The show must go on. That’s the take away I got from the grad transitions interview with Calvin Metcalf.
Calvin has had major parts in two BCSS drama productions—Grease and West Side Story. Something he says has helped give him a sense of self-confidence that he didn’t have before.
“I always knew I could sing and act but I never really got the chance until Mrs. Tripp got here. The first day of drama for Grease she told us what she was going to do. You could tell that she thought, “Oh God, this guy is going to be a joker—right? We had to audition for it and I just blew her away.
“Every since then, well I won’t say it’s been fair sailing, but it’s been good. It has even helped my personality.”
Last Christmas Calvin played an excellent Grinch at the Midway Christmas Party, despite being so sick he went home to bed for two days after the performance.
Calvin is skilled with tools and equipment and is always eager to learn.
“I am a hard worker and I have worked around industrial jobsites such as mills, mechanic shops, logging sites and towing recovery sites. I am a great hands-on worker. I work well with others, communicate well with others and I know how to use tools and equipment. I have been trained in proper lockout procedure.”
The list of equipment he has operated includes a wheel loader, hoe chucker, rock truck, dump truck, tow/ deck trucks, forklift, excavator, chainsaw and bobcat.
He volunteers at the snowmobile races that the Kettle Valley Racing Association sponsor each winter.
Calvin took part in the Pathways Program, a partnership between the school district and Selkirk College that has earned him several certificates. “Totally worth it,” he says of the program. “Because now you are pretty much set—not for life, but to start off a career.”
He is a member of the school golf team and a director for the Kettle Wildlife Association, which he represented at the B.C. Wildlife Federation general meeting this year. He also races cars down at tracks in the U.S.
Right after school he plans to work at his father’s shop for a little bit. “But I am going to try to get a job in Osoyoos working with my uncle in construction.
“And hopefully in the fall I am going to go up north. I’d like to go make some cash and then go to school and get my ticket in heavy-duty mechanics.”
“In 10 years I will probably still be working— maybe not in 10 but someday I would like to own a store like a Cabela’s Outfitters— guns, fishing camping, Bass pro shop and all that. Maybe not so much around here but somewhere. That suits my personality. But with everyday try to live to the fullest.”
Of BCSS he says, “You know what? For the little school that it is we do have some of the best teachers going. Myself included—I always whined about, ‘Oh it’s BCSS, it’s so small and we have nothing.’
“But in retrospect we have a lot that other schools don’t have. Like our mechanics shop. We have a nice big beautiful shop—compared to—I have heard—GF has like a two bay home garage.”
“All the teachers, every one, has helped me in at least one way. I am sad for you guys that you are losing [Principal Louise] Bayles this year. You are losing probably one of the best principals you will ever get through this school.”
“But I am happy because she made it until we were out. Because I remember in Grade 8 her saying when you guys graduate is the year I retire.”