A Holy Trinity Academy graduand is just as efficient building a desk as she is sitting behind one.
Madison McArdle has maintained an honour roll standing in the higher-stream advanced placement program, while continuing to build on her love for construction she developed from he grandfather.
“My grandpa has a little shop in his place at Medicine Hat,” McArdle said. “Ever since I was a little girl I would go with him and make little projects.”
She is now making bigger projects such as carts, workbenches in the school’s construction class for the past three years.
“In Grade 10 you start with more simple projects,” McArdle said. “This year I have projects which are challenging me more and I have more independence.”
She’s earned that independence, said HTA construction teacher Jason Krueger.
“Madison is a top-notched student — she puts her best effort in everything she does,” Krueger said. “I taught her construction for three years in a row. She is not afraid to get her hands dirty in construction.”
Her Grade 12 project was a workbench, which she designed. Krueger would often have McArdle assist Grade 10 students.
“I wanted her to enter the regional skills competition but she couldn’t because it conflicted with her dance competition — that’s a problem I have never had before,” Krueger said with a laugh.
Yes, along with her prowess in the classroom and the shop, McArdle dances jazz, tap, contemporary and ballet with the Dance Tech Studio in High River. She also plays clarinet with HTA music instructor Martin Kennedy’s award-winning concert band and alto sax in the jazz band.
“Mr. Kennedy really pushes us, he goes above and beyond what he has to and we are one of the best (high school) bands in the province,” McArdle said. “Jazz is fun, but I prefer classical because it’s prettier and it’s harder to play.”
The band recently received superior ranking — the highest — at a provincial competition in Red Deer.
Construction, dance and band all give her the skills to be an honour student.
“They all teach you to be independent — to expand your skills,” McArdle said. “You have to keep training and practice in order to get better.”
Somehow, she finds time to hit the books to maintain her 90-plus average.
“At lunch I will try and get is as much studying as I can,” McArdle said with a smile. “If I have a break at dance, I will study there.
“I also try to get things done in advance as much as possible.”
McArdle is taking the advanced placement program for math, social studies, chemistry and biology.
“I love the challenge of AP,” McArdle said. “You are learning a bit of the extra stuff.”
Despite being a straight A student, she is smart enough to ask for help when she needs it. There’s no place better than Holy Trinity Academy.
“If I have a question I will go to a teacher,” McArdle said. “All of the teachers are really helpful and they will go above and beyond to help the students.
“They take care to help the students do the best they can on their tests… it’s going to be sad to say goodbye to the teachers and students, but I am excited for a new challenge.”
She has enrolled at the University of Calgary in the fall and plans to study kinesiology in the future.
“I would like to go into athletic therapy hopefully,” McArdle said. “It is what interests me. Because of dance, I am interested in how the body works.”
