United In All Ways Through Education
United in All Ways is the theme which Denise Poirier, a 12th-grade student at Stevenson Britannia Adult Learning Centre (SBALC), chose for her project at the recent UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) Associated School Projects Network (ASPNet) conference in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
The conference, titled Needs over Wants, displayed the works of students of grades five to twelve of associated schools across the country. Together, SBALC created a quilt showing each student's interpretation of the school.
Graduating from 12th grade in June, Denise decided upon United in All Ways to express her one-year experience in the centre, in which she gained much more than a high school diploma. Studying at the centre has given her respect for and an understanding of world diversity.
The hands of different shapes, sizes and positions show the respect due to different cultures, races, religions and genders as well as age, in their contribution to the world.
When asked about her message to the audience, Denise said that she hoped United in All Ways would help people realize that education can bring people to respect one another to unite the world as one.
Denise Poirier is a mother of three adult children and a grandmother of one, with another on the way. She is continuing her education in graphic arts while also taking extracurricular courses in fine arts.
Stevenson Britannia Adult Learning Centre is an adult learning centre based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, with the commitment to provide a comfortable learning environment to adults. A member of UNESCO ASPnet, SBALC promotes global citizenships.