Humour & Fun

I remember using the overpass after swimming lessons during the winter. It was so cold that, by the time we got to the other side, our swimsuits were frozen, and we could make them stand straight up.

and her husband Ernie enjoy the outdoor life, especially teaching son Dylan to ski.

Benedetta VAROLI Holmes and husband Reed live in Bedford, NS, where they are online entrepreneurs who run three websites. Their life is full with family activities — Giovanni plays basketball, Emanuella is an avid fi gure skater, and Serafina is enjoying piano. In spite of the climate, Reed manages to surf all winter.

Krista VILLIERS Flemington enjoys her career as a teacher and living in the Avenue Road/ Eglinton area with her husband Allan and daughters Hannah and Sarah.

Until recently, Jane (Foofie) WADSWORTH Flynn, husband Matt, a lawyer, and children, Cait, 8, and Emmett, 5, lived in California. Foofie enjoyed three years at home and has now returned to work with Deloitte Consulting in the family’s new hometown of Calgary. She is excited to celebrate our 20th reunion and her 15th anniversary with Matt.

Many classmates have visited Pauline WAIT Ferguson in New York City, where her husband Ron works as a lawyer. Pauline is active with the schools attended by daughters Taylor and Phoebe, and she still loves taking art classes.

Heather WARREN Tanti, husband James, and children Allison, Kate, and John are still living in the Royal York/Bloor area, and are looking forward to summer visits from Sarah WALKER Mander and Jacquie FENNER Harnack.

Tune your TV to Fine Print to catch a glimpse of Carolyn WEAVER, host and producer of many Canadian television series. Her son Thorne is the light of her life.

Kathleen WELDON still lives in the DC area, in Old Town Alexandria. She works as a VP in government strategy for Biogen Idec, a biotechnology company. Kathleen runs their DC office and manages their policy and government relations work. She sends her regrets for the reunion because she is getting married to John Tregoning on May 16! At reunion time, Kathleen and John will be sailing around the Greek islands on their honeymoon.

Margaret YEUNG moved to Hong Kong after university and still lives there. She has started her own consulting company.

As a former Olympian, Alexe YEUNG has been profi led in this issue of The READ! Please turn to p. 15!

1990

Fiona GRIFFITHS is back in New York after a fantastic year in Germany. Her children came back bilingual! Over the year, Fiona gave a number of lectures — even one in German. She recently visited with Ainslie MARCHANT Aitken’91 and Margaret CAMPBELL’91.

Sheree LANTIN Temple lives in Toronto. She is currently on maternity leave, but will return to work at Direct Antidote which is a relatively new loyalty marketing agency, a sister company of the AIR MILES Reward Program, in downtown Toronto.

fantastic year of work and travel. I can’t wait to reunite with old friends, and to show my children where I went to school. I am delighted that I will be able to attend the 2010 Branksome reunion! We are currently in Wellington, New Zealand. I am a paediatric doctor and my husband Vaughan is an orthopaedic surgeon. We spend time with my sisters Natalie Cutler-WELSH and her two children, Stephanie WELSH MacKenzie and her four children, and friends Binnie BARIA Capstick and her son.

1992

Martha BLAKELY Tuff e-mailed: My boys are now 10, 8, 6 and 4 and are doing well. I decided to return to school to pursue a career as a physician’s assistant, which makes for a busy but fulfi lling life. I work in the emergency department at a hospital in Boston and attend Northeastern University part time. We live in Wellesley, MA, and my husband enjoys being a partner at Monitor Group.

Wendy SCHAAL Oldham moved to Edmonton with her husband Duane and son Maverick last May. Baby boy Hunter was welcomed last fall — a true Halloween treat for the family!

Brenda WELSH Poutawera e-mailed: We are returning to Toronto in June 2009 for one

Sam BRAMSON e-mailed: I work for ACP Magazines as the Head of Events in Sydney, Australia, and live by the beach with my dog Sonny. Christmas was spent under a marquee in the backyard, with family and friends, swimming in the afternoon and partying by the bonfi re well into the evening.

I don’t think I could handle another Canadian winter.

Sarah KINNEY is taking a break from teaching high school art to stay home with her children.

Andrea STAIRS e-mailed: I was married at St. Thomas Aquinas Church on the U of T Campus, and our reception was at the York Club. Though we had a whirlwind courtship, and were engaged after only nine months, Nini and I have known one another for 13 years. Tania QUINN and Kate MANSON-SMITH’93 were bridesmaids and guests included Danielle PATERSON’93, Jenn LAMBERT, Anne HILTON’93 and Nicole KEMP’93.

1993

THE FUN FACTOR

I decided I wanted to make some changes in my life. The past few years had been fi lled with momentous events — getting married, fi nishing my master’s degree at Oxford, fi ghting cancer, and changing jobs. Life had fi nally started to settle down, but it was also starting to feel a bit humdrum, and I needed to challenge myself in ways that would make life more enriching. Two of my priorities were to invest more in my friendships and to embark on new adventures that would take me out of my comfort zone.

I e-mailed some of my Branksome friends and invited them to embark on a monthly activity with me that would be out of the ordinary. I couldn’t think of a better way to up the fun factor in life than to embark on these new challenges with lifelong friends.

In January we started with rock climbing, and in the coming months we have other exciting things in store — taking a fl ying trapeze class, belly dancing, white water rafting and much more. Not everyone will participate each month, due to work and family commitments, but at least we now have a regular opportunity to get together and do something

MOUNTAIN-BOUND

I am a lucky girl. My job allows me to transport people into a world they would never see without the aid of a helicopter and a guide. Every day my guests and I go high into the mountains. We are looking for a magical spot to ski. Everyone has a passion for skiing or snowboarding and we laugh like little kids while trying to put our gear on. It usually takes about 30 minutes to descend each run and during that time we hoot and howl like a pack of wild dogs fl ying down the mountain. We stop and tell jokes, share stories and listen to the silence that surrounds us. If we didn’t know each other at the beginning of the week, by the end we are old friends. We learn about our families, dreams and fears. Worries and stresses of the real world are left behind and we see there is another side of life — a place where Mother Nature rules, not Father Time.

— Erin HEINTZMAN’93

really fun. We are documenting each of our adventures and will put together a book to capture some of the great memories.

— Sara AUSTIN Woodbridge, ON

Jessica COTTON was engaged to Mike Polzl on Christmas Eve.

1994

Aynsley DELUCE e-mailed: After two years as Director, Strategy & Insight at Capital C in Toronto, I left last fall to focus on the company my husband and I have been building — www.parkingspots. com. I’m not completely letting go of the fun and challenge of the marketing world and will be moving forward on a project basis as a freelance marketing strategist focusing on brand strategy and positioning, channel and communications strategy and annual planning. aynsley@parkingspots.com

Bride Andrea BRUECKNER’95 and matron of honour Catherine HUNT Szabo’94 catch a moment alone at Andrea’s wedding last September.

1995

Jennifer JARVIS e-mailed: Branksome alumnae in my wedding party included Megan ROSS Cuming, Sam WEISS, Jenn STONE Goodfellow and Kristy TAYLOR Davidson. Other attendees at our wedding were: Christine WILSON Baker’96, Erin BERESFORD’96, Kate JOHNSON’94, Jennifer DRINKWATER Jones, Stephanie LENNOX, Gill COLLINS Sloan’94, and my aunt Kathy WOOD Sykes’65.

Meling VON MOLTKE PAO e-mailed: After graduating from U of T in Biomedical Ethics, I pursued a joint degree/diploma in Chinese medicine at the Michener Institute. I continued to be actively involved with coaching the U of T Varsity Blues Ski Team and met my future husband, Andrew Leslie, on the team. In June 2005, we were married at the Miller Lash House at U of T’s Scarborough campus. Robyn THOMPSON Cunningham sang a beautiful rendition of Ave Maria. A few years later, Julia Xieli was born, and we are expecting another baby this summer. For fi ve years, I have been in private practice (acupuncture and Chinese medicine) with two colleagues at our clinic in the Yonge/Eglinton Medical Building. A large part of our practice focuses on reproductive health — fertility, pregnancy and post-partum concerns. On my days off, I catch up with friends, including Catherine HUNT Szabo’94, Sarah SILVERMAN, Elisabeth ROSENFELD, Katie EARLE Tyler’94, Robyn THOMPSON Cunningham and A lissa BARTON von Wersebe. It would be wonderful to reconnect with others. faymeling@gmail.com www.acutoronto.com

1996

Following her wedding in September, Yohannah WALFORD and husband Iain Blythe took the 100th crossing of the QM2 from England to New York.

1997

At Tracy CASSELS’ wedding last August at the Toronto Golf Club, her sister Brett, a Branksome student, and Christine PALMAY’98 were two of the bridesmaids. Natalie ABDOU’98 attended. Tracy lives in Vancouver, where she is working on her Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology at UBC.

Mom’s Morning Out Alissa BARTON von Wersebe’95 (with daughter Georgia), Katie EARLE Tyler’94 (holding Meling’s daughter Julia), Sarah Tyler and Robyn THOMPSON Cunningham’95 with daughter Chloe.

Alumnae had a blast with Kim BROOKER Carter’96 at her Toronto wedding celebration party on September 5. From left: Jennifer WILKES Colleran’83, Colleen SOMMERVILLE McGoey’97, Tara POLLARD’96, Deborah LUCAS’98, Sarah CLAPPISON Claydon’92, the bride, Meghan CARTER’92, Katie CHEEVERS’96, Dominique VITALIS Taylor’93, Amy INGRAM Colborne’96, Sarah GRIFFITHS Savolaine’96 and Mary Ellen EMPRINGHAM Hopgood’66.

Lisa HALLISEY Orr lives in St. James, Barbados, with her husband John and children Jack, 3, Jane, 2, and Blake, 1.

1999

Branksome alumnae at Jennifer SIMMONS Bromley’s wedding at the Granite Club in September were mother of the bride Jane FERRIER Simmons’67, Jen’s sister Amy SIMMONS’02, Rebecca ILLIDGE Clark’99 and Heather KYLE’98.

Jennifer GAUTHIER lives in London, England, and is

Director of Public Relations — Fashion and Beauty at Fuel PR, one of the U.K.’s leading independent public relations and strategic brand building consultancies.

2000

Visit Meredith SHAW’s website at muffymade.com. Last fall, Meredith’s business was in the “Rising Star” section at the One-of-a-Kind Show. In addition to greeting cards, she now has lip gloss, mugs, notebooks and notepads!

Friends gather around bride Sophie LAI’00 at her wedding in August. Beautiful bridesmaids in red are, from left: Alison Foo, Joyce CHAU’00, Shirley YIP’01 and Christine CHIU’00.

Fun Lets Kids Be Kids

After completing a B.Ed. at the University of Ottawa, Janet THOMPSON worked as an outdoor education teacher at Lakefield College, and volunteered at Camp Oochigeas during the summers. While volunteering at Ooch, Janet saw the magic that was created when children living with cancer were allowed, once again, to just be kids. “I couldn’t believe how easy it was to forget that these kids were sick. It’s all about having fun and letting loose, and these kids do this with all they’ve got!”

Last fall, three new full-time Camp Oochigeas program specialists were hired to bring laughter and fun through camp-style programs to the in and out patients on the oncology floor at the Hospital for Sick Kids, and Janet was one of them. “In the hospital,” Janet says, “the pace is obviously different, but the purpose is the same — to let kids be kids. I am grateful to have this opportunity to bring fun back into their day.”

On May 3, Janet will be running the Sporting Life 10K in support of Camp Oochigeas. The camp has set a goal of raising $1,000,000 and is offering complimentary registration for anyone who raises $250 or more. More information can be found at www.ooch.org.

International Cooperation Department, European Integration Unit. She is a member of the Czech Presidency Team (the Czech Republic presides over the

European Union for the fi rst half of 2009) and deals mainly with EU affairs. Marcela received a master’s degree in International Economic and Political Studies from Charles University and is pursuing a Ph.D. in International Relations and European Studies at Metropolitan University Prague.

Emily SHARPE is working on her Ph.D. in English Literature at Pennsylvania State University.

2002

TIPS AND TRICKS

A good teacher can teach a le sson within a given time frame. A mentor embodies the lesson and can present it an infi nite amount of ways. This is what I do at Polaris Learning Centre, where students come for one-on-one enrichment and help on anything from calculus and biology labs to university portfolios. Here are some fun tips and tricks that I pass on to my students.

• Highlight all your notes — catch the “highlighting epidemic.”

• Test your knowledge by teaching the lesson to someone else, or teach a lesson to yourself in the mirror.

• Conference with your teacher regularly to ensure you’re on the right path.

• Review all your notes each day after school — this prevents you from cramming before a test.

• Don’t be scared about failure. Perfection does not exist. Make attainable goals.

I have also been the guest speaker at Scholar’s Choice on Bayview Avenue, where I addressed the importance of using educational games and manipulatives to encourage positive cognitive development in children.

Mary-Louise TASELOS mary-louise@polarislearning.ca

2003

Melody SCHAAL e-mailed: After graduating from Bishop’s University in 2007, I returned home to Toronto for a short stint.

Pearl CHEN’00 and Giselle DEGRANDIS’00 meet for a vegetarian dinner in Dordrecht, the oldest city in Holland, on December 26. The friends both live in the Netherlands, in Gouda and Breda respectively.

2001

Marcela JINDROVA lives in Prague and works for the Czech Statistical Office at the

Friends from university and I put together a sketch comedy show, which we took to the Melbourne International Comedy Festival in March 2008. After a four-week production, I traveled through New Zealand for nine weeks. I returned home to Toronto and then drove across the country to Vancouver, where I now live. I am pursuing acting and working at the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club.

2008

Hubie YU is on the Student Society of McGill University’s Clubs and Services Committee. She attributes her experience with Branksome clubs for preparing her for the role.

Classes of 2006–2008

Lunch at Howie's Restaurant on March 7 provided the perfect venue for Principal Karen Murton to catch up on news and activities of alumnae studying in Scotland. From left: Caitlin STEWART’06 (University of Edinburgh), Hanna NOWERS’06 (University of Edinburgh), Gillian CHRISTIE’08 (St. Andrews), Taryn KALISH’08 (University of Edinburgh) and Ophelia LAU’08 (University of Edinburgh).

Classmates from 2003 celebrate the holidays at their annual party, known as the “SSPRT.” Top row from left: Jenny McVEAN, Sydney BLUM, Suzanne HATCH, Paula STAVRO-LEANOFF, Heather GALLAGHER, Olivia O’YOUNG, Lili KNORR, Alexandra STEVENSON and Melody SCHAAL. Bottom row from left: Courtney STARR, Kim-Eden ENGLISH, Sandy SMITH, Laura SCHREINER and Caitlin WILLCOCKS (the hostess).

Emma HUNTER’03 receives a warm welcome from her former drama teacher, Judith FRIEND’75, on October 24. Emma was at Branksome with the Roseneath Theatre Company and played the lead in a professional reading of the play The Incredible Speediness of Jamie Cavanaugh. The Grade 7 and 8 audience provided feedback to the actors, playwright and director.

Reunion 2009

May 23 & 24

Turn to page 25 to see pictures from the Young Alum Lunch, held on December 18. See