Referral Letter by Ben Baxter. It is my pleasure to recommend Alan Kalash for the Bridges Program at W. Ross Macdonald School. In my time working with Alan as a teacher and coach, I have been a witness to the positive impact he creates for all students and teachers around him. Alan has become an integral part to the community here at Montcalm Secondary School and he has found ways to touch the lives of others through his academics, sport, music, and culture. Alan and I have worked closely together while he has been a member of our wrestling team. He has also been involved with our school’s Cross Country and Track & Field teams as well as the London Phantoms goalball team. Alan is the hardest working student-athlete I have ever met. He has found ways to balance a hectic schedule of band, choir, and wrestling during the winter months while striving for excellence academically with an 86% average last year. Alan started wrestling in November 2019 and in a short time, he has become a talented wrestler, winning multiple medals throughout his first season. His dedication and spirit have made him an accomplished wrestler as well as a great role model for his teammates and fellow competitors. I have never had so many parents, athletes, and coaches approach me about how proud and inspired they are of one of my athletes. Alan has been a member of the band and choir for several years and he participates in any Multicultural Day and holiday ceremony to showcase his talents and bring the school together as one. As much as I will truly miss having Alan in the building, your program will be very lucky to have such a caring, talented, and dedicated young man. I could not be prouder of what Alan has achieved during his time at Montcalm and I am truly blessed to have had the chance to be a part of his development.
Referral Letter by Brad Wettlaufer. My name is Brad Wettlaufer, and I am proud to write this letter of reference for Alan Kalash. I had the pleasure of being Alan’s Student Support Counselor, as well as one of his Independent Living Skills Instructors for the duration of the 2021/2022 school year, during which time Alan attended the W. Ross Macdonald School. A polite and inquisitive guy, Alan was always looking to learn something new, be it cooking related, household cleaning, or even gardening, Alan was always ready to try his hand at it. Although he strove to do everything independently, Alan was not afraid to ask for assistance when it was needed. As English is his third, possibly even fourth language, I spent many hours throughout the school year assisting Alan with editing and fine-tuning various assignments and other school projects. Alan’s strong drive to be successful paid off for him at the end of year awards ceremony, where I presented him with the Bridges Program Award, which is given to a student who has worked hard, completed tasks, and was considered an asset to not only the Bridges Program itself, but also to their peers. In addition to his academic and independent living pursuits, Alan also played Goalball, which is a sport designed for blind and visually impaired athletes. Not only did he practice and play with the school and provincial teams, Alan also found the time to coach and mentor younger students, some who had never played the game before. Throughout this, Alan was patient and explained the game and its techniques, ensuring that everyone understood and was included. In closing, if you’re looking for someone who is eager to learn, works well both with others and also independently, maintains a positive attitude during difficult situations, Alan Kalash is the employee for you.
Referral letter by Leslee Johnston. I would love to recommend Alan Kalash as a potential candidate for your award for the 2022-2023 school year. I have worked with Alan, as his Vision Resource Teacher, for his four years at a mainstream secondary school in London, ON, and have come to know him as a highly motivated, enthusiastic and caring individual who would undoubtedly be a welcome addition to any post-secondary program he chooses. Alan and his family arrived in Canada, as Syrian refugees, in February 2017 and moved to London, Ontario in May of that same year. That’s when I met the family and began to realize what a special group of people they are. Two of the five brothers in the family are blind but it was obvious from the start that these two are not treated differently from their brothers. They had already been expected to perform household chores and travel in their former communities, and this has given these boys excellent independent living skills and served them well to develop more formal travel skills and other, blindness-specific skills. The big difference for them has been opportunities in the school system and the community at large. In Syria and Lebanon, there was no school available to the boys that could accommodate their vision loss needs, and they were therefore excluded from a formal education. Alan hadn’t been exposed to braille, technology or even a white cane until he arrived in Canada, but he quickly soaked up as much knowledge and skill development as possible and became a well-adjusted and enthusiastic participant in Canadian secondary school life. Alan quickly became involved in as much as school could offer and became a valued member of many clubs, teams and organizations at his secondary school while he was in attendance. These included choir, band, wrestling and cross country. He had just signed up to try track and field in Spring 2020, when school was shut down, but had been looking forward to training and participating in short distance sprints and shot put. As well, Alan has participated in groups and activities outside of school, including volunteering, London Phantoms Goalball, in-person and online activities at CNIB and Sports and SCORE camps. Alan acted as a virtual volunteer mentor for two elementary aged boys who will be attending his high school in the next few years, and offered them insight and advice into what high school life can offer students with vision loss such as themselves. Alan was also selected to participate in CNIB’s Empower Play program in which he worked further toward his athletic goals. Alan is excited for the future and I hope you’ll consider him the worthy candidate that I do!
Referral Letter by Raghav Bali. I am writing to you with great pleasure to wholeheartedly recommend Alan Kalash for any opportunity that he may seek within your esteemed institution. I have known Alan for the past five months and it is with immense admiration that I can confidently attest to his brilliant qualities, profound determination, and unwavering commitment to academic excellence. Throughout his time at our library, I have witnessed firsthand Alan's remarkable journey as he pursues his studies despite the challenges posed by his visual impairment. He has consistently displayed a firm resolve, making outstanding use of inclusive technologies and seeking assistance from our dedicated Math Technologist, and myself, for guidance in his assignments, research and citations. His grades are an evidence to the hard work he puts in. In his spare time, he engages in insightful discussions on Psychology, showing a deep interest in the field. What truly sets Alan apart is not only his academic dedication but also his extraordinary character and spirit. His humility, kindness, and benevolence captivate everyone around him. His genuine and gentle demeanor, coupled with his exceptional patience and professionalism, has left an indelible mark on both the library staff and his fellow classmates. Despite the hurdles he faces, he maintains an upbeat and jolly disposition, spreading positivity to those around him. It is through his optimism and perseverance that he triumphs over pedagogical challenges, inspiring others to embrace their own adversities and strive for greatness. Beyond his academic pursuits, Alan is an individual of diverse talents and passions. His love for music and sports shines through in his participation in Goalball tournaments and his remarkable skills as a singer, composer, and producer. These accomplishments demonstrate his ability to excel not only in the academic realm but also in the realms of creativity, teamwork, and leadership. I have no doubt that Alan's exemplary talents and dedication will pave the way for a bright future. His ability to transcend his limitations and excel in all aspects of his life is truly awe-inspiring, and it is with the utmost confidence that I recommend him for any opportunity that may come his way. Please feel free to contact me should you require any further information or clarification regarding Alan Kalash. Thank you for your time and consideration for his application.
Referral Letter by Heather DeBoer. I am writing this letter to you on behalf of Alan Kalash, who has applied for a position with your organization. I came to know Alan while he was a student in the Bridges program at the W. Ross Macdonald School for the Blind where I teach Orientation and Mobility. I worked with him each week throughout the 2021-2022 school year, where his lessons varied in frequency and length based on his need for instruction. Although Orientation and Mobility is not a standard academic course for which he would receive a credit, Alan continuously demonstrated a willing and positive attitude toward his classes. He arrived on time for each class, prepared and eager for his lesson. He was aware of his strengths and areas of need and would often come to class with a request to learn or improve a specific skill. In addition to attending academic and essential skills classes, Alan also participated in many extra-curricular activities at the school. He was involved in the music program and spent hours creating and recording his own songs. He was an active member of many competitive and intramural sports teams, including baseball, basketball, soccer, wrestling, and goalball, which is a sport designed for the blind and visually impaired. Outside the school, he attended weekly boxing lessons at a local community club. Toward the end of the school year, Alan moved in to an independent living environment on campus, requiring him to cook, clean and perform all other household chores without assistance or supervision. To say he was busy would be an understatement! Alan required and demonstrated excellent organization and time management skills in order to balance these activities and responsibilities and keep up with the regular expectations of high school and dual-credit classes, co-op placements and homework. I am confident he will continue to demonstrate the same determination, reliability and diligence that he consistently displayed here at the school. Alan is highly motivated, funny, passionate, and advocates for himself and others. There is no doubt in my mind that he will succeed in whatever path he chooses. Thank you for your consideration on his behalf.
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References Contact Information
Name: Brad Wettlaufer
Title: Student Support Counselor and Instructor of the Blind
Email: brad.wettlaufer@ontario.ca
Telephone: (519) 759-0730, ext. 273
Name: Leslee Johnston
Title: Specialist Vision Resource Teacher
Email: leslee.johnston@tvdsb.ca
Telephone: (519) 452-2000 ext. 38009
Name: Raghav Bali
Title: Data Specialist
Email: rbali@fanshawec.ca
Telephone: (519) 452-4430 ext. 14275
Name: Heather DeBoer
Title: Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist
Email: heathera.deboer@ontario.ca
Telephone: (519) 759-0730 ext. 254
