Longtime friends Logan O’Reilly (left), Jaden Alaric and Quinn Ellis have been through a lot together, and now they are embarking on adulthood. The Grade 12 chums took part in last week’s Grad Transition Fair at Southern Okanagan Secondary School. Photo by Lyonel Doherty
Since the age of four, Quinn Ellis, Jaden Alaric and Logan O’Reilly have been best buddies embracing the world. Now, 13 years later, they are embarking on another journey – adulthood.
Last week they put their lives on display at the Graduation Transition Fair at Southern Okanagan Secondary School.
Dirt bike helmets, a skateboard, an Xbox controller and photographs adorned their stations that were set up side by side.
Ellis admitted that he was quite immature when he started high school, but now says he can easily handle a job interview.
“I want a trade, a job where I’m not stuck in a cubicle.”
Alaric recalled being very nervous entering high school, but he soon opened up like Ellis.
He too is seeking a trade, expressing his passion for auto mechanics.
O’Reilly said he was a shy, quiet student when he ventured into high school. But after maturing and doing well in math and science, he was ready to take on the world, and a career in engineering.
Ellis is aspiring to be a power line technician because, believe it or not, he likes heights. Just ask Alaric and O’Reilly, who will say their friend was always climbing the tallest tree as a kid.
“High risk jobs pay more,” Ellis said, noting that power line technicians can make up to $100,000 a year.
Alaric has no doubt that he wants to be an auto mechanic. In fact, he’s been working at Dean’s Garage in Osoyoos for experience.
“It (the love for mechanics) started when I was young . . . my dad had an old Trans Am.”
O’Reilly’s plan is to attend university to study engineering. From there, he wants to specialize in automotive engineering or biomedical engineering.
O’Reilly has been doing work experience at Transwest Helicopters in Oliver.
The three buddies, who attended Oliver Elementary School together, don’t play videogames as much anymore, but they haven’t lost their youthfulness.
“I still have boxes of Lego,” O’Reilly admitted proudly.
By Lyonel Doherty
