ALUMNUS PERSPECTIVE
F
or Carl Wright Bradley ’78 (Groves’), Shawnigan Lake School is family. Stories from his time at the School bring a smile to his face and direct links to his life path. To say that his Shawnigan connection remains strong would be a massive understatement. When Carl’s father passed away in his Grade 8 year, then Headmaster Hugh Wilkinson committed to seeing Carl through to graduation, come what may. In the ensuing years, he was invited to pursue his passions, challenged to excel, and prepared for life beyond the gates of Shawnigan.
Carl Bradley '78 (Groves') Board of Governors, Advancement Committee, Past Parent
In his Grade 10 year, working with cherished teacher and mentor Lance Bean, Carl was given responsibility for the Shawnigan Lake School Jazz Orchestra, a 21-piece stage band. He began learning the skills necessary to move projects forward to their full potential. Describing the experience as a collaborative effort, Carl says “we were all there for the same outcome.” A visit to Little Mountain Sound Recording Studio in Vancouver energized Carl’s inspiration, and he described this first access to a recording studio as “a jaw dropping, eureka moment.” The atmosphere created such excitement that he knew from that point on that he wanted to be in that creative environment; it was a life changing experience.
The next phase of Carl’s journey was spent pursuing this passion, from his studies at the College for Recording Arts and Sciences in San Francisco to his work as a sound engineer at Pinewood Studios in Vancouver, BC. These pursuits later inspired the development of Shawnigan’s Communications, Arts, Sciences, and Entrepreneurship programs, known as C.A.S.E., which are all about creativity, innovation, solving real-world problems, and turning ideas and projects into solutions that fulfill a need in society. Carl also jumped into the cosmetics industry, applying the same creative product development process to achieve marked results. He credits the courage to expand his horizons and pursue new opportunities with the breadth of experience and opportunity he was given at Shawnigan.
9
