Music and speech arts teacher Ginny Alexander is feeling like a proud mom these days, but the object of her pride is a group of students who recently scored high on Royal Conservatory of Music and Conservatory Canada exams.
Nevin Boyd, 17, whose musical interests lie in playing piano and trumpet, scored 99 per cent and First Class Honours with Distinction on his Music Theory Level I exam. His was the highest theory exam mark in that category posted in British Columbia on that round of exams.
The local musician has been invited to the Conservatory of Canada convocation ceremony on Nov. 24 in London, Ontario to receive a medal in recognition of his accomplishment.
He says the high cost of travel will most likely keep him at home, but he feels pretty good about it all.
"I'm just glad it's done," he says, adding he found the course quite easy and maybe just a bit boring at first.
Another of Alexander's students, Danielle Kinsella scored 90 per cent and Honours with Distinction on her Theory 2 exam.
Alexander's students did equally as well on their Royal Conservatory of Music exams in speech and drama.
On the Grade 5 exam, Anya Levermann achieved 85 per cent with First Class Honours, and Adrienne Gardner scored 76 with Honours.
Among those who wrote the Grade 6 exam were Lydia Kinasewich who got 90 per cent and First Class Honours with Distinction, and Ashley Holyk, with 82 per cent and First Class Honours.
Katya Levermann scored 77 per cent and Natasha McKay scored 75, and both received Honours.
On the Grade 8 exam, Madison Ardiel achieved 80 per cent and First Class Honours, and in Grade 10, Tahsis Jensen got 84 and Karen Smith scored 80 per cent, and both received First class Honours.
Alexandra Wolfe scored 78 per cent and Honours on her Grade 9 Piano exam and 68 on her Music History test.
The speech arts testing was done in 100 Mile House by examiner Dr. Grant Paterson from Winnipeg, Manitoba and Alexander says it was possible only because she was able to meet the minimum of nine exam-writers.
"Otherwise, they would have to go to Prince George to write."
She adds exams will be written again in spring and she would like to hear from anyone who is interested in doing an exam. If the minimum of nine can be reached, she can arrange to have an examiner come to 100 Mile.
Alexander couldn't be happier about the accomplishments of her students.
"It's exhilarating to see results like that, but if they don't do the work, I can teach until I'm blue in the face and nothing happens."
Alexander can be reached at 250-395-3555.