Meet Austin Peters, the student who keeps NorKam Secondary running smoothly

KAMLOOPS — In many organizations, there’s that one essential individual who goes above and beyond to ensure the whole operation runs smoothly. Tuesday morning (Apr. 12), CFJC Today went to NorKam Secondary School and met one such individual who is vital to the school’s success.

Coffee can be the lifeblood of a workplace. And if that’s true at NorKam Secondary, then Austin Peters is the beating heart of that school.

“Here’s your coffee,” Peters says, as he hands a mug off to Linda Fowles, Secretary in Charge at NorKam.

“Thank you, Austin,” Fowles says, taking the mug. “I really appreciate it.”

Coffee duty is just one small part of the role Peters has at the school. He works in the cafeteria. He helps out the janitorial staff. He waters plants in the library. But his most important job by far is as the voice of NorKam Secondary. Austin has been reading the morning announcements since he came to NorKam.

“When I first started Grade 10, I had this good friend of mine — his name was Matthew Ciardullo — he wanted to find me a job doing the morning announcements,” Austin explains. “He actually trained me a little bit. There was another friend of his — his name was Thaelo Proctor — all three of us did the announcements; I think when I was in Grade 10.”

Austin actually officially graduated last year. However, the NorKam community just wasn’t ready to let him go.

“He is our good cup of coffee, our good medicine every day,” Principal Jon Brady says. “He does our announcements, and he just makes our school a better place — and he makes the people he associates with better people.”

There’s no doubt that Austin enjoys helping people. That’s how he ended up being the barista around the NorKam office.

Image Credit: CFJC Today

“Two or three years ago, he watched us making our own coffee in the morning and said, ‘I can do that,’” Fowles explains. “It’s just sort evolved into his morning routine.”

Since he started, Austin has come a long way. Fowles has had a front-row seat, watching Austin’s confidence and abilities grow through his service.

“He works really hard at it now, and we’ve seen him grow in leaps and bounds because he’s so confident in what he does,” Fowles says. “He likes to know that kids are listening to him.”

Long-term, Austin has dreams of one day working in media.

“Maybe in the future, I could become a radio announcer,” he suggests.

Image Credit: CFJC Today

For now, he’s savouring these last few months at NorKam, and hoping to maybe find a part-time job next fall. All so he can continue his passion for helping people.

“Some people are pretty busy, and they don’t have time for their jobs,” Austin says. “That’s why I like to help out.”