At HCOS, we celebrate students who pursue their passions alongside academic success. Adella D., a Grade 12 student, exemplifies this balance with her achievements.
Mastering Western Riding
Adella’s journey in Western riding is a testament to her skill, dedication, and love for the sport. This year, she reached an incredible milestone by completing all four levels of Western riding, earning the credentials to become a coach. Her competitive spirit shone as she placed ‘Reserve Champion’ at the English BC Interior Hunter Jumper Show in Prince George.
Adella’s versatility extends beyond competitions. As a proud member of the BC High School Rodeo team and the Drill team for the Stampede, she has travelled extensively across BC. For the past two years, she has also been part of “Susie’s Girls Team” in Prince George, excelling in English riding on her self-trained horse, Heiress.
Her riding story began early. By Grade 2, Adella was already riding, and by age 9, she could skillfully swing a rope on horseback. Her journey started with her old horse, Angel, where she nurtured her abilities. Recently, Adella began working with a young horse named Tig. Together, they’ve taken on exciting challenges, from assisting ranchers in the Chilcotin with cattle drives to pushing cows up mountainous terrain. Adella also spends her summers training in Western reining in Chilliwack, further refining her skills.
Mission Work
Adella’s heart for service is as inspiring as her equestrian accomplishments. Her journey in mission work has taken her across the globe to make a meaningful impact in the lives of others. Adella has served in orphanages in Mexico, Thailand and Guatemala, where her compassion and dedication have left lasting impressions. For two consecutive years, she has worked at an orphanage in Thailand that cares for children with AIDS, a life-changing experience that deepened her understanding of love and resilience.
Adella’s mission work doesn’t stop there. She has also travelled to El Salvador and will return to Thailand this January for a month-long service with YWAM (Youth With A Mission) at the Abundant Life Foundation in Chonburi. Her time in Thailand will be spent providing support, care, and hope to the local community.
Lifeguarding
In addition to her accomplishments in riding and volunteering, Adella has earned her certification as a Lifeguard and Instructor. This achievement has allowed her to balance work, academics, and personal growth seamlessly. Now in Grade 12, Adella works as a lifeguard 2-3 days a week, leveraging the flexibility of her home education to plan her courses around her work and lesson schedule.
Freedom to Learn and Grow
Adella’s story underscores the importance of flexible learning. With home education, she has been able to stay ahead academically while chasing her dreams.
“Homeschool has enabled Adella the flexibility to live around her education. We once were told don’t let school prevent you from a good education. Adella has been able to do this. Adella has achieved high grades in all her courses while being able to serve God in missions, live out her dreams in western reining and English jumping. Adella was even able to balance training to be a lifeguard and an instructor around the high demand of grades 10 to 12 and now has a good job earning a good wage.”
Adella’s accomplishments remind us of what is possible when passion, determination, and supportive education come together. Her journey is an inspiration to students everywhere.
Share Your Story
Do you or your child have a story of success to share? We’d love to hear it! Whether you’re excelling in academics, sports, the arts, or something entirely unique, we want to celebrate your achievements.
Share your journey with us by filling out our quick form here: https://hcos.ca/student-highlights.
Let’s continue moving Forward Together, celebrating the incredible students of HCOS who are redefining what education can look like.
