Red Deerians are being offered a chance to obtain a high school diploma free of charge.
The Red Deer Native Friendship Society held an open house on Wednesday encouraging people to register for their SCcyber School program.
SCcyber School is an online program that can either be completed at the Red Deer Native Friendship Society or at home with the help of online teachers, who are available to call or text, and mentors.
Starchild Yellowbird plans on spending the next two years taking the SCcyber School program and is enjoying the atmosphere, more so than he did when he was in high school.
“I think the mentors make this program better. They’re not like most teachers, they’re not strict and they treat us really well,” said Yellowbird.
Danielle Chamryk is one of the mentors of the program and said it’s important for her to be there for the students and support them.
“I’m always there to talk to them when they need it and because everything is done online I am sometimes their only contact. I help remind them when the deadlines are and I’m always on them about making sure they get their stuff done,” said Chamryk.
Chris Penney has his high school diploma, but is upgrading in order to attend college next fall. He said his experience so far has been really positive.
“The people are very helpful. The mentors are always here to help and are always willing to do whatever they can to make things easier for us. It’s pretty awesome,” said Penney.
Red Deer Native Friendship Society are offering the program to anybody who wants to further their education and with no cost to the program, it’s making it easier on people to do so.
“It can be stressful when you don’t have a lot of money and have to work to support yourself. It’s great that you don’t have to worry about that here. It makes things a lot easier,”said Penney.
This is the second year the Red Deer Native Friendship Society are offering this program. They spent last year working out all the kinks and feel they’re in a better position this year to have the program be more successful.
There are currently 18 people registered.
To register or for more information contact the Red Deer Native Friendship Society at 403-340-0020.