In high school, Paige Weekusk put her future on hold, leaving school to to take care of her siblings. Now an interior design technology student at Lakeland College, she’s building her future one step at a time – and her two brothers are right on campus alongside her.

“I've always wanted a hands-on post-secondary program,” says Weekusk, who had been considering a career in the trades before becoming inspired to look into a career in interior design instead. “I am enjoying it immensely.”

Her first experience with interior design at Lakeland was through the Career and Technology Studies (CTS) program, which allows high school students to take week-long courses at the college in various programs, gaining valuable experience while earning credits towards their diploma. She loved her experience in interior design and applied right away.

That’s when she learned that despite having returned to high school and graduating alongside her younger brother, she hadn’t actually earned the credits she needed for her diploma. Rather than let this stop her, however, she pivoted quickly. Weekusk enroled in Lakeland’s foundational learning Adult 12 program at the Lloydminster campus to earn those missing credits and her GED, so she could pursue her studies in interior design. It took four months and then, GED in hand, she applied again and this time was admitted, joining her brother Anthony Desjarlais at Lakeland’s Vermilion campus.

Desjarlais is a second-year electrician apprentice this year, who started his studies in Lakeland’s pre-employment electrical program in 2023. Lakeland’s pre-employment programs are designed for students looking to launch a career in the trades who may not have any experience, or have not found an apprenticeship position.

“Pre-employment is a really good way to start in the trades because you learn a lot about theory and all the rules. It’s also really good for hands-on learning,” he says. “At the end of your time in the program, they set you up with employers and you go right into the field. After my practicum, I got hired on with the company and I’ve been working with them ever since.”

Desjarlais was offered an apprenticeship through his new position and this year, joined his sister Weekusk on campus, this time working towards his journeyperson certification.

And in November, Desjarlais and Weekusk were joined by one more sibling – Ryden Paddy, their younger brother. Still a Kitscoty High School student, Paddy is taking Lakeland’s mechanics CTS program.

“I thought it would be nice to be here with them, to get some experience, earn some credits and learn how to work on vehicles,” Paddy says.

As Weekusk nears the halfway mark of her first year at Lakeland, she’s already looking forward to the future – both her own and that of the interior design program.

In November, she and her classmates toured the new Bentley Building, currently under construction on Vermilion campus. It’s the future home of the interior design program, the human services program, the campus daycare and an Indigenous student lounge. The building is slated to be finished and functioning by fall 2026.

“They walked us through the construction process because we are learning about it in class. It was cool to see it in action with open walls and construction going on in every corner. I definitely recommend other people join us in interior design next year when the new building opens! I am so excited to study, work and graduate from the new building next year” Weekusk says.

As for now, Weekusk and her brothers are enjoying their time on campus together. Desjarlais and Paddy still live in Kitscoty, commuting to campus together, while Weekusk lives in residence. She still makes plenty of time to see her brothers, however – whether they’re busy or not. She likes to meet up with them for lunch or, if they’re busy, pop into their classrooms with soup and Bannock to share.

“I knew that if I didn’t make any friends in my class, at least I’d still have them,” she says. She intends to move to a larger urban centre to work in residential design and is using this time to bond with her brothers before moving away. Her brothers don’t seem to mind, especially when she brings them food.

“I’m going to move so far away, I won’t see them much after this,” Weekusk jokes. It only lasts a moment before she adds, “No, that’s a lie. I’m going to be coming home to see them all the time.”

 

Photo: (Left-right) Siblings Anthony Desjarlais, Paige Weekusk and Ryden Paddy.