Internship brings local history to life for Grade 12 student

While most high school internships take place in busy grocery stores or bustling office environments, W.C. Miller Collegiate Grade 12 student Alyssa Ewankevich found her footing in a quieter, more contemplative space—one filled with yellowing documents, dusty photos, and stories waiting to be uncovered.

Since last fall, Alyssa has spent her Mondays volunteering at the Altona & District Heritage Research Centre, logging nearly 100 hours as part of the school’s internship program. The experience, she says, has been both eye-opening and life-affirming.

“I’ve always been fascinated by the past,” Alyssa shared. “Just learning about how different people have lived, how cultures change over time—it’s like we’re all part of this huge, interconnected story. I love that we’re all on the same planet, yet our lives are so different.”

It was that curiosity that led her to the town’s archives—a less conventional choice for a high school student, according to her teacher Kerry Enns.

“When Alyssa told me she wanted to do her internship at the heritage centre, I was a bit surprised,” Enns admitted. “As a history teacher, I know how hard it can be to get students engaged in historical material. But Alyssa? She dove in. And this kind of experience can be the start of a very meaningful path.”

The internship program at W.C. Miller allows students to earn up to two high school credits by spending approximately 100 hours in a real-world work environment. Enns said the goal is to help students gain relevant skills and explore potential career interests.

At the heritage centre, Alyssa’s workdays were filled with tasks that would make any archivist proud. From cataloging photographs and organizing historical magazines, to inputting data and labeling books, she approached every detail with care and curiosity.

“I loved looking through the old photos—especially imagining what it must’ve been like living here in the 70s,” she said. “Seeing images of Friesens when it had a stationery store in the mall, or when the streets were just being paved—it really made the past come alive.”

Alyssa, who moved from Winkler to Altona in 2021, said the internship gave her a deeper appreciation for her adopted hometown.

“I’ve discovered so many interesting details about Altona. I used to think of it as just another small town, but now I realize it’s full of stories. That’s what history is to me—people’s stories.”

And it wasn’t just the content that made her time meaningful—it was the people.

“The volunteers here welcomed me with open arms. They were so kind and eager to teach me everything. It’s just a really warm environment to be part of.”

Volunteer Liz Wieler echoed that sentiment.

“Working with Alyssa has been a joy,” said Wieler. “She’s cheerful, detail-oriented, and so inquisitive. She understands that history isn’t just facts—it’s about people. She brought a fresh perspective that reminded all of us why we love doing this work.”

Wieler explained that much of the centre’s work involves documenting and preserving journals, letters, and materials from settlers who came to the area in the 1800s.

“Some of the stories we’ve uncovered—journeys from Russia and Ukraine, records of how communities were built from scratch—they’re fascinating. And it’s detailed work. Alyssa really took the time to understand what she was doing.”

Volunteer Art Wiebe, who has been involved with the archives for over a decade, says Alyssa’s participation is part of a long-term vision.

“One of our goals has always been to connect with young people. We’re thrilled W.C. Miller partnered with us on this. And Alyssa’s been great—so much so that we’ve asked her to write something for next year’s students, to help them understand what this internship can be like from a student’s point of view.”

Wiebe added that having students like Alyssa involved brings value beyond the task lists.

“This kind of partnership brings generations together—teens and seniors learning from one another. That’s what preserving history is all about. We need to reflect on both the triumphs and the mistakes of the past if we’re going to move forward.”

Alyssa agrees. “Even stuff I didn’t think I’d enjoy, like Mennonite history, became really interesting once I saw the people behind the names. It’s important to learn where we come from—otherwise, we risk repeating our mistakes.”

Although she hasn’t finalized her post-secondary plans, Alyssa says her time at the centre has solidified her interest in working in a historical field—perhaps in a museum, or as an archivist.

“If I had the opportunity, I’d take it in a heartbeat,” she said. “There’s something so fulfilling about preserving the past so others can understand it.”

Enns says the internship has clearly made an impact.

“This kind of learning is invaluable,” he said. “Alyssa’s grown not just academically, but personally. She’s developed strong communication, organization, and critical thinking skills—and that’s going to benefit her no matter what she chooses to do.”

The work Alyssa has done may seem behind-the-scenes, but the effects are lasting. She helped preserve decades of local history, connected with the community, and left her own mark on the story of Altona.

“I’m proud to have been part of this,” she said. “Even though I didn’t grow up here, I feel like I’ve helped protect something important. Southern Manitoba may not always get noticed, but our history matters. And so do our stories.”