Focus On Youth: St. Mark Grad Thankful For Great Experiences As Student-Athlete

Focus on Youth: By Phill Potter

‘Name: Kirsten Larkin                      

Age: 17

Address: Edwards

School: St. Mark Catholic High

Grade: Graduated in June

Parents: Patricia and Dean Larkin

Sister: Kezley (23)

Pets: Two dogs, Parker and Josie; one cat, Bella.

Part-time Work: “I work at The Sticks restaurant at Anderson Links Golf course.”

Favourite Subjects: “I really enjoyed taking Challenge and Change (Psychology, Sociology and Anthropology) and Business Leadership, because I had great teachers for both classes that were super passionate about teaching those topics.”

Greatest Accomplishment: “Being able to take my horse Risky Business to provincials twice. Making Honour Roll all years of my high school career, and getting Defence MVP for my Tackle Football Team at St. Mark. At graduation I was awarded the Vice Principal Award and Physical Education Department Award that made me so thankful for all the great experiences I had at St. Mark.”

School Activities: “I was part of our school’s Student Council (student secretary) where we planned the Canned Food Drive, Spirit Weeks/Days and school Fundraisers. I played for my school’s Football Team that made history as the First High School Girls Tackle Football Team in Canada.”

Other Activities/Interests: “I play rugby for the Barrhaven Scottish and I have recently retired from being a competitive horseback rider for 10 years. I still enjoy spending time with my families horses, and riding occasionally.”

Career Goals: “I’ll be taking a gap year next year to travel, volunteer and work to gain life experience before going to university for french, criminology or police foundations to hopefully join the RCMP.”

Comment: “I just graduated my high school career and even though Covid-19 set me back, I had an incredible experience at St. Mark. Last year I was on Virtual Academy and struggled not being around my St. Mark family. During that time however, I was able to be on VA’s Student Council and plan a virtual Relay for Life. This gained me a lot of public speaking, planning, and teamwork skills that I will stay with me for years to come.

“When I returned to St. Mark in September as the Student Council Secretary, it was a big adjustment, but it felt like I had never left. There were still many Covid regulations that we had to adhere to, but we made the best of it. We were able to return in the spring with regular semestered school, regular sports and events. This made our last couple months of high school a lot more enjoyable.”