SUMMER STUDENT SPOTLIGHTS: MEET DREYDEN & MEESHA

Dreyden Taylor of Kawehno:ke, Akwesasne, has participated in the MCA Summer Employment Program for the past two years as a Summer Student Maintenance Worker with the A’nowara’kó:wa Arena. Through hands-on projects and mentorship from experienced staff, he has developed valuable workplace skills, gained confidence, and strengthened his commitment to hard work and continuous learning.

Currently in Grade 12 at Cornwall Collegiate and Vocational School (CCVS), Dreyden plans to pursue a career in the skilled trades after graduation. He hopes to attend Algonquin College and enroll in the Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technician program, where he can continue developing practical skills in a hands-on environment.

Dreyden’s work experience began at age 15, when he worked in customer service at Express Café. He has also volunteered at the Akwesasne Powwow for the past four years. These experiences have helped him develop a strong work ethic, a sense of responsibility, and an appreciation for community involvement.

During his summer placement at the A’nowara’kó:wa Arena, Dreyden contributed to a variety of maintenance and facility improvement projects. His responsibilities included landscaping, lawn maintenance, carpentry, mechanical repairs, and assisting with special events, including preparations for a visit from former NHL player Jordin Tootoo.

One of his most significant accomplishments was helping construct the Yurt Platform walkway. Working alongside arena staff, Dreyden assisted with site preparation, stone placement, and grading while learning to use tools such as a laser level to ensure precision and quality. Some days began as early as 6:00 a.m., demonstrating his dedication and willingness to take on challenging projects.

Through these experiences, Dreyden gained practical skills while strengthening his communication, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities. He credits much of his growth to the staff and mentors who took the time to teach him new techniques, answer his questions, and encourage him to take on new tasks.

According to his supervisor, Head Caretaker Robert Mitchell, Dreyden consistently demonstrated a strong work ethic, leadership qualities, and a willingness to learn. He frequently took the initiative to assist other summer students by showing them maintenance procedures, cleaning routines, and safe tool operation. His reliability, positive attitude, and eagerness to contribute made him a valuable member of the arena team throughout the summer.

Reflecting on his experience, Dreyden identifies discipline as one of the most valuable lessons he learned.

“The most valuable lesson I learned this summer was discipline. Getting enough sleep and showing up prepared each day allowed me to do my best work and contribute to the team.”

Of all his accomplishments, Dreyden is most proud of helping build the Yurt Platform walkway. The project allowed him to learn how to use new tools and gain a better understanding of what it takes to complete a quality project from start to finish.

“The accomplishment I am most proud of is helping build the Yurt Platform walkway. Through that project, I learned how to use new tools and gained a better understanding of what it takes to complete a quality project from start to finish.”

His placement also provided Dreyden with a realistic understanding of professional workplace expectations and responsibilities. Over the course of the summer, he became more confident, stepped outside of his comfort zone, and was able to support fellow students by helping them learn new tasks and safely use tools.

When asked what advice he would give to future summer students, Dreyden encourages them to embrace every opportunity to learn.

“Don’t be afraid to try new things or ask questions when you don’t understand something. The more you learn, the easier and more enjoyable the work becomes.”

Outside of work and school, Dreyden enjoys fishing, spending time with his grandfather, swimming, and hanging out with friends. Whether at work, in school, or in the community, he values learning new skills, staying active, and challenging himself to grow.

Dreyden’s experience through the MCA Summer Employment Program has given him an opportunity to build practical skills, develop greater confidence, and gain valuable insight into his future career path.

The MCA Summer Employment Program is proud to recognize Dreyden for his hard work, dedication, and willingness to learn throughout his summer placement. His positive attitude, strong work ethic, and commitment to personal growth have made a lasting impression on the A’nowara’kó:wa Arena team, and we look forward to seeing where his future path takes him.

Meesha Sylvester of Akwesasne spent her summer working as an Administrative Assistant with the Department of Health's Home & Community Care Program, where she gained valuable hands-on experience in an office environment while developing important professional skills.

Currently entering her first year at Concordia University, Meesha is pursuing studies in History and Art History. While her current program allows her to explore her passion for learning and creativity, her long-term goal is to build a career in business. She also hopes to pursue a degree in Interior Design, combining her entrepreneurial ambitions with her love of design with the goal of one day owning and operating a business of her own.

For Meesha, this summer placement was especially meaningful as it was her first professional work experience. Throughout her time with Home & Community Care, she was responsible for organizing files, scanning and digitizing documents, maintaining records, and ensuring confidential filing systems remained secure and organized.

One of Meesha’s proudest accomplishments was taking on the challenge of organizing an entire filing cabinet filled with client records. Through careful sorting and organization, she helped create additional storage space and improve overall efficiency within the department.

Beyond her daily responsibilities, Meesha developed a stronger understanding of workplace professionalism and strengthened her communication, organization, and time-management skills. She also gained practical administrative experience, including learning how purchase orders are completed and processed.

A key takeaway from her placement was recognizing the importance of effective communication. Meesha learned that strong communication between clients, vendors, and team members helps organizations operate more efficiently and contributes to positive working relationships — an insight she plans to carry with her throughout her future career.

According to Mary Ann Jacobs, Program Manager for Home & Community Care, Meesha played an important role in supporting file digitization and the implementation of the Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system. She demonstrated exceptional attention to detail while organizing client files chronologically and scanning active client records into a secure digital format using USB-based file management systems. Her work contributed significantly to improving record accessibility and supporting the program’s transition to more efficient electronic documentation practices.

In addition to her administrative responsibilities, Meesha provided valuable support to the administrative team by assisting with package pickups and deliveries and helping manage incoming medical supplies. She carefully sorted, organized, and tallied inventory, ensuring supplies were accurately accounted for and readily available to support client care services.

Meesha consistently demonstrated a strong work ethic, professionalism, and reliability. She was punctual, dependable, and flexible with her schedule, willingly adjusting her hours when necessary to ensure commitments were fulfilled. She also contributed to workplace wellness initiatives by assisting with the planning and coordination of staff activities and celebrations for Sector 4 Clinical Care, helping foster a positive and collaborative work environment.

Beyond her placement responsibilities, Meesha demonstrated a genuine commitment to community involvement by volunteering at the Children’s Carnival held at the A’nowara’kó:wa Arena. Her willingness to support community events reflected her enthusiasm for giving back and engaging with community members in meaningful ways.

What truly set Meesha apart was her personable and compassionate nature. She consistently interacted with staff, clients, and community members with kindness, respect, and professionalism. She had a natural ability to make others feel welcomed and valued, approaching every interaction with a positive attitude and a warm smile. She was always willing to lend a helping hand, often offering assistance before being asked.

Her strong communication skills, excellent time management, and collaborative spirit made her a valued member of the team and a pleasure to work with.

When reflecting on her experience, Meesha says her favourite part of the placement was the people she worked alongside. The welcoming and supportive atmosphere at Home and Community Care made her feel comfortable from the start and provided a positive introduction to both the workplace and the important services offered to the community.

Meesha’s summer placement reinforced the importance of communication, professionalism, and making the most of every opportunity to learn and contribute.

“Enjoy and learn from the experience. The people you work with want to see you succeed just as much as you do.”

Another lesson she plans to carry with her into her future career is the value of positive relationships and communication.

“Being friendly and communicating well can take you far in both your career and business.”

Outside of work and school, Meesha enjoys volleyball, shopping, designing, sewing, drawing, and movie nights. Her experiences as a camp counsellor, volunteer, and oldest sister in her family have helped shape her strong sense of responsibility and leadership.

Meesha’s quote to live by is: “You cannot add days to your life, but you can add life to your days.”

The MCA Summer Employment Program is proud to recognize Meesha for her hard work, dedication, professionalism, and positive attitude throughout her placement. Her willingness to learn, contribute, and connect with those around her made a lasting impression on the Home and Community Care team and the community. We look forward to seeing where her educational and career journey takes her next. Congratulations, Meesha!