A local high school student achieved a lifelong dream on Thursday night as she was sworn into the primary reserves of the Canadian Armed Forces.

Grade 11 student Priscilla Knelsen is part of a new class at Garden Valley Collegiate taking part in the military co-op program started last year.

"The army is something I've wanted to do for a really long time," Knelsen says. "I didn't know how to get involved, but this is a great first step."

"The adventures you get to have, the opportunities it presents, the travelling and getting to meet new people, it's a cool opportunity," Knelsen adds.

As part of the swearing-in ceremony includes an oath and a formal commitment to protect Canada while demonstrating the qualities of "integrity, loyalty, courage, honesty, fairness, and responsibility, putting service before self."

Knelsen says as a Canadian citizen she's grateful for the many freedoms and rights available, "it's really important to me and I want to give back, it's a big reason I wanted to do this."

"A lot of people don't have these freedoms and rights, and that's heartbreaking."

Participants earn two high school credits while taking basic training and are paid $6,000 for the course of the semester. The program runs afternoons and one evening a week in Portage while spending one weekend a month performing exercises with their troop at the base.

Master Bombardier Beaumont Smith, a recruiter for Western Manitoba explains the co-op program is a joint effort between the school division and the military. She notes the Reserves are perfect for students as they parade part-time during the academic year and offer full-time employment in the summer.

She notes there are so many rewarding career options in the military, "there are so many options," as well as skills and experiences.

"Especially leadership skills and responsibility... they'll need once they graduate high school that a lot of other careers don't give you the opportunity to learn."

Related article: Winkler High School Student Reflects On Military Experience "It's Changed How I Do Things" (VIDEO) https://www.pembinavalleyonline.com/local/winkler-high-school-student-reflects-on-military-experience-it-s-changed-how-i-do-things