Alumni Spotlight: Junko Henderson ’10

WPGA House: Seymour

Current Path: Admin & Operations at Charlie’s Chocolate Factory

 

I’ve been at Charlie’s Chocolate Factory for about five years now. While I’m not in the kitchen making the chocolates myself, I handle the admin and office side of things. Since I started, my role has grown quite a bit, and I’ve taken on many more responsibilities. It’s a great job and I’m really happy there. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that being in a place where you feel valued and get along with your colleagues is just as important as the pay.

After graduating in 2010, I headed to UBC to study Art History. I had always enjoyed art class during my years at WPGA, and at the time, there wasn't anything else I was particularly interested in pursuing. I chose UBC because it was familiar—my sister is also a WPGA alum—and I wasn't looking to go abroad. While I’m not doing much related to my degree now, it was a great place to start.

I’m especially appreciative of the IT classes we had in middle school. Back then, learning proper typing form and Microsoft programs seemed a bit silly, but now that I’ve worked in several offices, I’ve seen just how valuable those basics really are. I’ve seen new hires typing with only their index fingers, which makes me realize how lucky I was to learn those skills early on! I also remember our final year having periods dedicated to university applications, which was a huge help in preparing me for the expectations of university life.

The field trips were such great experiences—from our annual camping trips to social studies excursions in Victoria. One memory that stands out was a trip where we visited different places of worship, including a synagogue, a mosque, and a Buddhist temple. We got to experience some of their customs firsthand, which was a wonderful way to learn.

In terms of activities, I was on the swim team for a long time. Those early morning practices were a killer, especially since I lived an hour away by car, so we had to get up incredibly early! Eventually, I transitioned into Rec PE; I wasn't the most athletic person, but I always enjoyed the time spent there.

I was lucky to have so many teachers who made a real impact on my journey. Mr. Butler and Mr. Lu always made Biology and Math fun and engaging, while Mr. Lei was such a sweet man and incredibly supportive. I always looked forward to Ms. Harms’ art classes because of her kindness. I also remember how Ms. Boland completely turned Social Studies around for me; I used to struggle to stay interested in the subject, but she taught it in a way that was so exciting. It really showed me how much of a difference it makes when a teacher can truly connect with their students.

My hope for WPGA is that it just continues to grow. The last time I was on campus, I saw so many new things that we didn't have during our time there. It made me a little envious, but also very happy for the students who get to grow up and learn with all those amazing new resources.