Ashbury AshburyNews News Spring 2013
Autumn/Winter 2018
Le Monde à Ashbury
Round Square International Conference wraps up 125TH YEAR
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RSIC2018
Highlights
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Homecoming
2018
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Alumni
Profiles
Ashbury News Autumn/Winter 2018
Table of Contents
Ashbury News is published twice a year and sent to over 3,800 alumni, parents and friends.
News & Notes
Ashbury News is printed on 35% recycled paper. Online magazine updates are available at ashbury.ca
Construction update
Please submit news, story ideas, alumni updates, and any address changes to:
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Students launch weather balloon
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Ashbury College Communications Office 362 Mariposa Avenue Ottawa, ON K1M 0T3 communications@ashbury.ca Phone: 613.749.5954
Round Square wraps
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Volunteer recognition
Inside front cover: Grade 8 student Ava Li conducts water testing along the Ottawa River in October. Back cover: Ashbury’s Senior Boys Football team competed in the City Championships in November, for the first time since 2011. The team went on to end their season with a provincial championship title at the OFSAA Independent Bowl.
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Ashbury Golf Classic 4
Features
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Michael Bravo
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Design and layout by AN Design Communications
Erin Williams
Connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram!
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@ashburycollege
Douglas Moulton 6
Ashbury Alumni
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MOVING? Update your address. alumni@ashbury.ca
Reunions
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Homecoming
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Home and Away 16
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Ashbury Chatter
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We remember
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Head of School
From the
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s an accredited independent school, Ashbury College benefits from a unique network of schools across Canada that provides both student and professional experiences through the CAIS—the Canadian Accredited Independent Schools. CAIS offers student programs, including student leadership conferences that Ashbury students attend each year, and tournaments across the country in which our athletes compete. The national scope of these activities create a high-level of competition and exchange that alumni often remember fondly. CAIS professional conferences examine issues and initiatives that seek to enrich the school experience for students and improve governance practices in nearly 100 independent schools across Canada. Student programs, curriculum, experiential learning, IT, and school policies are just a sampling of themes on the discussion table. From an institutional perspective, Ashbury is one of the founding CAIS schools and is committed to school improvement through the rigorous accreditation process that CAIS offers. Our cycle of re-accreditation is underway this year as we complete an internal evaluation of our programs and operations, which will serve as an important basis of informing our future goals and strategic direction. We hope to engage our entire school community in the important process at various point over the course of the year. L’importance de notre association CAIS existe non
seulement pour assurer la qualité de nos programmes d’études, mais pour enrichir la vie étudiante au niveau national. As you will read, Ashbury continues to be a engaging place. From welcoming the world as we hosted the 2018 Round Square International Conference—bringing the number of nationalities on our campus to nearly 100—to our ongoing construction efforts to build what will become our new Centre for Science & Innovation, there is rarely a quiet moment at the school. We remain grateful for all those students, families, staff and teachers who were so instrumental in making the conference such a success, as we are thankful for the myriad of donors who have helped bring our much-needed science-facility upgrade to fruition. It is amidst this hive of activity and collective effort that Ashbury continues to thrive, grow, and innovate—now well into its second century. We continue to focus on providing diverse experiences for our students, and to equip them with state-of-the-art resources to facilitate their learning. We do all of this with the help of you, our alumni, who serve to inspire our students—and build pathways for their future. A bientôt! Probitas, Comitas, Virtus, Norman Southward Head of School—Directeur
NEWS & NOTES
science
Connecting history through
Ashbury’s 1973 science wing is no more after it was demolished this summer to make way for the school’s new Centre for Science & Innovation.
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onstruction at the site has been ongoing ever since, with drilling underway to secure the ground to secure the new three-story build. Next up, crews will pour the foundation, with the framework expected to be erected in early 2019. The project has unpeeled some of the history of the school as it has exposed the different eras to which the new building will be connected. The new wing will be surrounded by the school chapel built in 1909, the Joyce Wing built in the 1970s, the 1950s-era locker room area, and finally, to the 1984 gym. All of these bits will meld into an exciting new space for students with the new Centre for Science & Innovation, which is set to open in the fall. For more on the Centre for Science & Innovation, including sponsorship and funding opportunities, visit ashbury.ca/innovation
Head of School, Norman Southward, stands in the construction zone on the east side of campus in November, after crews excavated material in order to create footings for the new Centre for Science & Innovation
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The old science wing was demolished in August
Students, staff, and campaign chairs celebrated the ground breaking in June
outside
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utdoor experiences have always been a hallmark of an Ashbury education. From sports and recess to more formalized learning opportunities, students are encouraged to get outside to discover the world around them en plein air.
At the start line for the annual House Run competition
Grade 12 students went zip lining in Gatineau as part of their opening-week camp activities
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Ashbury’s Senior Boys Football team enjoyed a successful season, with many wins on home turf, ending in a trip to OFSAA
Kinesiology students used materials found on campus to build models of hands and feet
This Outdoor Adventure Club paddled in the North Frontenac Parklands
Students launch weather balloon to stratosphere
wanted to show that scientific exploration is about more than just robots.” Waters says the group’s longer-term goal is to provide their experience as a model for other students, and schools, who may be interested in developing a launch of their own. “We learned a lot doing this and we could share those lessons with others,” he says. The students—Waters, Alec Donovan, Mohamed Ebsim, and Brandon Just—launched the balloon from Ashbury’s athletic field. The flight took several hours, eventually landing in Lac des Deux Montagnes, Quebec. All the equipment was recovered and the students are planning another launch soon.
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From left to right: Mohamed Ebsim, teacher Adam Drenth, Brandon Just, Will Waters and Alec Donovan just before the launch
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our Grade 11 students recently launched a weather balloon 100,000 feet into the atmosphere to collect data and images of the curvature of the Earth. The balloon, built entirely by the students, had a GoPro camera on board to capture 180° footage of the launch. Additional equipment, purchased with help of Ashbury donors, recorded data such as temperature, air pressure, and provided a gas analysis. The students initiated the project as a way to test their own construction and scientific collection skills, but also to inspire STEM-related curiosity in younger students as the school prepares for construction of its new Centre for Science & Innovation. “We basically wanted to see if we could send something into space,” says student William Waters. “But we also
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Round Square wraps
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The conference program included multicultural, Indigenous, adventure and service days, along with opportunities to explore Ottawa, with scheduled visits to the Global Centre for Pluralism and the Aga Khan Foundation, and that all-Canadian pastime—attending a hockey game! Ashbury’s population is already international, with its 700 students hailing from approximately 60 countries. Hosting the conference exposed students and teachers to an even more varied demographic and allow Ashbury’s students to benefit from what is generally available to only a handful of young people every year. Ashbury is a proud member of Round Square, a worldwide association of approximately 180 schools on six continents in 50 countries that encourages students to push beyond academic excellence to discover and develop their full potential. Round Square schools are characterized by a shared belief in an approach to education based on six pillars called IDEALS—Internationalism, Democracy, Environmentalism, Adventure, Leadership and Service— drawn from the theories of education philosopher Kurt Hahn.
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or seven days in late September and early October, nearly 400 students and educators from around the world descended on Ashbury to attend the 2018 Round Square International Conference. Ashbury was one of three Canadian schools co-hosting this annual event, where young people between the ages of 15 and 17 explore the themes of ethnic, cultural, gender and religious diversity. The theme of this year’s student-led program was “Bring Your Difference” representing the multiculturalism that is a fixture of Canadian society. The delegates, from countries such as Australia, New Zealand, India, Chile, Indonesia, Kenya, Morocco, South Africa, Thailand and the United Kingdom, came together to listen to speakers, share ideas, participate in teambuilding, service, and leadership activities, and experience the Canadian wilderness through camp excursions, hiking and white-water rafting. Students were hosted by Ashbury families, who shared insights into Canadian life, and exposed these young visitors to the National Capital Region.
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NEWS & NOTES
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Indigenous dancers performed for delegates
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Students explored Ottawa to see what the National Capital has to offer
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Delegates were treated to a performance by the Governor General’s Footguards
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The conference produced lasting memories and friendships
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His Majesty King Constantine, president and patron of Round Square, and his wife, Queen Anne-Marie of Greece, attended the conference
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Ashbury grads Adrian Harewood ’89 and Roya Shams ’15 shared their stories about embracing discomfort and cultivating empathy
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Yasmeen Choudhri ’18 helped open the conference that was her idea to bring to Ashbury
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Sophie Grégoire Trudeau spoke to students about gender diversity and inclusiveness
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Volunteer Recognition
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shbury’s spring volunteer appreciation reception celebrated the school’s varied community of volunteers, including parents, alumni and friends. This special evening provides the opportunity to recognize Ashbury’s most devoted volunteers. Cynthia Bruketa received the Outstanding Student Support Volunteer Award for her work with the Junior School Lego Robotics Club and the First Lego League. Cynthia was also instrumental in establishing the Robotics Club in the Senior School and organizing the First Lego League Ottawa Regional Competition at Ashbury. Sonny Raina received the Outstanding Student Support Volunteer Award for his ongoing leadership in coaching the Senior Boys Rugby since 2009. He has spent many hours on and off the fields training the boys to excel as rugby players. Tom Christie ’04 received the Outstanding Alumnus Volunteer Award for his commitment to the Senior Football team. During the season, Tom is at the school daily
coaching. He is an outstanding offensive co-ordinator and has been volunteering his time with the football program since 2010. David Graham ’55 was posthumously awarded the Outstanding Volunteer Award. David was a tremendous volunteer as he opened his lovely home in London, England to host our annual alumni receptions for 13 years. Karen Abrahamsen received the 2018 Outstanding Parent Volunteer Award for her ongoing engagement with the school. Karen was a key member of the Guild, where she organized the International Potluck. She also served on Ashbury College’s Board of Governors, participating as Chair on the Long-Range Planning Committee. Fedwa Choudhri was the recipient of the 2018 Outstanding Parent Volunteer Award. Fedwa joined the Parents’ Committee and then served on the Guild, where she worked as Treasurer. She also assisted with uniform sales, teacher appreciation, and the Ball. She also played an active role with the Round Square Billeting Committee, helping to place about 280 international students for the conference. As a supporter of the Refugee Sponsorship Initiative, Fedwa opened her home for fundraisers. She continues to assist as a translator and key advisor for the Refugee shbury College regularly recognizes outstanding volunteer conSponsorship Committee. tributions made to the school by members of its parent, alumni The Jean Teron Award is presented or volunteer communities. to an individual for outstanding serAshbury is seeking nominations for future recipients of these awards. vice to the school and its community. The next awards will be presented in the spring of 2019 at a reception Chris Teron ’76 was the ideal recipient honouring volunteer service. of this esteemed award. Chris has To nominate an individual from the Ashbury community, please volunteered in many areas of the complete the online form at: ashbury.ca/about/volunteer/award school, including assisting with our
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AWARDS FOR OUTSTANDING SERVICE TO ASHBURY COLLEGE
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NEWS & NOTES
outdoor education program, establishing the Alumni Wall of Honour board, serving on the Board of Governors, chairing the Board of Governors from 2008–2010, chairing the Property and Building Committee, and creating an historical photo timeline of all of the building and additions that have taken place at the campus since 1910. Chris also organized his class reunions for the class of 1976. In addition to his title of alumnus, Chris is a past parent, father of Dr. Briar Dent ’04 and Heather Teron ’07. Thank you to all the Ashbury volunteers who work to make the school a better place for our students. 2
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Jean Teron, with her son, Chris Teron ’76, the 2018 recipient of The Jean Teron Award
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Alan Gill ’62, received the Outstanding Alumnus Volunteer Award in memory of David Graham ’55
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Adam Drenth, Cynthia Bruketa, recipient of the Outstanding Student Support Volunteer Award
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Jon Landon, with Tom Christie ’04, the recipient of the Outstanding Alumnus Volunteer Award, and Norman Southward
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Padme Raina, with Fedwa Choudhri, the recipient of the Outstanding Parent Volunteer Award, and Norman Southward
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Sonny Raina, the recipient of the Outstanding Student Support Volunteer Award, and Ian Middleton
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Jill Dickinson with Karen Abrahamsen, recipient of the Outstanding Parent Volunteer Award, with Norman Southward
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Golf Classic
Ashbury College
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Jane Forsyth, Montsé Bouvier, Jill Dickinson, Andrea Laurin
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he Ashbury College Charity Golf Classic had another successful tournament on June 4 at The Gatineau Golf and Country Club. Despite the rain, guests still managed to enjoy themselves on the course and in the club house. This year, with the help of all those involved, we raised over $60,000 to help support the Ashbury College Association Scholarship Fund. The day ended with a reception that brought all guests together to kick off the evening portion of the event. Guests also enjoyed delicious food and wine, and an exciting live and silent auction. A special thanks goes out to our event sponsors, without whom the day would not be possible: Dilawri Auto, the Aliferis family, Glenview, Nautical Lands Group, 1251 Capital Group and Doherty & Associates. Thanks to our on-the-course sponsors: CIBC Wood Gundy, Huntington Properties, Tamarack Homes, Taggart Wealth and Estate Planning, Allegra Dental, Gowling WLG, Sezlik.com, Gallagher Benefit Services and Waterford Property Group. On behalf of the 2018 Golf Committee, thanks again to everyone who participated in, and supported, the Ashbury College Charity Golf Classic 2018. See you all next year for another amazing event!
Ross Holman, Pawan Dilawri ’87, David Rhodes ’16, Nikhil Dilawri ’16
Oliver Han, Barb Saville, Bryan Mackinnon, Angela Zhang
NEWS & NOTES
Kelly Mecready, Lisa Bettencourt, Geri-Lee Godkin, Jon Landon
Back row: Gary Peters, Lauren Peters ’17, Tracy Rait-Parkes, Vanessa Von Finckenstein, Elizabeth Nicholds Front row: Phil Von Finckenstein ’89, Scott Parkes ’88, Pazi Deutsch, John Clarke
Andy Edmonson, Tyler Wilgress ’03, Paul St. Louis, Chris Barker
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Stefan Sikorski, Rick Emerson, Norman Southward, Ion Aimers
Daniel Alfredsson, Shawn Malhotra ’98, Michael Nicolini ’97, Michael Wilson
Donors
International
Ashbury continues to benefit from its international community as parents and alumni show their support for the school from a distance.
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e take pride in knowing that our school give to Ashbury was a no brainer. “All we had to do was holds value to so many. We are particularly look at the finished Ashbury products in both Kasheefah pleased to note increased giving engageand Kaniz,” they say. “Living so far away, giving to the ment from our international sector, who school was the best way to show our gratitude.” give without the benefit of a charitable tax receipt, and When asked why they chose to direct their gift to despite extreme volatility in currency exchange. Ashbury’s new Centre for Science & Innovation, the Williams We currently have strong donor representation from family says their decision stems from the fact that scientific our international families and alumni. In recent years, we innovation is at the helm of change worldwide. have over 50 nationalities represented in our student “The Science & Innovation building project ensures body. Increasingly these families are choosing to invest Ashbury and all its pupils are well poised to set the pace in the school with a long-term vision, including for future and lead the world via innovation.” generations who may attend the school. This year alone, Ashbury has received over $200,000 The Williams family from Nigeria chose Ashbury because in international donations. These gifts are given despite it ticked all boxes, offering a rich history, a strong academic the fact that their donors aren’t near campus to program in a safe environment, attend special donor events, and its record of university placeground breaking ceremonies or iving to Ashbury is easy—no ment. Kasheefah graduated in ribbon cuttings. International matter your location—and 2016 and Kaniz in 2018 and their donors do receive recognition you can direct your support parents are delighted that their on the campaign donor walls, to many areas at the school. children are now citizens of the and Ashbury representatives Please visit ashbury.ca/give to explore world, with many friends and regularly travel to the U.S., U.K., our giving options and to make a donaconnections across the globe. Asia and Africa to thank our tion online. Or contact our Advancement For Olusegun and Olaposi donors, and share stories office at give@ashbury.ca with quesWilliams, making the decision to and successes. tions, or to discuss how to make a gift that’s right for you. Your support is essential to our students. On their behalf, thank you!
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Kaniz and Kasheefah Williams with Ashbury’s Head of Gillin Residence, Caro LeGresley
Olusegun and Olaposi Williams at Closing
NEWS & NOTES
Ashbury
Giving at
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t independent schools like Ashbury, tuition covers the basic operating costs of the school, but not the full cost of educating our students. Donations to the school help us innovate, providing for new equipment and materials, and exceptional co-curricular activities. The Ashbury College Foundation is a registered charity and donors will receive a receipt for tax purposes according to Canada Revenue Agency guidelines.
Annual Giving
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ll gifts to the Annual Giving Campaign are a statement of support for Ashbury’s mission. Your gift, regardless of size, has a meaningful, direct and immediate impact on the lives of our students, supporting academics, athletics, arts, clubs and increased opportunities for students and faculty.
Student Financial Assistance
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Planned Giving
Campaigns and Special Projects
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stablishing a planned gift offers you an opportunity to build a legacy at Ashbury. Whether it is through a bequest in your will or a gift of life insurance, together with your financial advisor, Ashbury can help you achieve your philanthropic goals and maximize your income tax savings. By making a planned gift and telling us about it, you allow Ashbury College to celebrate your legacy while you are still with us.
rom time to time, Ashbury will undertake a major fundraising project or campaign to address the long-term needs of the school. These campaigns may be for facilities, special teaching initiatives or to build the schools endowment. During these periods, we seek larger pledges from families that can be paid over time. Most of Ashbury’s current facilities are the result of contributions from past families to special campaigns. Our current campaign is to fund our new Centre for Science & Innovation.
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n order to keep Ashbury accessible to a broad range of worthy students, a strong focus on student financial assistance must be maintained. Our goal is to ensure that deserving and outstanding young people are able to participate in the unique Ashbury experience. We are committed to providing bursary assistance to students who otherwise would be unable to attend the school, with a goal of increasing our student population receiving meaningful financial assistance to 10% through the Ashbury endowment. The permanence of endowed funds is powerful; they will continue to keep the school accessible in perpetuity, influencing countless numbers of students.
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Reunions 2018 Honoured Years: 1968, 1973, 1978, 1983, 1988, 1993, 1998, 2003, 2008, 2013
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eunion weekend was busy for our honoured years, with an on-campus reception at Ashbury House on Friday evening, and an off-campus reception on Saturday evening. Classmates were able to catch up and connect in an informal setting, in addition to the Homecoming activities. Thank you to our class reps who organized successful reunions!
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By : Author
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ASHBURY ALUMNI
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The Class of ’03 gathered at Homecoming
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The Class of ’98 gathered on Saturday evening
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The Class of ’08 gathered on Saturday evening
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The Class of ’93 gathered on Saturday evening
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Norman Southward and David Berger ’68
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Norman Southward and Rob Surgenor ’78
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The Class of ’98 gathered at Homecoming
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The Class of ’08 gathered at Homecoming
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James Baxter ’83, Norman Southward and Rob Hall ’83
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Alec Hollister-de Melo ’13 and Sean Ostaszewski ’13
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The Class of ’88 gathered at Homecoming
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The Class of ’93 gathered at Homecoming
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Norman Southward, Nigel Macleod ’73, Michael Barnes ’73 and Tony Wood ’73
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Homecoming 2018
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hank you to everyone who attended Homecoming 2018 and made it a huge success. Despite the extreme weather, and the tornado that touched down in Ottawa the preceding evening, hundreds of alumni made the trip to campus to catch up with former classmates, fellow parents, current students, and enjoy a delicious BBQ. Thank you to our dedicated class reps for their efforts. • Class of 1968: David Berger • Class of 1973: Nigel Macleod and Michael Barnes • Class of 1978: Philip Sellers and Rob Surgenor • Class of 1988: Hugh Scott and Don Cook • Class of 1993: Matt Burns, Ross Tavel and Marc Weatherill • Class of 2003: Shamir Daya and Stuart Gray • Class of 2008: Talia Poleski and Adam Leslie
Some of our old boys made it out to celebrate their 50-year (+) reunions! • David Fair ’48 • David Berger ’68 • Ray Anderson, past staff A special thanks to our beer sponsor, the Clocktower Brew Pub. We hope to see you all for Homecoming and Reunions 2019 as we celebrate all reunion years ending in a ’4 or ’9: September 28, 2019.
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ASHBURY ALUMNI
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A different picture of the world Michael Bravo ’80, of the Scott Polar Research Institute at the University of Cambridge, reshapes traditional views of the globe
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n his new book, North Pole: Nature and Culture, Michael Bravo ’80 looks at the importance of the North Pole, its place in the history of the globe, and the interdependence that lies within. “We are taught that the Arctic is a vast northern hinterland, but it’s actually a place of interconnectivity,” he says. “People are connected to animals and the land and each other. It’s the connectedness that makes you begin to see how small the world is, because everything is related to something else.
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“We are taught that the Arctic is a vast northern hinterland, but it’s actually a place of interconnectivity.” “In looking at the North Pole critically, it becomes something we need in order to make the world integral.” The northern focus is a return to a regional speciality for Bravo, who is a Fellow of Downing College and Acting Director of the Scott Polar Research Institute at the University of Cambridge. He has previously written two books about the history of Arctic exploration and the region’s geopolitics and autonomy.
The path north
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ravo’s interest the Arctic was arguably piqued in his Grade 12 Geography class at Ashbury, led by Tony Macoun. Bravo, along with the rest of his classmates, was challenged to a role-playing exercise about the Mackenzie Valley Pipeline inquiry, providing the opportunity to see the world from radically different perspectives. “I had to write something from the point of view of oil producers,” Bravo remembers. “It was an interesting exercise and probably the first time I had thought, to a significant extent, about that part of the world. It helped me consider our country in a different way.” It wasn’t until he left Ashbury, after graduating in 1980, that Bravo actually set foot in Canada’s Arctic. As part of a co-op program at the University of Waterloo, Bravo landed a job as a satellite communications engineer, where his role was to aid in the delivery of satellite communications—radio, telephony, and television—to northern communities. The job required extensive travel and communication with the people living in those remote areas. One particular encounter sparked an interest in the impact of the technology he was actively introducing. “During a visit to Pond Inlet, I was invited by locals to watch Hockey Night in Canada,” he says. “It quickly occurred to me that they knew if I was watching the broadcast with
ASHBURY ALUMNI
“I wanted to challenge the view of academia that history should be dominated by the European point of view, by saying that indigenous knowledge and traditions present a different picture of what the world was like.”
Links to history
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n his subsequent research, conducted over the past 18 years of teaching at Cambridge, Bravo has continued to delve into the history of Arctic regions—going back to the 16th century. He says he was fascinated to discover that the invention of circumpolar maps during the Renaissance—aided by the development of linear perspective—provided a world view from above the Earth, with the Arctic at the top of what now is universally recognized as an image of a globe. Bravo says his work strives to go beyond that traditional vision of the globe and its parts. “When we bring together the histories of different people, it produces a different picture of the world.”
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them, I wouldn’t be doing maintenance on the network and interrupting the signal. I realized how important that line of communication was to them.” It wasn’t until his post-graduate days in history and the philosophy of science at Cambridge that Bravo began to explore more fully the connection between technology and the people it affects. “There was the implied promise that satellite communication would bring a better life to the Inuit,” he says. “I wanted to know the conditions in which technology would make those improvements.” Through subsequent visits to Canada’s Arctic, Bravo started talking more to the people living there, asking about collective history—much of it passed down through generations by oral recollections. He began to collaborate with video makers to record the skills and knowledge of the elders, with the goal of passing that information along to younger generations aided by technology. The experience was transformative and served as the inspiration for Bravo’s doctoral work. “When I went back to Cambridge for my PhD program, I realized there were not many of us asking questions about the oral basis of historical memory. I was bringing back conversations that hadn’t been heard before. “My goal was not to change Inuit society, but to change Cambridge,” he says. “I wanted to challenge the view of academia that history should be dominated by the European point of view, by saying that indigenous knowledge and traditions present a different picture of what the world was like.”
ASHBURY ALUMNI
Through his work with the Polar Institute, Bravo has travelled to various Arctic regions, including Norway, Sweden, Greenland, Russia, and Iceland, providing what he calls, “a true global perspective.” Bravo acknowledges that he is fortunate to have spent time in parts of the world few get to visit—let alone establish connections with people living there. “Apart from its people, the beautiful thing about the Arctic is the light,” he says. “The way it constantly changes makes the landscape so extraordinary.”
With his newest book hot off the press, Bravo says he now wants to turn his attention to risk analysis, particularly how risk is understood in a complex world with rapid environmental change. “I have a few ideas percolating,” he says.
From student to teacher
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rom his home in London, Bravo manages to keep ties to Ashbury alive, as he regularly attends the alumni reception in London. He says he has fond memories of his time at the school—Grade 7 through 12—and his teachers, including John Beedell, “his classroom was a remarkable curiosity cabinet”, Robin Hinnell, “an outstanding math teacher for those strong in math and those who weren’t”, and Drummond Lister. “He made me re-write an essay four times because he wanted me to understand what it takes to make good writing better,” Bravo says. “I didn’t appreciate it at the time, but I do now.” “Faith and belief in children is really the most important thing of all; that’s what teaching is all about,” he says. “If you have an education where you’re respected, you repay it many times over.”
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In North Pole, Michael Bravo explains how visions of the North Pole have been supremely important to the world’s cultures and political leaders, from Alexander the Great to neo-Hindu nationalists. Tracing poles and polarity back to sacred ancient civilizations, this book explores how the idea of a North Pole has given rise to utopias, satires, fantasies, paradoxes and nationalist ideologies, from the Renaissance to the Third Reich. The Victorian conceit of the polar regions as a vast empty wilderness, and the preserve of white males battling against the elements, was far from the only polar vision. Michael Bravo shows an alternative set of pictures, of a habitable Arctic criss-crossed by densely connected networks of Inuit routes, rich and dense in cultural meanings. In Western and Eastern cultures, theories of a sacred North Pole abound. Visions of paradise and a lost Eden have mingled freely with the imperial visions of Europe and the United States. Forebodings of failure and catastrophe have been companions to tales of conquest and redemption. Michael Bravo shows that visions of a sacred or living pole can help humanity understand its twenty-first-century predicament, but only by understanding the pole’s deeper history. (Description courtesy of Reaktion Books)
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Bravo says he tries to incorporate some of the qualities gleaned from Ashbury teachers into his own teaching and mentoring of students. “My understanding of the importance of education has grown through experience,” he says. “I now think education is one of the most important things we can do in a society. You can’t solve many of the world’s problems without tackling education, first.” And while his teaching focus is at the post-secondary level, Bravo acknowledges that the most important tenets of successful teaching transcend grade levels, citing student mental health as an increasing concern. “Students at schools like Ashbury are all bright enough to pass exams, but are they healthy enough to succeed?” he says. “The key to education is not just the knowledge on blackboards, it’s the emotional health of students.” A keen supporter carving a unique path in education, evident in his own interdisciplinary approach and his
initial post-secondary inability to focus in a single area— ”Ashbury prepared me to be interested in so many things”—Bravo counsels students to develop as broad a scope as possible. He encourages students to make good use of Ashbury’s new Centre for Science & Innovation when it is built, saying that it will benefit students of English as much as it will those more scientifically oriented. “In the humanities, we say that one of the most powerful ways to expand imagination is through scientific exploration,” he says. In fact, Bravo suggests it may be students bringing their curiosity from other areas into science who may just hold the keys to solving society-related technology problems in the 21st century. “Science education is critical for every student, both now and to our future.”
“Science education is critical for every student, both now and to our future.”
Michael Bravo’s book, North Pole: Nature and Culture, published by Reaktion Books, is available now.
Michael Bravo points to the Pond Inlet area—the site of many of his research trips—on a map of Canada
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Bravo’s latest book was published in December
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Michael Bravo chats with Ashbury’s Head of School, Norman Southward, at an alumni reception in London in May
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Bravo captured the beauty of the Arctic in this photo of the sun setting over Pond Inlet
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Building a job, the rights way Erin Williams ’99 on creating a path from her passions
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rin Williams ’99 sighs and pauses meaningfully before answering the question of what it’s like to work in the field of women’s health and reproductive rights from within the current political climate in the U.S. “We are treading water instead of moving forward,” she says. “Instead of pushing the envelope, we are holding the line—although the recent mid-term elections give us hope.” The women’s rights advocate currently works in New York City where she manages grants to women-led feminist organizations through the International Women’s Health Coalition. She liaises primarily with groups in Cameroon, Nigeria, and Kenya that advance women’s and girls’ sexual and reproductive health and rights. Much of Williams’ work is tied to decisions made by governments, and the resulting impact on the people they serve. She says the rise of authoritarian governments globally is worrying, particularly for how it affects women and girls—and her work. She cites the Global Gag Rule, a U.S. government policy that blocks federal funding for organizations that provide abortion services or referrals, or advocate for the decriminalization or expansion of abortion services, which is causing fundamental challenges internationally. “What ends up happening is that groups have to make a choice when it comes to taking money from the U.S.,” she says. “If they take it, they can’t do anything about abortions, leaving many women to seek back-door treatment putting their health at risk. The other option is not to take the money and try to provide comprehensive services with less funds. Either way, women are negatively affected.”
Williams is steeped in international relations, thanks to her work history, and growing up biracial with dual Canadian/American citizenship. Born in Berkeley, California, she attended Ashbury from Grades 9 to 13, where she remembers fondly her drama, English, and sociology classes. After graduating from Ashbury, she attended the University of Toronto for a degree that combined communications theory, anthropology, ethics, linguistics and more. Williams says the multi-disciplinary approach sparked an interest that would shape her career path. “I was introduced to sexuality and the law and discussions about how society creates norms related to gender, race and class,” she says. “It got me interested in how we make decisions about sexual and reproductive health and how that impacts social justice.”
“I was introduced to sexuality and the law and discussions about how society creates norms related to gender, race and class,” she says. “It got me interested in how we make decisions about sexual and reproductive health and how that impacts social justice.”
ASHBURY ALUMNI
“I learned that using my privilege in a way to advance the rights of young women is a great honour. Moreover, my rights are linked to theirs, and vice versa.”
women’s shelters and others involved in the network for women at risk. “I spent a lot of my four years there collecting data and stats from various sectors to highlight the amount of hidden violence against women in society,” she explains. “Most violence is not reported, but that doesn’t mean it’s not happening.” Her work on that project eventually led to an opportunity in Jamaica working with the Bureau for Women’s Affairs, where she was tasked with collecting stories to support a proposal to the European Union asking for funds to help women who had incarcerated dependents. At that time (the early 2010s), incarcerated inmates in Jamaica received no personal effects from the state, such as bedding, hygiene items or clothing, so the onus was on family members—most often women—to cover the costs of these materials, in addition to absorbing sole responsibility for domestic income.
“I was really interested in structural inequality,” she says. “I focused on advocacy and policy, grassroots movement building, and feminist leadership. More importantly, I really started to hone in on why we’re so hung up on women’s bodies.”
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Spurred on by this newfound interest, she began to volunteer at the sex ed centre at U of T, and then after graduation, she landed a job at Planned Parenthood in Ottawa. One of her responsibilities was to expand a theatre group that performed youth-developed public education programming on sexual and reproductive health and rights at high schools across the city. “That experience really helped to develop my interest in human rights, women’s rights, and the rights of queer youth,” she said. From there she moved on to Harmony House, a transitional women’s shelter in Ottawa, first in a volunteer role, and then, through fundraising she initiated, paid work. Williams took over and expanded an existing program that provided support for women while they attended police interviews, court appointments, or other procedural steps in their legal journey. As her interest in advocacy for women began to increase, Williams decided to go back to school, first to McGill for a one-year program, then transferring to Carleton for her Master of Social Work. “I was really interested in structural inequality,” she says. “I focused on advocacy and policy, grassroots movement building, and feminist leadership. More importantly, I really started to hone in on why we’re so hung up on women’s bodies.” By this point in her career, Williams knew she had found her passion and where she wanted to focus her energy. “I was raised primarily by a single mom, a strong role model who encouraged me to be an independent woman,” she says. “I think I was born to do something with that.” Williams’ first international experience in the field of women’s rights came when she travelled to Belgium to work at a refugee women’s shelter during her MSW program. The shelter provided aid to young African mothers and was funded by an agreement between the European Union and Canadian governments to help displaced people. “The work was in French, so I really relied on my French diploma from Ashbury,” Williams says. Working outside Canada provided Williams with both the realization of the challenges that women and girls face around the world, and the importance of building solidarity with—and supporting—others. “I learned that using my privilege in a way to advance the rights of young women is a great honour. Moreover, my rights are linked to theirs, and vice versa.” Williams returned to Canada after her European stint, and quickly landed a job with the Ottawa Coalition to End Violence Against Women. She focused on developing relationships and partnerships with police, hospitals,
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“We spoke to women who told us they were either underemployed or had to work in uncomfortable situations to make money to support men,” Williams says. “Their experience was indicative of many women who find themselves in that situation.” From Jamaica, Williams went to Botswana, with the World University Service of Canada, where she worked as an organizational development and gender advisor. Her job involved engaging gender activists from across the country to discuss everything from decriminalizing homosexuality, to sex worker rights, to a gender analysis of an HIV program. After spending three years working in Southern Africa, Williams knew she wanted to return to North America to work, so she started to make enquiries, including to the U.S.-based International Women’s Health Coalition (IWHC). Despite not having any connections at the organization, which works with the United Nations and the Human Rights Council to advance the rights of girls and women, she landed the position of Program Officer in 2015. Williams works to support women’s groups that are holding their own governments accountable to policies including the global Sustainable Development Goals, mainly through managing grants to grantee partner organizations. “Essentially it means that I build relationships with activists to amplify their voices,” she explains. With an eye on sexual and reproductive rights, Williams oversees proposal development, manages organizational
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development projects, and works to deepen trust-based grant making. She travels to visit grantee partners at least once year. Calling her work “fulfilling” Williams says she doesn’t know quite yet what’s next for her career, but she’s certain she’ll always be drawn to work that upends power structures. “I’ve learned that finding your path always has bends,” she says, “and that the road is never straightforward. But I know that I’ll always find my way if I follow what I’m passionate about—and take the necessary risks!” And her advice for young women interested in pursuing a similar career trajectory? “First, I would say to not stress so much about calculus,” she says, with a laugh. “But really, I would say that every little thing counts, so start small and build up your skills.” A proponent of volunteering, Williams advocates giving time in an area of interest both to develop expertise and to build and nurture relationships. “Look for every opportunity to create a job for yourself where you can be useful doing what it is you’re excited about,” she says. “Now you probably won’t even be able to imagine the kind of job you might have one day, but just know, your dream job is out there.”
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Presenting at the IWHC’s annual dinner. Photo credit: Cindy Ord/Getty Images for IWHC
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Erin Williams
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Williams with some of the participants at a community forum addressing reproductive health in Nigeria. Photo credit: IWHC
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Williams and the founder of the International Center for Reproductive Health and Sexual Rights in Minna, Nigeria, at a community forum to educate key stakeholders on the rights of girls. Photo credit: IWHC
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Women in southwest Cameroon conducting a sexual and reproductive health and rights class with students at a bilingual French/English high school. Williams work helps to fund initiatives like this, at a grassroots level. Photo credit: IWHC
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“I’ve learned that finding your path always has bends,” she says, “and that the road is never straightforward. But I know that I’ll always find my way if I follow what I’m passionate about—and take the necessary risks!”
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From the sea to an EV Douglas Moulton ’48 on his passion for the navy and electric vehicles
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hen Douglas Moulton ’48 returned to Ashbury’s campus in September for his 70th reunion, he quickly recognized himself in a photo that lines the hallway off the front entrance. “I believe that’s me,” he says, a finger pointing to an image of a small boy in short pants. “I remember that I was happy to be outside and not stuck inside in a classroom.” Moulton’s recent trip to Ashbury involved a relatively short trip down Highway 417 from his rural home near Chute-a-Blondeau, just east of Hawkesbury, Ontario. His initial journey to the school, at the age of 11, was a little more circuitous. Born in April 1929, Moulton first arrived into the world at Kingston General Hospital, where he was diagnosed with an inoperable condition: a knotted bowel. “In those days the condition was maintained, rather than operated on,” Moulton explains. His parents, whom Moulton describes as “poor as church mice,” thanks to the 1929 stock market crash, were not equipped to provide the type of attention the condition required. Instead, one of the physicians at the hospital offered to take in the infant to better provide long-term care. “Dr. Etherington, in consultation with my parents and with their permission, offered to take me to live in his residence, and I became a ward of the doctor and his wife Agnes.” Dr. Frederick Etherington was Dean of Medicine at Queen’s University and his wife, Agnes, was influential in
the establishment of the university’s fine art program. The red-brick home where the Etheringtons lived was willed to the university, and is now known as the Agnes Etherington Art Centre, a highly-respected gallery. While Moulton spent his formative years with the Etheringtons, he still maintained contact with his parents and brother Ross and the two families spent time together. “The Etheringtons were the most benevolent people I’ve ever known,” says Moulton of the couple who had no children of their own. “When I was given a gift, my brother received something much the same.” While the Etheringtons were fixtures of the Kingston community, they had connections throughout Eastern Ontario, in part due to their summer sojourns to Indian Lake, near Chaffey’s Lock. It was there, in 1941, that the Etheringtons opened their doors again to boys in need,
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“If we could get tens of thousands of people to make the switch to electric cars, it would make a tremendous difference.” Moulton was a boarding student, an experience he credits for teaching him to live with others and to understand different points of view. He also remembers testing the limits of what was allowed in residence. “We had a radio, which we used to have on after ‘lights out’, which was not permitted,” says Moulton, adding that his workaround was to build a radio that could accommodate headphones and used an antenna. “We threw the antenna out the window into all the ivy for disguise. It worked quite well—and the best bit was that we were never discovered.” Following Ashbury, Moulton attended Lakefield Preparatory School, now known as Lakefield College School, northeast of Toronto, where he was introduced to Sea Cadets, run by a retired Chief Petty Officer from the Royal Navy. “He left such an impression on me,” remembers Moulton. “I was bitten by the navy bug.” After leaving Lakefield, Moulton spent a little over a year working at a bank and then as a cabinet maker. Then, he was 19, he fulfilled his desire to join the Royal Canadian Navy, working first for the HMCS Naden in Esquimalt as a stoker. Soon he moved out of the boiler room and into office work, utilizing the typing skills he had honed at the bank. “I liked the security [of the navy] and it was a lifestyle that suited me,” Moulton says. “It kept me in balance and gave me the stability I needed.” Moulton stayed with the navy for 20 years, moving from west to east as he completed stints in Shearwater and Halifax on nine different ships. His naval career
ended in 1968 after what he calls a frustrating outcome to the process that ushered in a restructuring for the navy. (In February 1968, personnel of the air, land, and sea regiments were amalgamated as the Canadian Armed Forces.) In his post-navy life, Moulton spent some time finding his next passion. “I had many different jobs, none of which were to my liking,” he says, “until I got into the car business.” First landing a job on a car lot in Stittsville, Moulton learned about automotive sales, eventually owning his own used-car dealership in Elgin, Ontario. Today, though he is retired, cars still play a big part in the life of this great-grandfather. He has progressed from the likes of diesel and gas-powered cars to fully embrace the electric vehicle. “I have an overwhelming passion for electric cars,” says Moulton, with a smile. “I believe in their worth as far as climate change is concerned. Instead of polluting, I figure it’s better to do my part for the environment.” Now on his second electric vehicle (EV), Moulton is a convert and works to convert others as well. “If we could get tens of thousands of people to make the switch to electric cars, it would make a tremendous difference.” In fact, it was an electric vehicle that brought Moulton back to the Ashbury campus in September. After proudly showing off his vehicle, Moulton cast his eyes up to the red bricks of the chapel. “This school means a lot to me,” he says. “It taught me to respect the people around me— classmates and adults alike.”
“Even though I was here for a short time, I feel a part of Ashbury.”
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Moulton in his favourite seat inside the Ashbury chapel
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Moulton remembers taking the school photo in 1943, happy to be outside rather than inside a classroom
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Proudly showing off his electric vehicle
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as they welcomed 18 students from Abinger Hill School, England. “I remember swimming, fishing, sailing, and going to regattas with those boys,” says Moulton. In September of 1941, the Abinger Hill boys resumed their schooling, this time at Ashbury. Moulton, who by that time was part of the group, went along, too, courtesy of the Etheringtons. Though surrounded by the English friends he’d made, academic life at Ashbury proved a bit of a hurdle for Moulton, who had previously attended public school in Kingston. He noticed how much more advanced the Brits were academically, but he found his glory on the athletics field. “Sports were my forte,” he says. “I would rather be playing something than listening to someone cackling away in a classroom, to the detriment of my education, unfortunately.”
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Home and Away
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all was a busy time for the Ashbury alumni community! Successful receptions were held in Calgary, Montreal and Kingston, where alumni of all ages were able to connect and catch up. Calgary alumni and friends gathered at the Calgary Petroleum Club on October 15, Montreal alumni gathered at the McGill Faculty Club on November 1, and Kingston alumni gathered at Stone City Ales on November 7.
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Upcoming Alumni Events
December 22: Ottawa Alumni Holiday Party at the Sens game February 21, 2019: Ashbury Alumni Winter Classic in Ottawa March 7, 2019: Toronto May 2, 2019: London, U.K. May 11, 2019: Springfest at Ashbury June 3, 2019: Ashbury College Charity Golf Classic June 14, 2019: Alumni Welcome Reception at Ashbury
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Ashbury alumni gathered at the McGill Faculty Club
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Karl Hunger ’18, Ava Mierins ’18, Ariana Milin ’18, Kai Eckford-Vea ’18, Lavinia Rangel ’18, Anne Lavallee ’18, Sam Wiesenfeld ’18
Anna Lepsoe ’18, Nicholas Morrison ’16, Sameer Dilawri ’18, Nikhil Dilawri ’16, Jack Macmillan ’16, Parker Aimers ’15, Mike King, former faculty, Rachel Smith ‘18
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Justin Rapp ’17, Anna von Finckenstein ’17, Sarah Ashton ’16, Sarah Vickers ’17, Edward Southward ’17
Chase McRobie ’11, Félix Lavoie ’08, Brian Storosko, Deputy Head of School, Peter Copestake ’74
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Philip Grant ’77, Eric Clark ’74
Ariane Hadziomerovic ’17, Morgan Lloyd ’17, Alaina LaurinMartin ’15, Michelle Holman, faculty
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Ashbury alumni gathered at Stone City Ales
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Ashbury alumni and friends gathered at the Calgary Petroleum Club
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Montreal
Chatter
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ruce McNair ’66 caught up with Bruce Mutch, Executive Director of Enrollment and Advancement, this summer in Bangkok.
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ndrew Sommers ’86 recently switched real estate offices to Chestnut Park Real Estate Limited. He is also President of the Ontario Region of the Antique Automobile Club of America. AACA is the largest antique and classic car club in the world. Andrew is also still married to his wife Kim, who is Director of Finance for Blackwell Engineering.
R Memories from the past by Joe Aveline ’55 In the spring of 1955, I was dormed in a front-facing room of the school building. I had been examining the foliage on the front of the building and being a skinny little thing, I reasoned that it could take my weight. So, on a weekend night with the collusion of two day-boy mates I climbed down to be met by them. One had the use of his father’s car. We drove downtown and bought front row seats for a Jayne Mansfield movie. We sat with outstretched legs staring upwards at Ms. Mansfield’s assets on the big screen.
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On our way back to Ashbury we stopped by a local radio station. As we chatted with the DJ, they asked if we wanted to dedicate a record. I picked one from the pile and dedicated it to Mr. Belcher, our Housemaster. After the goodbyes we went back to Ashbury. Quietly I climbed up the greenery and into the open window. Suddenly there was the glow of a cigarette by my bunk. Mr. Belcher! He said he’d been listening to the radio at 2 a.m.! He gated me indefinitely and left.
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rthur Fogel ’71, CEO of Live Nation Entertainment, was named a member of the order of Canada for his expertise as a music promoter and for his work producing concert tours and events with international artists. Arthur started at Ashbury in Grade 10 and, the nowfamous promoter for performers like U2, Lady Gaga, and Madonna, credits Ashbury for his punctuality with his clients.
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tephen Suh ’79 has started a new business, Ocean 3D. Serving the greater Vancouver area plus the B.C. Sunshine Coast, Ocean 3D provides high-resolution photography, threedimensional experiences, virtual reality, plus Google Street View-optimized tours for business. His technology is beneficial for realtors and property sellers, plus restaurants, retail, museums, art galleries, and hotels.
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fter 33 years with the Ontario Provincial Police and the Ottawa Police Service, Staff Sergeant Brad Hampson ’82 celebrated his retirement with a party at the Ottawa Police Association in May.
od Allsopp ’88 and his spouse, Runako, are pleased to introduce their son, Thando Anderson Jackson Allsopp, born in April, weighing in at 9 lb 7 oz. Big sister Thandiwe is adjusting to her new role nicely.
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drian Harewood ’89 served as emcee for the event Sticking Together, a fundraiser for the Bryan Murray Legacy Fund, which supports integrative cancer therapy. Adrian was photographed at the event with Dugald Seely ’89, a fellow Ashbury rugby teammate of Adrian’s.
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hilip Walkate ’92 is a stand-up comedian, writer and presenter from Amsterdam. He has performed throughout the Netherlands, Europe and in New York. He grew up in the U.S., Canada and France, and obtained degrees in history and international law at the University of Leiden, The Netherlands, before starting his professional career in 2000. Philip has written and produced a play titled Wine. The play has had excellent reviews in the Netherlands, where it was performed 64 times, from Amsterdam to The Hague, in more than 50 places. The play has been received enthusiastically by the audience and the press. Philip is hoping that the English translation will be staged in London, England.
ulia (Agapitos) ’02 and Geoff Heintzman ’02 welcomed their first child, Arthur James Agapitos Heintzman, on June 11, 2018.
Aaron Barth ’00 stopped by Ashbury with his family this August to say hello en route to an Ironman race in Mount Tremblant. It was his first time back to Ashbury since 2001. Aaron has developed a career in healthcare administration since 2006, serving at hospitals in Georgia (USA), Jordan (Middle East), and now in Central Pennsylvania, supporting pediatric cardiology services for a healthcare system called Geisinger. He remembers his time at Ashbury fondly and sends his greetings to alumni and faculty.
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ndres Ogarrio ’95 stopped by the school with his two sons in August while visiting Ottawa from Mexico. Andres attended Ashbury in the late ’80s as a boarding student. He currently lives with his family in Los Cabos, Mexico, where he works as an architect.
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eoff Walker ’00 stopped by Ashbury this fall to speak to a Grade 10 careers class. Geoff shared his path from his days as a student at Ashbury to his life now as a real estate agent in Ottawa.
Alex Charette ’02 hosted recent Ashbury grad Katie Gay ’18 this summer as an intern at ScotiaMcleod.
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en Barry ’01 is the new Chair of Ryerson School of Fashion. Ben aims to get a hold of the next generation of fashion creatives and expose them to values that will change the fashion industry from within. Ben has been involved in the fashion industry for a number of years after he started a diversity-focused modelling agency at age 14 while he was in Grade 9.
Lacy Lauks ’02 and her husband, Paul Johnston, welcomed their baby girl, Abigail Lily Johnston, on May 8, 2018 in Toronto.
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arah Polk ’00 and Andrew Lima welcomed Walter David Polk-Lima on April 24, 2018. Walter is brother for Willow, and grandson for David Polk ’67, former staff, and Sylvie.
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im Booth ’02 and his wife Lauren welcomed their son William on May 30, 2018 in Toronto. William’s big sisters Ashley (5) and Juliet (2) are excited to have a little brother.
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Richard Zussman ’02 visited Ashbury in the spring to speak to Civics classes about his work in as a reporter covering politics, and his-recently published book, A Matter of Confidence: The Inside Story of the Political Battle for B.C., with Rob Shaw. The book is a behind-the-scenes story of the rise and fall of Christy Clark, the historic 2017 B.C. election and the path to power for NDP Premier John Horgan, from Richard’s perspective as a reporter both on the campaign trail and covering the provincial legislature. Richard was in Ottawa for a book launch and caught up with several classmates who came out to support the launch, including James Kenny ’02, James Macmillan ’03, Brooke Simpson ’04, Cameron McWade ’02, Caity (Sparks) Patrick ’03, Alex Patrick ’03, and Andrew Kergin ’02.
Stuart Gray ’03 and Anna Roberts-Gray welcomed their second daughter, Mary Iris, who was born April 5, 2018.
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ahim Dhalla ’03 founded HybridPharm, a compounding pharmacy with a dual focus on the healing power of both medicinal cannabis and a 360-degree approach to healthcare, in July 2018. Rahim, graduate of Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, was also recently profiled in the Ontario Pharmacists Association magazine. Rahim is focused on improving life quality for patients through medicine and lifestyle modifications.
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oseph Brothers ’05 and his wife, Tehi Billon-Lanfrey, welcomed their first child, Charlie, on May 31, 2017 in Washington, DC. Joe currently works as a tax lawyer and lives with his family in Notting Hill, London.
Alexandra Grand ’06 and her husband, James Blake, welcomed their first child, John (Jack) Richard William Blake on June 11, 2018 in Ottawa. Alex, James and Jack all live in Ottawa and are enjoying life as a family of three.
Christopher Toller ’05 and Jena Hall ’06 were married on August 25, 2018 in the Ashbury College Chapel. This was a particularly special venue for the couple as Christopher’s parents and grandparents had been married there in 1983 and 1940 respectively. The wedding party included Ashbury alumni Andrew Mutter ’05 and Christine Foster ’06. Other Ashbury alumni in attendance included Alexandra Frederick ’06, Rosemary LaPrairie ’06, Annie Ritter ’06, Michael Woods ’06, Brian Peebles ’05, Nael Alsaffar ’05, and Michael Howard ’08.
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Graham Booth ’05 married Britanny LaRusic on July 14, 2018 in Peggy’s Cove, Nova Scotia. Alumni in the wedding party included Tim Booth ’02, James Patrick ’05, Christopher Kelen ’05, Michael McDonald-Beraskow ’05, David Ross ’06 and Andrew Doran ’06. The couple currently reside and work in Toronto, Ontario.
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llie Hanlon ’05 lives in California where she’s the main singersongwriter, founder and front person of Peach Kelli Pop, a garage rock band. The band recently released their fourth full-length album, titled Gentle Leader. The band toured this year across North America and Japan, with a stop in Ottawa for Ottawa Explosion Weekend.
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manda Riva (Garbutt) ’06, CEO and owner of THP, an on-demand digital content and social media content agency based in Toronto, recently announced that THP has officially joined the Williams Lea Tag family after being formally acquired this October. THP works with more than 680 food, beverage and consumer goods brands across North America, the United Kingdom and Europe. Amanda started THP in 2012 as The Hot Plate and was named one of Marketing Magazine’s Top 30 Under 30 in 2014.
Mara Chadnick ’07 married Adam Noyek at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa on May 6, 2018. Ashbury alumni who attended their wedding included Tessa Lyons ’07, Christine McLellan ’07, Emma Greenberg ’07, Sophie Moher ’07, Samantha Cook ’07, and Erica Weinstein ’07. Mara’s brother, Zachary Chadnick ’08, served as her Man of Honour. The couple, who travelled to Mongolia for their honeymoon, currently resides in Toronto.
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nnie Bergeron-Oliver ’07 is the newest parliamentary correspondent for CTV National News in Ottawa. She’ll be covering the ins and outs of federal and international politics, including the 2019 federal election campaign, for Canada’s most-watched television news program. This move comes after four years reporting at CTV Ottawa on major city events and municipal politics. Annie has a master’s in journalism from Columbia University in New York City.
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ill Maclaren ’07 and her partner, Brad Austen, welcomed their second child, Ellie Mae Austen, born on March 30, 2018. Jill, Brad and big sister Piper are all smitten.
Hayley Arnold (Karklins) ’09 married Sam Karklins on August 4, 2018 in Foresters Falls, Ontario. The couple currently lives and works in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
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ichael Howard ’08 and Daniel Tarnowsk i ’08 visited Matthews House, Ashbury’s boys boarding residence, while in Ottawa for their 10th reunion this fall. Both Michael and Daniel were boarding students while at Ashbury and were blown away by the new residence. Michael lives in Ottawa and just finished a contract with Global Affairs working the economics and policy side of NAFTA. Daniel is a cardiologist in Regensburg, Germany in his third year of residency.
Andrew McIntyre ’11, Brent McKean ’11, Ryan Aimers ’11, Andrew Mansfield ’11 and Teddy Taggart ’11 (not pictured) completed a 254 km run from Toronto to Kingston to raise money for mental health, on the way to the annual Queen’s Homecoming. The group consisted of 10 Queen’s grads that ran relay-style taking turns running, sleeping and driving the RV. They completed the challenge in 21 hours 45 minutes, well ahead of their 24-hour goal. The group raised a total of $12,500 to support the new Mental Health Centre at Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto.
Pat Norton ’10 is currently living in Whistler, B.C. and training with Bobsleigh Canada. He has officially been named to the national team and will be on the World Cup circuit representing Canada.
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tephen Frodsham ’13 was added to the Canadian Team that represented Canada at the 2018 International Canoe Federation Canoe Sprint World Cups at the end of May. Stephen also participated in the Pan Am canoe championships in September where he won the men’s C1 200.
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ohn Biewald ’12 played his first regular season CFL game this fall with the Toronto Argonauts. John stopped by Ashbury while home in Ottawa on a bye week and helped coach the Senior Boys football practice.
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this year Kerson also had his debut performance at Carnegie Hall in the iconic Stern Auditorium. Kerson has also been appointed soloist-inresidence of the Orchestre Metropolitain for 2018–2019.
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ony Li ’16 ran as a candidate for the Green Party in the Ontario election in June. Tony is currently studying medical sciences and financial economics at Western University.
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tudent Services staffers Anjelien Slater and Christine Tordon were delighted to bump into Valie Madjeska ’17 while they were having a tour around the University of British Columbia’s campus this spring.
Justin Yan ’13 recently won a North America-wide architectural competition for his master of architecture project. The ACSA (Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture) partnered with the AIA (American Institute of Architects) and their Committee on the Environment to run a competition based on the principles of green architecture and environmental stewardship and sustainability in design. Justin was the only Canadian to have placed in the top 10 for this competition. Justin also stopped by Ashbury this fall to catch up with current Fine Art students.
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atie Gwozdecky ’13 was selected as the recipient of the Northern Lights Aero Foundation Rising Star Award. Katie is a private pilot and graduate of the University of Toronto’s Mechanical Engineering program. While at school she joined the University of Toronto Aerospace Team (UTAT). With UTAT, she built sounding rockets, designed and manufactured components for small satellites, among many other technical endeavors. Her passion for space engineering has led her to pursue her MASc at the Space Flight Lab at the University of Toronto in September.
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erson Leong ’15, a solo violinist, had a busy summer with many performances, including the Music and Beyond Festival in Ottawa, in Italy at the LacMus festival, and in Montreal at the Gala Concert of the Canimex Canadian Music Competition. Earlier
Nitara Duthie ’16 and Delaney Murphy ’16 are participating in a semester at sea, studying on a cruise ship-like vessel and travelling from Germany to Spain, Ghana, South Africa, Mauritius, India, Myanmar, Vietnam, China, Japan, Hawaii and then docking in San Diego. They will be taking international courses while also traveling independently. They wanted to share this cultural experience with their former classmates and alumni.
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Lavinia Rangel ’18 enjoyed a Brazilian get together with Sandra Assaly, past parent, Giani Cyrilo, her mother, and Eliza Bianchi, Associate Director of Development.
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Emily Amano ’18 is making her mark at Colgate University after being signed by the school in February. The freshman midfield defender is a star on the soccer field, helping Colgate win a string of seven games earlier this fall. Emily was four-year member of the Ontario Provincial Soccer Team and participated in the 2018 Canadian National Training program. In 2017, she earned a spot on the Canada Summer Games All-Star Team.
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ary Ann Varley, former staff, received the Mayor’s City Builder Award in the spring of 2018.
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am Matthews, former Head of School, received the Canadian Accredited Independent Schools’ Art of Leadership Award this past summer in Victoria, B.C. Ashbury staff Padme Raina and Eliza Bianchi were at St. Michael’s University School for the CAIS Leadership conference where they caught up with Tam.
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Donald
D
onald Stovel Macdonald was born in Ottawa on March 1, 1932. He graduated from Ashbury College in 1948 and then earned degrees from the University of Toronto, Harvard Law School, and Cambridge University in England. He was elected an MP serving the Toronto riding of Rosedale in 1962 and went on to be appointed parliamentary secretary for external affairs in 1967. When Pierre Trudeau was elected Prime Minister in 1968, he named Macdonald president of the Privy Council and government house leader. Macdonald went on to lead the ministries of natural resources and energy, mines and resources, finance, and defence, where he held the role through the October crisis of 1970 when the War Measures Act was invoked. In 1977, Macdonald resigned from cabinet and returned to Toronto to practise law and teach at the University of Toronto. He was almost pulled back into politics in 1979 when Trudeau resigned following Joe Clark’s election win. But that government fell, and Trudeau came back to lead the Liberals to another victory. In 1982, Trudeau appointed Macdonald to the Royal Commission on the Economic Union and Development Prospects for Canada—an examination of free trade that
Photo courtesy of David Fox, nephew of Donald Macdonald
became known as the Macdonald Commission. His report eventually reached Conservative Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, who in 1985, introduced the Free Trade Agreement with the United States. Mulroney later appointed Macdonald to be Canada’s high commissioner to Great Britain and Northern Ireland. “Donald chose, every day, to create a better world, a better Canada,” said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at Macdonald’s funeral. Macdonald died on October 14, 2018.
MacLaren ’57
George
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G
eorge Roy MacLaren was born on June 21, 1939, in Bondville, Que., where he attended a local school, before heading to Ashbury College. After graduating from McGill University with a BA in 1961, he studied law at Laval University in Quebec City, where he was one of a handful of English-Canadian students who were sympathetic to the aspirations of francophone Quebeckers during the Quiet Revolution. One of those students was Brian Mulroney, who went on to become prime minister. “One of his great contributions was his leadership in the English community in Quebec. He was fearless,” Mulroney said. After several years of practising law in Montreal, MacLaren decided to move to Sherbrooke, Quebec, in the Eastern Townships and set up a law practice there, later serving as publisher of The Sherbrooke Record. His fascination with politics led him to become a mentor to a young Jean Charest, the future deputy prime minister of Canada and premier of Quebec. Soon after Mr. Charest became
The Sherbrooke Record (Record Archives)
premier, he appointed Mr. MacLaren to be the province’s agent-general in London. MacLaren died August 30, 2018. *A longer version of this tribute appeared in the Globe and Mail, written by Fred Langan.
In
Memoriam
J. Robert Burder ’44 Roger B. Hillier, past parent Elizabeth Kane, past parent Dale W. Laflamme ’65 Paul Lepsoe, past parent, Board of Governors The Honourable Donald S. Macdonald ’48 George R. MacLaren ’57 Lester McCann ’43 Darryl McClelland ’60 Arthur C. Nash ’45
Joshua S. Sherman ’02 Nadine Hope Smallwood, past parent
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Bob Scheel ’68
ASHBURY ALUMNI
pal Project
Pen
L
ast year, the Grade 4s completed a pen pal project with alumni who came to Ashbury from England during the Second World War, alongside boys from Abinger Hill school in Surrey. The students asked questions on everything from what experiencing war was like, to the evacuees’ impressions of Canada. Below are excerpts from the letters the students received, written by four Ashbury alumni, all now living in England. I was at a boarding school in Bristol when one of the first air raids happened. They took us down to the cellar—the safest place as there was no air raid shelter there, then. We heard anti-aircraft guns firing and a few bomb explosions, but they seemed quite a long way away, so it was not scary. The much heavier air raids happened later, after I had already gone to Canada. I thought Ashbury was an enormously better place to be than the boarding school I had been at in England. At Ashbury we had space. And the whole atmosphere was more free and easy than at the English school. All in all, I reckoned that coming to Ashbury and Canada was the luckiest thing that had ever happened to me. —Jim Northcott ’45
We left home in June 1944. The expectation was that Britain was about to be invaded by Nazi Germany or, if not, subjected to massive air raids, possibly including poison gas (we had to carry gas masks with us whenever we left the house), and a U-boat enforced blockade. Therefore, it was government policy to get as many children out of the country as could be accepted by commonwealth countries. Ashbury at that time consisted of the original red brick building which still exists, plus an extension southward to encompass a big gymnasium, under which was a passage with many pupils’ lockers, where we could keep our outer clothes on arrival in winter. Outside the buildings were extensive playing fields on the south and west sides. My recollection of the classes which I was in is that the number of boys was around 25. —Anthony Paish ’50
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The first thing I noticed was the size of your robins and butterflies. Yours are very much bigger than ours. They still are.
You had street cars. Number 10 or 11 had a stop at Linden Terrace about 500 yards away from the back entrance to Ashbury. The fare was five cents each way but, as this was half our pocket money for a week, we usually walked. Our equivalent transport was a ‘tram’ which very similar to a street car, or a ‘trolley bus’ which had tyres like a bus (so did not need rails) but was powered from fixed electric wires above. There was a petrol-powered bus, but it ran only twice a day because of the petrol shortage. —Christopher Beeton ’43
Teacher Ingrid Boyd reads aloud a letter from an Ashbury alumnus to Grade 4 students
Thanks for your questions; it’s nice to have someone take an interest in me! I wore a sort of mixed uniform, partly of things I had brought from England, and partly Ashbury things. Somewhere I have a photo of my brother and me in uniform by the famous Ottawa photographer Yousef Karsh. The Abinger boys wore their own uniforms. Ashbury had a strong British influence of its own, even without Abinger. After three years I went back to England, as we knew we would win. I got separated from friends I had made at Ashbury. It was all quite an experience, and I have never forgotten Canada or Ashbury. —Geoffrey Plowden ’45
From the National Capital Region
to the world
Class of 2018 Félicitations | Congratulations
University of Toronto Carleton University Northeastern University University of Ottawa Queen Mary University of London University of Copenhagen Colgate University Queen’s University Harvard University King’s College London University of Miami Ryerson University CEU San Pablo University, Spain Western University Bishop’s University Lasalle College of the Arts, Singapore McGill University Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
Norwich University Sciences Po, France University of British Columbia Southwestern Oklahoma State University California Institute of the Arts University of California - San Diego University of California - Santa Barbara McMaster University University of Waterloo Saint Mary’s University York University Goldsmiths, University of London University of Guelph Australia National University University of Michigan Wake Forest University New York University Schwäbisch College, Germany
Brock University Georgia Tech Rice University Technical University of Denmark Geneva Business School University of St Andrews Florida A&M University University of Amsterdam Dalhousie University Parsons, The New School Chinese University of Hong Kong Concordia University Wilfrid Laurier University Memorial University
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to the 137 members of our 126th graduating class, and to the global universities that welcomed them this fall.
Ashbury College 362 Mariposa Avenue Ottawa, ON K1M 0T3 ashbury.ca Address errors and corrections can be forwarded to alumni@ashbury.ca Returns requested Address Correction Required