After graduation in June BCSS student Brittany Fillmore is off to prepare for her career in nursing. She knows this is where she wants to go; she’s had this as her goal since Grade 8.
She has applied at UBC Okanagan in Kelowna where she plans to attain her Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Following graduation there she hopes to get a position at Kelowna Hospital.
While not everyone knows in grade 8 what they want to be when they grow up – Brittany wasn’t that unusual. “In Grade 8 I was like most people – really timid,” she said when asked how she’s grown and matured while at BCSS. “I think I have grown by just getting more out there.”
This summer she plans to move in with a friend and get a job in Osoyoos before university in the fall. To make sure she’s on schedule to achieve her nursing degree Brittany has also applied to Okanagan College and Thompson Rivers University in case the UBC Okanagan option doesn’t work out.
Brittany has been active in 4-H beef for the last nine years, for which she gives a lot of credit for her maturity and development.
Raised locally, she’s worked with animals for most of her life.
Her 4-H experience has given her public speaking and leadership skills.
“The older members are expected to help the younger members out,” she explains. “The adult leaders oversee everything but we basically take on the mentorship and try and help them as much as we can. Like getting their steers ready at the fair when they are all stressed out.”
“It’s easier to have an older member watching over you. I know because I had a mentor when I was younger too.”
4-H has benefited Brittany through exposing her to the wider world too. She’s been on trips to Kamloops, Langley, a week in Alberta, and another week in Naramata.
These trips give the young people the opportunity to take part in exercises and workshops focusing on a variety of topics – from agriculture to personal growth and development.
She’s held jobs at the PetroCan in Rock Creek, Springhill Eggs and, of course, on the family farm as a ranch hand.
Brittany was involved with student council in Grade 8 and has been a member of Spirit Club for the last two years
She said she really enjoyed the Photography 11 class she took last year, but overall her favourite courses were arts, biology and chemistry.
The latter two will serve her well as she moves on to future successes at nursing school.