LOWER CANADA COLLEGE
Spring 2020
LCC BEYOND THE CLASSROOM
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In true LCC spirit, several members of our community have stepped up to offer support to our families who may be facing unexpected financial difficulties as a result of the current global health crisis. In response, we have created the Emergency Bursary Fund to provide urgent financial aid so that affected students can continue to enjoy their LCC experience. Join them if you can. Please donate today. www.lcc.ca/donate
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LCC LION
Worldly Endeavours
LCC Amid a Crisis
HEADMASTER Christopher Shannon (Pre-U ’76)
LION EDITOR
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Dawn Levy
ASSISTANT EDITOR Dana Kobernick
The Performing Arts
COPY EDITORS Ashwin Kaushal Jane Martin
ARCHIVES, RESEARCH & DATABASE Jane Martin Adrianna Zerebecky
TRANSLATION Ekaterina Huerta Nathalie Lampron
CONTRIBUTORS Mark Boghen Jenn Irwin Kristine Jones (Pre-U ’93) Dana Kobernick Wayne Larsen Ashley Rabinovitch Christopher Shannon (Pre-U ’76) Eloise Valasek (Pre-U ’20) Eferata Yimer ’19 (Pre-U ’20)
PHOTO CREDITS & CONTRIBUTORS Angela Auclair Chris Auclair Anabela Cordeiro Susan Ferguson LCC Archives LCC parents & students who contributed during LCC’s virtual school Christinne Muschi Kyle Williams
DESIGN Origami
THE LION is published by Lower Canada College 4090, avenue Royal Montréal, Québec H4A 2M5
Tel 514 482 9916 @ communications@lcc.ca Site Web www.lcc.ca Blog www.wearelcc.ca
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Planting Seeds of Change
For Fitness & Fun
Contents 2 From the Editor 3 Headlines 6 LCC Amid a Global Crisis: The Campus is Closed but the Learning Continues 12 Worldly Endeavours 14 Embracing a Global Identity
16 The Performing Arts On & Off the Stage 22 LCC Students are Driven 24 Learning Meets Adventure at the Bay of Fundy 26 The Next Generation of Leaders 28 The Last Word: It’s All About Debating for this Student
30 Planting Seeds of Change 32 For Fitness & Fun 34 Book Club: For the Love of Reading 35 Class Acts 38 Branching Out 40 Alumni News 46 In Memoriam
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FROM THE EDITOR
NOTE: This issue is available in digital format only. We have embedded some additional media for your enjoyment (look for the media icons shown below left). Be sure to let us know what you think by sending your comments to communications@lcc.ca.
Dear LCC Alumni, Parents, Students, Faculty, Staff & Friends,
Look for added media throughout the magazine
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Planning for the Spring 2020 issue of the LION magazine began last fall, well before the world was thrown into crisis. Always looking for a theme that will engage our readers, we decided to focus on “LCC Beyond the Classroom” to highlight the learning and rich connections that are built in other spheres of LCC life, primarily through co-curricular involvement. Since then we’ve had to make significant changes to how school is run on a daily basis, and at this moment the campus remains closed and learning continues on a virtual platform. The situation challenged our LION editorial team. Should we shelve the content that we had assembled and focus on our new but temporary normal, or move forward as envisioned? While our virtual school has allowed students to participate in a variety of interactive cocurricular opportunities online, they cannot represent the full on-campus experience. So we decided to proceed with this issue as planned, as a way to celebrate the unique offerings that enable our students to achieve, learn and grow beyond the four walls of the classroom, and hoping that we will soon be able to resume normal activities—together. At the same time, we cannot ignore the reality that we are living now. As a community, we have responded with resolve, flexibility and compassion for one another. This solidarity truly defines who we are. To get a sense of what this means, I invite you to read our headmaster’s words in Headlines (facing page) as well as the piece on our virtual school, LCC Amid a Global Crisis: The Campus is Closed but the Learning Continues (page 6). I hope that you and your families have stayed healthy and safe throughout this difficult time. May we all have better days ahead with many opportunities to gather together, whether on campus or at alumni events around the world. DAWN LEVY
Editor
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Headlines CO-CURRICULARS PROMOTE SKILL DEVELOPMENT, RELATIONSHIPS & GROWTH LES ACTIVITÉS PÉRISCOLAIRES FAVORISENT L’ACQUISITION DES COMPÉTENCES, LES RELATIONS SOCIALES ET LA CROISSANCE
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Co-curricular activities are foundational to meaningful learning and development as well as students’ personal sense of connection to school.”
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fter a busy day of classes, what truly engages, motivates and inspires LCC students is the rich array of co-curricular opportunities: athletics, arts, service, clubs and activities offered daily on our campus. Most days our facilities are alive with activity well into the evening and often on weekends. With the current global health crisis and students engaged in our LCC Virtual School, we have still been able to maintain our ethos with several clubs and a host of new activities and competitions for students while they are at home. Co-curricular activities are an essential part of building who we are. Almost 100 percent of LCC students are involved in co-curriculars. Participation is high because students want to connect to one another and to the school outside the classroom. It’s where they make new friends and develop relationships with students in other grades. They also form special bonds with teachers and community members. During these activities, students discover new interests, develop useful skills, enhanced confidence and a sense of belonging. This is particularly important at a time in life when many adolescents struggle with anxiety and mental health issues. Belonging to something bigger than oneself is vital to any young person’s mental and emotional growth. In study after study, researchers have demonstrated that involvement in co-curricular activities is strongly correlated to significant positive outcomes. Personal organization and executive functioning skills improve
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près une journée de cours bien remplie, ce qui motive et inspire véritablement les élèves du Lower Canada College (LCC), c’est le très grand nombre d’activités périscolaires auxquelles ils peuvent s’adonner : athlétisme, arts, adhésion à différents services et clubs, sans oublier toutes les autres activités qui leur sont proposées chaque jour sur notre campus. Nos installations bourdonnent d’activités accessibles tard le soir et la fin de semaine. La crise sanitaire mondiale actuelle oblige nos élèves à poursuivre leur apprentissage au sein de notre école virtuelle LCC, mais fidèles à notre philosophie, nous avons maintenu les services de plusieurs clubs et offert de nouvelles activités et compétitions aux élèves pendant qu’ils sont à la maison. Nous considérons que ces activités périscolaires contribuent de façon fondamentale à la croissance personnelle de nos jeunes. La quasi-totalité des élèves de LCC y participent, illustrant le désir de nos jeunes d’être en relation les uns avec les autres et de mieux connaître leur école en dehors de la salle de classe. Ces activités leurs donnent l’occasion de se faire de nouveaux amis, de nouer des liens avec des élèves des autres niveaux et de créer des relations étroites avec leurs enseignants et leur communauté. Ainsi, les élèves explorent de nouveaux champs d’intérêt et acquièrent des compétences utiles, en développant leur confiance en soi et leur sentiment d’appartenance. Tout autant d’avantages cruciaux à une période de la vie souvent marquée par des troubles de l’anxiété et de santé mentale pour de nombreux adolescents. Pour les jeunes, participer à quelque chose de plus grand que soi revêt une impor-
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as do EQ (emotional quotient) attributes that are now defined by experts as key skills for success in today’s world. Interestingly, students who are active beyond the classroom also generally achieve at a higher standard in the classroom. Perhaps most importantly, providing students with choice in their preferred activities helps them define personal priorities and develop greater independence. In recent years at LCC, we have developed many new initiatives. The introduction of our Fab Lab, now part of the global Fab Lab Network, offers activities that didn’t exist a decade ago. We have also seen a significant increase in interest in music, drama and art, robotics, environmental sustainability, community service, and global learning opportunities. There’s a reason why we have termed these activities as co-curricular and not extra-curricular. Co-curricular activities are foundational to meaningful learning and development as well as students’ personal sense of connection to school. No matter how difficult the challenges in the classroom or how high the pile of homework, these activities motivate and help our students to be more resilient. They contribute to personal growth in a balanced and supportive way, while allowing students to build memories that they will carry with them for a lifetime. Doing this effectively is the LCC difference!
tance vitale pour la croissance mentale et émotionnelle. Les chercheurs ont démontré que la participation à des activités périscolaires est fortement corrélée à une amélioration des compétences en matière d’organisation personnelle et de la fonction exécutive, comme les attributs relatifs au quotient émotionnel (QE). Les experts considèrent ces habiletés comme essentielles pour réussir dans le monde d’aujourd’hui, les élèves actifs en dehors de l’école réussissent généralement mieux en classe. Point le plus important, donner aux élèves la possibilité de choisir les activités qu’ils souhaitent pratiquer les aide à définir leurs priorités personnelles et à devenir plus autonomes. Ces dernières années au LCC, nous avons mis en œuvre une foule de nouvelles initiatives. Le lancement de notre laboratoire de fabrication (Fab Lab), intégré au réseau mondial Fab Lab, propose des activités qui n’existaient pas il y a une décennie. Nous avons aussi constaté une augmentation notable de l’intérêt pour la musique, le théâtre et les arts, la robotique, l’environnement durable, le service communautaire et les possibilités d’apprentissage à l’échelle internationale. Les activités « périscolaires » se dissocient des activités « parascolaires » car elles jouent un rôle essentiel : elles offrent de véritables occasions d’apprentissage et de perfectionnement, et permettent aux élèves de nouer des liens profonds avec leur école. Peu importe les défis à relever en classe ou l’ampleur des travaux à réaliser, ces activités motivent nos élèves et les aident à devenir plus résilients. Elles contribuent à leur épanouissement, de façon équilibrée et positive et leur donnent l’occasion de se créer des souvenirs qui les accompagneront toute leur vie durant. La force de LCC réside dans sa réussite concrète à atteindre cet objectif !
SEE A VIRTUAL SCHOOL CO-CURRICULAR: LCC CHOPPED VIDEO
DESIGN & INNOVATION VIDEO
CHRISTOPHER SHANNON (Pre-U ’76) Headmaster / Directeur général
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VIRTUAL LEARNING
LCC’s virtual school keeps students engaged. This is Alex Bloomfield ’26, who submitted this photo when we asked them to “Tell us what you’re reading”.
LCC AMID A GLOBAL CRISIS:
The Campus is Closed but the Learning Continues BY DANA KOBERNICK, LCC COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER
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hree months ago, LCC was thrust into uncharted territory. Taking unprecedented action to close the campus due to a global health crisis which erupted during March break, students, faculty and staff did not return to campus following the school-wide vacation. Weeks before the closure, the leadership team had the foresight to plan for this eventuality, which was ultimately mandated by the provincial government. With a commitment to delivering its academic and co-curricular programming, the school quickly shifted to a virtual school environment, a move it believed was in the best interest of the students’ physical and emotional well-being.
of our student body, faculty & staff have participated in our virtual school.
“Students thrive in environments with structure and predictability and we needed to provide that in our virtual school,” says Headmaster Chris Shannon (Pre-U ‘76). “We wanted students to continue to foster meaningful relationships, and ensure that teachers and counsellors could help them process thoughts and questions about course content and our collective experiences during this time.” Still, with uncertainty reigning, there remained this formidable challenge: how to maintain the high standards for which LCC is known, develop the fullest potential of every student and help prepare them as leaders and contributors to our global society. In the face of this challenge, there have been countless gains, some obstacles and many unexpected outcomes. Here’s a glimpse of what the indomitable LCC spirit can inspire.
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THE PARENT & STUDENT VIRTUAL SCHOOL WEB PAGE
Everyone’s a Learner IN LCC’S VIRTUAL SCHOOL ,
A KINDERGARTEN LESSON FROM MS. KUKI & MS. PITSOLANTIS
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students at all grade levels have been participating in synchronous and asynchronous learning (synchronous learning involves online studies conducted in real time, while asynchronous learning occurs through online channels without real-time interaction). With a focus on student engagement, faculty redesigned their lessons and reshaped how they teach, all while adopting new technical skills. Admittedly, this structure could not duplicate the educational experience that students have on campus, but it has allowed for progress and growth as students strive to reach their academic learning objectives. “The positivity of faculty and staff, their open-mindedness and ability to adapt to this new reality have been unbelievable,” says Deputy Head Mark Salkeld. “Teachers were willing to take risks and try new ways of delivering instruction.”
This transformation, radical as it was, meant that some initiatives worked well, while others were less successful. Modifications were made when necessary. “Patience and trial and error were needed as we tried to support the diverse needs of families and students,” says Junior School Director Alison Wearing. “Feedback revealed that students have enjoyed a new level of independence and working at their own pace. Ongoing professional development for teachers has been critical, allowing them to share ideas, successes and failures and research best practice. Above all, we have continued to reflect on how young children would learn best under these conditions.” Parents, too, have been active partners in the process. From the start, their comments were solicited through an online suggestion box, and many provided valuable insight on their experience at home as they learned how to best support their children. Most importantly, the students seem to have adjusted. “Virtual school has been a significant change in many people’s daily routines,” says Katherine Galli ’22. “It has many perks such as waking up at a slightly later time, working at your own rhythm and being an autonomous learner which will help prepare us for future education.” Recognizing the value of the virtual school while still lamenting the temporary loss of the on-campus environment seems to be a pervasive sentiment: “Although I miss being at school with my classmates and teachers, I find that e-learning has allowed me to keep in touch with them and continue to learn new material,” says Stefano Pietrantonio ’24.
Connections & Community and assessing student needs,” says Grade 6 Teacher Rachel Armstrong. “The caring bonds we already shared with our students also contributed to a successful transition. Students still know where to turn for guidance or TLC while learning online. They know they can count on us, even from a distance.” At the same time, Ms. Armstrong acknowledges what is lost in this new environment, citing the energy generated in a room full of students, a high five from a student, or an in-person conversation with colleagues. And, reminding us of what teachers may be juggling at home, she adds, “It has also been challenging to keep the family dog out of audio recordings or away from my Google Meets!”
CONNECTION WITH PEERS AND TEACHERS is an inherent part of life at
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LCC. At its core, LCC is about community and the enduring and collaborative relationships that are built within its walls. How then are these ties to be maintained in a world where social distancing has become the new normal? June Takacs, LCC’s IB Middle Years Programme coordinator, admits this has been difficult. “Although technology facilitates this type of online connection, one of the biggest challenges as an educator is the lack of personal contact with the students,” she says. Still, she notes that the faculty and students are reaching a level of cooperation that goes beyond expectation. Teachers have also stayed connected to one another, which facilitated the shift to virtual learning. “Through daily virtual meetings, we were able to adapt digital tools and solutions for communicating course content
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Elyne Zhou ’28 Edouard Des Parois Perrault ’21 FACING PAGE
Andrew Butler ’31
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Creativity Abounds THE CREATIVITY THAT HAS FLOURISHED on Royal Avenue has continued to thrive despite the physical distance of the school’s community members. LCC’s penchant for innovation has been clearly reflected not only in the virtual classroom, but in its co-curricular and athletics offerings as well. “Virtual school has given us the opportunity to look at our teaching practices and be creative and flexible thinkers in a new learning space. We have used a variety of methods to communicate our lessons through video, audio and asynchronous sessions,” says Student
NOA GRAHAM ‘25 (FUTURE STUDENT) & TOBY GRAHAM ‘22 ANSWER OUR “LET’S MEET YOUR PETS” CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS.
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One of our “Positively Proud Initiative” weekly calls
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Life Director Michele Owen. “The students have also demonstrated great creativity and teamwork in producing content for assemblies and co-curricular activities.” After school, students take part in any number of co-curricular activities, including debating, theatre club, writing club and Fab Lab, among others. While they can’t get out on the field or the ice, they can virtually join Moody’s Gym or meet up with their Cadet Football teammates. Living by the adage that the show must go on, students and faculty performances were assembled for a thoroughly entertaining virtual Café Cabaret, the Junior School Players are finding a way to present their annual musical, Beauty and the Beast, and the grade 11 drama students are getting creative with an amazing performance–and all online. The leadership of the students themselves has been impressive with many launching
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Emil Bilaver ‘24 answers our “Let’s meet your pets” call for submissions
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Varsity Boys Basketball team raises spirits BELOW RIGHT
Virtual strategy with Cadet Boys Football
WATCH THE VARSITY BASKETBALL TEAM
their own initiatives. The ping pong challenge was a hit as was the Varsity Basketball team’s spirit-raising video. Green Team has been active and SportsDesk and LCCTV episodes have been churned out, to name a few. For its part, the communications team launched a series of creative initiatives to keep spirits up. The aptly named “Positively Proud Initiative” has students, teachers, staff and parents participating in weekly calls for jokes, photos of themselves with their pets, baking, or clad in LCC garb. Learning in a virtual school environment, apart from one another and without access to the resources and facilities that make LCC so special is not what anyone would have chosen. But when faced with adversity, the LCC community responds with resilience, strength and steadfast determination. The LCC community will grow from this experience and emerge stronger than before.
WATCH THE PING PONG BALL CHALLENGE
A special thank you & congratulations to all faculty, staff, students & parents for rising to the challenge and making the best out of a difficult situation. WWW.LCC.CA
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GLOBAL POLITICS
WORLDLY ENDEAVOURS BY MARK BOGHEN, WRITER
YOU
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SEE OUR DESTINY QUEBEC PHOTO GALLERY
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are the Prime Minister of Belgium, proposing that the global community adopt a protocol to fight terrorism. Or a Quebec MNA, writing a spending bill to fund artificial intelligence research. Or perhaps you are pondering how to face a flooded Earth in the year 2140: solve the crisis and you can lead your school to international triumph. The daydreams of overimaginative high schoolers? Hardly! LCC students participating in Model United Nations, Parlement des jeunes, and the World Scholar’s Cup are facing just these kinds of challenges.
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World Scholar’s Cup 2019, The Hague
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AmeriMUNC Model UN Conference, Washington, DC, March 2020
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odel UN is a popular co-curricular journey into the world of international diplomacy. Middle and Senior School students play the parts of delegates to a simulated United Nations. Students are assigned countries and topics and work together in groups to research and formulate policy proposals that they will debate at various conferences. LCC participants usually attend congresses at CEGEPs like Marianopolis and Dawson as well as at McGill. In recent years, they have also tested their diplomatic mettle during trips to Washington, Chicago, Philadelphia and Boston. “After attending many conferences,” says Canran Xue ’20, “I’m able to speak confidently in front of a crowd, think in a more critical way and understand the world better.” Lisa Lamantia, one of the teachers in charge of the Senior School team, is enthusiastic about the benefits of the program. “Our students really enjoy meeting delegates from all over. They also get to walk in the shoes of an ambassador or negotiator. Crisis in North Korea? Strikes in Venezuela? These are really complex issues. Often, they see the flaws in the global system and begin to tackle ways to improve it.” If Model UN members thrash out issues in the halls of a pretend United Nations, Parlement des jeunes participants actually get a chance to sit in the real National Assembly in Quebec City. Aimed at students in grades 9 and 10, the program, conducted all in French, stimulates an interest in and deeper understanding of civic life in Quebec. During the school year, budding parliamentarians research and write bills that they hope will be among the few that are chosen for debate in the Assembly. Then, during an exciting trip to the provincial capital, they practice the art of persuasion just as real politicians do, learning about the role of parties and government structure along the way. “Democracy is a core concept in my teaching,” says Julie Poirier, a Senior School and IB French teacher who has led the activity for the past two years. “This gives young people the chance to experience its workings from the inside.” And who knows what seeds may be planted? According to Maxime Theriault ’21, “It made me consider becoming a member of parliament!”
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Parlement des jeunes, January 2020
Still globally minded but less political, the World Scholar’s Cup is a fascinating international academic team competition only a decade old, with LCC having participated for the last four years. Junior School students face challenging multiple choice exams, sophisticated collaborative writing exercises and high-level debates as they vie for points and placement in the standings. LCC’s team travelled to Athens in 2017, Barcelona in 2018, and The Hague in 2019 for the Global Round, often finishing with very strong results. Sacha Louro ’25 was clearly unbowed by the demands of the often rigorous schedule: “It’s really fun ... you learn some interesting and unfamiliar facts. For instance, that you shouldn’t sleep on your stomach, or that radium was used as an anti-wrinkle treatment in the early 1900s.” Along with the annual Destiny Quebec Global Issues Conference that LCC hosts, and the dozens of students who pursue the prestigious Certificate of Sustainable Global Leadership (both covered in the Fall 2019 issue of the LION), opportunities to face important political questions are ample. The wide world beckons, and these curious and committed LCC students respond.
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DIVERSITY
“EVERY STUDENT AT LCC, WHETHER LOCAL OR INTERNATIONAL, HAS A SEAT AT THE TABLE.”
EMBRACING A
GLOBAL IDENTITY BY ASHLEY RABINOVITCH, WRITER
At Lower Canada College, the world comes to the doorstep. International students, who represent 22 percent of the 2019–2020 student body, hail from 41 countries of origin and speak 26 languages. Beyond the classroom, through co-curricular activities, they’re discovering unique opportunities to celebrate their cultures and help their peers become more globally inclusive and aware.
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hroughout the 2019 –2020 academic year, international students participated in a monthly video series that showcased the cultural richness they bring to life at LCC. Canran Xue ’20 and Tamar Levy ’20, the grade 11 diversity heads who produce the videos, invite their fellow students to weigh in on topics like cuisine, local slang, and the holidays and festivals they celebrate. “We try to make these videos appealing to the entire school, so that everyone can learn something new and interesting about their peers,” says Tamar. “At first we were nervous about doing justice to everyone’s culture, but we’ve received nothing but positive feedback.” In addition to the ongoing video series, special co-curricular events allow international and local students alike to appreciate a cultural tradition that may be unfamiliar to them. In January, the student body celebrated Chinese New Year. “I felt so proud to be able to speak to an
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audience about my cultural heritage,” says Canran. She and Tamar joined students from diverse backgrounds in a lineup of activities that included writing Chinese characters, learning proper chopstick technique, and playing educational games. In February, Canran and Tamar rallied their fellow students to celebrate Black History Month in weekly assemblies by honouring key figures who helped shape Canadian history. They also envision a school fair that invites international students and their parents to set up booths displaying elements of their home culture. The diversity head position, a role created two years ago as part of Grad Pride, is filled by different grade 11 students every year. While the leadership will change, the mission remains the same. Special events, assembly videos and co-curriculars pave a two-way street for global learning. “It’s great to see students embracing their cultural differences and learning from each other,” affirms Veronica Kost ’09, an LCC counsellor who provides support to the diversity heads. “These activities reinforce the value of inclusivity that we try to impart. Every student at LCC, whether local or international, has a seat at the table.”
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ARTS
SENIOR SCHOOL PLAY SHE KILLS MONSTERS
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SEE PHOTOS FROM OUR THEATRICAL PRODUCTIONS
THE PERFORMING ARTS ON & OFF STAGE BY DANA KOBERNICK, LCC COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER
An eager audience anticipates a moving monologue, an orchestral crescendo or the stirring harmonies of a choir, ready to share in the experience of a dramatic production or concert. Performers step onstage, backstage crew are on their mark, lighting technicians await their cues. This is the thrill of the performing arts. At LCC, students have a myriad of opportunities to take part in the world of theatrical and musical performance. Beyond the sheer joy, teachers and students alike attest to the value of participating in these collaborative activities.
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ARTS
Senior & Middle School Plays Are Tough Acts to Follow Every year, students from grades 7 to 12 can choose to have their moment in the spotlight. Or, they may wish to undertake stage management tasks, lighting and sound design, or create costumes and props. Not only do they learn about the intricacies of the craft, they also develop transferable skills like time management, effective communication, teamwork, and public speaking abilities. “I used to be extremely nervous when making presentations,” says Emma Jabbari ’21. “But when I started acting, this soon came naturally to me. I was no longer scared about my projects and even found myself volunteering to go first.” LCC Theatre Arts Teacher Sarah Mahoney literally has a front row seat to the growth and development of her students. “It is a beautiful thing to be able to watch a student progress and blossom,” she says. “And it is completely unpredictable. A shy, introverted student with a minor role in grade 7 may be the star of the show in grade 10.” In addition to directly involving many students, the Middle and Senior School plays
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also draw on the talents of students participating in other clubs. For example, “Bob the Eyeball,” a plaster of Paris sculpture which took centre stage in this year’s Senior School play, They Kill Monsters, was built courtesy of the art club. And students in the robotics club brought their ingenuity to the production with a moving robot. “There is a real sense of community,” says Alexandra Mazzella ’04, English teacher and director of the Middle School play. “Our students want to be part of something creative and they want responsibility. They find their safe haven and develop enduring friendships.”
“There is a real sense of community... They find their safe haven and develop enduring friendships.”
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Senior School play She Kills Monsters CENTER & BELOW
Middle School play Orange is the New Glass RIGHT
Middle School play The Seussification of Romeo & Juliet
Senior Choir is Music to Our Ears
WATCH THE MIDDLE SCHOOL PLAY TRAILER
New to LCC in 2019 –2020 is the Senior Choir, an initiative that has been embraced by many grade 9, 10 and 11 students. Its director, Penni Clarke, who is also the Junior School music specialist, is confident that participation will grow and looks forward to many performances in the future. “The students are invested, feel challenged and are engaged,” says Ms. Clarke. “Their focus on learning music only for the sake of learning music and not for marks is a source of pleasure and sense of accomplishment.”
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The Junior School choir for students in grades 3 to 6 fosters an enjoyment of singing and allows the children to develop their voices and express themselves through music. They learn about the importance of listening to one another and what it means to be part of a team. And Non Nobis Solum is put into action as students take their music-making to seniors’ residences and other community events. “Both the Junior School musical and the choir help students get out of their shell,” says Shoshana Weinberger, grade 2 math teacher, director of the musical and assistant to the choir leader, Ms. Clarke. “They gain confidence, make new friends, and form bonds with teachers in a different way.”
Junior School Musical & Choir Strike the Right Chord Grade 4, 5 and 6 students flock to auditions for the Junior School musical, an LCC community favourite, which plays to consistently packed houses. Whether they land a lead role or are part of the ensemble, they all have a chance to shine, making this inclusive event a highlight of their school year. “The first time I had a large role in a play was in LCC’s production of Annie Jr.,” says Harry Fletcher ’24. “It was a different experience from being involved in a sports team or other activities. It helped improve my confidence for public speaking and taught me that working well with the other cast members is really important.”
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Junior School musical Little Mermaid ABOVE
Junior School musical Annie Jr. LEFT
Junior School Chorale at the annual Toy Tea
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Singing the Praises of the Middle School Glee Club Led by Middle School English and Art Teacher Jeff Sykes, students in the Middle School Glee Club sing their hearts out at a variety of school events including the grade 8 closing ceremonies and Café Cabaret. “It is vital that students have an opportunity to express themselves creatively, and music offers a perfect environment in which to experiment,” says Mr. Sykes. “The performing arts, more generally, provide an opportunity for students to learn to trust each other and work together toward a common goal.”
Senior School & Pre-U Students Face the Music Outside of the academic music program, there are many options for students who want to pursue—or develop—their musical interests. Senior Concert Band, Senior Jazz Band, Jazz Combo, Small Ensembles and Grade 8 Jazz Band are opportunities to work on their skills, with the added benefit of character development. “There is inherent value in the study of music as an art form,” says Head of Fine Arts Scott Cheyne. “In particular, students learn to work with one another and honour commitment. They see the value of creating something as a group rather than as an individual, and watching this development in them brings me a great deal of pride.” These impressive music ensembles perform at local school events and, over the years, the
90-member Senior Concert Band has travelled internationally, performing for audiences in Cuba, Italy, Hungary, Austria and the Czech Republic, among others. “I have loved being part of the music program at LCC,” says Heidi Sinyor ’20. “My involvement has led me to be more patient, responsible and disciplined, largely due to my wonderful teachers, Mr. Cheyne and Mr. Cox. In addition, the Europe, Boston, and band camp trips allowed band members to forge strong bonds and learn to work and play collaboratively, while making countless and unforgettable memories.”
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Senior Concert Band students in Budapest, Hungary BELOW LEFT
LCC Senior Concert Band
WATCH OUR JAZZ BAND
SEE OUR MUSIC PHOTO GALLERY
WWW.LCC.CA
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LCC STUDENTS ARE DRIVEN IN ADDITION TO THE MANY COMMUNITY SERVICE ACTIVITIES IN WHICH THEY ARE INVOLVED—BOTH INDIVIDUALLY AND IN GROUPS—THEY ALSO ORGANIZE LARGE-SCALE DRIVES TO SUPPORT A VARIETY OF ORGANIZATIONS.
IT IS THE ESSENCE OF THE LCC MOTTO—NON NOBIS SOLUM—TO HELP OTHERS, AND OUR STUDENTS AT EVERY LEVEL DEVOTE COUNTLESS HOURS TO FULFILLING THIS COMMITMENT.
Here’s a snapshot of these initiatives for the current school year.
MIDDLE SCHOOL TOY DRIVE
100% participation
Bake sale proceeds and cash donations totalling approximately
$1,800 used to purchase toys and make a cash donation to the Montreal Diet Dispensary. 22
LION SPRING 2020
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boxes of new and gentlyused toys for the Montreal Diet Dispensary
PRE-U WINTER CLOTHING DRIVE
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SENIOR SCHOOL “LCC SHARES” FOOD DRIVE
large boxes of hats, mittens, gloves, scarves, winter coats and boots for the Native Women’s Shelter of Montreal
3,825 lbs. of food for Share the Warmth
JUNIOR SCHOOL CANDY & FOOD DRIVES
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boxes of candy for Share the Warmth
boxes of canned goods collected before the December holidays for Share the Warmth
JUNIOR SCHOOL TOY DRIVE OVER
2,000 toys for the Montreal Diet Dispensary
WWW.LCC.CA
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SCIENCE
“NEW FRIENDSHIPS, MEMORABLE EXPERIENCES AND UNIQUE LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES.”
Learning Meets Adventure AT THE BAY OF FUNDY BY ASHLEY RABINOVITCH, WRITER WITH CONTRIBUTIONS FROM ELOISE VALASEK (PRE-U ‘20) & EFERATA YIMER ‘19 (PRE-U ‘20)
FOR STUDENTS WITH AN APPETITE FOR ADVENTURE, THE BAY OF FUNDY MAKES A SPECTACULAR CLASSROOM. WEDGED BETWEEN NEW BRUNSWICK AND NOVA SCOTIA, 300 KILOMETRES OF JAGGED CLIFFS, SANDSTONE CAVES, AND RED MUDFLATS FRAME ONE OF THE WORLD’S RICHEST MARINE ECOSYSTEMS.
WATCH VIDEO
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LION SPRING 2020
FACING PAGE
Marine shore collection LEFT
Members of the Pre-U Class of 2020 at the Huntsman Marine Science Centre
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N SEPTEMBER 2019, Eloise Valasek (Pre-U ’20) and Eferata Yimer ’19 (Pre-U ’20) joined a group of Pre-University biology, chemistry, and environmental studies and societies (ESS) students on a five-day educational trip to the Bay of Fundy. “There could not have been a better way to start off the year,” says Eferata. “The Huntsman Marine Science Trip, named for the local science centre, gave us the chance to feed our curiosity.” The Bay of Fundy is home to the world’s highest tides, with a tidal range of 42 feet. Its waters teem with more than 2,300 distinct marine species, offering nearly endless opportunities to learn and explore. The students took advantage of their surroundings to fulfill the requirement for their Internal Assessment, which involves an experiment and written paper. During the trip, they split their time between making field observations and conducting lab experiments. Many students observed how animals like crabs, starfish and barnacles reacted to changes in temperature, salinity and pH within their environment. “All experiments were conducted in an ethical manner and under the supervision of our mentors,” Eloise affirms. The three trip mentors —Ms. Commerford (biology), Mr. Zuccheroso (chemistry), and Mr. Skrovanek (lab technician) — stood by to contribute their expertise as they monitored student experiments. Outside of the lab, the group enjoyed a trip to the local aquarium and met with the staff at the Huntsman Marine Science Centre, who taught them enough about taxonomy to identify several species they came across on beach
ABOVE
Student conducting lab experiments at the Huntsman Marine Science Centre
walks. The students point to the group’s whale-watching excursion as a highlight of the trip. “We spotted three North Atlantic right whales, one of the most endangered animal species on the planet,” says Eferata. From the students’ perspective, the trip was a perfect combination of “new friendships, memorable experiences, and unique learning opportunities.” For many students, particularly those who had never visited Atlantic Canada, the trip introduced an ecosystem that stands in stark contrast to anything they had ever experienced before. “I highly recommend this trip to other students,” says Eloise. “Our experience deepened our scientific knowledge and exposed us to more of the biodiversity and adventure that Canada has to offer.”
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The Next Generation of
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Leaders 4
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BY DANA KOBERNICK, LCC COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER
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LEADERSHIP
WITH THE GOAL OF BROADENING PERSPECTIVES AND DEVELOPING SOCIAL SKILLS, LCC’S MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS HAVE UNIQUE OPPORTUNITIES TO STEP OUT OF THE CLASSROOM AND ENGAGE WITH PEERS FROM DIFFERENT COUNTRIES. Students have to demonstrate their interest to participate. Following an application and interview process, a select number of students travel every year to the CAIS (Canadian Accredited Independent Schools) Middle School Leadership Camp in Minden, Ontario. Alongside other students from across the country, they hone their leadership skills and learn how to get their voices heard and make compromises. They participate in a series of sessions that may include conflict resolution, effective communication, diversity, and leadership roles. As affirmed by CAIS, students become risk-takers at the camp by “[working] independently and cooperatively to explore new ideas and innovative strategies.” They all try something that’s new and, perhaps, a little scary for them. Maybe they will venture on stage to show off their dance moves or participate in the high ropes challenge.
Mostly, though, it is a time to work together. “During my time at leadership camp, I learned how to collaborate with my peers,” says Ari Sinyor ’23. “By forming strong bonds and attending various seminars, we all grew together as future leaders.” Caroline Weber ’23 adds, “I gained a lot from the classes and team activities. I learned that I could make an impact, while still enjoying myself!” As LCC is a member of Round Square (RS), Middle School students also attend RS Conferences. In 2018, five LCC students, along with Middle School Math Teacher Meagan Kearney, travelled to Colombia to attend the conference which was focused on “Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges”. The students connected with other students from around North and South America, experienced the Colombian culture, engaged in community service activities, visited Bogota and its surrounding areas and created lasting friendships with their host families. “My visit to the Round Square Conference in Colombia gave me the opportunity to discover the day-to-day life of another student my age and introduced me to a new culture, allowing me to recognize our similarities and embrace our differences,” says Zoë Topiol ’21. “The greatest souvenir from my travels was meeting people from all over the world. I still keep in touch with them today.” Participation in the CAIS Leadership Camp and RS Conference represent LCC’s commitment to experiential education. These are the types of activities that are essential to supporting students so that they can take their place in a global society as leaders and recognize the power of their voice and their ability to effect change.
A FEW MIDDLE SCHOOL LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES HIGHLIGHTED IN PHOTOS (facing page)
Round Square Conference Bogota, Colombia Photos 1, 2, 4 & 5
CAIS Middle School Leadership Conference Minden, Ontario Photos 3, 6 & 7
WATCH VIDEO FROM THE ROUND SQUARE CONFERENCE
Middle School students were to have attended the 2020 Round Square Conference at Glenlyon Norfolk School in Victoria, BC, but due to the health crisis this event was postponed.
WWW.LCC.CA
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DEBATING
The
Last Word: It’s All About Debating for this Student
CURRENT & PREVIOUS MEMBERS OF TEAM CANADA Alex Blank ’04
Matthew Anzarouth ’20 Akil Alleyne (Pre-U ’03)
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Madeleine Ballard ’06 (Pre-U ’07)
Matthew Anzarouth ’21 is probably the last person you’d want to engage in an argument—and he loves it. BY WAYNE LARSEN, WRITER
T
he grade 11 LCC student is one of five Canadians slated to represent their country at the World Schools Debating Championship (WSDC) in Mexico City in July.* This annual competition brings together about 400 top high school debaters from around the globe, and Matthew says he’s thrilled to be among them. “I was selected for the development team of Team Canada two years ago, and last year I was an alternate at the WSDC in Thailand, so I got to see what goes on,” says Matthew, who currently trains with his teammates— three Ontario students and one from Halifax—via Skype. “We have practice rounds, write essays, do strategy exercises with debate topics, and research current events,” he says. “We also research our own designated area of the world, and our own topics. We divided our roles so each of us specializes in something. I’m responsible for finance and economics, and the region of South Asia. “Over March break, we went to a tournament at Harvard, which was our main preparation tournament for the summer.”
Matthew got into debating four years ago. “I used to be big into hockey, then got a few injuries that made me rethink playing the game,” he recalls. “In grade 7, I naturally transitioned into debating at the intramural level, started going to tournaments in grades 7 and 8, and by grade 9 I ended up being the top speaker at the provincials, which allowed me to try out for Team Canada. It became more serious and a big passion.” The experience has helped him as a student and will likely influence his future. “Debating gives you more confidence with verbal skills; oral presentations become much easier for debaters, because public speaking is their hobby,” he says. “It becomes the lens through which we view world issues and understand arguments from both sides. It also helps with critical-thinking and analytical skills—all things that help in school.” Matthew intends to continue debating at university and putting his skills to practical use. “I’ll probably end up going to law school,” he says. “Debating is something I love doing and it has opened my eyes to this possibility. I’m not going to resist that!” *The WSDC in Mexico has been postponed. A new date has not yet been announced.
NOT PICTURED HERE: Kierstin Lundell-Smith (Pre-U ’08)
Ella Waxman ’19 Samara Fox ’04 (Pre-U ’05)
Samuel Rappaport ’10 (Pre-U ’11)
SEE OUR ALUMNI DEBATERS PHOTO GALLERY
WWW.LCC.CA
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Green Team DIY T-shirts
PLANTING SEEDS OF CHANGE
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ENVIRONMENT
BY ASHLEY RABINOVITCH, WRITER
It’s one thing to like an Instagram post about environmental awareness or attend a climate march, but it’s another to form daily habits that lead to tangible change. At LCC, the students who lead the Green Team are on a mission to promote environmental sustainability in small but meaningful ways.
T
om Li ’20, a co-leader of the Green Team, became concerned about environmental issues in his native Beijing, where poor air quality affected his daily life. “On some days, I couldn’t even play sports outside because of the conditions,” he remembers. For Marieke Hofstee ’21, an active member of the Green Team, Tom’s experience illustrates the dangers of complacency. “In countries where most of us aren’t as directly affected by climate change, we don’t think it’s our problem,” she reflects. “But at some point in the future, it is going to be our problem.” The Green Team aims to bridge the gap between awareness and action. “Most students know that climate change is real, but they don’t know how they can improve anything,” Tom has realized. “We want to show them how to make a difference in a small space, even in their homes and at school.” Promoting environmental sustainability will look different for every student. For Marieke, it’s eating a vegetarian diet and taking the bus to school instead of driving. For Edouard Des Parois Perrault ’21, another active team member, it’s producing a regular video called “Green Team Direct” that exposes viewers to environmental technologies and perspectives that they may never have encountered before. For other students, it may be as simple as replacing plastic water bottles with reusable ones. Tom and Sebastian Reinhardt ’21, the other co-leader of the Green Team, direct a weekly team meeting to brainstorm ideas for initiatives and activities. They focus on a new theme each month. In January, they partnered with the Community Service Club to raise money for Australia wildfire aid. For February’s theme, “Empathy for the Environment,” the Green Team raised money for sustainable trade practices and celebrated National Sweater Day by
encouraging peers to lower the thermostat at home. Other school-wide initiatives the team has promoted include Meatless Wednesday in the dining hall and sustainable gift wrapping during the holidays and a Netflix party to view the movie There’s Something in the Water when the campus was closed. For the students involved in the Green Team, the experience of balancing club responsibilities with coursework and other co-curriculars has helped them build valuable life skills. “With classes all day and plenty of activities during the evenings, it’s been crucial to learn better time management,” says Sebastian. Marieke points to the communication skills she has honed through her involvement with the Green Team. “Speaking in front of the school assemblies made me really nervous at first,” she admits, “but the more I do it, the more comfortable I am.” “Ultimately, leadership skills come through experience,” Tom says. “It’s been a challenging thing to gather a group of peers together and delegate tasks. But the more we face, the more we grow. Through our commitment to this club, we’re showing people that we care and hopefully encouraging them to join us.” The Green Team recognizes that catalyzing change requires a deep investment of time and energy. Vilma Scattolin, the Green Team’s longtime faculty advisor, has watched the students rise to the occasion. “It has been amazing to see them take ownership as they come up with ideas and implement them,” she reflects. “Everyone’s putting in the extra work to show their peers how to take positive, principled action.”
WATCH A GREEN TEAM DIRECT VIDEO WWW.LCC.CA
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NONCOMPETITIVE SPORT
FOR FITNESS & FUN BY MARK BOGHEN, WRITER
The corridors of LCC’s athletics facilities are liberally festooned with banners and plaques commemorating the outstanding history of athletic accomplishments by school teams and star athletes. In the past decade alone, dozens of championships have been won and celebrated. And while participation at the highest level of sport is significant, many LCC students don’t pursue sports to that standard. A host of engaging athletic opportunities exist for students in all grades, promising fun, learning, and ways to embrace a healthy approach to fitness that can serve them for a lifetime.
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BADMINTON
CROSSCOUNTRY
Just a few years ago, LCC intramural basketball consisted of the same eight or ten students showing up once a week to shoot some hoops.
S
enior School phys-ed teacher Dima Povalyaev saw an opportunity for expansion. He proposed an informal league consisting of selfformed teams of friends, only two of whom could come from any of the competitive LCC squads. The game would be 3-on-3, just 20 minutes, and everyone would get to play. In two years, this concept, dubbed the LBA (Lion Basketball Association) has exploded, with more than 200 participants joining teams featuring zany names like “Goon Squad 2.0” and “Chili au Boeuf.” Justin Lewin ’20 wasn’t participating on any LCC team when he joined, and is enthusiastic about the LBA: “It’s meant for friends to be able to have fun in a not overly competitive setting. We looked forward to our games and had a group chat to make sure everyone knew our schedule. It really gives a sense of belonging.”
TSATAS FITNESS CENTRE
Junior School athletes who don’t make the top ‘A’ teams also keep busy. There are lunchtime sessions of hockey, basketball and soccer throughout the year—mostly coed— open to students in grades 5 and 6 and, in recent years, grade 4 as well. Occasional jamborees with other schools give students a chance to feel the pride of wearing the LCC jersey without the attendant pressures of highly competitive events. Also popular are the crosscountry running and badminton programs. Only a limited number of athletes can compete against other schools in the elite divisions, but that doesn’t stop dozens of students from joining in and taking advantage of the training, comradeship and chance to keep their bodies in motion. Meanwhile, the afterschool archery club hypes itself as a chance to prepare for the “zombie apocalypse.” In fact, it’s a lowpressure and relaxed way to pick up a skill that focuses on strength and coordination.
Local off-campus facilities are also a much-appreciated milieu for athletic endeavours. Every fall, a host of aspiring Federers spread out on the courts of the next-door Monkland Tennis Club to receive some instruction and practice on its beautifully maintained courts. Meanwhile, the pool at the nearby Hampton YMCA fills with LCC swimmers of all ages splashing around and honing their strokes. The goal is self-improvement, fitness and a good time. Director of Athletics Chris Viau feels strongly about getting every student to adopt an active lifestyle. “Sure, big productions like our hockey and soccer teams get tons of attention, but our main goal is to keep every student physically active. At the beginning of the school year, I meet with all the students and strongly encourage them to participate in some way, a message that is reinforced throughout the year. And it’s working: the large majority are engaged in athletics to some degree.”
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BOOK CLUB
For the Love of Reading BY JENNIFER IRWIN, ENGLISH TEACHER
Reading has always been my passion, but early in my career at LCC, I realized not all my students enjoyed it as much as I did. Some students (gasp!) actually hated it!
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AROUND 2006, I decided to create a club for my grade 9 students who were less enthusiastic readers, with the sole purpose of sharing with them the joy of getting lost in a good book. The plan was to introduce them to some fun, non-curriculum-based novels, from authors like Stephen King and Dan Brown, and I lured them with the promise of homemade chocolate cupcakes and juice boxes. They came for the treats, but, miraculously, stayed for the books. Just like that, Mrs. Irwin’s book club was born. Sixteen years later, and we’re still going strong. The club now spans three grade levels and is a place where both weaker and advanced readers can come together to share great books (and, admittedly, a few duds), to consume endless amounts of twobite brownies and Doritos, and, most importantly, to foster a love of reading.
A FEW STUDENTS WEIGH IN:
Book club is one of my favourite clubs and I recommend it to everyone who loves to read or who is developing a passion for reading. It has allowed me to read things that I wouldn’t necessarily read but that I learned to love. The club is the perfect combination of laughter, fun and discussion.” VICTORIA WUTHERICH ’23
Book club has been a great place to talk about books, get great book recommendations and socialize.” SHERRY XU ‘22
I am an enthusiastic member of book club because it’s a great opportunity for students to expand their literary horizons. Moreover, having a deadline encourages us to read and, of course, the snacks are ideal to attract an audience of students.” VICTORIA OPOLOT ’22
LION SPRING 2020
BY DANA KOBERNICK, LCC Communications Manager
Hailey S. Laxer ’11 John Batsis ’92
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“Ask yourself every day what you would do if you weren’t afraid, and then go out and do that thing.”
Hailey S. Laxer ’11
A Story of Courage & Grit
H
ailey S. Laxer ’11 believes that resilience is built over time, primarily by battling through adversity. She would know, having lived with the often-debilitating symptoms of cystic fibrosis (CF) for her entire life. And this is what she considers to be one of her greatest achievements. “I am living with a chronic, life-threatening illness,” she says. “But maintaining a growth mindset has allowed me to continue doing all that I want to do.” Admittedly, Hailey has tough days when just walking up the stairs can be challenging. And then there are days when she feels able to take on the world, which she does with steadfast determination. Through her involvement with Cystic Fibrosis Canada, she has raised over $360K for research, advocacy and patient care across the country. She also educates the public through speaking engagements and meets with politicians and companies to lobby for equitable, timely, and affordable access to medications for people with rare diseases like CF. “It’s a bit of a thankless job,” Hailey says. “And it’s hard to get people to listen. But when they do, and when they tell me that I have changed the way they think about life, those are the moments that make me most proud.” Hailey’s efforts to cast light on the struggles of those living with CF are in addition to her full-time position at TD Bank Group in Toronto.
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VIEW HAILEY’S TALK AS SHE ADVOCATES FOR RARE DISEASES
Fittingly, as a communications associate in global corporate citizenship, she helps the bank tell stories of impact and assists in determining how and where the bank’s funds can have the greatest positive social influence on the communities it serves. With this demanding role, she is thankful for her employer’s flexibility, allowing her to work regularly from home and save her energy. Hailey recalls being granted this same kind of flexibility at LCC. Both the administration and her teachers were determined to facilitate Hailey’s progress, a task that proved particularly challenging when she had to undergo a liver transplant in grade 10 and was unable to be at school for seven months. The relationships she built at LCC also helped power her through the journey. Hailey’s LCC experience further bolstered her well-developed sense of confidence. “At LCC, I was made to feel like I had a stake in the conversation,” she says. “We were taught to make our voices heard.” This confidence served her well in her postsecondary studies. After attending Dawson College, Hailey was awarded a full scholarship to university through TD’s Scholarship for Community Leadership in recognition of the work she had done with CF Canada, among other initiatives. She went on to the University of Ottawa where she earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and public administration. During that time, she received the Killam Fellowship through Fulbright Canada for her leadership and academic excellence, allowing her to attend American University in Washington, DC for one semester. Recognizing that all of these experiences have shaped who she is, Hailey offers this advice: “Don’t just exist. Truly live. Ask yourself every day what you would do if you weren’t afraid, and then go out and do that thing.”
John Batsis ’92
Unlocks the Potential of Technology
G
uided by the principle that hard work and perseverance always pay off, Dr. John Batsis ’92 has been striving to improve the quality of life of older adults for most of his career. Currently an associate professor at Dartmouth College’s Geisel School of Medicine, as well as clinician-researcher at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, John is tackling the challenge of diagnosing cognitive impairment at an earlier stage. He is co-leading a multidisciplinary research project that brings together professionals with varied backgrounds, including computer scientists, neuropsychologists and linguists. It aims to use voice assistant systems—think Amazon’s Alexa—to detect changes in speech patterns that may signal the development of dementia, such as Alzheimer’s, at some point in the future. John takes great pride in his professional achievements. “It has been exciting from an academic standpoint,” he says. “I have had excellent support that has allowed me to mentor future generations of professionals, participate at the local and national levels in professional societies, and secure grants from many funding bodies, including the National Institute of Health. Ultimately, my hope is that the work of our team can help the patients and families I have the privilege of caring for on a day-today basis. It’s about furthering science and applying it to real-world clinical care.” At the same time, he notes that balance in one’s life is critical, and family remains very important to him. After graduating from LCC, Marianopolis, and then McGill, he headed to Trinity College at the University of Dublin to study medicine, and remained in Ireland for a year to do his medical-surgical internship.
“[At LCC I learned that] there will always be obstacles in my way, that everyone fails, and that I will have to surmount these challenges and use them as learning opportunities.”
READ AN ARTICLE ABOUT JOHN & HIS RESEARCH
He notes, “The hardest part for me was being away from my family. I left Montreal in 1997 and I missed that support system I had when I was growing up.” Distance from family was largely what motivated his return to North America. Before moving on to Dartmouth, John first spent five years at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, first as an internal medicine resident, and then as a geriatric medicine fellow. He describes this experience as second-to-none, not only because he acquired invaluable clinical and professional skills, but it is also is where he met his wife. John’s tenacious spirit had been encouraged at LCC, where supportive teachers guided him and taught him important life skills. He was involved for three years with the yearbook, serving as editor in grade 11. Managing deadlines, being part of a team, working with mentors, and developing organizational skills proved to be invaluable to him. “At LCC, not only did I learn never to be afraid of hard work,” he says, “I also understood that there will always be obstacles in my way, that everyone fails, and that I will have to surmount these challenges and use them as learning opportunities. I now realize that having a foundation early on in one’s development is critical to achieving long-term goals.” WWW.LCC.CA
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JOIN US!
CHECK ONLINE FOR EVENTS NEAR YOU.
Branching Out ALUMNI GATHERINGS FAR & WIDE SKATE WITH SANTA LCC hosts a community-wide Skate with Santa fundraiser thanks to Sandy Milroy ’74.
PUB NIGHT Young alumni come back to LCC for Pub Night.
WHISKY NIGHT Whisky Night in Montreal at the Burgundy Lion thanks to Toby Lyle ’94
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ALUMNI LEAGUE HOCKEY TOURNAMENT A weekend full of hockey fun at the Alumni League Hockey Tournament. Jon Chatterton ’90 wins the G.B. Maughan ‘59 Memorial Award.
WINE TASTING Annual Wine Tasting Event in Montreal is a spirited success thanks to former parents Leo Rabinovitch of Leanto Wines and Pino Forgione of Beatrice Restaurant.
VIRTUAL ALUMNI EVENTS & REUNIONS Alumni from around the world participate in two town hall meetings.
SEE OUR ALUMNI EVENTS PHOTO GALLERY
WWW.LCC.CA
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KEEP YOUR NEWS COMING! Send your photos & news updates to: communications@lcc.ca
Alumni News STORIES FROM YOUR LCC FAMILY
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50s
PETER BURPEE ’53
writes: “Always quiet in my time and shy with girls. How life changes with the years, as I later found myself having activist leanings.” He now lives in Kingston, ON, pursues an interest in urban design and works with undergraduate students in an advisory role on a project about promoting and coordinating exercises for older adults. (Photo below) At home in
to teaching in 1987, in Delta, BC. He writes: “My time in Delta was especially interesting, as I spent these 32 years teaching French immersion, from K–12, and the last 17 years as a substitute teacher on call. My full-time classes included grades 4–12. So, after an exciting educational career, I am sad that my working life has come to a halt. The keys to my success are the values and discipline instilled by LCC. Forever grateful.”
Kingston
CHARLIE ROBERTSON ’59
Having worked since 1960, this is the first year of near-total retirement for FRITHJOF AKERBLOM ’58.
His working life included a six-year stint with Texaco Canada, followed by 11 years teaching high school students and running his own school for a few years in Gaspé, QC. After years in sales, he finally returned
has a new album available. It is a recording of traditional acoustic blues sung and played by Charlie, including some barrelhouse piano tunes by Juno Award winner Julian Fauth, tin pan alley blues by Beverlie Robertson and current music by Mike “The Mighty Lopez” Phillips. The album is available in CD from Brandy Creek Music & Publications.
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STAY CONNECTED Keep track of what is happening with LCC alumni by visiting lcc.ca/alumni
DITLEF (DICK) KNUDSEN ’59 has been
living in a suburb of Oslo, Norway, since 1972 and retired in March 2015. Unfortunately, his wife Birgit passed away. His two children, Espen and Christina, have provided him with two grandchildren each, three boys and a girl. He enjoys playing golf in Norway, and in Spain and Portugal in the winter. He sings in a choir and keeps fit by attending fitness classes twice a week. He will be celebrating his 80th birthday in October. (Photo above) View of the Tyrifjord golf course clubhouse, 25 miles from Oslo
JOHN LASCHINGER ’59
came to Montreal in February to watch his grandson, Lucas Laschinger, play in the LCC U14 Hockey Tournament. Lucas is in grade 7 at UCC in Toronto. Their highlight of the weekend was seeing Max Domi of the Montreal Canadiens, and former UCC player, watching the game from behind the bench and having his picture taken with the UCC team. “It brought back many memories from my days in grade 7 at LCC in 1954,” John writes. (Photo below) Max Domi and the UCC team at LCC on February 7, 2020, with Lucas Laschinger second goalie on the left of the picture
(Photo above)
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60s
DANNY HEFFERNAN ’61
is enjoying retirement and playing golf while living in San Francisco. He spends summers in France, in the Languedoc region. His wife, Barbara, is an artist. Their daughter, Annie, is getting her PhD from the University of Chicago this June after having completed her bachelor’s degree at Harvard in 2015. Danny is looking forward to the 60th reunion next year!
ERIC KLINKHOFF ’66
CHRIS BOOKLESS ’70
continues to enjoy running his art gallery on Sherbrooke Street in Montreal, where former classmates have been known to congregate. In winter, he always manages to ski in the Alps, usually in Austria. He writes: “Life is great, notwithstanding the occasional knee and hip surgeries. Recently, I reached no. 10 in Tennis Canada’s national rankings of senior players. That’s roughly 55 years after hitting tennis balls with former LCC Latin teacher, Mr. Howard, on the Monkland Tennis Club courts.”
retired as deputy chief information officer for the Government of Yukon and chief information officer for Yukon Health. He travelled to Sierra Leone and Portugal recently, with more adventures to come. He is enjoying the camping, fishing and hunting that Yukon and Alaska have to offer.
70s
ALAN LASCHINGER ’62
is happy to announce that the 33 straight days of radiation therapy, coinciding with hormone therapy since October 2018, have successfully ridden the cancer from his body. He is appreciative of the technicians and doctors at both the Queensway Carleton and Ottawa General campuses. He is even happier to announce his upcoming marriage in July to Penelope Jane Walton of Ottawa. (Photo above)
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Fifty years after taking the 105 bus to and from LCC, GORDON BARKER ’70 is still applying—at Bishop’s University—the writing and research skills that he acquired from the great teachers on Royal Avenue. On weekends, he and his partner Christiane can be found heading up the 401 or down Interstate 87 or 81 to dog shows with their Grand Champion Conestoga Bailey Irish Creme C Major, Canada’s number one otterhound for the last three years. “He is as tough and as competitive as some of the great hockey and football coaches we had at LCC,” Gordon writes.
ALAN KLINKHOFF ’70
and his wife, Helen, operate fine art galleries in Toronto and Montreal with their two sons, Jonathan ’00 and Craig ’06. They specialize in transacting classic Canadian art of quality, from the period ranging from Paul Kane to JeanPaul Riopelle. In the spring of 2020, they will have the distinction of offering the highest value single-family collection ever offered in a Canadian art gallery. Their daughter, Virginia ’02, is married, the mother of two children, a teacher, and lives in Montreal. Caroline (Pre-U ’05) is also married and practicing law at Torys in Toronto. (Photo below) Jonathan ’00, Helen, Alan ’70 and Craig ’06 Klinkhoff at the opening of their 190 Davenport location in Toronto
On Remembrance Day in 2019, DR. PAUL KAVANAGH ’70, founder of Operation Veteran, was honoured with a plaque that has been permanently installed in the cafeteria of the Canadian War museum in Ottawa. Over 18,000 complimentary meals have now been served to veterans at the museum, thanks to donations from schools across Canada. “I am so very proud of LCC and its support since the inception of Operation Veteran in 2009,” he writes. (Photo above) Mark O’Neill, president and chief executive officer of the Canadian Museum of History Corporation, presenting a plaque to Dr. Paul Kavanagh and his wife, Trudy Glaudemans, at the 10th anniversary of Operation Veteran
MICHEL DE MARTIGNY ’70
resettled in Montreal in 2014 at a time when he felt that his son needed some Canadian roots. He is proud of the stamps from over 70 countries in his passports and of his pursuits, such as competing in the Ironman World Championship. After a diverse professional career in Canada and overseas, he is now consulting in international business development with clients in IT, distilling, and highnet-worth family risk planning. He is also enjoying reconnecting with LCC friends and alumni, thanks to Ken Hague ’70 and Kirk LLano. (Photo above)
KEN HAGUE ’70 spent a month in Sicily and Corsica over Christmas and New Year’s – 4,000 km in his rental car. He will be returning to Corsica in July for his daughter Daphne’s wedding to Julien Lorenzi. He is looking forward to this year’s LIONfest at the school in October, the 50th reunion for the grade 11 Class of 1970 and grade 12 Class of 1971. He expects a record turnout from his classmates.
DAVID GOLDBLOOM ’70
RODNEY BIRRELL ’70
interviewed former classmate Wade Davis ’70 on the stage of the Stratford Festival in September 2019 about his extraordinary experiences and perspectives. The talk began with vintage photographs of them in LCC school and hockey uniforms. The interview was recorded for broadcast on CBC Ideas. The second edition of David’s textbook, Psychiatry in Primary Care, was published in 2019, as was a Chinese edition of his book, How Can I Help? A Week in My Life as a Psychiatrist. Most importantly, he is loving being a grandfather.
is the chairman of Troubadour Theatres Limited, a theatrical experience company currently in London but with expansion plans for New York, Madrid and elsewhere. “Following the successful run of War Horse, we look forward to welcoming the National Theatre’s production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time later this year,” he writes. When he is not involved in wine investing or theatrical endeavours, Rodney is a trustee of the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation, which is mandated to safeguard animals in Africa and Asia in their natural habitats. HAL HANNAFORD ’73
LISTEN TO DAVID GOLDBLOOM’S INTERVIEW WITH WADE DAVIS
is retiring as headmaster of Selwyn House School. He has served in the role for 31 years at three Canadian all-boys schools. DAVID RIVINGTON ’78
is proud: “I can still do 20 chin-ups, and just welcomed my first daughter and fourth child.” (Photo below) Daughter Hannah, born February 11, 2020
Over the past six months, ANDREW KAVCHAK ’79 (PRE-U ’80) published three
books that are available on Amazon. He writes: “Remembering Gouzenko: The Struggle to Honour a Cold War Hero is about the defection of Igor Gouzenko in 1945 and my efforts to have his heroism and service to Canada recognized by the federal and municipal governments. The second is the English translation of my grandfather’s book, Dying Echoes: Memoirs of the War 1914–1920. My most recent book is The Fight For Autism Treatment In Canada — Reflections of a Parent Activist. In this book, I document the efforts of many members of the autism community across Canada over the past two decades to improve access to autism treatment.” (Photo above)
(Photo right) Venice in January 2020
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80s
On September 5, JAMES GILL ’83 was presented with the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers by the Hon. Janet Austin, Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia at Government House in Victoria. James was recognized for ongoing volunteer work with organizations in the performing arts, community recreation and immigrant settlement in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia. (Photo below)
After relocating back to Spain in July 2019, DIEGO BRAVO ’83 returned to his previous position of teaching at university. He also remains connected to the company he worked for in California, in an advisory role for future expansion into Spain. “Please reach out if you are ever in Madrid,” he writes.
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LION SPRING 2020
ANDREW GROVE ’95 was
recently awarded the honour of Most Admired Travel Advisor— Canada by the Virtuoso Luxury Travel Network. Voting took place among the network’s 1,800 suppliers in the luxury travel industry, an industry in which Andrew has been active since 2005. While still maintaining his business in Montreal, he finds time to travel with his wife and 10-year-old daughter.
GEORGE PAPP ’87 writes: “Making the best of the situation with my buds, Class of 1987.” (Photo above) Sticking together
90s
MARK OHASHI ’91 is
OWEN REES ’94 was
settling down in Toledo, OH, with his wife, Martha, of 17 years and three children, Anna, Faith and Immanuel. He writes: “It was great seeing 1991 alums in 2016—no one has changed! Looking forward to the next time we meet.”
appointed deputy assistant deputy attorney general in 2019 after having joined the Department of Justice Canada as senior general counsel in 2018. He provides strategic management of the federal government’s litigation.
On a beautiful, crisp day at the peak of fall foliage, PAUL CONNER ’93 and Lara Stone were married in Winooski, VT. Originally from Morgantown, WV, Lara moved to Vermont in 2016 to pursue her career as a podiatrist with the University of Vermont Medical Center. Paul and Lara take full advantage of Vermont’s access to the outdoors and commitment to local foods.
VINIT SONI ’94 has
(Photo below)
moved back to Montreal after seven years in New York City. He is looking forward to his daughter, Amelia [future member of the Class of 2032], starting LCC in the fall and catching up with alumni throughout the city. “I left for New York alone and we return as a family of four. Couldn’t be more excited for the family to enjoy our great city.”
(Photo below) Most Admired Travel Advisor—Canada award presented by Virtuoso Travel
DAVID PERLMAN ’95 is the Montreal branch manager and managing director equity sales at Stifel GMP. His previous employer, GMP Securities, was acquired by US financial firm Stifel Financials, valued at US$5 billion. The company operates in institutional equities in the US, Canada and Europe and specializes in small and midcap growth companies. He is also pleased to report: “My son, Jayden [future member of the Class of 2025], is starting at LCC in grade 7 in September 2020. I’m officially passing the torch to the next generation!”
2000s
MICHAEL HARPER ‘02 (PRE-U’03) and his wife,
SLINGBAUM ONE is the highly-anticipated collaborative record produced by TARIQ KHAN ’98. The album from composer/arranger Slingbaum features legendary artists across multiple genres. Tariq is the founder of HighBreedMusic, a platform that celebrates New York City’s thriving and vibrant musician culture, which is made up of Grammy-winning and nominated artists from all over the world. He attributes much of his success to the education, training and creative values instilled in him during his formative years through LCC’s music program. (Photo above)
CHRISTINE DILULLO ’98
married Peter Stubbings and moved to London, England from Bermuda. Having left her job at KEMH in Bermuda, she is now an urgent care physician with HCA Healthcare UK at London Bridge Hospital and Princess Grace Hospital.
Francesca Benedetti, had a daughter on April 15, 2020, in Montreal. Tessa Christine is the first granddaughter of LCC Foundation Chair Gary Harper ’73 (Board Chair 2001–2004) and his wife Dawn. Michael’s siblings Laura ’01 (Pre-U ’02), Jaime ’04 (Pre-U ’05) and Megan ’07 (Pre-U ’08) are delighted to welcome their first niece to the family. Tessa is the first great grandchild of Christine Harper, wife of the late Board chair, Ralph Harper ’47. (Photo below)
PHILIP CAPLAN ’06
received his PhD from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering. He now lives in Middlebury, VT, and is an assistant visiting professor of computer science at Middlebury College. TANYA FENTON ‘06 (PRE-U ‘07) has started
at a company called Refinitiv as the software
development team lead. “After teaching myself code five years ago, I didn’t expect to be here so quickly,” she writes. She has also set up her own digital agency called Fentonite Ltd, which she currently manages in her spare time and expects to eventually operate full time. The agency builds websites and offers search engine optimization and marketing.
ALEX CAPLAN ’11 recently
received his B. Eng. in chemical and biological engineering from UBC and is currently living in Vancouver, BC.
(Photo above) A day hiking with the family
RYAN CAPLAN ’08
received his M.Sc. in physical therapy from McGill University and has been working as a physiotherapist in Montreal for the past five years. He owns and operates his own physiotherapy clinic, Delta Physio Montréal. BRANDON FARNSWORTH ’08 is
happy to announce that his dissertation, Curating Contemporary Music Festivals: A New Perspective on Music’s Mediation, will be published by Transcript Verlag as a hard copy and open access publication in May. He pursued his PhD in historical musicology at the Carl Maria von Weber Music University in Dresden, Germany. Those interested can order a copy by visiting music.curating.ch.
KENNETH HSIUNG ’12
is enjoying life and fishing in Washington state. (Photo above) Kenneth caught a fish THIS big!
JIANGTIAN LIU ’17 received
an outstanding graduate award from Marianopolis College and will be attending the University of Toronto in the Rotman Commerce program.
(Photo right) WWW.LCC.CA
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IN MEMORIAM
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of the following members of the LCC community: ALUMNI A. JOHN ELLIS ’32, on January 29, 2020, in Vancouver, BC. He is survived by his son Robert ’67. For many years, and up until his recent death at age 104, John was recognized as LCC’s longest-living alumnus. JAMES F. MORISON ’45, on January 14, 2020, in Toronto, ON. He is survived by his son Doug ’76. NORMAN R. DAVIS ’47, on March 12, 2020, in London, ON. Norm was a member of the LCC Board of Governors from 1968–1977. He is survived by his son Bruce ’76. JOHN G. FRY ’47, on January 24, 2020, on Vieques Island, Puerto Rico. IAN F. LE LIEVRE ’49, on December 22, 2019, in Montreal, QC. Ian was the business manager at LCC from 1967–1993 and received the Distinguished Staff Award in 2002. He is survived by his son James ’84. JOHN K. WILSON ’51, on May 2, 2020, in Montreal, QC. He is survived by his son James (Jim) ’79.
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LION SPRING 2020
WILLIAM K. HACKING ’52, on April 30, 2020, in Montreal, QC.
STEVEN KLEIN ’77, on December 12, 2019, in Stowe, VT.
JAMES F. FRASER ’55, on December 5, 2019, in Oakville, ON. He was predeceased by his father George ’30, uncle Alasdair ’32 and brother George ’57. He is survived by his cousins Alexander (Sandy) ’57 and Rev. Ian Fraser ’66.
PAUL A. HUTCHISON ’81, on January 17, 2020, in Montreal, QC. He was predeceased by his brother Gregor ’75 and is survived by his brother Taylor ’80.
ROBERT RASPA ’56, on May 2, 2020, in Montreal, QC. CONSTANTINE A. LOS ’57, on October 23, 2019, in Harrison, NY. He is survived by his brother Matheos ’60. DR. BRIAN M. CAMPBELL (PRE-U ’59), on September 6, 2019, in Keswick, VA. DR. D. ROSS HARVEY ’63, on January 30, 2020, in London, ON. EARL WISEMAN ’64, on April 8, 2020, in Ottawa, ON. He is survived by his brother Stephen ’67. DAVID RUTTENBERG ’67, on November 15, 2019, in Montreal, QC.
ERIC NADEAU ’91, on August 2, 2019, in Montreal, QC. He is survived by his brother Shahn ’94.
FACULTY & STAFF GERALD BONDER, on June 24, 2019, in Toronto, ON. Gerald was an LCC faculty member from 1959 –1968, teaching accounting to Pre-U students.
BOARD MEMBERS NICHOLAS FRANKEL, former LCC Board member (1986–1993), on April 15, 2020, in Montreal, QC. He is survived by his sons Jon ’90 and Chris ’92 and granddaughter Nicole (Pre-U ’19).
BENOÎT LAUZÉ, former LCC Board member (2004–2010), on April 28, 2020, in Toronto, ON. He is survived by his sons GREGOR R. HUTCHISON ’75, Simon ’11 and Maxime ’10 on January 7, 2020, in Toronto, and daughter-in-law Alysha Fedele ’10. ON. He is survived by his brother Taylor ’80.
LCC is family and we need each other now more than ever. This is a critical time for networking and mentoring those who need our help. Be sure to join Lower Canada Connect and, if you require an intern, have any job offerings, or can support your fellow alumni in some other way, please contact us directly and we will add your post on the jobs and internships board. LCC bonds are strong. Even though we are apart, let’s join together to offer hope and encouragement.
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lcc.ca 4090, avenue Royal Montréal, Québec H4A 2M5 T 514 482 0951 F 514 482 0195 Students First • L’élève avant tout
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