CNYC Graduates talk about their time at CNYC
By – Allan
I have had the opportunity, and I am very grateful that I have been able to work at CNYC as a student. The building is run by people who care about the students. I have had some wonderful experiences while I had barely next to no bad memories.
I have enjoyed my time spent talking to Jason about the UFC and Stocks, I will take all of his lessons he taught me into consideration when I do anything. They are meaningful and full of knowledge that can help myself and every other student benefit from them.
Shannon was the hard knock at the door if you weren’t awake, Not doing work or simply disrespecting the Staff, I always knew that the school would be in safe hands because if anything went wrong Shannon would be the one, She was and is still one of the best most chill people to have a laugh with, Full of Jokes and Life 24/7, I would doubt that if she ever says she never likes her Job.
Ashley was one of a Kind, always there to support the students whenever they needed Counselling, Drives, Literally anything you needed she was there; I am going to miss the conversations and fun times when I decided to print photos of Danny Devito, The Rock to tape on her door.
And finally Marcel, The man of many “what if”, He always came into the classroom to fill the kids with Good Mornings, Funny as heck with his Jokes, He always knows how to brighten the Mood, I am very grateful to have done a couple of his Word on the Streets as they have helped me pay some of my Developers, Thank you CNYC for this amazing Year of grade 12, Hope to see you guys here very soon again!
My name is Payton. I started attending CNYC in September 2021. Before I joined, I had been out of school for nearly a year due to severe anxiety. At the time, I couldn’t even leave the house after having a bad reaction to my medication.
The only reason I considered going back to school—and how I learned about CNYC—was because of my best friend, who was already a student there. They encouraged me to go, explaining how it wasn’t like a regular high school. “The staff care more about you and your life,” they said. I didn’t believe it at first, but once I experienced it for myself, everything changed.
CNYC truly changed my life for the better. I wouldn’t be who I am today without the encouragement and support of the staff, who consistently pushed me in the right direction. I didn’t have many good role models in my life and was heading down the wrong path, influenced by those around me. The staff saw that. I remember one day being pulled out of class to talk about how things were going. They said they had noticed changes in my behavior and attitude. At the time, I was annoyed—but only because they cared enough to notice.
My time at CNYC has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my life. They helped me learn, grow, and move forward. They took the time to get to know me, offering help in any way they could. They taught me how to be better and tried to instill healthier habits. I failed a few times during my journey, but they always encouraged me to come back and finish what I started.
They supported me through a lot and watched me go through many different phases in my life. They provided food, clothing, hygiene supplies—and in a way, friendship. They do whatever they can because they genuinely care about who you become. They understand how hard it is to stay on the right path without the right support. They are just good people who are willing to put in the effort it takes.