“Celebration of Completion” held at North Star High School

By Ron Giofu

Roughly six months after it opened to staff and students, the public got their chance to view Amherstburg’s new public high school last week.

The Greater Essex County District School Board (GECDSB) presented a “Celebration of Completion” last Wednesday night where the public was invited to take a look at the $24.3million North Star High School and see the programs that it offers. The school combined General Amherst High School and Western Secondary School at the new site, located at 330 Simcoe St. Scott Scantlebury, public relations officer with the GECDSB, said it was a chance for the public to see their tax dollars at work.

“A lot of work went into this building to make it as functional and economical as possible,” said Scantlebury.

Director of education Erin Kelly said the board was pleased to open the doors of the new school, let the public see it and welcome it to the community. Kelly also pointed out trustees Julia Burgess, Connie Buckler, Kim McKinley and student trustee Paige Hawkins were also on hand, the latter being a student at North Star High School.

“This has been a busy place since opening in September,” said Kelly.

Kelly thanked the board’s capital

By Fred Groves

works staff, the contractor and architect as well as everyone who had a hand in creating the new school.

“It’s not an easy job but they did it superbly,” she said.

North Star High School principal Melissa DeBruyne noted it was nice to reconnect with former students from General Amherst High School and Western Secondary School, as she was principal of the latter two schools as well. DeBruyne said she is proud that they offer different educational pathways for students in order to suit what the student needs.

“Whatever pathway you take is the pathway for you,” said DeBruyne.

DeBruyne also stacked up the shops and technical area of the school with any in the province, adding “it’s the staff and students that make this a great place.”

Lladaneyah Gayle, the school’s deputy prime minister, said her goal is to have a school that is positive, inclusive and welcoming and believes that is the case at North Star. She said student parliament was excited to welcome people to the school.

Mike and Ruxandra Juricic were pleased with what they saw.

“I’m very impressed,” said Mike. “It’s larger than I thought it was going to be.”

Mike believed a lot of thought has gone into the school with Ruxandra adding she was impressed with some of the technical facilities, citing the example that morning announcements will come from the media classroom’s green room.

“It’s a fabulous upgrade,” she said of the building.

Norm Talbot said he attended General Amherst High School in the 1960’s and wanted to see the new facility.

“The equipment is very up-to-date,” he said.

Talbot added it is a very clean building and he and his wife have a grandchild attending the school.

“It’s beautiful,” said Lori Handsor. “I graduated from Amherst, both my husband and I.” Handsor said her daughter also graduated from General Amherst and that they will be sending future generations to North Star.

“We love the name too,” said Handsor. Handsor added they like the different components of the building and also enjoyed the entertainment provided by the North Star band at the celebration. She said they live near the school and have had no issues with youth or traffic.

“We think it’s beautiful for the neighbourhood,” said Handsor.

Larry Hurst called the new school “phenomenal.”

“I can’t believe this school was this good,” he said.

Hurst said there is a big difference in technology and equipment, adding he was impressed with the shops and culinary area.

“I was curious. I wanted to come see it,” said Hurst. “When I heard it was going to be open (to the public), I made sure I came out.”

Bertrand returns home to debut new novel

Denise Betrand came home to Amherstburg last week and she brought with her a special gift – her first novel.

Reading from “Once Upon A Solar Time,” Bertrand, aka feather, was honest in explaining that it took her over 45 years to complete the self-published fantasy.

Now living in remote British Columbia she launched her book Thursday night at the River Bookshop not far from where she used to host poetry circles. She began writing “Once Upon A Solar Time” when she was 18 and living in her hometown Amherstburg.

“Who was I back then?,” she questioned of the beginning of the novel.

“Back than I wanted fame from it, now I don’t want fame.”

Bertrand is an international director, producer and writer of drama programs for youth. She lived in Asia for 14 years and no matter where she called home at the time, her book was always with her, usually in the back of a closet.

“It was there. It kept calling me. I took one night and I read the whole thing and said there is something there.”

What was hidden among the pages was a story about two girls, Neighbour and Girlfriend, the two main characters of the novel who transform themselves and go on a journey to the Echoes of the Sun Community. Bertrand explained that there are actually two stories in the novel that are parallel and eventually become one.

A life-long poet, Bertrand included three poems in the novel and said that they actually help advance the story. There are also a couple of songs.

She did most of the writing when she was in her twenties and the final chapter was penned a year ago. Friesen Press did the printing and allowed Bertrand to design the cover which depicts two young girls, who in real life are former students of the author.

“They allowed me to have ideas for the cover. It’s super important and it makes all the difference,” she said.

Asked why she never gave up on “Once Upon A Solar Time,” Bertrand was honest and said, “if you have a dream you can still do it. What’s stopping you?”

And what does the future hold for the first time novelist? She does not see another book in the immediate future but as far as the fate and direction of her debut accomplishment she would like to see it made into a movie.