tagged: Clkass of 2009

Class of 2009

Posted by Clayton Shold in Other "Stuff"

Convocation (also known as Graduation) is the conferral of an award (for example a Bachelors degree or Diploma) upon the student (known as a graduand at this time) in recognition for the completion of prescribed study, assignments and examinations. The term Convocation comes from the Latin ‘calling together’, and describes a group of people formally assembled for a special purpose.

Yesterday was very special for my wife and me. We attended our oldest son’s Convocation. It was a special day for my mother as well who flew across the country to join the celebration and watch her first grandchild graduate from university.

I’m proud to say Taylor received his Bachelor or Arts degree (Radio and Television) from Ryerson University.

We moved to Oakville Ontario from the west coast in 1994. One of the priority items on our “to do” list once we were settled was to visit the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto, about 35 minutes down the highway. As a family of hockey buffs we couldn’t wait. One of the exhibits allowed you to push a button, listen to a play by play description of a hockey game, then record your own description of the same clip, and then listen to it. At that moment, 15 years ago Taylor decided he wanted to be a sports broadcaster. As a hockey player who loves the game he could think of nothing he would rather do.

His passion saw him create his own 60 minute sports show on the Ryerson TV website which he hosted for three years. He successfully obtained the single (much coveted) internship position at Hockey Night In Canada with CBC TV in his last year which was a fantastic experience.

He like many others in the Class of 2009, is trying to start a career at a very tough time. The broadcasting industry has been hit hard. Reduced advertising revenue has resulted in layoffs and station closings.

To his credit Taylor, continues to network, send out resumes and do volunteer work. He is co-hosting a sports show on a local community channel and doing televised player interviews at games. He is not making any money, but he is in front of the camera and that is where he wants to be. His time will come.

To my son, and all the others in the Class of 2009 who are writing a new chapter in your lives, I say this;

Assertively pursue your dreams, optimistic trumps pessimistic, the economy will improve, life is what you make of it, if you love what you do it will never seem like work and lastly, get out there and change the world!

Clayton Shold
Proud Father

PS – Did I mention how proud I was of Taylor?!