employment, we know she will continue to thrive. Steph will be greatly missed, and we are so proud of all she has accomplished.