“
NO DOUBT THAT A SMALL GROUP OF THOUGHTFUL, COMMITTED CITIZENS CAN CHANGE THE WORLD; INDEED, IT’S THE ONLY THING THAT EVER HAS.” MARGARET MEAD
TABLE OF CONTENTS 4
CLASS OF 2004 10-YEAR REUNION
REUNIONS
4
CLASS OF 2005 10-YEAR REUNION
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ALUM NI BASKETBALL GAME PATHWAYS
MEMORABLE MOMENTS
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ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT SERIES ERIC BLEIM & GEORGE COLLISTER HUSSAIN ALI ZOE GRIFFITHS SAFEEYA PIRANI ELIZABETH HENDREN JOLEE TUNG LINDA & DAVID CRONE
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EVENTS
ALUMNI SPOTTED AT MULGRAVE
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DIGGING THROUGH THE ARCHIVES
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MOMENTS AROUND THE GLOBE
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26 28 32 36 40 44 48 52
SPOTLIGHTS
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A note from your
Alumni Relations Coordinator
A
s we move forward in our daily lives, growing in different
Our mission is realised and deemed successful when alumni
directions and exploring new paths, we remember that our roots
students, families and teachers continue to feel like they are a part
are one – we celebrate what makes us different and nurture
of the Mulgrave community. Our goal, indeed, is to nurture and
what brings us together. It is our responsibility to foster and
further develop the bonds that connect us. We have an incredible
support the community that has shaped us and continue to create
network of people who are there to empower and support one
relationships, building upon Mulgrave’s unique culture.
other – if we only let them.
How did our unique culture come to be? By surrounding
This magazine is not just a look back at the good times had in
ourselves with exceptional individuals who value integrity and
2015 – it is a declaration of the community that Mulgrave has
life-long learning and who share a common goal of bettering our
cultivated and a medium through which to highlight and share
world. These values are in Mulgrave’s DNA. With them at heart,
the unique stories that make our community colourful and
we strive to be thoughtful global citizens and share our diverse
vibrant.
knowledge and skills with others. Our alumni community has a vision that we indend to share widely, because in connecting
We hope you are humbled and inspired by the incredible family
alumni students, parents, and teachers who are inspired, excited,
you are part of.
and living out their passions, we are able to encourage and help others in our community to do the same.
Warmly, Michelle Noble, Alumni Relations Coordinator OUR MISSION
Fostering lifelong connections between past, present and future Mulgrave students, families and faculty.
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CLASS OF 2004 10 YEAR REUNION
T
he Class of 2004 will always be special to Mulgrave, as they were the very first class to graduate from our
school. Though a lot has changed in 10 years and life has taken our 2004 alum in many different directions, it was wonderful to see many from this small class of 19 remembering their roots and coming together again. From law students, to world travelers, to doctors, to those touring with rock and roll bands, Mulgrave’s 2004 graduating class was nothing short of diverse. We enjoyed every minute of watching these alumni connect with teachers and peers at their 10-year grad reunion and relished hearing about their experiences post-graduation.
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ALUMNI BASKETBALL GAME 2014
T
here are those rare, wonderful moments when you can
Class of 2012 won the Mulgrave swag and Cactus Club gift card
feel the energy radiating from person to person and everyone
raffle, alumni resumed striking poses in the photo booth and
seems to feed off the positive vibes. This moment happened at the
reminiscing with fellow classmates, teachers and alumni families.
2014 Alumni Basketball Game & Winter Social, and it lasted all evening long.
We are always proud of our alumni for pursing their interests and passions after graduation and, in the case of 2006 graduate Shae
Alumni were busy cheering during the basketball games and
de Jaray, it was no exception. Shae went on to pursue his love of
both alumni and current students hooted and hollered for their
craft beer and in 2013 created a company to reflect his cool, fun,
respective teams during the fierce battle on the basketball court.
laid back lifestyle - Deep Cove Brewers and Distillers. Lucky for
The event kicked off with the Alumni Girls going head-to-head
us, this meant the Deep Cove beer was flowing and alumni were
with the Sr. Girls basketball team. It was a close game, but in
able to enjoy a cold craft beer brewed by one of our very own.
the end, the Sr. Girls took home the trophy. The Alumni Boys, on the other hand, were able to claim victory over the Sr. Boys
Every player, alumni, student, teacher, and alumni family in
basketball team.
attendance contributed to the success of the event. We can’t wait to do it again and enjoy the warmth that comes with celebrating
After the games wrapped up, and Graham Brown from the
the holidays with our deeply-rooted community.
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9
CLASS OF 2005 10 YEAR REUNION I
t is hard to believe that it’s been 10 years since the Class of
For a class that was ‘always on the run’, according to Lee Hardy,
2005 strolled out of Mulgrave’s front doors with their graduation
it came as no surprise to us that a large majority of them were
diplomas in hand. While those front doors have since changed
either globetrotting or living and working abroad. Though they
(along with a handful of other things around the school) they
were sincerely missed at the reunion, we were happy to hear that
have been and always will remain wide open for this ambitious
they are living up to all of their goals and ambitions.
group of individuals who helped shape the school Mulgrave is today.
A few highlights from the evening: • Having a ‘cheers’ in Mr. Lee Hardy’s classroom, who
The class of 2005’s 10-year reunion was held on Friday, October 9th at Mulgrave School, and it was a very special evening. It was
regrettably couldn’t be there • Handing out a personalised alumni Sitka tree, a tradition
incredible to see this group reconnect so effortlessly and share
started in 2012 to welcome students into the Alumni
their notorious stories of when they used to rule the hallways.
Association
They have a truly special bond.
• A video message from some of the teachers who couldn’t be there
In attendance from this small class of 32, was... • Alex Liao • Alicia Cherneski • Ben Thompson • Erin Christy • Jessica Hardie
• Exploring the new Senior School • Discovering the rock that the 2005’ers all signed in their graduating year • Discovering that their senior ‘hang out’ lounge is now a closet for file storage • Watching a slideshow of old pictures
• Lindsay Angus • Marcus Crabtree
We wish the Class of 2005 the best of luck and are so grateful to
• Romney Pearson
have had the opportunity to reconnect with them.
• Sarah Fenwick • Tyler Herrington • Elizabeth Hendren
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STEFANIE LEWIS
Now training to be a patent attorney, Stefanie studied Physics at the University of Glasgow and completed a PhD in nuclear physics in 2014. Did you know? Stefanie placed 6th in the Irish dancing world championships this year!
ALICIA CHERNESKI
After studying Business at SFU, Alicia now works as a Financial Advisor for Sun Life.
BEN THOMPSON
Ben started sit skiing in 2006, joining the BC Para-Alpine Ski Team in 2008 and proceeding to make the Canadian Prospect Team. Ben also mentors people who are just getting into the sport.
MARCUS CRABTREE
Since graduating from Mulgrave, Marcus has spent his time traveling and working in a management position at WhiteSpot. He is now at Olive & Anchor in West Vancouver.
Class of 2005 Where they are now.
ALEXANDER LIAO
After studying Economics at SFU, Alex is now a Competitive Recruit Associate at RBC DS.
Did you know? Alex lived in Taiwan working with a start-up company for two years.
ERIN CHRISTY
Graduating from Dalhousie, Erin joined the family business working as an Insurance broker at Christy Insurance Agencies. Did you know? Erin got married this year!
JONATHAN SIMMONS
Jon is now a ticketed Red Seal Carpenter and an entrepreneur in commercial contracting. Did you know? Jon is married with 4 kids!
NOLO PHIRI
Taking time off to work in Korea after Mulgrave, Nolo then achieved a Bachelor of Science from University of Cape Town. She’s now working for Investec Wealth & Investments in their Johannesburg offices.
ELIZABETH HENDREN
Studying Medicine at UBC and UofT, Liz is now a Resident Physician. Did you know? Liz is one of Mulgrave’s first doctors!
SARAH FENWICK
A true globetrotter, Sarah has traveled to all corners of the globe and has even done medical outreach in Tekera, Uganda. She is now working in Vancouver as a nurse.
JESSICA HARDIE
After studying Business at Capilano University, Jessica is now working as a Human Resources Analyst at Providence Health Care.
NADIM ROBERTS
Armed with a Masters in Journalism from Columbia University, Nadim is now living in New York working as a multimedia journalist and documentary film producer.
MICHELLE MANGE
Michelle studied Entrepreneurship at Mount Royal University and is now the owner of Li’l Mam flowers, specialising in floral design for weddings and events. Did you know? Michelle is married with 2 kids!
LINDSAY ANGUS
After studying Business and PR at BCIT, Lindsay is now a Marketing Operations Manager at Bench Accounting.
ROMNEY PEARSON
Since graduating from Mulgrave and attending UBC, Romney now works alongside physiotherapists at Trimetrics and Sport and Spinal doing active rehabilitation as a Pilates Instructor and Physiotherapy Assistant.
TYLER HERRINGTON
Tyler completed his Master’s in Geography in 2013, focusing on climate-carbon cycle interactions, and is currently working at Douglas College in the Geography Department as a Lab Technician.
A PLACE YOU CAN ALWAYS RETURN TO, no matter how long you’ve been gone.
T
hroughout the year, we are fortunate to have many of our alumni return to Mulgrave to visit
with past teachers, take a look at the new Senior School building, catch up with friends who are still at Mulgrave, and simply roam the halls that they called home for so many years. It is always a treat to have alumni return to the school, and we encourage you to stop by for a visit any time!
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01. 02.
Andrew Chalmers and Aryan Firouzbakh Steph Porter with Ms. Anson
03.
Grayson
O’Brien, Chris French, Hannah Radford, Toby Roper, Tori Timmons, Ali Eamer-Goult
04.
Jasmine Meikle, and Samiya Hassan Kieran Cullen
07.
06.
Annika Lee,
05.
Matthew and
Mark Bakhet and Barbara Mainoli
Kevin Catliff, Sam Griffiths, Eric Bleim, George
08. Noah Guld, Anisha Navaratnam and Mr. Wray 09. Alex Steadman 10. David and Linda Crone 11. Morgan McIntyre with G1 buddy, Tatiana 12. Ellie Beveridge (on right) 13. Kim, Gage, and Luke Allard 14. Mr. Lawson and Michael Ji 15. Mr. Ronald Jones, Dax Inman, Mr. Collister, and Luke Allard
01.
02.
03.
04.
Roughan, Christian Marroquin, Eric Bleim, Kevin Catliff, Mike Arnould, Mr. Olynyk, MJ Mayo, Connor Stanton, Ryan Gray and Mr. Jones
05.
06.
08.
11.
07.
09.
12.
10.
13.
14.
15.
ALUMNI SPOTTED AT MULGRAVE
LIKE BRANCHES ON A TREE WE MAY GROW IN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS, BUT OUR ROOTS REMAIN AS ONE ALUMNI SITKA TREE The Sitka Tree represents the Mulgrave Alumni Association for a number of reasons. Not only do they blanket Cypress Mountain, Mulgrave’s home they are symbolic by virtue of having deep, intertwined roots, and wide-reaching branches.
PATHWAYS
2015
P
athways is an event to connect our alumni with current Mulgrave students to share their
university experience, answer questions, and provide insight on some of the challenges they’ve tackled along the way. Pathways is a wonderful opportunity for alumni to reconnect with one another while providing leadership and guidance to current Mulgrave students. This year, it was inspiring to see such a wide range of alumni giving back to the Mulgrave community, and it was an honour to have keynote speaker, Steve Hur, share his insight and experience. Steve is a 2008 Mulgrave graduate currently pursuing his PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. His passion, kind demeanor, strong work ethic, and drive for success made for a captivating speech. Our alumni’s participation is immensely beneficial to students, and the willingness to give back to the alumni community is so appreciated. We hope to see you again next year!
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2012
2011
2005
2014
2012
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2008
2002
2010
2004
2010
DIGGING THROUGH THE ARCHIVES
“With life experience at hand, you will have a much better appreciation for your university education and beyond.” “You never know what you are good at until you try. And if you’re no good at it, at least you’ve eliminated one more thing off the list!” “No matter what we go through in life, whether it’s positive or negative, it is always a learning experience.” “Find something that you are passionate about and try to find a way to make that your career.” “Everything that Mulgrave students encounter is achievable, so don’t let it be too daunting – you just have to take that first step.” “In the long run, that’s what life is all about – passing the torch. So if you can spread little torches to the kids coming through, that’s the reward of life!” “While at Mulgrave, we were both pushed to explore our potential; there were so many opportunities that allowed us to work outside of our comfort zone.”
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT SERIES 2015
O
ur Alumni Spotlight Series was established to showcase our alumni in their pursuit in education and life after Mulgrave
graduation. These stories touch on the hardships, fortunes, failures, and successes of our alumni, while highlighting the ambition, drive and curiosity that characterises a Mulgrave graduate. This past year, we have been seeking out incredible stories from around the world to share with you. Whether their success exists in the realm of business, academics, sport, philanthropy, creative and performing arts, or a combination of disciplines, a common thread that unites the individuals profiled is their ability to reflect on their experiences with thoughtfulness and perspective. In addition to seven exceptional Alumni Spotlights, included in this section is a special feature with one of our most active Alumni families: the Crone family. They have been greatly involved in the Mulgrave community since 2001. We hope you enjoy! 27
ERIC & GEORGE Mulgrave School Class of 2012 Interviewed by Michelle Noble | April 2015
F
riends since Kindergarten at Mulgrave, Eric Bleim and George Collister are applying their education and
experience to the launch of a barbecue cleaning service this summer in Vancouver: Vancouver BBQ Boys. With Eric’s involvement in Queen’s University’s Varsity Rugby programme, George’s participation with Queen’s Student Government Judicial Committee, and both being awarded the Dean’s List Award for academic success, it’s not at all surprising to see that this ambitious duo has found the capacity to take on such an entrepreneurial challenge. If you have a greasy barbecue, we suggest you keep reading!
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“While at Mulgrave, we were both pushed to explore our potential; there were so many opportunities that allowed us to work outside of our comfort zone.�
It is great to be in touch with both of you again and hear how well you are doing at Queen’s University. What have been some of your biggest accomplishments to date at a post-secondary level? GEORGE: I’ve been so fortunate to attend Queen’s and have had an amazing experience so far. One of my proudest achievements is being appointed chair of the school’s Judicial Committee. The Judicial Committee issues sanctions to students for breaches of the school’s Code of Conduct and fits in very well with my career goals. ERIC: One of my greatest accomplishments was being awarded Most Valuable Player of Queen’s second Varsity Rugby team. Since I started playing rugby in Grade 5 at Mulgrave, I have always dreamed of playing rugby at a university level. I am so fortunate to have had great coaches, Mr. Jones and Mr. RonaldJones, during my time at Mulgrave; they pushed me to achieve my goal of playing a university level varsity sport.
What are your plans for this summer?
risks and see what we were capable of doing.
GEORGE: We’re very excited for this summer. I’ll be spending
ERIC: Last summer we loved hosting BBQs with friends, and
a lot of time studying for the LSAT test I am taking in June. I
by September, ended up with very greasy barbecues. We realised
also plan on going camping a few times with friends at Cat Lake
that dirty barbeques are likely a common problem in Vancouver
in Squamish, as we typically do every summer. But the most
and after speaking to a number of families on the North Shore,
exciting thing we’ll be doing this summer is starting a barbeque
we found there was a demand for this service.
cleaning business together. ERIC: Aside from making barbeques sparkle, I will be working on finding an interesting, current, economic issue for my fourthyear seminar paper. You will also be able to find me in the gym and on the running track in preparation for next year’s rugby season. What drove you, Eric and George, to start a barbecue cleaning
Have you always had an entrepreneurial spirit? GEORGE: This interest in being entrepreneurs is relatively new, but I think we’ve had the skills necessary to succeed for some time. Like Dan Webb said so well in his Spotlight Series, “Sacrifice or regret.” This is something both of us have always recognised, whether in high level sports or academics; put in the work now or regret it later.
and repairs service? How did you identify a need for this?
How do you plan on marketing your business?
GEORGE: After multiple summers of service industry and office
ERIC: We will have a presence on social media platforms like
internships, we found we weren’t experiencing challenging or
Facebook and Instagram, where we will roll out promotional
rewarding work. We wanted to apply our education in economics
giveaways throughout the summer. Word of mouth will also
to the real world. We also have to give credit to Eric’s uncle Steve,
play a major role in securing new customers each week. And of
a long-time role model for both of us, who has always embodied
course, the best way to help our business grow is to provide each
an entrepreneurial spirit. While playing a round of golf last
customer with great service and a spotless barbecue.
summer, he pushed us to use our time at university to take some
LEFT: Eric on the Queen’s Varsity Rugby Team.
RIGHT: George networking at Queen’s Model Court (QMC), a premier undergraduate law conference.
We need to know… What’s your favourite thing to cook on the
GEORGE: While at Mulgrave, we were both pushed to explore
BBQ?
our potential; there were so many opportunities that allowed us
GEORGE: So many favourites, it’s hard to pick one, but probably slow cooked pork shoulder. I love pulled pork with BBQ sauce topped with mayo-coleslaw on a pretzel bun. ERIC: One of my favourite meals in the summer is a grilled New York strip steak with bright red grilled peppers. What are your goals in starting this business?
to work outside of our comfort zone. Whether at Outdoor School, Zoom, in Athletics or Student Action Council, we were required to take risks – and those skills will definitely come in handy from a business standpoint. What are both of your long-term ambitions? GEORGE: That’s difficult to say exactly. The immediate goal is to attend Law School after finishing my undergraduate degree.
ERIC: First and foremost, we want our business to be successful
Beyond that, all I know is I would love to start my career in
and hope it will help offset some of the cost of tuition and
Vancouver. (Living through a few Ontario winters really builds an
other school expenses. We also want to use this business to
appreciation for the city, rain and all.)
gain valuable work experience and skills that we can use going forward. GEORGE: We really want to challenge ourselves. Cleaning barbeques isn’t a technical or glamorous business, but it will give us a chance to see if we can market and run our own service. Bottom line: our goal is to clean as many barbeques as possible. When you were at Mulgrave, did you ever imagine starting a business together? ERIC: From a very young age, we always had somewhat of a pipe dream of running a business together, but never did we think that dream would come to fruition at this point in our lives. We realise that this business venture is relatively small, but hopefully, it is one step closer to working together at the next level.
ERIC: I plan on pursuing a graduate degree in Economics after graduation and, like George has mentioned, I intend to be working in beautiful British Columbia in the foreseeable future. What makes you two great business partners? GEORGE: Eric and I have known each other since Kindergarten. We’re not afraid to say no or disagree with each other. Having the confidence to be honest with one another is very rare in a partnership. This, coupled with the fact that we don’t want to let the other down, means we’ll always work as hard as we can. ERIC: I think our friendship is the greatest reason why we make good business partners. We enjoy spending time together, which is important as we will be seeing a lot of each other this summer Eric Bleim & George Collister April 2015
HUSSAIN ALI Mulgrave School Class of 2012 Interviewed by Michelle Noble | February 2015
H
ussain Ali, Mulgrave Class of 2012, is a service-oriented, philosophical, and kind student who joined the
Mulgrave School community as a result of our relationship with the Sparks Academy in Afghanistan. Upon his arrival in Canada and his enrollment at Mulgrave School, Hussain rose to the challenge of the IB Diploma Programme and is now sharing his insights as he reflects on his experiences in this 2015 Alumni Spotlight Series feature.
After your graduation from Mulgrave in 2012, you returned to
programmes and try to make a positive impact. Lastly, going back
Afghanistan to be a part of the programmes at Sparks Academy.
to Afghanistan once again gave me the opportunity to connect
What motivated you to return to Afghanistan?
with family and friends after a long while. I will cherish those
Afghanistan, after many years of conflict, has lost the majority of its educated population either to war or as refugees to other countries. As a result, it suffers from the absence of competent and educated people. Sparks Academy is the only institution I know trying to fill the gap by educating youth. Ultimately, what motivated me the most was the idea of making some meaningful contribution towards the betterment of the Afghan society through Sparks Academy. That being said, being part of Sparks Academy itself was a privilege and a learning opportunity as well. I was fortunate to have a chance to be part of Sparks Academy’s
moments always. Can you share with us your experience at Sparks Academy? I have quite a lot of memories with various programmes and activities at the Academy. For a few months, I was involved in helping a number of students that were supposed to attend Mulgrave School. I was helping them with their preparation of certain courses and the overall IB journey. But quite ironically, in helping the students, I ended up helping myself. It was only then that I realised how effective teaching is for solidifying our own knowledge. It was then that I wished I hadn’t already taken my IB 32
“With life experience at hand, you will have a much better appreciation for your university education and beyond.�
ABOVE: Hussain with his host family at Mulgrave. exam, and I hoped I could take it again to score a higher mark!
reinforced the importance of team work and collaboration. The
For a while, I was also involved in some administrative work
spirit of collaboration, team work and helping others is one of
alongside a dedicated and hardworking team of people. I
the main principles in Sparks Academy, and my IB experience
was involved in reporting and carrying out communications
enhanced my understanding and gave me a better appreciation
between the Academy and the Director of the programme
for it.
back in Vancouver. Furthermore, I participated in various programmes and events that were held by the Academy, either for the community or the staff of the schools. Engaging with the
Having spent a year and a half away from the classroom, did you face any challenges to adjusting back to student life?
community wasn’t a new experience for me because I had the
Not quite, because my experiences at Sparks Academy were
honor of being part of Sparks even before attending Mulgrave
similar to those of a student. I was helping others academically
School, but there were always new things to learn. Dealing with
and being helped at the same time. Anything I was engaged
people and the community, especially in an environment that
in, directly or indirectly, was some form of education, which I
isn’t as stable, teaches a lot of life lessons. And that’s what I
cherish. Besides, the professors at Trent University are pretty
learned - that theory and reality don’t always comply with each
good at designing their lectures in such a way that they clearly
other.
cover the basis for their topics so everyone can understand it.
What is one lesson or skill you learned through the IB
How did your IB education help prepare you for university
programme that you were able to implement at Sparks Academy?
studies?
It wouldn’t be just to single out one lesson from the IB
IB indeed laid the foundation upon which I was able to start my
programme, for there were many that have not only been
university education. But what made my IB education successful
beneficial for me at Sparks Academy, but there are lessons that I
was the generous support of my incredible host family and that
still carry with me in university and will continue to carry with
of the Mulgrave community. Without my host family’s support, I
me in life. If I had to choose one lesson, I would say that IB really
wouldn’t have heard of Mulgrave. Using this opportunity I would
like to express my immense gratitude to my host family, and all
It improves critical and analytical thinking, which is a highly
the wonderful teachers and staff at Mulgrave. When I started IB
valued transferable skill needed in almost every field. Moral and
in 2010, lack of understanding of Western and IB methodology,
Political Philosophy addresses the very fundamental issues of
combined with weaker English proficiency were amongst the
human society. Morality, ethics, and the discussion of right and
biggest challenges I faced. But with the support of the people
wrong are very essential topics within Philosophy.
mentioned above, I managed to earn my diploma as well as admission into a Canadian university. Did you have anyone in particular who helped you in navigating your post-secondary ambitions while at Mulgrave?
In what ways have you become involved in student life at Trent? I am a member at Trent International Programme where I work as a Cultural Assistant. Our job is to welcome international students upon arrival, direct them to the right support systems
Yes, I did. The most significant people and mentors in my life
they need, and to help them transition into university life. I
were my host parents. They not only guided and supported
am also a member of the Peer Mentoring Programme, which
me throughout my education at Mulgrave, but also helped me
provides mentorship on a one-on-one basis to students who
plan my university education and beyond. At Mulgrave, almost
require regular support in their academics. Recently, I wrote a
all of my teachers were somewhat involved in helping me find
proposal to start an IB club at Trent. Trent University is fairly
my direction, but I would say Mr. Lawson, Mr. Hardy, and Ms.
diverse in terms of its student population, so this club will
Willard were the ones I worked the most with.
hopefully bring IB students together to share their experiences.
What inspired you to pursue a degree in Business
What is your dream job?
Administration?
I haven’t exactly thought of a dream job yet, but I certainly have
Honestly, my true passion lies in Humanities and Philosophy,
the dream of a meaningful job. I am hoping that my education
but considering the realities of today’s market for employment,
will eventually not only secure a job, but will enable me to
having a degree in Business and Administration seemed more
create job opportunities for others. My intention is to make
beneficial. However, once I started the BBA program, I realised
some meaningful contribution to societies in need of assistance,
that I still find philosophy in everything that I study. ‘Search
and Afghanistan is one of them. In the long run, by using my
for wisdom,’ as the core concept of Philosophy was present in
education I am hoping to develop a micro level business model
most of the courses that I have taken so far. Finding the wisest
with a focus on rural economy. The idea is to create values and
(best) business and administration techniques that are supported
make use of ideal capacities to eventually improve the living
by research and evidence is the main concern in many of our
standard of people in those communities.
courses. Analysing business and administration practices and questioning the roots of those practices - that is indeed philosophy by nature. This, however, is an overly simplified
What advice would you give to students interested in taking a gap year?
definition of Philosophy or BBA. I am also taking at least a
It certainly is worth it if you have the time and resources. A gap
course per semester in Philosophy and am hoping to minor in it
year between high school and university, especially when utilised
eventually.
properly, is a great opportunity to gain some valuable experience.
What has been the most interesting course you’ve taken at Trent to date? I find all of my courses in Philosophy interesting. Courses concerning the nature of knowledge and reality, and moral and political philosophy have certainly been the most interesting ones. I find these courses fascinating because they not only make us think, but they help us to think about thinking itself.
I would encourage my fellow Mulgravians to be part of some kind of institution, either at a voluntary capacity or to get a taste of a real life work environment. With life experience in hand, you will have a much better appreciation for your university education and beyond. Hussain Ali, February 2015
ZOE GRIFFITHS Mulgrave School Class of 2007 Interviewed by Michelle Noble | March 2015
Z
oe Griffiths, class of 2007, is a passionate and driven Mulgrave alum who unconventionally found her path through work
experience, traveling, and living abroad. Once deemed ‘bad at math’, this inspiring young woman has now started her own math tutoring business, and has been recruited by one of the biggest accounting firms in the world. In this week’s Alumni Spotlight, Zoe shares how she overcame her academic struggles by shedding labels and gaining confidence through real life experience. After two years of studying at UVIC straight out of Mulgrave, how
London, England for the summer between semesters. Initially, I
did you decide what the next step would be for you?
had booked a return flight home for the end of summer and was
I had just gotten into the Elementary School Teaching programme, which I was very excited about, but I wanted to experience something else before beginning the programme.
hoping to travel Europe while visiting. After backpacking Europe for a month, starting a very fun pub job as a waitress, and meeting so many new friends, I decided to stay… for almost 4 years.
This programme was said to be three more years and end in a
Once you decided to stay in London, you were hired as a sales rep
practicum, which would then lead to the start of my career. I
at IPG and you excelled. Were leadership and sales both skills you
thought to myself, if I don’t travel now, I might not get the chance
always knew you had, or did you discover them through experience?
for a long time. I decided it was a good time in my life to get away from Vancouver and go back to my roots to visit some family in
Working in the sales industry is something I never, and probably
“You never know what you are good at until you try. And if you’re no good at it, at least you’ve eliminated one more thing off the list!”
ABOVE: Zoe at the PWC contract signing party.
ABOVE: Zoe traveling in Thailand.
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TOP: Zoe with her BCITMA group at a marketing competition.
would never, have considered before beginning my work at
Although I had never contemplated going back to school, I looked
Interpublic Group (IPG), an advertising and marketing services
into the Sales and Marketing programme at BCIT in Vancouver
company. I had my mind set on being a teacher straight out of
and applied. To my surprise, I got in. School never came easy to
high school, and had never contemplated other paths.
me (as many of the Mulgrave teachers would tell you); however,
However, after only a few months at this new job, I was excelling
after coming back to Vancouver with some life experience and
quickly and was offered a management position within my second
a new desire to achieve, I quickly excelled in school and was the
year. This job set the tone for the rest of my career choices. I
top student in my programme at BCIT. Within two years, I was
realised that you never know what you are good at until you try.
graduating with distinctions, and even began a small tutoring
And if you’re no good at it, at least you’ve eliminated one more
business for students who struggled with math and finance.
thing off the list! I truly believe that it is important to really
During my second year of the programme, however, I realised
contemplate any opportunity that comes your way. It is crazy what
that my passion and strength was in numbers (Finance), not
the outcome can sometimes be.
in Marketing. Although I continued with the programme and
What has traveling taught you that a classroom, perhaps, could not? During my time in high school and even my first two years at UVIC, I was a mediocre student; I was not very driven and I had low expectations of myself academically. All I wanted to
completed it, I now had a new goal in mind: to achieve my designation in Accounting (CPA) and to work for the largest accounting firm in the world – Pricewaterhouse Coopers. Yet another turn of events for you! How did you go about doing this?
do during these years of my life was have fun! After moving to
To achieve this goal, I would have to complete a Business Degree
London, traveling the world, and working, I began to realise that
and another two-year diploma in Professional Accounting. The
I had untapped skills. Everybody is different, but it took me going
problem was, I was ready to start now, not in two years’ time.
out into the real world, meeting people and doing new things
The accounting recruitment cycle is very set out, and recruiting
to realise all of this. This experience helped me in gaining the
season (where firms hire candidates for the following year) is
confidence I needed to make a switch in my career path, and go
in September. After receiving an offer from PwC in September
back to school.
2013, I was under a time crunch to get all of my classes done for
Is this realisation what made you decide to leave London?
September 2014. I spoke with a few teachers at BCIT, and with their help I was able to rearrange the programme (through night
classes) to complete both of these programmes in one year. To
times, this added to the amount of school I had to complete. By
do this, I would need to take 8-9 classes per semester. Although
the time I realised I wanted to be in Accounting, I was ready to
I was strongly advised not to do it – I did. One year (and many
start my career as soon as possible so I had to fit a lot of school
long nights of studying) later, I had a Business Degree (with
into not a lot of time.
distinctions) and an Accounting Diploma.
What encouragement would you give to someone looking to
That sounds like a very intense workload. How did you manage
change their career path, even when their education and work
your time and stress?
experience are in a completely different field?
To manage my time, I was very self-disciplined. Exam periods
This question flows nicely from the previous. Although I spent
were always the toughest – trying to manage eight exams in
more money and time doing school the long way around, I
two weeks can be daunting. To prepare, I would create a study
ended with a diploma in Marketing, a diploma in Accounting
schedule one month in advance, which mapped out the notes I
and a Business Degree. At first glance, the subjects may seem
would need to make prior to studying, what I would have to study
disconnected and this was one of the many reasons why I was so
for in each class, and how much time would be allocated to each
nervous about trying to get a job with one of the large accounting
task depending on the difficulty.
firms. However, once the interviews began, I found most
As for managing my stress, I made sure to carry on having a social
employers were impressed and very interested that I had skills in
and healthy life. Although difficult at times, I think it is really
marketing and sales, and in accounting. When you are up against
important to prioritize having fun, seeing family and friends, and
tough competition in any industry, you need to stand out from
keeping healthy and active.
the rest, and having a wide range of unique skills is a great way to
Your hard work paid off. Congratulations on securing a position at PricewaterhouseCoopers! Can you explain why it was such a rigorous and competitive process to get hired?
do that. So some may say that I could have done an accounting degree in four years and saved a lot of money and time, but I probably wouldn’t have ended up with my dream job. My advice to anyone who is unsure of their career path coming
The last and toughest step of my journey was to land the job. In
out of high school or already in university is to just keep learning
order to become designated in accounting, you must first get
and experiencing new things. They might not be directly relevant
hired by an accounting firm who provides you with the training
to your end goal, but you may be surprised to see that these
and support necessary to earn your designation. This is one of the
experiences could help you land your dream job one day in the future.
most rigorous and most competitive recruitment processes out there; 1500 very bright students, going for approximately 250 jobs in the city. I was nervous going into this process, as most of my training and
It’s inspiring how candid you are about your academic struggles at Mulgrave. What advice do you have for students struggling in a particular subject or area?
work experience thus far had been in Sales and Marketing, with
Throughout high school, I definitely wasn’t known as the smart
only a recent switch to Accounting. However, once the interviews
one, not technically at least. Because of this initial struggle, I lost
began, I found most employers were impressed that I had skills
confidence in my technical ability. Sometimes when you lose
in both areas, and reassured me that this would be helpful in
confidence in a subject, you label yourself as someone who is ‘bad
my career to come. After a month of recruiting with ‘The Big 4’
at math’ or ‘bad at English’. When I came back to school at BCIT
accounting firms, I was able to land offers from three, including
four years later, I decided to come back to school with all labels
one from Pricewaterhouse Coopers. Mission accomplished.
removed. By doing so, I allowed myself to regain some of that
What was the biggest challenge you have had to overcome? The biggest challenge I have overcome so far in my unpredictable journey has been school. Because I changed my career path a few
confidence. Within a one year, I was teaching others in my class how to do math, and after two years I had opened a small tutoring business, which I am continuing today. Zoe Griffiths, March 2015
SAFEEYA PIRANI Mulgrave School Class of 2008 Interviewed by Michelle Noble | March 2015
S
afeeya Pirani, a Mulgrave student from Kindergarten to Grade12, has admirably found a way to connect
her passion for dance with community service by starting a non-profit organisation aiming to help people with physical and mental disabilities. Tapping into the skills she learned in dance over the years, Safeeya is now flawlessly translating her experience to a future in journalism. Find out how Safeeya has done it in this week’s Alumni Spotlight!
Let’s start off by focusing on one of your biggest passions in life –
and performer and began teaching Bollywood jazz, yoga, and
dance. How long have you been dancing for and in what capacity?
Bollywood workout classes to students of all ages across the
I’ve been dancing since I was nine years old. I used to take jazz and hip hop classes, and then eventually I joined Shiamak Davar International (SDI) in 2004. I started off as a student, and then got the opportunity to audition for a special training group. After being selected, there was no looking back. In 2007, at the age of 16, I joined the company as a professional instructor
Lower Mainland. I also had the opportunity to travel to SDI’s head institute in Bombay, India for five months, where I got to teach, perform in shows, and take part in movie shoots. Eight years later, my passion for dance is just as strong. I love teaching and I have performed at some amazing local events, such as The BC Lions Half Time Show, WE Day, The World Police and Fire Games, and The Times of India Film awards. 41
As a student-dancer at Mulgrave, how did you manage to balance your dance commitments with the demands of the IB Programme?
a lot, which helped me prepare for university life in many ways. What has been your biggest challenge post-graduation and how did you manage it?
It wasn’t always easy balancing school and dance, but I believe that if there is something you are passionate about, then all it
My biggest challenge was getting over the fear of What would
takes is some extra hard work and time management. School is of
happen next? Questions like, What will I do with my career? and
course very important, so it’s vital to keep your priorities straight.
Will I ever get a job in the field I want? were some of the thoughts
I’m glad my parents were strict yet supportive because it always
that kept running through my head. I realised one day that I am
helped me to stay on track.
still young and as long as I stick to my goals, I will continue to get
We are honoured to welcome you back to Mulgrave to have you
opportunities.
perform at our 2015 Bollywood-themed Gala on May 2nd. What
Congratulations on being accepted into the Broadcast Journalism
style of dance will you be doing?
Programme at BCIT! How has a career in dance translated for
I am very excited to be dancing at the Mulgrave Spring Gala! We
you into a career in journalism?
will be showcasing the true essence of Bollywood – drama, high-
I have always been interested in pursuing a career in journalism;
energy music, and lots of colourful costumes.
I am an active writer and have enjoyed writing since my days
It is truly a privilege to have an alumni presence at Mulgrave’s biggest, annual fundraiser. We find it very inspiring that you’ve found a way to incorporate what you love to do through philanthropic initiatives. How have you gone about doing this? I helped start up a non-profit organisation through our company called, DANCE FOR GOOD. We gather a team of dancers of all ages, including our dancers with special needs, to go to places like hospitals, orphanages, senior homes, and health care centres to perform with one goal in mind: spreading smiles. We have set up these programmes for people with various disabilities as a way to give back in our community. I have been volunteering at The North Shore ConneXions Society and The Developmental Disabilities Association for a few years now, and it’s extremely fulfilling to put a smile on someone’s face; seeing people’s progress, both psychologically and physically, is amazing. Many of these individuals live in the moment, and appreciate everything. I always feel like I am learning more from them than they are from me. After Mulgrave, you completed the Communications programme at SFU. Do you feel the IB Programme prepared you for university life? The IB programme was demanding and it required a lot of organisation and time management. We had to write and research
at Mulgrave. I also love interacting with people, and because of dance, I have been exposed to the camera from a young age, so it’s something that comes naturally to me. I thought BCIT would be a great choice because the programme is very hands-on and will allow me to step foot into the industry right away. Dance has
“No matter what we go through in life, whether it’s positive or negative, it is always a learning experience.”
taught me how to interact with people, how to be comfortable in
love her on-screen presence as an anchor – she has a great personality.
front of the camera, and has given me a lot of self-confidence. I am sure that these skills will help me in my journalism career.
You may not remember, but in your 2008 Yearbook you quoted,
What is your dream job?
“Life is too short to wake up in the morning with regrets. So love
After BCIT, I am hoping to start off working locally at a TV station, such as CBC, Global, CTV, or even in PR/ Communications to gain as much experience as I can before venturing on to new things. Eventually, my dream job would be to work for a fashion magazine like Vogue, to be a news anchor
the people who treat you right, forget the ones that don’t and believe that everything happens for a reason. If you get a chance, take it; if it changes your life, let it. Nobody said it would be easy, they just promised it would be worth it.” Does this quote hold even more weight now than it did when you first wrote it?
for a major broadcasting network, or to work in entertainment on
I think this quote definitely holds more weight now. When I
television, perhaps in Toronto, New York, or LA.
wrote it, it was because it was something I believed in, but now it
Have you had any mentors or role models who have helped you find your path?
is something I have experienced, as well. As I have gotten older I have realised that no matter what we go through in life, whether it’s positive or negative, it is always a learning experience.
I wouldn’t necessarily say I have had any mentors, but I have always looked up to Giuliana Rancic on E! News as a role model. I
Safeeya Pirani, March 2015
LIZ HENDREN Mulgrave School Class of 2005 Interviewed by Michelle Noble | June 2015
“Find something that you are passionate about and try to find a way to make that your career.”
W
e are incredibly proud to introduce to you Mulgrave’s first doctor, Elizabeth Hendren, Class of 2005.
Elizabeth truly embodies the Mulgrave spirit and has taken it with her around the world to Africa, India and beyond in a service capacity. Having recently graduated from UBC’s Faculty of Science and Medicine, Liz is off to complete her training at the University of Toronto as an Internal Medicine Resident. In this Spotlight Series, Elizabeth shares with us her journey to becoming a doctor from an emotional, academic, and experiential perspective.
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When you were young, what did you want to be when you grew
in medical school is surprisingly straightforward compared to
up?
a Bachelor of Science; however, the application of such large
I just recently learned that I’ve been telling people I wanted to be a doctor since I was in preschool. But I also seriously considered being a ballet dancer, geneticist, physiotherapist and politician. I think that at my Mulgrave graduation ceremony, my career path was announced as political science. I do think a common thread was that I wanted to help people in some form or another. What made you decide to pursue a career as a doctor? A pivotal moment for me was attending a Model United Nations Conference in Toronto with Mr. Lawson and our team. I was a representative for the World Health Organization Committee and we discussed strategies to curb the spread of HIV/ AIDS. I realised that I was genuinely passionate about health and that I could see myself in a career where I would make medical decisions and educate people about their health. That conference inspired me to research more about health problems in developing countries and further led to three trips abroad to Africa and India to apply the knowledge I had gained. Would you say getting your doctorate was more academically or emotionally demanding? It was mostly emotionally draining. The material that you learn
amounts of information in a higher stakes clinical situation is the challenging part. Additionally, there is a lot to balance – studying, athletics, volunteering, family, and friendships. With the introduction of 28-hour shifts, it can be tough to keep going. Fortunately, you are interacting with and helping patients from the beginning of your training, and it reminds you of why you are there. What advice would you give to a student considering medicine as a career? The same advice I would give any student. Find something that you are passionate about and try to find a way to make that your career. If you have setbacks along the way, don’t give up - try to find the positive in the situation. Grey’s Anatomy or E.R? ER! I used to watch it in high school and loved watching the interactions between doctors and nurses. They always came together as a team, even when they were managing a really sick patient. Did you ever take time off school or have you been going continuously since you graduated? Would you recommend the
ABOVE: Elizabeth and fellow 2005 classmate, Sarah Fenwick, in Uganda working at a health clinic and elementary school.
way you did it? I took two gap years between my Bachelor of Science and Medicine. In that time, I took a trip around the world, worked full time and found my true passion in medicine (Internal Medicine and the kidneys!) Although the gap years were not how I originally envisioned my path to medicine working out, it’s been the best thing for me. Having perspective, professional work experience, and a bit of time away from school made me a stronger medical student. Additionally, I was able to gain valuable research experience in my future field, which helped me obtain my first choice of residency at the University of Toronto. My classmates from Mulgrave and I agree that gap years, if used wisely, can be an important learning experience. If you’re considering taking a gap year, either between high school and university or between your undergrad and a professional or graduate programme, my advice would be to make the most of
ABOVE: Elizabeth at her 2015 graduation.
the opportunity. Try to find work or an internship in a field you’re interested in, save and set aside a chunk of time for travel, use
When I’m by myself I love to read, watch Netflix and go for runs.
the experience to help you identify your passion, and then go to
I also LOVE to cook! I’ve recently joined a soccer and a softball
school to pursue that. Overall, your valuable time will be used
team with some friends. It’s a great excuse to stay active and to
more efficiently.
spend time with people who are important to me. It helps with
What has been your favourite course at a post-secondary level? My favourite course at university was called ‘Darwinian Medicine’.
the ‘work-life balance’. Are you going to specialise?
It was a third-year course that covered the various ways that
I am going to be a specialist in Internal Medicine and will likely
evolution happens around us daily. From viruses and bacteria
choose the kidneys to specialise in (Nephrology). I’ve done
gaining resistance to medications, to the mechanisms behind
some research in transplantation, and I would love to help people
allergies and cancer, each day I learned so much about how the
with incurable kidney disease continue to live active, healthy
world around me works; it exemplified what an amazing learning
lives through the transformative experience of having a kidney
environment a university can provide. The course also taught
transplant. I’m also planning on some additional training so I
me how to read scientific papers and to critically analyse other
can continue my passion for health policy that was started in high
people’s research – skills that I continue to regularly use.
school.
In such a demanding field, is it difficult to find balance in your
Favourite health tip?
personal life?
Be active! Sit less and stand more. We now know that being
It is challenging at times, especially when working long days.
inactive can damage your heart and put you at a higher risk for
However, doing what I love means that I am overall happier
many diseases. Stay involved in sports, extra-curricular activities
and that gives me the energy I need to visit with friends and be
and riding your bike – three easy ways to incorporate physical
involved in hobbies. With good planning and understanding
activity into your day!
relationships, balance can be maintained! What do you do for down time?
Elizabeth Hendren, June 2015
JOLEE TUNG Mulgrave School Class of 2015 Interviewed by Michelle Noble | July 2015
N
ew to the Mulgrave alumni community, Jolee Tung from the Class of 2015 is in the exclusive company of only four
other students in Canada and two from the United States to score 45 points (a perfect score) on her IBDP exams in June. A Mulgravian since 2006, Jolee has worn the hat of Deputy Head Girl, captain of the swim team, a Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award recipient and an alto saxophonist in the school’s band. In this week’s Alumni Spotlight, Jolee shares her tips and tricks on how to balance a social life and extra-curricular activities while thriving academically at Mulgrave.
48
“Everything that Mulgrave students encounter is achievable, so don’t let it be too daunting – you just have to take that first step.”
ABOVE: Jolee at a swim meet.
ABOVE: Jolee on the first day of G12.
Jolee, congratulations on your outstanding exam results! How many IBDP exams do students have to take? I wrote exams in six Diploma Programme subjects, as well as Theory of Knowledge (ToK) and wrote an Extended Essay (EE).
I will be going to the University of Toronto to study Life Science. What have you learned through your IB experience that you think will be especially useful at university? One of the most important things I’ll take with me from the
What was your first thought when you received the news that you
IBDP is the writing skills that I have developed. The IB didn’t just
achieved a perfect score on your IBDP final assessment?
teach me how to write, it more precisely taught me how to write
I was actually in Barcelona when the exam results came in, but with the time change I had almost forgotten about it until one of my friends messaged me asking if I had seen them yet. I was in a butcher shop at the time, so I quickly went outside, sat on a park bench, and tried to load the results on my phone. All I got was, ‘internet service error’. So the suspense lasted a little longer until I finally found an internet café. I think my first thought was, ‘Is this
different types of work, like a science report versus an English literature critique. TOK will also be very useful at university and beyond because it taught me to break the bubble of ignorance and understand what is valid and true. The level of discussions we had were invaluable as we were taught the methodology to pull arguments apart and have respectful and meaningful debates and discussions on challenging subjects.
real?’ I will always remember that internet café!
How did you find Mulgrave’s University Counselling programme?
Well, Barcelona is the perfect place to celebrate. What did you do?
Mulgrave has two full time counsellors for a class of 58, so it’s
I had an ice cream.
a huge advantage to have such a high level of accessibility. The counsellors are always available - they’re at the school early, are
Not a bad way to celebrate! Have you decided which school you
around past 3:00pm, they can always be reached by email, and
will be attending in the fall?
(though I’m sure they wouldn’t appreciate me advertising this) they will always make time for you even if you didn’t book an
appointment. Because they’ve spent the time getting to know each student on a personal level, they know us better than just our resumes and can advise with our best interest in mind. They can also encourage us to draw on our experience and skills that they know we have. Mulgrave’s university counsellors are there for us and they are invested in our success; it never feels like it’s a job or service for them. They also have tons of connections and a lot of great resources to tap in to, and I highly encourage students to take advantage of that. What is the best piece of advice you can share with students entering Grade 12 with regards to preparing for exams?
ABOVE: Jolee getting ready to have 8 inches of hair cut off for the Balding for Dollars campaign.
Keep it all in perspective. Everything that Mulgrave students encounter is achievable, so don’t let it be too daunting – you just have to take that first step and begin tackling your to-do list. The best piece of advice I can give is to plan your time ahead and use your teachers as resources. Who was a key influencer for you during your time at Mulgrave? All of my teachers, my parents and my sister. Ms. Morgan and Ms. Tang particularly went out of their way to be my personal and emotional cheerleaders, but every single teacher played a role. Do you plan to continue swimming at university? I definitely want to swim at a club level or perhaps a varsity level, but I might even try a new sport. Either way, athletics always has, and always will be a big part of my life. Being part of a team sport keeps you structured, balanced and is a great way to meet people.
In terms of exams, I knew the exam approach quite well because of all the practice exams I did, so there weren’t really any surprises. How are you planning to unwind this summer after all that studying and exam preparation? Well, I already traveled to Europe, which was great. Now that I’m back in Vancouver I will mostly be swimming, coaching, tutoring and soaking up the sunshine. What is one of your favourite Mulgrave memories? One of the best things I ever did at Mulgrave was participate in Spirit Week last year for Balding for Dollars; it was definitely a highlight for me. Not only was it really good bonding for the 10 of us core people who organised it, but it was also something we
Any tips on managing your stress during exam time?
could feel good about. We marketed it in a way to get everyone
In my opinion, a lot of the hard work, like self-reflection, learning
cut off 3 inches of hair, 8 inches, or help from a campaigning
to write, problem solving and time management, is already built
perspective, there was a way for everyone to participate. I cut 8
into your habits throughout your years at Mulgrave - so, come
inches of my own hair and it was turned into a wig. It felt so much
exam time, it should feel like second nature.
more gratifying than just writing a cheque to a charity.
In terms of staying sane during crunch time, I was very proactive and introspective, so when I felt uneasy, I would figure out what the issue was and tackle it head on. The best thing you can do is divert your energy from panicking into something more constructive, like problem solving. If you’re out of time, maybe you have to cancel something else. I never asked for an extension, because I always felt like it was just delaying the inevitable.
involved, so whether you wanted to completely shave your head,
Jolee Tung, July 2015
LINDA & DAVID CRONE Mulgrave School Alumni Family Interviewed by Michelle Noble | November 2015
ABOVE: David filming Will Smith on the set of I, Robot.
L
ABOVE: Linda working on Sir Ben Kingsley’s makeup on the set of Searching for Bobby Fischer.
inda and David Crone have been huge Mulgrave supporters since their daughter Alexandra first came
in 2001. With David spearheading film projects for Mulgrave, Linda backstage bringing characters to life with her makeup expertise, and both having a big hand in our new film studio in the Senior School, the Crones have been overwhelmingly supportive as parents, and now as alumni parents. Being in the film industry over 40 years, (David as a camera operator, assistant director and cinematographer, and Linda as a makeup artist) their advice, expertise and generosity has been truly invaluable to our Arts Department.
52
David discovering his love for the camera at a young age.
How did you break into the film industry, so many years ago?
the perfect way to spend the day - being glued to Elizabeth Taylor!
What were some of the first projects you worked on?
That’s not a bad way to spend the day! David, you are known in
DAVID: My mother and father were both heavily involved in the Canadian film industry, so I grew up in it. After graduating,
the industry as being a pioneer for the use of the Steadicam in Canada, is that right?
I joined my father for four years working on documentaries
DAVID: While I was working with my father, we bought a
(mainly working with camera and sound), and we traveled all
Steadicam, which is a camera stabilization system. We bought the
over the world together doing this. We took Sugar Ray Leonard
third one ever built and used it in documentaries because it was a
over to England to find the roots of boxing; Wayne Gretzky and
great way to move the camera, instead of hand held.
his family to visit Tretiak in Moscow; Gary Carter to Japan for baseball; and Julius Erving, basketball star, around the NBA. This
Have you two ever worked on a film together?
was all in the early 70’s – so that was kind of my start! After that
LINDA: Yes, we worked on Johnny Mnemonic, Adventures in
I went back into production managing and assistant directing
Babysitting, This is My Life, Alive (filmed mostly on Panorama in
TV commercials for four years until I had finally had enough of
Invermere), and a few others.
it, and I got a call from John Alonzo about doing a show here in Vancouver. (I was living in Toronto at the time.) He said, “I hear you’re a pretty good Steadicam operator, would you come and operate a movie for me?” So that was my first movie in 1984 with Tom Selleck and Michael Crichton directing it. That’s what I’ve been doing ever since ’84 - operating in feature films (and some TV). LINDA: My father was in the entertainment industry, as well. He was a professional musician and he worked a lot at CBC so, when I was younger, I would go and watch him have his makeup put on, and I always thought that was an intriguing job. When I graduated high school, I took many different makeup courses and started working in the film industry where I did commercials, taught makeup at a modeling agency, did a lot of stills, and then got into film. I worked on a couple of films as an assistant and then was called to do a film by Steven Stern in Toronto, Mazes and Monsters, with Tom Hanks. It was one of Tom’s first movies, too! Linda, when you look back on your career, what were some of your favourite moments?
What was the most difficult shot you’ve ever attempted, David? DAVID: Well, I’ve been hanging out of helicopters and sliding down mountains to get the perfect shot, but the most challenging one was probably a stunt that went wrong when I was in Paris. In my gut I knew I didn’t feel good about that shot. I was in a tunnel with the Steadicam ready to film a taxi coming through the tunnel, but as the stuntman flipped the car, it clipped the wall and spun it so came sliding toward me. I was right under the trunk at one point, but it spun and just narrowly cleared us. How often are you on the road in your business? DAVID: There was one point that in a four-year period I was home 10 weeks. It really is a love, not a job. When Alexandra was born, we decided that Linda would leave the film industry to be with her. We started at Mulgrave originally because it was an IB programme, so if I got a job internationally, I could take her with me and put her in another IB school if I had to. Your daughter, Alexandra, is now pursuing costume design at
LINDA: I’ve been very fortunate to work with a lot of interesting
the University of Arts in London. Being so involved in the film
people. I worked with Marlon Brando on Christopher Columbus:
industry yourselves, did you have a hand in helping her discover
The Discovery, which was definitely a high point. I did his makeup
this path, or did she discover it on her own?
on one of his last films, I think. I also worked on Nobody Makes Me Cry, with Elizabeth Taylor and Carol Burnett, alongside the man who taught me how to do makeup, which was a fun experience. He did their makeup and I had the misfortune (or fortune?) of gluing my fingers to Elizabeth Taylor’s with crazy glue when I was quickly trying to put false nails on her for a scene. It was
LINDA: Well, we just happened to be in the film industry so she got to see what is was like being on set at an early age, and she really got involved with the theatre and loved it, so it kind of all came together – us being in film and her love of theatre. She thought she wanted to be a fashion designer and went to
ABOVE: David and his father, Bob Crone, showing Sugar Ray Leonard how to use the Steadicam while filming a documenatry.
ABOVE: Linda on the set of Johnny Mnemonic with Dina Meyer and Keanu Reeves.
New York for summer school, but after being involved so deeply
involved in the community?
with the theatre here at Mulgrave, it sparked her enthusiasm and interest in creativity, and she decided that costume design was a better fit for her. Glen Pope was also an amazing theatre teacher and a great inspiration to a lot of the kids, as I’m sure Lydia Race will be as well. So for Alexandra, she just found her niche and felt really comfortable in that, but that was her own doing. David, what has been a highlight of your career? A highlight to me was when Claire [Lynch] came to me in 2012 with proposals from three companies to make a film for the school’s Imagine Mulgrave Campaign. I told her it would be a huge mistake to source outside of this school and that the film
DAVID: It’s been such a great school and such a pleasure giving back to the community – it’s really all we can do. In the long run, that’s what life is all about – passing the torch. So if you can spread little torches to the kids coming through, that’s the reward of life! Lian [Anson] has done a great job within this community, as well. Her students have done very well. When we started at Mulgrave in 2001, it was the first year that this Cypress building opened up, and it’s been a boon for both us as a family, as well as our involvement in this community. Linda, even more so than I, has given up a lot of time, and time is a very good giving tool. So our way of giving back has been very time-driven.
should be made internally by the students. It was a big leap of
What is one thing you hope Mulgrave students take away from
faith for the school to trust the kids to do this, and it took a fair
their film and/or performing arts classes?
amount of persuasion and scheduling around exams, but finally, we got everyone on board. In the long run, they made a far better film than anyone else because they had the passion for the school, and you can’t bring that in from outside. Of those six boys who helped out with the film, three of them went on to take film classes at university. There was just no question in my mind that the students could do a far better job than anyone else outside the community could have done. And again, it’s giving back, trusting people, and going to bat for the kids to say that they are 100%
LINDA: I hope they take the passion. You have to have a passion for this industry because it’s not an easy business to be in – there are long hours, the weather conditions are very difficult at times, and you’re traveling away from home and family. So hopefully we can just instill that love and that passion for the craft because it’s very difficult if you don’t have the drive. Although, I think that’s pretty much for anything that you do in life; you need that passion to really succeed.
capable – let them matter. That, to me, was a highlight of my
Linda, what do you enjoy most about helping out at the Mulgrave
career.
productions?
Wow, of all the things you’ve done in your career, it’s pretty special
I enjoy teaching because I like to share what I know. I love to see
that this was a highlight. Why is it so important to you to stay
students that start off not knowing anything and you watch them
grow over the years and blossom into this person that loves what they do. When I come and help out with the plays at Mulgrave, I like the students to really be involved, and I like to show them how to do the makeup so it’s not just me doing it. It’s their play so they need to be involved and participate in it just as much as the actors and stage directors. This year, Peter Pan is coming up and I look forward to getting involved in that again. It’s a wonderful experience being here and watching the kids from when they
What was the most challenging set you’ve ever worked on, Linda? The Black Robe was pretty challenging. The conditions were really difficult - cold, snow, rain, long hours. There was a large cast of extras who needed native makeup for all the different tribes that we filmed - lots of beards and hair! Just having the stamina to stand out there all day for 14 to 18 hours was challenging. Film or digital?
first start to when they graduate. It’s a great atmosphere here at Mulgrave for learning – they are very fortunate.
DAVID: There’s something magical about film. There is certain
What advice would you give to someone who is looking to
just a different look. The last time I worked in film was on True
become a makeup artist?
Detective, and everything since has been digital. I have to embrace
decorum on set when it’s film, and the quality of film is softer; it’s
it because it is the way of the future. As far as I know, there are
It helps if you want to be a makeup artist to learn how to paint. I teach oil painting and colour theory, and when people ask why they have to paint, I say, “What part of being a makeup artist don’t you understand?” You have to be an artist and understand colour, highlight, and shadow because that’s what you’re going to be working with. So that’s the best advice I can give to anybody who’s interested in being a makeup artist: Become an artist first. Also, find as many places as you can to learn makeup. It’s a difficult business now because there are so many people in the business. There are lots of indie films, but because there are so many people looking for work, it makes it that much more difficult. Work hard because it is very competitive. Find a good school that is thorough and covers all aspects of makeup training.
only two labs left that process film. LINDA: For makeup it’s been an adjustment as well because digital is not very forgiving. We’ve had to make modifications because of digital being so high def. Lastly, we need to know... What is your all-time favourite film? LINDA: A movie with Jimmy Stewart called, Harvey. It’s an adorable older movie in black and white but I’ve always loved Jimmy Stewart… or anything with Katharine Hepburn. DAVID: That’s a tough one! How can you go wrong with Lawrence of Arabia? This question puts you back into the classics. Barry Lyndon is another stunning film. David & Linda, November 2015
ABOVE: David working his angles on the set of HBO’s John Adams.
ABOVE: David & Linda on the set of Alive.
ABOVE: David filiming (Linda did the makeup) on the set of Johnny Mnemonic.
MEMORABLE MOMENTS AROUND THE GLOBE
Angela Saunders (‘07) has embarked on a grand adventure, and over the next 365 days she will be journeying through Central and South America: from Mexico to Chile!
Drea (or as we will forever know her, Andy Aguilar-Medina (‘15) ) has been in Ontario working very hard this past year on her EP called, Mariposa Monarca, which will soon be available for purchase on iTunes!
Matthew Zwimpfer (‘14) and Boyd Borjiet (‘15), both at UPenn, joined Ms. Mitchell, Mr. Ronald Jones and Mulgrave School G6 students in Philadelphia for a night of reconnecting and great Philly Cheesesteaks.
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Alexandra Crone (‘12), Josh Sherrington (‘12), Liam Mitchell (‘15), and Ailsa Sherrington (‘16) at St. Andrews in Scotland.
2012 alum, Angie Travlos and Eric Bleim took home the gold medal in the Rugby Championships against the University of Guelph! (Eric as a player for the Queen’s University rugby team and Angie as a student trainer).
True to tradition, Amy Xing, MJ Mayo, Emma Tallos, Rachel Johnston, Morgan McIntyre, Connor Stanton, Buzz Smyth, Hayley McIntyre (all from the class of ‘14) came together in Montreal to celebrate Thanksgiving.
Joey Hu (‘09) and Kei Yamamoto (‘11) took first-year U of T student, Jolee Tung (‘15), out for a night on the town in Toronto!
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STEERING COMMITTEE Mulgrave’s Alumni Steering Committee is made up of volunteer representatives from each class. These volunteers attend bi-annual meetings to help guide the work of the Alumni Association and ensure their classes stay connected by sharing news and events. The role of the Alumni Steering Committee is to help us achieve our mission - fostering lifelong connections between past, present and future Mulgrave students, families and faculty.
2004
NABILA PIRANI
2011 MADI INMAN
2005 ERIN CHRISTY
2011 AMANDA WOIDA
2006 REBECCA CYNADER
2012
2007 DARRYL KOH
2013
2008 KIAN ABGHARI
2014
KATE SHEPARD FLO BELANGER-JONES SAMIYA HASSAN
2008 TAYLOR SHEPARD
2015 ANGIE JOANNOU
2009
CHLOE SCOTT
2015 ANDY MEDINA
GALA
2016
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Mulgrave School
Alumni Association