As a young girl growing up in Belfast, I left school at 14 years of age as I wanted to become a wage earner. Instead, my mother enrolled me in The Belfast Shorthand and Typing Institute two-year course. I took two summers off school to work. Upon my return in the second year, the principle, Miss Topping, asked me to sit the exam for senior typewriting - and I was an intermediate student! I jumped at the chance on learning that my mother would not have to pay the entrance fee. The exams, from all over the British Isles were sent to London for marking. Six weeks later an excited Miss Topping told me I had been awarded the Silver Medal for Typewriting. The medal sits on my mantelpiece reminding me that anyone can accomplish anything they wish.
My husband and I moved to Canada where I became a teacher of business subjects including shorthand and typing at a high school completing the necessary subjects for my teaching certificate. After about three years I taught for 26 wonderful years at a Community College, all due to the Duke of Edinburgh Silver Medal Award.
Thank you Prince Philip and R.I.P.