The Andrean - Spring 2020

THE St. Andrew’s College 15800 Yonge Street Aurora, ON L4G 3H7 Canada

ANDREAN Spring 2020: volume 64, number 1

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We’ll meet again Don’t know where Don’t know when But I know we’ll meet again some sunny day Keep smiling through Just like you always do ‘Till the blue skies drive the dark clouds far away

THE ORIGINALS 14 boys made up the new Grade 5 class in 2012.

11 remain and graduate as lifers in the class of 2020.

We’ll Meet Again

By Ross Parker and Hughie Charles

PLUS: LIFE IN PANDEMIC TIMES

The One and Only Old Girl OLD BOYS PROFILES + NEWS

CONTENTS Spring 2020: volume 64, number 1 FEATURES 4 7 9 19 24 25 39

SAC’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic Staying Social at St. Andrew’s

The ANDREAN Published by St. Andrew’s College for Old Boys, parents, and friends of the School Editor Julie Caspersen Director of Communications Nicolette Fleming

The Originals Reflections of a Head Prefect: Rory McGuire ’13 Jayna Hefford takes the Mic The Excitement is Building: McLaughlin Hall Update The One and Only Old Girl

Contributors Sean Maillet Chris Traber

Dutch Smith

Dorian Jones and parents

Art Direction, Design, and Photography Paul Mosey Telephone 905-727-3178, ext. 333

COLUMNS 3 20 28 42

Email admission@sac.on.ca oldboys@sac.on.ca theandrean@sac.on.ca

From the Editor Sports Roundup

Website www.sac.on.ca

Old Boys Profiles Old Boys News

The Cover

On the front is a photo of SAC’s first Grade 5 class in 2012, gathered around the statue of Andy. On the back, a lone desk sits on an empty campus as the School shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Welcome to The Andrean, your alumni magazine since 1956.

This unique issue contains a collection of features that appeared on The Andrean website, launched in April 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The magazine staff members worked remotely to offer weekly, emailed installments to readers culminating with an online flipbook of the truncated edition. We will print a limited number of the spring issue for the St. Andrew’s Archives. Some of the features contained within will be either re-printed as is or revised and included for wider distribution in the Fall 2020 Andrean.

Julie Caspersen, Editor

Daniel Vercillo and family

Shayan Naqvi

We belong to the following associations:

The Andrean magazine supports the St. Andrew’s College mission to “…develop the complete man, the well-rounded citizen,” connects Old Boys and parents to the School, and is a reflection of St. Andrew’s College’s enduring value to the constituents it serves.

Richard Rong and family

Davide Zadra (right) with brother Luca ’17

off the top

TWINS PEEK: The 2019-2020 school year offered a unique phenomenon in the halls of St. Andrew’s: five sets of twins! Pictured top to bottom from top left are Neebeesh and Neebin Elliott ’20, Josh and Sam Lombard ’20, Ryan and Lucas Henderson ’21, Tommy and Owen Hollett ’21, and our youngest set of brothers, Declan and Gabriel Ste. Marie ’23.

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Ryan Henderson ’21 Stephen Liu ’20

Marcus McGowan ’21

TTL

Reid Biasi ’27 & Terrence Deng ’27

1st Hockey Old Boys on stage at An Andrean Christmas

Through The Lens A selection of favourites from school photographer, Paul Mosey

Celtic Night

2 The ANDREAN Spring 2020

Daniel Chow ’27

By Julie Caspersen

L

ike the students of St. Andrew’s College, we took The Andrean spring issue virtual.

COVID-19 became a real threat to our health, and we entered March Break in uncharted waters. The developments were rapid, and information was not always reliable. It was, and still is, a time of anxiety and, for many of us, isolation.

Our Communications team, also working remotely, discussed how we could best deliver the spring issue of The Andrean to you in our new reality.

You’d typically expect it to appear in your mailbox in May. However, things weren’t typical, and we decided to go in a new direction by taking the spring Andrean online. This would be our first time not printing since the magazine’s inception in 1956.

This approach was necessary due to the pandemic. As we debated the pros and cons of providing a print product, we favoured a digital solution that adhered to the government’s mandate to limit contact to only that which is essential.

So, we delivered The Andrean in a way that kept us all connected while following social distancing rules. Starting April 22, we sent weekly emails containing links to the Andrean features you’ve come to expect in the magazine. The final installment is this flipbook that contains all the online content plus a few extras.

Inside, Director of Communications, Nicolette Fleming, shares the behindthe-scenes work that allowed the education of our students to continue, academically and mindfully. The always creative and imaginative work of school photographer and graphic designer, Paul Mosey, has been showcased weekly. Paul is the mastermind of the new design of the printed Andrean.

Our Digital Marketing Specialist, Sean Maillet, continued to engage everyone in the Andrean community through all our social channels, providing a heads up when new Andrean content was available. And Ramesh Ari, our stellar web developer, built a beautiful Andrean digital landing space to host the latest content.

We were fortunate that our content had been written and the photography was completed prior to March Break. As you read through the features, please note the pandemic had not yet filtered into our consciousness and was not accounted for during the Old Boys Profile interviews, our Grade 12 “The Originals” feature, or the Middle School science and technology anticipation piece.

Looking ahead, we are planning for a robust and exciting fall print edition that will contain some of what you’ll see here, plus a whole lot more.

In the meantime, all of us at St. Andrew’s send our wishes for the wellbeing and safety of you and your loved ones. X

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By Nicolette Fleming

W

e have seen our share of ups and downs. We have weathered wars, economic downturns, and epidemics.

Through our 121 years, we have remained true to our foundational principles of offering boys the best possible education in a great setting, led by faculty and staff who work tirelessly to bring exceptional to life. Coping with COVID-19 has been no different.

St. Andrew’s College has never fully closed, not even during the 1918-1919 Spanish influenza. This pandemic hit in the fall and on October 16, 1918, all schools were ordered to close. We had 118 boarders and 85 day students that year, and while day boys stayed home, boarders were thought to be safe and secluded on the Rosedale campus that, at the time, was the countryside. With all masters living on school grounds, modified instruction continued for boarding students, and school was reinstated for all a month later.

Fast forward more than 100 years to January 24, 2020, when we sent our first communication home to parents about a novel coronavirus, now named COVID-19. It was a calm message that reinforced what our governments and public health agencies were telling us: the risk to Ontarians was low and to keep good hygiene.

4 The ANDREAN Spring 2020

As the weeks went on and the situation evolved, we created a COVID-19 Response Team made up of senior leadership, faculty, staff, and our Health Centre. The group updated our pandemic protocols, developed an educational response plan, and planned for a move to online learning and remote working.

Prior to March Break, there was still no news that any drastic change was coming.

Yet, out of an abundance of caution, Head of School, Kevin McHenry, asked the boys to take home all essential belongings from their residence rooms and lockers as they departed with well wishes for safe travels and fun times for the two-week vacation.

It was not even a week later when the Premier of Ontario, Doug Ford, announced that schools would be shut down for two weeks following March Break. The boys and faculty had all departed the week prior, but the March 12 declaration started a flurry of activity.

“The School worked hard over the entire March Break to plan and prepare for the migration of as many school programs as possible into online ecosystems,” says Steve Rush, Director of IT. Since we are a laptop school, our faculty have extensive training in using technology and blended learning approaches within

the classroom, and students are wellversed in these same areas. This provided reassurance that a move to e-learning would be seamless.

Rather than pre-recorded lessons, teachers instructed their classes during the usual timetable through live video conferencing. Students were highly encouraged, where possible, to walk through their day like they would if they physically walked through the bricks and mortar of campus. This allowed students to ask questions of their teachers and collaborate with peers on assignments. In many ways, we offered a sense of normalcy to the day. But, asynchronous learning was available, especially for students living in various time zones around the globe.

“We are not a virtual school,” explains Michael Paluch, Assistant Head and Director of Academics. “We are a face-toface school that has temporarily migrated online.”

In building our virtual platform, we didn’t concentrate solely on academics, we also focused on relationships, health, and wellness. That being said, we continued to offer all the benefits students received when on campus: strong academics, community time such as Chapel, advisory, co-curricular activities, fitness, and

counselling and academic support, to name a few. It just looked a little different.

What makes St. Andrew’s a great place to learn, live, and grow still existed.

Classmates might have dressed casually or even in their pyjamas, sitting on their couch or bed, and they may have been looking virtually into someone’s kitchen or bedroom. Yet, the curriculum was robust, the expectations remained high, and faculty and students alike were committed to making learning accessible, manageable, and successful. Academic supports such as the Guided Learning Centre (GLC), Math Den, and Writing Centre still ran, and tutoring moved online. Teachers and advisors still held daily and weekly checkins to ensure their students and advisees stayed healthy and engaged in their work and offered support where needed.

“I am thoroughly impressed by the enthusiasm and passion shown by the SAC faculty and students,” says Kevin.

It’s no easy feat moving from face-to-face instruction to an online platform.

The four core applications of our COVID-19 e-learning protocol were Edsby, OneNote, FirstClass, and Zoom.

The beauty is that aside from Zoom, the students were already familiar with these platforms.

Add to this the dedication our faculty have for delivering the best learning experience, and a vast canvas of additional applications emerged to develop and heighten student learning. Loom Pro, Edpuzzle Pro, Screencast-O-matic, VoiceThread, Formative, Flipgrid, and Soundtrap are just a few technologies adopted.

“Teachers are still the main learning tool,” says Jon Butcher, Coordinator of Data Innovation and Administration.

“These online tools require teachers to design, create, and manage the learning process, and students to interact with the material, each other, and their teacher. A lot of skill, creativity, and time goes into creating and curating online material.”

And it was the addition of Zoom that made much of this possible.

Our professional development days following March Break saw more than 130 faculty and staff in one Zoom call; we had

nearly 100 per cent class attendance on Wednesday, March 25, our first day back to school; and within a few weeks, we had 500 students online for our Winter Term Athletic Assembly. We provided a modified ACPlus, students met as boarding and day houses, and clan competitions were still in full swing in the Upper and Middle Schools. Athletic therapists took the boys through at-home physiotherapy, where possible, and provided crucial self-care techniques, musicians still played in the band, and the Focus Festival of the Arts moved online for May 6-8.

“We hadn’t even moved to our new way of learning and faculty were already developing and proposing additional programming,” says Kevin. “We have an abundance of expertise in developing cocurricular activities, and innovative ideas flowed quickly.”

The School worked hard over the entire March Break to plan and prepare for the migration of as many school programs as possible into online ecosystems.

– Steve Rush, Director of IT Carolyn Bilton, Head of Modern Languages, agrees. “While my lesson content hasn’t changed, the delivery is drastically different, and recording videos and writing detailed instructions takes extra time to prepare. The transition online went as smoothly as possible, and the variety of online tools out there provided me with new ways of teaching and connecting with my students.”

And the work continued, with more options for students added each week, and more opportunities to connect with the entire Andrean community.

We hosted coffee hours with parents and provided an online space for the Parents Guild and its subcommittees to continue the important work of enhancing student life at SAC. We also hosted reunions with

Old Boys. The connections may be running deeper than ever before for some in our community! See the story, St. Andrew’s College Stays Social (page 7), for more on these alumni initiatives.

“We are living an educational revolution with the accelerated adoption of online learning at all levels of education,” says Steve. “As a traditional school, we are being forced, of necessity, to shift our model of teaching and learning. At St. Andrew’s, we have always trusted our teachers, who are subject experts, to experiment, to fail, and to share with their colleagues. This new venture has been no different. Our teachers have been all in. They are finding what works, and many of the new online tools they are learning will become standard practice when we return to school. Once you have seen the light, you cannot unsee it.”

In the meantime, many St. Andrew’s faculty, staff, and parents, and likely you at home, are attempting to strike a work/life balance. For some, little kids are running into your video conferences asking you to take them to the washroom, while others have been holding their children’s hand through challenging schoolwork, or maybe the quiet of an empty household has you working harder than ever.

“I’m making an effort to close the computer at the end of the day, so I can focus on being a parent and getting outside,” says Carolyn, who has two children at home, one in Grade 2 and the other Grade 4. “It’s nice to eat lunch with my family each day, and sometimes I even wear leggings to work!”

We don’t know what the future holds, but one thing is guaranteed: our community will survive and thrive in these unprecedented times. Everyone at SAC is committed to ensuring students succeed and feel confident moving into their next grade or onto post-secondary education.

The COVID-19 Response Team and the Board of Governors are considering every potential outcome. The School will be ready for anything that comes over the next few months. X

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PANDEMIC IN 1918 CLAIMED LIVES OF OLD BOYS St. Andrew’s College was fortunate to be relatively untouched by the 1918 flu pandemic. Apparently, the school community was not as direly affected as other communities in Canada and across the world.

This virulent flu hit the country hard from 1918 to 1920. Quarantine was largely unsuccessful; in some places, entire villages were wiped out, notably in Labrador, Quebec, and First Nations reserves. All told, 55,000 people in Canada were killed by the pandemic, most of them young adults between 20 and 40 years old. These deaths compounded the impact of the more than 60,000 Canadians killed in service during the First World War (1914-18).

“Despite the severe winter, the school as a whole has been extremely lucky in regard to sickness, for although the influenza was rampant for several months, our cases were really nothing more serious than old-fashioned ‘la grippe.’ A few cases of ‘pink-eye’ were reported to the

infirmary, but its course was very soon successfully checked,” states an editorial in the Easter 1920 Review.

There were two deaths mentioned in the same editorial, Dr. Z. A. Lash, vice-chair of the board of governors, and Dr. Herbert Hamilton, the college physician, but no cause of their deaths was offered.

However, some Old Boys who served their country during the First World War died from influenza that was ravaging troops, and others succumbed to the flu while at home.

Here is a list of the Andrean victims of the 1918 pandemic. (Please note this might not be a complete list as it is compiled solely based on obituaries published in Reviews from 1918, 1919, and 1920, and also note we retained much of the original wording).

John Kay

(July 19, 1892 – De ce commission with th mber 15, 1918) obtained a with the First Cont e 15th Battalion and sent overseas ing Brigade Machine Gu ent, transferring to the 3rd captaincy. He obta n Company and obtaining his ine He was reported ill d the Military Cross in 1917. in rejoined his unit. In spring 1918 but recovered and Canada and becameNovember 1918, he returned to away at St. Luke’s ill while in Ottawa and passed Hospital of influenz a-pneumonia.

th Osler B– aNovember 191s8ed) d r a w d E 2, 1892 and gas

2 r (March taken prisone ring the n had bee ttle of Julian du ed but p a in the B d War. He esca fined to a rl o o c W d t an n . In March Firs aptured s was re-c for seven month lland, then o s H s re to rt t n fo He was e was se 1918, h d to England. as the te is ia it repatr from bronch nd died in g a sufferin being gassed, fluenza. in f o f o lt lt su resu as the re London

Mack George Denis– on December 3,

(May 13, 1893 influenza on 1918) contracted s brother had Hi his family ranch. as and it was left to fight overse on at home. An up to him to carry was severe ic influenza epidem d and he oo in his neighbourh care for his helped nurse and came infected neighbours. He be ys later. and died a few da

William Tert

(August 2, 18 ius Caven 96 1919) died af – January 9, te with influenza r he was attacked training to se . He had been in rve overseas .

aser r 1918 James9,F1r899 – Deceminbfleuenza

)

(May 1 r contracting ille and died afte tioned in Vegerv while sta r five days. died afte

Guy H

(Febru alifax Wa l 9, 191 ary 12, 1887 lace 8) was practic a doct – December Canad e when he jo or in private in ia Novem n Army Med ed the b ic e r 1 9 service 15. Aft al Corps in home s overseas, he er 18 months ’ resume uffering from returned d b h r o is n c practic but die hitis. H pneum d after a brie e in New York e o f n il ia lnes fo Decem ber 19 llowing influ s from enza in 18.

6 The ANDREAN Spring 2020

(January 9, listed in the 6, 1918) had en Corps at the ng ni ai Tr ’ Students ah in October University of Ut rred to the fe 1918 then trans n Service a American Aviatio ntracted co month later. He eumonia and pn d an za influen lt ry hospital in Sa died in a milita Lake City.

John Cecil Snelgr

(June 4, 1890 – Fe ove br starting in early 19 uary 3, 1920) served overseas 16 September and ret . He was wounded that ur obtained a commiss ned to Toronto, but a year later He joined the Siberi ion in the Royal Flying Corps. an Expedition and 1918 was back wi th the Flying Corps. by November pneumonia in Febr He died of uary 1920.

Francis Quigley

(July 11, 1894 – Oc to First World War an ber 20, 1918) served in the d was shot in the ankle in April 1918. He returned to in October, was ret Canada in the summer, and urning to England for overseas service but contra cte developed pneumo d influenza on the way over, nia was an intrepid an , and died in Liverpool. He d daring aviator an was regarded as a d real loss to Canada his death .

Harry

obertson ber Alexander18R99 – Decem

(Septe Hunt Walk m 1918) jo ber 8, 1892 er lieuten ined the 94t – July 13, h a He tran nt and went Battalion as Air Serv sferred to the overseas to fi a g Blandf ice. He died o Royal Naval ht. ord Hos f pneum pital in the UK. onia in

Willia

(May 6 m West Su joined , 1894 – Sep therland t shortly he 8th Royal tember 20, 1 1912. after leaving Rifles of Que 918) W was ca hen the war St. Andrew’s bec served lled on for ho broke out, he in overse as a corpora me defence a a l. enliste s, he gave u In order to s nd d a corpo as a privat p his stripes, erve e left for ral. The day , and becam h o v e r s eas, he is battalion e hospita cold an l suffering fr was sent to severa d pleurisy, a om a severe n l re-enli months late d recovered sted bu r, discha t fell il in July 2016 r in Que ged. He cont l again and . He b w subseq ec in Septemracted influe as nza uently ber 19 died of 1 pneum 8 and onia.

St. Andrew’s College stays social

By Julie Caspersen

Nicholas Weedon ’02 (top centre) hosts a Zoom social with members of the Class of ’54.

G

enerations and geography may separate us, but St. Andrew’s College has a proud history of connecting with Old Boys.

Reunions around the globe, pub nights across the continent, and invitations to attend marquee events on campus have maintained our network for well over a century.

But never has there been a more crucial time to reach out and strengthen our ties.

The first matter of business for our Advancement staff at the advent of the isolation order in March was to pick up the telephone and simply say hello.

According to Julie Wilson, St. Andrew’s Stewardship, Planned Giving & Awards Officer, these stewardship check-in chats were well received by our senior alumni, not only comforting for the person receiving the call, but also for the staff person making the call.

“It’s nice to hear a familiar voice and have meaningful conversations during

this trying time. To catch up with and update our alumni on how the School is handling this crisis is important. It also gives our alumni the opportunity to speak about their time at the School and to gauge how times are so different now with our virtual classrooms and e-learning platforms,” Mrs. Wilson said.

The wonders of technology allowed us to continue educating and connecting with students despite the physical distancing. So why not leverage the same technology to reach out and rekindle our bonds with Old Boys?

As the weeks of isolation passed, we took a hard look at our calendar. The full slate of events and activities was now populated by the words “cancelled” and “postponed.” And who can predict when we will all gather again?

Despite the dwindling opportunities to meet Old Boys in person, we brainstormed all the ways we could connect virtually. The quick shift to online learning for our students

was seamless; every student, faculty member, and staff person already has a laptop. We crafted a robust academic strategy that included wellness and athletic components in addition to arts and co-curriculars. While we felt the loss of face-to-face dynamics, we were back in business the Wednesday after March Break.

Class reunions are normally fun times for Old Boys to gather, catch up on everything new, and reminisce.

While we can’t gather these days, we are facilitating reunions with our grads. In fact, we are hosting more reunions than ever via video conferencing (Zoom), lifting a glass of good cheer and toasting to the health of our community through our screens. Associate Director of Advancement, Nicholas Weedon ’02, reports that our first Zoom reunion was for the Class of 1954 with Old Boys tuning in from across Ontario as well as from Vancouver, Boston, and Bogota.

They’ve since had a second meetup, with plans to get together every >> Spring 2020 The ANDREAN

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month, now that they’ve connected so well online.

The feedback to a video sent by Executive Director of Advancement, Greg Reid, through ThankView to our Old Boy community was met with overwhelming positivity. It provided an update on how the College has continued to provide an education to our current students, an invitation to connect with the School, and a suggestion to check in with old friends and classmates.

We already have an online alumni platform, SAC Connect, that offers our 6,000-strong Old Boy network the chance to cultivate relationships with other alumni around the world.

We have built on this by launching a business directory and inviting grads to promote their businesses and services with the aim of boosting their profile during these tough economic times.

Lunch-and-learn sessions are another way we are sharing the vast expertise of our Old Boys. While we can’t provide the lunch, we are bringing people of a variety of class years together to collaborate, learn something new, and, hopefully, expand their network.

Our Prefects are also leveraging the Andrean community. One of their “Conversations in Quarantine” hosted

on Instagram Live featured Old Boy guests, Matthew Galajda ’15 and Morgan Barron ’17, who play NCAA D1 Hockey at Cornell University, and proved popular with hundreds of students, grads, and parents tuning in to the lively discussions.

Our alumni magazine, The Andrean, has traditionally been a printed product delivered to our constituents.

While there is no silver lining to be found in the anxieties we are feeling and the tragedies we are learning about daily, the pandemic prompted us to re-think our delivery strategy.

We came up with a plan to divvy up the content of the spring issue and distribute it by email every week.

This allowed us even more opportunities to connect positively with our alumni, parents, and students.

We also continue to be active on social media, sharing good news stories and updates on a regular basis. X

Matthew Galajda ’15 (top) and Morgan Barron ’17 joined the Prefects in an episode of “Conversations in Quarantine.”

Visit The Andrean online at theandrean.com.

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THE OR IGI NAL S

The inaugural Gr ade 5 class on th e

IN

first day of school,

2012, with teache r Claudia Rose-D onahoe

.

September 2012, we welcomed the Class of 2020 with the introduction of Grade 5 in the Middle School.

They brought infectious energy and youthful enthusiasm to St. Andrew’s.

We caught up with 11 of the original class members, who are bidding farewell to the School after eight remarkable years. Some were as young as 9 when they first walked into Rogers Hall. Now, they are heading out as young men, preparing to transition to post-secondary education, eager for their next chapter to begin.

They share their memories of favourite years, special places on campus, and lessons that will last a lifetime. One common thread was their advice to younger Andreans to treasure the time spent as a student and take advantage of all that SAC has to offer.

It is a truly bittersweet time for these boys, but one that culminates in a new journey as they transition into Old Boys.

To offer some perspective on life following graduation, we also chatted with Rory McGuire ’13, who served as a Prefect the year Grade 5 was established.

He left the St. Andrew’s fold seven years ago and says he is as connected as ever to his roots.

NOTE: The following reflections were written prior to the COVID-19 outbreak.

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Jack Kempczinski (left after Grade 8)

AIDAN WALTERS

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CHRIS YI

JAKE IWAI

CHRISTIAN D’ALESSANDRO

COLE NIP

BRYCE NEI

IL

Matthew Sun Michael Sun (left after Grade 6)

NOLAN MICHELBERGER

DORIAN JONES

ALEXEI LISIN

BRENDAN DILWORTH

CONNOR BROEKAERT

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C

CONNOR BROEKAERT

When I was in Grade 5, I felt intimidated. I remember walking through Staunton Gallery to get to the Middle School art classroom and trying to appear as nonchalant as possible to avoid embarrassing myself. I don’t remember being as small as I probably was during my Middle School years. I also find it surreal to look back at all the time I’ve spent at St. Andrew’s and all the friends and teachers I have connected with.

I have always loved the lockers in the basement of Dunlap Hall. It served as manhunt hiding grounds in Middle School and a social place to gather before classes and sports in Upper School. The brief time putting my jacket away in the morning or talking with friends before leaving after a long day will be a lasting memory.

I am especially proud of learning to play the clarinet.

Over seven years, I have performed in countless competitions alongside my amazing teachers and bandmates. An Andrean Christmas has always made me proud to be an Andrean. It’s a time of joy before leaving for the holidays by playing and singing Christmas carols. After eight years, it means a lot to me, and I hope to come back as an Old Boy.

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CHRISTIAN D’ALESSANDRO

In Grade 5, I don’t believe I truly appreciated what this place had to offer, but in the years leading up to my senior year, I have become significantly more aware of the great opportunities we have been granted.

Grade 9 was my favourite because it granted me a sense of independence. The freedom to roam the School to get to classes allowed me to take initiative in a multitude of opportunities in the St. Andrew’s community.

I feel as though my eight years at SAC have helped me develop as a writer and also substantially improved my musical compositions. My vocabulary, along with my awareness of current issues, has improved by leaps and bounds thanks to the education I’ve received.

I would tell future Grade 12 students that working hard is the second most important part of their final year. The most important is getting your sleep and being punctual for class.

This will help build strong relationships with your teachers. For new Grade 5 students, I strongly advise you to initiate and cultivate friendships; they will last a lifetime because of your connection to the School.

B

BRENDAN DILWORTH

When I was in Grade 5, I saw Grade 12s as people I could look up to. They were role models, and I constantly modelled my behaviour and actions to them. They were all so nice and kind to me, and I keep that in mind now that I am in Grade 12.

In Middle School, I learned how to interact with people in a kind and polite way.

During my Middle School experience, we were taught daily how to treat and talk to our peers and teachers. These lessons shaped me and defined how I treat and speak to people today and how I will for the rest of my life.

My advice for students going into Grade 12 would be to enjoy every second you have at this school. SAC is an extremely busy place, and sometimes we get caught up and don’t appreciate how special it really is. I did my best to appreciate every minute of it because once it’s over, I am going to miss it tremendously. My advice for students in Grade 5 would be to get involved and participate in as many things as possible. SAC offers many opportunities, so try and take advantage of as many of these unique experiences as possible.

I wish there were a singular moment or event that I could think of to illustrate my feelings. The truth is, so many moments and events make me proud to be an Andrean. Some examples are as big as Homecoming, An Andrean Christmas, the MacPherson Hockey Tournament, but others are as small as walking down the hall and seeing all of us in matching uniforms.

What I appreciate most about being at SAC is the genuine brotherhood I have developed with my peers.

SAC creates an atmosphere of camaraderie, like no other place in the world. I feel so blessed to have so many friends whom I would consider family, and I believe this to be unique to SAC. I have built friendships here that will last for the rest of my life, and I am appreciative of that.

J

JAKE IWAI I will always remember my Grade 5 class through the friendships I made that I still have now, and it was always an entertaining class with Mrs. Rose-Donahoe.

I feel the Upper School is a big step from Middle School, but I have enjoyed it as I made close friends. The big school events mean a lot more to me now that I am in my last year. When I was in Grade 5, I thought of the Grade 12s as the leaders of the School and looked up to them. I was excited for my Grade 12 year.

When I first arrived in Grade 5, my favourite place was the turf field. I will always remember Middle School recesses and great times I had. However, my favourite place now is the La Brier Family Arena, as this was the School’s most significant improvement during my years, and it was great to be able to skate there. I am most proud of being able to play on a hockey team in all my eight years at SAC and experience each level playing with my friends. I will always be able to say I played at that rink for U14 and in the Gary West Tournament.

My favourite year is Grade 12, as it is the last one of everything.

An Andrean Christmas and the semi-formal dance were nights I will remember long after I leave St. Andrew’s. I was most proud to be an Andrean during An Andrean Christmas, singing on stage with my brothers.

For students going into Grade 12, good luck, work hard, and cherish every moment with your brothers before you graduate.

For boys going into Grade 5, enjoy it, work hard, and enjoy all the time with your friends.

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D

DORIAN JONES

As one of the first students accepted into the newly introduced Grade 5 class in 2012, I am ecstatic to be a member of the first Grade 5 class to graduate proudly from St. Andrew’s College in 2020.

When I arrived on my first day of Grade 5, I was overwhelmed by the size of the campus, and I can recall that day as if it was just yesterday.

Mrs. D’Angelo, Director of the Middle School, was standing at the front entrance and welcomed me with a huge smile. Her smile, always so warm and welcoming, is one I will always remember.

My mom stood in the background watching, and when I looked back, she had tears in her eyes. I walked tall into Rogers Hall until I saw the older boys who were headed to assembly and quickly felt small as I realized how much taller they were than my 10-yearold self. Some of them walked up to me and gave me high-fives and fist-bumps. I was in the right place.

My first impression of the Grade 12 boys was that they were “boss,” and I could learn from them. I looked up to them in awe, hoping to one day walk in their shoes. Here I am, now in Grade 12. Taller than I was on that first day, ready to embark on the next chapter, with nothing short of the most memorable journey that has led me to this moment. My St. Andrew’s experience will forever be etched in my heart and memory. I learned so many new and exciting things. Most importantly, I learned to be honourable, loyal, and respectful of others; I learned what it means to be part of a real community and brotherhood, while also marching to my own drumbeat.

I was introduced to the alto sax in Grade 5, and I was hooked.

Thanks to Mr. Richardson, Miss Chasson, and Mr. Page, who spent many hours helping to hone my skills and awarding me the privilege of First Alto in the Wind Ensemble, I have a love for music. In Middle School,

14 The ANDREAN Spring 2020

my favourite place was Towers Library, with its breadth and depth of books, where I spent countless hours consuming every book I could digest. The incredible Bob and Jilla Williams Band Room was built during my time here and has become my absolute favourite place to be now. It is in this room, with its phenomenal acoustics, that I am captivated by the many talented musicians our school has, and where I can often be entertained by some fine tunes.

Because I joined St. Andrew’s in Grade 5, my transition to Grade 9 was seamless. My confidence grew immensely. I put my leadership skills to work as Head of the Community Service Council and participated in triathlon, which improved my athletic ability.

I have many favourite moments, but Grade 12 has been my favourite year by far. I have enhanced and showcased my leadership abilities, displayed my full potential while

mentoring my younger Andrean brothers and leading by example. It has also been really interesting watching the growth and potential of the current Grade 5s who, just like I was in Grade 5, seem overwhelmed at times but are bright-eyed and eager to explore all the new and exciting challenges and opportunities available to them. I thoroughly enjoy walking down the hallways each day because it is now my turn to give high-fives and fist bumps in exchange for wide, innocent smiles.

A proud moment for me was being voted Prefect, the highest form of honour and responsibility at SAC. This achievement would not have been possible without the encouragement and undying support of the exemplary teachers and mentors I have had the privilege of knowing here. A special shout-out to Mrs. Rose-Donahoe, Mr. Ramon, Mr. Commisso, Mr. DeMello, Mr. LaForge, and, last but not least, my confidant and advisor, Mr. Madill, who have each had a unique impact on me. I hope that I have made you all proud. Thank you!

All accolades aside, I could not be prouder to be a part of such a great community that has demonstrated to me that the sky is, indeed, the limit. I am most appreciative of my parents for allowing me this amazing opportunity, one I know they have sacrificed to give to me and for which I am extremely grateful.

To my Grade 5 brothers: keep an open mind and indulge in every opportunity made available to you, as there are many. It is through these experiences that you will unlock the depth of knowledge and potential buried deep within you. To my Grade 12 brothers, I will say what my parents have always told me: you have not completed the circle of success until you have helped others, so support and lift your younger Andrean brothers to move forward.

A

ALEXEI LISIN

In Grade 5, my teacher was Mrs. Rose-Donahoe. During the times when I was struggling, she was there to help me academically and emotionally. Looking back at it now, I am so grateful to have had such an amazing teacher for my first year at this school.

From an academic perspective, as important as it is for a Grade 12 student to work hard even as university offers are rolling in, never forget to let loose once in a while as it is your last year of high school. Go to events or join clubs that you usually would not.

Step out of your comfort zone; the year will be over before you know it.

For Grade 5s, treasure the friends in your class as these friendships will continue through Upper School and beyond. Make sure to have fun as you are still a kid, but don’t fall too far behind on your math as it will be difficult to catch up (personal experience).

My favourite place on campus is Cole Hall. It is a chaotic environment. Everyone is hungry for their chicken and vegetables, but the most important aspect of the dining hall is sitting at the tables with your friends. I often lose track of time when talking around the table about a wide variety of topics. Bonds are formed through just sharing a simple meal.

During An Andrean Christmas in years past, I remember seeing the graduates singing their hearts out and holding each other arm-over-arm. I thought to myself, “One day, I will be in that position.” It was my turn this year, and it was such an amazing, unforgettable experience.

N

NOLAN MICHELBERGER

I appreciate all the opportunities St. Andrew’s has offered over my eight years attending the School. As cliché as it sounds, I have participated in activities I would not have been able to otherwise. For example, being a member of the Pipes & Drums: I was introduced to the band through the Tuesday Arts program.

There are so many moments that make me proud to be an Andrean. One of them was when O Come, All Ye Faithful, was performed for my final time as a student at An Andrean Christmas. There were so many emotions going through my head that night. This was something I had seen Old Boys experience, and when it happened to me, I realized how special that night was.

My favourite year has been Grade 12. I have been able to reflect on the past eight years and see how far I have come and how I have changed since being a Grade 5 student. Being a Prefect, a member of Varsity Hockey and Lacrosse, and in the Pipes & Drums can only be done in my final years. Most notably, being the student manager for Varsity Hockey has been one of my favourite experiences. It has allowed me to spend time with friends I would not have met otherwise. Not only that, but I have travelled to places I likely would not have gone. Travelling to Europe and the United States, watching high-calibre hockey, and being able to make a small contribution to the team’s success has been something I am thankful for.

The MacPherson Hockey Tournament Friday night game is a favourite event because of my passion for the sport, and it is amazing to see the entire school come out to support the team. As student manager, it’s a different experience from watching as a fan. I’ll never forget when we beat Shattuck-St. Mary’s in a shootout in the Friday night game.

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B

BRYCE NEIL

As I near the close of my years at SAC, it is not surprising that I’m in a reflective mood. Eight years ago, SAC presented like a candy store, an irresistible temptation for a 9-year-old with an insatiable sweet tooth for all the School had to offer. I was never nervous, only excited for what the next eight years would hold for me.

I was full of energy – many would claim too much energy – but my Middle School teachers did not judge. Instead, they helped me to harness and direct my enthusiasm. They didn’t try to change me but helped me develop self-awareness so that I could use my personality as a strength.

As the years have passed, I still have a lot of

energy; however, I have learned how to channel it into being an enthusiastic leader, an energetic athlete, and a diligent academic. Herein lies the impact of a community.

Community and brotherhood are central to everything we do at SAC. In my first months as a new boy, I recall telling my parents about the friends I had made from the Grade 11 class.

My parents appeased me with a sweet pat on the back, and I only came to learn that they questioned how a friendship could be formed or 16 The ANDREAN Spring 2020

common ground be found between boys with a seven-year age gap. All these years later, I keep in touch with these friends and rely on their wisdom, and all these years later, my parents have their answer.

that SAC offered, and I have grown exponentially as a result. My advice to any boy at SAC is to be present in the school community, engage in something you love, and challenge yourself by trying something new.

The teachers, students, and all who comprise the SAC community are the cornerstone of this school. We truly walk the talk, live the mission, and share a bond that will endure.

My time at SAC has also coincided with some personal challenges. Early in my Grade 7 year, my grandma passed away from cancer, but her lessons, whether verbal or inferred, will stay with me forever.

Lesson #1 – Practice makes permanent. In the Middle School, my teachers encouraged me to set goals and create an outline for my work before

I started. I never understood the significance of this until I put it into practice. As my grandma said, this practice became permanent, and I started seeing better results in my classes, better results in sports, and my overall school experience improved.

Lesson #2 – Education is an opportunity. In my grandma’s final months, she made it a priority to work on crossword puzzles for hours each day in an attempt to maintain her cognitive abilities.

I applied her lesson by fully committing to all

As I continue to reflect on my time at SAC, I am most grateful for the boys I can count as friends, teachers who have been impactful mentors, and dining hall staff who never let me go hungry! I am also so grateful for my personal development.

Although I am the same person I was eight years ago, SAC has helped shape my journey to allow me to become the best version of myself.

– Andrean for life

C

COLE NIP

Having the opportunity to play my bagpipes at events like An Andrean Christmas and the Macpherson Hockey Tournament makes me more appreciative of being an Andrean with each passing year. It feels immensely special to be able to contribute to a long-standing school tradition, especially as the only piper in my graduating year.

I would say this past year has been my favourite because I can finally look back at my time at SAC and fully appreciate the journey. I have changed a lot over the last eight years, and so much of who I am has to do with the experiences I’ve had at SAC. It has become like a second home, where I always have something to do or someone to talk to.

A

AIDAN WALTERS

My experience in Middle School at St. Andrew’s College was something special. With students coming from all corners of the world, I learned to be accepting of others, while at the same time making friends that would last a lifetime.

Each year I would look forward to my 5-Day Boarding Pass in Macdonald House because I wanted to spend as much time as possible at school, not to mention with my friends. I’ll always be thankful my parents listened to my pestering and finally conceded to let me become a boarder in Grade 9.

My favourite place in Middle School was the library; I would spend every

I have made friendships that will last a lifetime.

You know you always have somebody you can count on within our brotherhood. I’ve gotten to know so many of my closest friends through SAC, and I know they always have my best interests at heart.

The amount of change that the School has undergone during my time, including the addition of the Yuill Family Athletic Complex, the La Brier Family Arena, the Centre for Leadership, Innovation & Performance, and now McLaughlin Hall, makes me curious to see what evolves in the next few decades. The constant change in our community excites me for the future of this school and the Andreans who will graduate after me.

afternoon finishing up my work downstairs or reading a book I had just picked off of the shelf. However, as I transitioned to life as an Upper School boarder, my favourite spot on campus became the weight room.

The La Brier Family Arena became my place to be productive when I needed a break from homework. Despite having never played organized hockey, this is my favourite addition to the SAC campus. However, with the constant support available, my fitness habit never caused a detriment to my academics. I was even prompted to enrol in the AP Capstone program, where I’ve become part of a group of extremely successful students who have enriched my life like nothing else.

This leads me to what I appreciate most about St. Andrew’s College: the people. People come from all around the world, speaking different languages and carrying unique cultures, all with one common goal: to become successful young men. Whether I’m walking the streets of Toronto in my kilt before An Andrean Christmas, covered head to toe in red at a sports tournament, or wearing my SAC hoodie, I will always be proud to be a part of this community and sport the St. Andrew’s College crest.

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C

CHRIS YI

My fondest Middle School memory is from the Beyond the Gates (BTG) trips at the start of the year. These were times dedicated to letting loose, meeting classmates, and developing friendships.

I can clearly remember my first BTG trip to Camp Wildfire in the first week of Grade 5. Now that I’m looking back, BTG is something I’ve missed most during my transition to Upper School.

My favourite place on campus is undoubtedly Rogers Hall, Room 106. It’s where the Grade 5 class was. Even now, walking past R106 brings back fond memories.

Now that I’m older, when I see Grade 5 boys, I laugh, realizing that I was once one of them. But it’s the boys who have been with me since the beginning, the first Grade 5 class, who have been my inspiration.

In Grade 9, I had the unique opportunity to travel to Boston for the Harvard Model United Nations Conference. As the only Grade 9 selected for the trip, I was nervous and my expectations for myself were low. Today, I can proudly say Model UN has been instrumental to my development.

It has taught me how to speak publicly, apply diplomacy to personal relationships, and view world issues through different lenses.

The Centre for Leadership, Innovation & Performance was finished just in time for my Grade 9 year, and I had the opportunity to reap the benefits of the new classrooms and, most importantly, the Bob and Jilla Williams Music Room. As a tenor saxophonist since Grade 6, the band has played a significant role during my time at SAC, and it was a pleasure being able to rehearse, perform, and practice in a brand new building.

From Grade 5 until even my Grade 11 year, the grads looked larger than life. The years separating us seemed so vast that I could never see myself as a Grade 12, ready to move on from SAC.

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Grade 12 has been my favourite. It is the year of transition as I move out of my comfort zone that is SAC, into a world much larger and different.

While this initially intimidated me, it now excites me as I look forward to how my life will progress.

For the students going into Grade 12 next year, I say this: it will soon be over. I am certain the school days will seem increasingly shorter, and the terms will go by quicker and quicker.

Before you know it, it will be your last Andrean Christmas, your final championship game, meet,

or competition wearing the SAC crest. Time is running out.

For the boys in Grade 5: truly make the most of your time here. The opportunities you are granted are unlimited. Anyone who has spent time at SAC can attest to hearing the phrase “well-rounded.”

Honestly, I could not use a better word to describe how I’ve progressed at SAC. I’ve been a scholar, an athlete, a bandsman, a Model UN delegate, and a DECA executive.

REFLECTIONS OF A HEAD PREFECT

R

RORY MCGUIRE ’13

When I entered through the gates of 15800 Yonge Street for the first time as a Grade 9 boarder, I was simply excited for the next four years, entirely unaware of how these years would transform me.

I studied hard, focused on athletics, and developed lasting friendships. Fast forward to graduation in June 2013, and I was forced to acknowledge how much I would miss SAC. What I didn’t realize at that time was how my high school experience would become the foundation of how I approach all aspects of life.

My first two years post-graduation were spent pursuing my NCAA hockey dream through the Junior A system in British Columbia. For the first time, I was simply playing sports and not facing the demands of academics. Oddly enough, it was a challenge. I felt as if I was losing my identity as a well-rounded citizen.

When times were tough, I instinctively focused my efforts on giving back to the community and relied on my teammates.

But these weren’t just any teammates, they were fellow Andreans, three classmates, Jacob Kearley, Jay Mackie, and Jake Stirling, who reminded me just how lucky I was to have friends I could lean on and trust like family. I’m originally from Ontario and living in a province across the country felt less foreign thanks to these inseparable bonds.

Once I started with post-secondary education, it became evident that my journey to success in Division 1 hockey would be challenging. My approach to facing this was simple: study the game, work even harder, and, most importantly,

respect the opportunity presented to me.

Once again, these were lessons I learned through the incredible mentorship of St. Andrew’s First Hockey coaches and my athletic advisors, David Manning and Geoff Brennagh ’94.

As I think back to my high school years, I realize my SAC education is at the core of who I am today, and the benefits of such a unique experience have continued well beyond graduation. It instilled in me a foundation to not just live life, but to experience it, regardless of the challenges. I now, more than ever, understand how SAC will forever be engrained in me and will continue to push me in a positive direction.

One thing is for sure: my St. Andrew’s experience transcended far beyond the time spent in the classroom. I continue to remember my teachers fondly for how genuinely invested they were in my success. I’m grateful for Cadets for teaching me discipline, the McEwen Leadership program for teaching me fundamentals that span far beyond the business world, for the athletic department that gave every student the chance to feel a part of a team, and for the staff members who provided a simple smile that showed they cared even on the most challenging days.

It’s all these components that differentiate St. Andrew’s College and make it the greatest independent educational institution in the world.

Rory graduated from Colgate University in New York State in 2019 with a BA in economics. He lives in New York City, where he works in mergers and acquisitions at Ernst and Young. X Spring 2020 The ANDREAN

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SPORTS ROUNDUP It was an enjoyable year for athletics at St. Andrew’s, with multiple championships earned at the Conference of Independent Schools Athletic Association (CISAA) and Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations (OFSAA), as well as some excellent performances on the national stage. Here are the results from this year’s fall and winter sports teams.

ALPINE SKI Senior Giant Slalom OFSAA Gold Slalom OFSAA Silver Level 1 CISAA Silver U14 CISAA Bronze

NORDIC SKI Senior CISAA Gold

BASKETBALL 1st CAIS Tournament Bronze U16A CISAA Silver Crescent Tournament Gold SAC Tournament Gold

VOLLEYBALL 1st CISAA Silver Brock University Tournament Silver Power Classic Tournament Gold Stouffville Tournament Gold

20 The ANDREAN Spring 2020

FOOTBALL 1st CISAA Silver

SOCCER 1st CAIS National Tournament Silver U16B CISAA Gold U13 CISAA Bronze

HOCKEY 1st CISAA Gold NISIC Tournament Gold MacPherson Tournament Silver Northwood Tournament Gold St. Sebastian Tournament Gold U16A York Junior March Classic Gold York Tournament Silver

SWIMMING Senior OFSAA Team Silver CISAA Team Silver Junior OFSAA Team Silver CISAA Team Silver Open CISAA Bronze

SQUASH 1st CISAA Bronze Trinity College School Tournament Gold U16 CISAA Silver Early Bird Tournament Gold U14 CISAA Bronze

Mark Hillier ’20 1st Hockey MVP Athlete of the Year, 2019-2020

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Tyler Chan ’20 Senior Swimming OFSAA gold medalist, 100m breaststroke

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PAGE 20, FROM TOP LEFT: Jack Ooman ’20, Alpine Skiing; Ilya Rahimi ’23, Swimming THIS PAGE, FROM TOP: 1st Hockey, NISIC Champions; Kyle Murphy ’22, U16A Basketball; Claudio Ardellini ’22, U14 Hockey; Seamus Martin ’23, Alpine Skiing; Chris Stewart ’25, Ryan Brown ’25, and Owen Cauley ’25, U13 Soccer; Eric Zhong ’24, U16B Soccer; Christopher Marton ’20, 1st Soccer; Ben Villamere ’21, Swimming; Oliver Ingram ’20, 1st Basketball; 1st Volleyball; Nate Falconi ’20, 1st Football

Spring 2020 The ANDREAN

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JAYNA HEFFORD TAKES THE MIC Canadian Olympic hockey hero speaks at 37th MacPherson Tournament Lunch

By Sean Maillet

Y

ear after year, the MacPherson Tournament attracts a notable guest speaker to impart their wisdom on young hockey players at the traditional luncheon.

Past speakers have included hockey royalty such as Gordie Howe, Jean Beliveau, and Ken Dryden. This year, another prominent name was added to the list.

Jayna Hefford, 2018 Hockey Hall of Fame inductee and five-time Olympic medalist, addressed the crowd as the first female guest speaker in the tournament’s 37-year history. Jayna is one of the longestserving members of Canada’s women’s hockey team, and it’s not surprising she is also one of the country’s most decorated Olympians. At the time of her retirement in 2015, she ranked second all-time in Team Canada history with 267 games played, 157 goals, and 291 points.

Following the Friday morning MacPherson games, all eight teams, their coaches, and any family that made the trip to St. Andrew’s gathered in Cole Hall for the luncheon. This year, five of the eight teams in attendance hailed from the U.S. For these stateside players, their memories of Jayna aren’t as fond as that of the Canadians, but it didn’t take long for luncheon emcee, Nicholas Weedon ’02, to remind everyone.

24 The ANDREAN Spring 2020

One of Jayna’s most well-known goals for Canada was the 2002 gold-medalwinning goal against the U.S. in Salt Lake City, Utah. Naturally, Nicholas welcomed Jayna to the mic with a reference to the on-ice rivalry between the Canada and U.S. hockey programs, and Jayna couldn’t resist beginning with a light-hearted jab. “I knew there were a number of Americans here today, so I wasn’t going to bring that up… but there you go,” she joked.

Jayna’s message focused on the foundation she used to create such a successful career for herself and her teammates in the 18 years she spent on Canada’s national team. She learned that living in the moment, accountability, and meticulous preparation were the significant differentiators between success and failure.

Often in defeat, the most valuable lessons are learned. Jayna spoke of how she used the loss to the U.S. in the 1998 Olympics in Nagano, Japan, to fuel Canada’s gold-medal win four years later in Salt Lake City. “In 2002, our group was able to block out all the noise and pressure, stay in the moment, and that was the key to success,” she said.

Perhaps the most interesting anecdote came from the way that Jayna prepared for a potential shootout situation in the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver. She was given two DVDs to watch in her hotel room. The first had every single successful shootout attempt she had throughout the current season. The second contained all her successful shootout attempts on U.S. goalies. “No one else was preparing like this,” she said with confidence.

She wrapped up with a strong emphasis on the importance of being a good teammate, a message that related to every player in Cole Hall. “Make sure as you go through these experiences you stay present, hold yourself accountable, and prepare.”

Teams in attendance for the 37th MacPherson Hockey Tournament were Edge School (Alberta), Cégep AndréLaurendeau (Quebec), Shattuck-St. Mary’s (Minnesota), Northwood School (New York), Boston Advantage (Massachusetts), Culver Academy (Indiana), and Victory Honda (Michigan). Shattuck-St. Mary’s won the gold medal in a rematch of last year’s final against the First Hockey Saints, who finished with a silver. Northwood School took home the bronze. X

Middle School students Lexi Kert ’25, Miraj Siddiqui ’25, Mats Leis ’24, and Andy Yang ’25 don hardhats, grab a tool, and take a quick tour of the new McLaughlin Hall science renovation.

When Head of School, Kevin McHenry, announced the renovation of McLaughlin Hall at an assembly back in 2018, it was the Middle School students who cheered loudest and longest. And why not? They are the ones who will make the most use of the science and technology wing once it opens in the fall.

There will be plenty of spacious areas for collaboration and innovation; large, flexible laboratory spaces; a two-storey makerspace stocked with materials and tools; breakout rooms filled with natural light for independent study and small-group collaboration.

SAC is training the next generation of science and technology leaders, and the students are eager to step up to the microscopes, test tubes, and 3D printers to start experimenting, exploring, and engaging.

We asked Middle School boys to share their excitement for the opening of our epicentre for science and technology, and here are some of their enthusiastic responses.

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ANTHONY CHEN GRADE 5

LEXI KERT GRADE 7

MATS LEIS GRADE 8

“

“

“

It will open up a lot more opportunities for people who enjoy science, like me! I mostly like chemistry and robotics. It will be exciting, fun, and interesting. There will be chemical reactions.

The new science and technology wing will provide a lot more learning opportunities to students, which I am very excited about. I am hoping I will have the opportunity to use equipment such as microscopes. I am also excited to see the new wing because I’m sure the design will be very modern and cool.

OWEN LEWIS GRADE 6

ANDREW MOURATIDIS GRADE 6

“

“

It will open many doors for students who don’t enjoy science. I believe it will help them improve.

26 The ANDREAN Spring 2020

The new building will give the people who like science the opportunity, but for all the people who don’t have a strong interest in science, it will drive them more into going into science. An inspiration.

I’ve seen some stuff in there I’ve never seen before in my life! When we walk by in the hall, I want to learn new things.

MIRAJ SIDDIQUI GRADE 7

ANDY YANG GRADE 7

THOMAS YANG GRADE 8

“

“

“

I think the science and tech facilities are going to give us lots of new opportunities and they’re going to broaden our expertise in science and technology and allow us to do new experiments and do new things. It won’t only help the students, it will also help the teachers.

I’m very excited about the great opportunities you get for chemical and physic analysis. And more safety measures for conducting experiments.

The new facilities will give an opportunity for boys who have a passion for science and can fulfill their passion for science and give them a chance to experience and give them more chance of actually achieving their goals. It gives an opportunity to look deeper into the sciences and discover what you’re passionate about.

MR. PAUL TOTERA SAC FACULTY

MR. COLBY DOCKERTY SAC FACULTY

“

“

It’s exciting to have a new space on the horizon and the additional resources at our disposal.

It’s a safe place to make mistakes and learn from them. This new space, and all that’s going to come with it, is perfect for it.

Spring 2020 The ANDREAN

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OLD BOYS PROFILES & NEWS

This edition’s PROFILES:

DONNOVAN BENNETT ’02 Sportsnet’s Triple Threat

BRAD MARTIN ’75

A Storied Career in Publishing

LYNN HILBORN ’69 A Star is Born

JONATHAN PARKER ’95 The Call of the Sea

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Donnovan Bennett ’02, in Sportsnet’s Toronto studio during the taping of the show, This Week in 30.

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DONNOVAN BENNETT ’02 MEDIA IS HIS MESSAGE

By Chris Traber

Embracing the journey is as important as the destination, opines Donnovan Bennett ’02. From early childhood, that ideology and his passion for sports have well served the man affectionately known as DJ. He was born in Toronto, mere blocks from the cavernous Rogers Sportsnet broadcast centre where, since 2013, he has written, produced, and hosted numerous programs. The former multi-sport athlete was raised in Markham, and after elementary school, his parents knew athletics and academics would be a good recipe for the youngster. After researching various schools, St. Andrew’s College was deemed the best fit, and he was enrolled as a Grade 9 boarding student.

“I went there kicking and screaming,” DJ says with patented humour and humility delivered through a megawatt smile. “Kilts and no girls? You’ve got to be kidding.”

DJ quickly acclimatized.

During his five-year tenure, he was a Prefect, captain of First Football, played First Basketball and First Rugby, and was awarded an Athletic ‘A’ given to graduating students who distinguished themselves as First team athletes in their final three years at the School.

SAC is a world-class school with people who care and invest in you. It really is the sweet spot in your life.

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– Donnovan Bennett ’02

“I wasn’t keen on rugby at first,” he chuckles. “I didn’t like the tight shorts and getting hit without a helmet.” Still,

by Grade 10, he was a key player and offered a tryout with Canada’s Junior Rugby squad.

After graduating, DJ was recruited by several Ontario universities

topic I was ever passionate about.”

DJ’s process wasn’t serendipitous. It was laser-focused.

After graduating from Western in 2007, he joined The Score Television Network as a CIS colour analyst, host, and feature reporter. That seven-year stint, which included a Gemini Award nomination

Having played sports at a high level is a broadcasting benefit, he says.

“Having been in the arena, I try and give audiences a perspective based on empathy, curiosity, and understanding.”

SAC holds a special place in DJ’s heart.

He attended his 10-year class reunion and has returned as a guest speaker

Left to right: DJ sits between Danielle Michaud and Faizal Khamisa on the set of Sportsnet’s This Week In 30. He sits with classmate and good friend, Nicholas Weedon.

for their football programs. The compact running back opted for a full scholarship to Canisius College in Buffalo, NY. Regrettably, the Golden Griffins football team folded that autumn and DJ revisited an invitation from the University of Western Ontario, where he starred for the Mustangs while studying sociology with minors in philosophy and media, information & technoculture.

While at Western, DJ was exposed to sports media and spent summers interning on CFL Snap, a weekly Canadian Football League show. In addition, he helped with Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) – now known as U Sports – productions and served as a sideline reporter.

Asked why he strived to become a sports journalist on a Life After Sports blog, DJ was blunt: “I knew I’d suck at anything else. I knew I couldn’t work a typical 9-to-5 in a cubical. I’d go stir crazy. Every paper or project I did as a child was sports-related. It’s the only

for his “The Score Celebrates Black History Month,” led to his current post at Sportsnet.

Lean and fit and attired with fashionforward selections from his in-house wardrobe, the 36-year-old is lauded for his encyclopedic knowledge of sports and his ability to cover subjects with insight, humanity, and societal and cultural perspectives. In addition to writing and producing, DJ hosts videos for Sportsnet’s social media platforms, co-hosts the This Week in 30 broadcast, and on radio co-hosts Free Association, Sportsnet’s NBA podcast.

Balancing work and life is a priority.

Married to Kate McKenna in 2016, the couple welcomed their first child, Desmond Timothy, in April 2019.

Basketball and marathons keep DJ athletically competitive. Kate is a producer and on-air contributor at The Social, a Bell Media production.

“I’m sleeping with the enemy,” he quips.

“Actually, we’re each other’s biggest cheerleaders.”

on several occasions. His “small but mighty” friendship group includes fellow 2002 grads, Michael Faulds, James Gideon, Jimmy Healey, Pete McClelland, Oliver Radley-Smith, Giancarlo Trimarchi, and Nicholas Weedon.

He says he is indebted to history teacher and football coach, Courtenay Shrimpton, for lessons learned in class and on the field. Math teacher and basketball coach, David Josselyn, was a valued mentor “who just got us,” DJ recalls. William Scoular, Head of Drama and Film, will always be remembered for helping DJ establish the College’s first Black Theatre Group.

“SAC is a world-class school with people who care and invest in you,” he says. “It really is the sweet spot in your life.”

Where does he see himself in 10 years?

“To continue working with people who are talented and have integrity and do what I’m doing but on a bigger platform and more eyeballs.” X Spring 2020 The ANDREAN

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BRAD MARTIN ’75 SMITTEN BY THE WORD

By Chris Traber

Brad in his old haunt: the Front Street, Toronto office of Penguin Random House 32 The ANDREAN Spring 2020

T

o suggest that Brad Martin ’75 is passionate about books would be a serious understatement. To describe the stylish 64-year-old Canadian publishing industry icon as a bookworm simply wouldn’t be dignified. Bibliophile best suits the amiable and recently retired president and CEO of Penguin Random House Canada, whose fabled career began in 1981 as a sales representative at McClelland & Stewart.

From his early years, books seemed to be his destiny.

Born to Mennonite parents in Kitchener, Ontario, and raised on a dairy farm near Baden, Brad was a prodigious reader. He had his first library card by Grade 3 and recalls his first borrow as the Hardy Boys’ The Yellow Feather Mystery. Soon after, he was checking out between four and six books every Saturday.

This ignited his meteoric trajectory.

He left McClelland & Stewart in 1984 to work at Penguin as a sales rep, rising to vice-president of sales and marketing in 1989, and then, in 1996, president. Following a shakeup a year later, Brad became Bantam Doubleday Dell’s vice-president and director of sales and marketing. When parent company Bertelsmann bought Random House, then America’s second-largest commercial publisher, he rose to become president and CEO of Random House of Canada in 2007.

After high school Brad attended McGill University, studying political science and economics. He spent a year of travelling and a year working in Alberta, then enrolled in the University of Toronto’s grad school. While studying in Toronto, Brad met McClelland & Stewart sales manager, John Neale, who hired the 25 year old.

Remembrance of friendships and antics with school chums, including classmates, John Hughes and David Durant, draw a hearty chortle.

Brad and his wife, Donna Hayes, the former CEO and publisher of Harlequin Enterprises, reside in a downtown Toronto condo and recently bought a 100-acre farm on the shores of Lake Consecon in Prince Edward County. There they are renovating a library, using inspiration from novelist Rudyard Kipling’s library in Kent, England, to accommodate Brad’s 8,000-book collection.

“I always loved books and read widely,” he says with a smile under his salt and pepper curls during a visit to his former Toronto office. “I was always good in school and my mother began researching scholarships at private schools. She encouraged me to write the entrance exams.”

“The St. Andrew’s experience was very important to me,” he recalls. “It gave me a view of the world that I otherwise wouldn’t have had.”

He cites staff, including thenheadmaster, Bob Coulter, geography teacher, Dick Gibb, French instructor, Stan Macfarlane, Head of English and Macdonald Housemaster, Bill Skinner ’47, and mathematics teacher, Gordon Moffat ’27, for their mentorship.

Today, the man in the relaxed opencollared shirt and tailored sports coat with a natty pocket puff is enjoying life’s next chapter.

As the eldest of four children, it was thought he’d eventually take over the farm. That wasn’t on his radar, and his mother concurred.

Brad received a Ladies Guild Scholarship and attended St. Andrew’s College for Grades 9 and 10, opting to earn his senior matriculation closer to home.

“Those were important years for me,” Brad says. “They made sure everyone was involved in academics, athletics, and spirituality. I played cricket, football, and basketball. There was never a dull moment.”

“I am a book addict,” he admits. “I read five to seven at a time.”

In addition to the tactile pleasure of a tome, Brad enjoys audiobooks and reads electronically.

As such, he left his last posting overseeing four of the companies for which he’s individually worked.

An avid golfer with a competitive handicap, Brad also spends time in Palm Springs, California, with Donna.

His retirement on June 30, 2018 was, according to a statement by Penguin Random House CEO Markus Dohle, “the culmination of a career of unparalleled accomplishment with our company and in Canadian trade publishing.”

Does Brad intend to write his own story?

“No,” he says. “There’s no impulse to write a book.” X

St. Andrew’s continues to provide formative and fond memories, he says, adding that he plans on attending his class reunion this September.

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LYNN HILBORN ’69 PHOTOGRAPHER TO THE STARS By Chris Traber

St. Andrew’s gave me an avenue to express my interests and that built confidence in the ventures I took in life.

– Lynn Hilborn ’69

Samples of Lynn’s photographs

L

ynn Hilborn ’69 reaches for the stars. But, unlike most folks, he captures them.

At 70, Lynn is deemed to be among Canada’s top five amateur astrophotographers, an epithet bestowed by former SkyNews editor and astronomy sage, Terence Dickinson. So fabled are Lynn’s heavenly night sky images that NASA has selected his work three times as online picture of the day viewed by 1.5 million followers. He is also on the SkyNews masthead, and his exquisite photos of the cosmos are published internationally and collected in his book, Time Machine.

His passionate role as an astrophotographer is somewhat a departure from a prolific career, first as executive director in the office of former Ontario Premier Bill Davis. That 10-year stint was followed by 23 years with the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC), the final decade in the role of deputy general manager.

34 The ANDREAN Spring 2020

Keeping more than 1.5 million TTC riders moving daily was stressful with little sustained sleep, recalls the jocular father of three and grandad to four.

Lynn decamped from the rigours of mass transit in 2008 and moved to Grafton near Cobourg, Ontario, with his wife, Margaret.

“I was a stranger to sleep when I retired,” he says. “So what do I do? I take up a hobby done at night.”

He became enthralled with the beauty, colours, and mystery of the infinite galaxy and felt a spirited tug to interpret the universe on his own terms and through his camera lens.

“I didn’t know much about photography,” he says. “I just knew I wanted to do it.”

Early in the millennium, technical strides in digital photography and supporting computer software accelerated almost daily.

Lynn began modestly, building his backyard WhistleStop Observatory, whimsically named for its proximity to a nearby train track crossing. As his interest and expertise grew, the sophistication of his equipment and images followed exponentially.

Self-described as more an artist than scientist, Lynn’s virtuosity is evident when one sees his Under the Belly of the Milky Way shot in Chile’s Atacama Desert. Ditto with the metaphysical wonder of his 6 Planets photographed in Florida, which captures Earth, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Saturn, and Jupiter in framed perfection.

His stunning astrophotography explains his wonderment with the planets that populate the endless sky.

“There is an ethereal connection to the cosmos,” he says. “The remains of ancient stars are the genesis of everything on earth and in our bodies. We really are made from thermal nuclear waste. However, I prefer the more poetic notion that we’re made from stardust.”

The man with the dry wit says one of the signposts that guided his professional and extraterrestrial journey is clearly marked “St. Andrew’s College.”

“I wasn’t doing well in early public board high school, and the College had a great reputation, so my parents enrolled me as a boarder,” he says.

“I had varied interests and was a student militia reservist and cadet in Toronto. St. Andrew’s encouraged those interests.”

Lynn excelled in the School’s Cadet Corps program, achieving the rank of captain and company commander in his final year.

“I had wonderful teachers who fostered my interests, including radio and science,” he says. “My physics teacher, Fred Hiltz, and chemistry teacher, Geoff Smith, were among the staff who were a great boon spurring interests beyond school.”

He gives an appreciative nod to English teacher, Rob Wilson, who encouraged his writing.

“The educational side taught me how to be flexible and savvy. We often had to create our own fun, and that allowed the creative spirit to blossom,” he says.

Lynn in his backyard “St. Andrew’s gave me an avenue to express my interests WhistleStop and that built confidence in the ventures I took in life.”

Observatory Lynn remains true to St. Andrew’s. He attended his 50th reunion last spring along with his 25th and 35th earlier, in addition to Homecoming in 1998.

“The one thing St. Andrew’s needs is an astronomy program,” he proposes.

Classmates, Jim Gear and Rob McEwen, remain close, with the former being his best friend and the latter “a great St. Andrew’s benefactor” and pal who bought several copies of his book and gifted them to friends at Christmas.

Lynn’s interest in astrophotography prompts people to ask him whether he believes life exists outside our earthly realm. He defers to the late astronomer and author, Carl Sagan. “He said it doesn’t matter because it’s remarkable either way.”

Lynn’s website with photos can be found at www.nightoverontario.com X Spring 2020 The ANDREAN

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JONATHAN PARKER ’95 AN OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN

By Chris Traber

Jonathan and Sarah on their wedding day in May 2019

S

ince 1910, the Royal Canadian Navy’s motto has proudly been, Ready aye ready.

For RCN Commander Jonathan Parker ’95, the leadership and preparedness he’s embodied throughout his distinguished naval career were kindled at St. Andrew’s College.

Born in Toronto and raised in Ottawa, the 43-year-old, newlywed to Sarah in May 2019, lives in Westport, Ont., close to Canadian Forces Base Kingston, where he is stationed.

A St. Andrew’s College boarder, Jonathan was a valued member of the debate team and a force on the pitch. “I already had an exposure to leadership 36 The ANDREAN Spring 2020

and camaraderie through playing rugby at SAC,” he says. “Rugby gave me the building blocks of leadership on and off the field.”

He earned Bachelor and Master of Arts degrees at the University of Toronto. In 1999, midway through his studies, he joined the navy, motivated by a desire to lead. Jonathan joined the RCN as a Naval Warfare Officer. The first few years of training were challenging, he says, but everything seemed familiar.

After basic officer training in Esquimalt, B.C., Jonathan continued warfare training and graduated with a bridgewatchkeeping certificate, meaning he could hold charge over all members of a Canadian warship.

While he always intended to return to Toronto and go to law school, the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks significantly changed the course of his career, and he continued to sail Pacific, Atlantic, and Arctic waters.

In 2006, he was selected for specialty training and twice deployed to Afghanistan. When he returned, he transferred to the Strategic Joint Staff as an analyst. Soon after, Jonathan accepted a foreign posting to work as a liaison officer to the U.S. Office of Naval Intelligence in Washington, D.C. “During this posting, I had the opportunity to deploy, on a counternarcotics mission in the Caribbean Ocean, tracking the illicit flow of

drugs from South America into North America,” he says.

After four years in Washington, he was posted to Halifax, Nova Scotia, where he briefed intelligence to the Commander of Maritime Forces Atlantic on threats concerning RCN assets and missions worldwide. Soon he was promoted and posted to Ottawa to work on the staff of the Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy. This posting led to a promotion as the head of the intelligence team for the Commander of Task Force Arabian Sea, the Canadian counter-terrorism mission in the Indian Ocean.

He cites a trio of St. Andrew’s teachers for guiding his stellar career path.

“I learned the value of hard work and focusing on homework from my math teacher, Derek Inglis,” he says. “I received an important life lesson from John Walden ’71, my English teacher, who told me charm alone would not lead to success.”

He also acknowledged the mentorship from bagpipe instructor, Aubrey Foy: “He taught me that availability to the people you’re responsible for is important in leadership.”

Jonathan’s illustrious career includes numerous distinctions, such as the Canadian Forces Decoration, the Operational Service Medal, the Special Service Medal, and the United States Navy and Marine Corps Commendation medal along with a Commander’s Commendation.

Last year, the career naval officer returned to St. Andrew’s as a guest speaker at the Wellington Dinner.

The event marked a dual anniversary as it commemorated his 20th year in uniform and two decades since he attended the same dinner when his father, Federal MP Rob Parker ’60, was the guest speaker.

I received an important life lesson from John Walden ’71, my English teacher, who told me charm alone would not lead to success.

– Jonathan Parker ’95

He says his father was a significant influence. “He always identified as an Old Boy. He returned to campus often and loved his time at St. Andrew’s and the experiences it provided.”

His grandfather, Eric Cook, a Canadian senator from 1964 to 1984, was also a guiding light.

When thanked for his naval service, Jonathan responds modestly: “Service isn’t service when you love what you do.” X

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38 The ANDREAN Spring 2020

THE ONE AND ONLY OLD GIRL

By Julie Caspersen

P

hilippa Garstang was 11-and-a-half years old when she entered a Grade 8 classroom in Canada. With her blond pigtails, grey, pleated skirt, and unmistakable British accent, she stood out among her classmates. The main distinction: she was the only female student attending St. Andrew’s College.

Philippa immigrated from England in September 1948 with her parents and younger sister. Her dad, Bill, had been offered a position as an English teacher at St. Andrew’s and, for reasons she doesn’t recall, she was enrolled as a day student in the Upper Second Form.

Barring the fact that she was at an all-boys school, where all the teachers were men, it was not a smooth transition. In a recent chat, sitting in her colourful, eclectic living room, decorated with her original works of art, just a kilometre or two north of the College, Philippa admits the memories of her year at SAC are neither happy nor sad, but rather ones of loneliness and isolation. She simply didn’t fit in.

The Garstang family shortly after arriving in Canada in 1948.

“We arrived from England on September 15 and school had already started,” she says. Both her parents were “in shock” when they reached Canada by boat, and her mother was extremely seasick and took to her bed for weeks. >> Spring 2020 The ANDREAN

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The family moved into a house in Aurora purchased on their behalf by then-headmaster, Ken Ketchum, but their belongings and furnishings didn’t arrive until much later. She was also distraught at having to leave her friends and her dog behind.

Philippa, a petite and vivacious artist (currently spending time at the easel painting nudes), recalls she was a shy and childlike pre-teen, whose pigtails and face bare of makeup was in contrast to Canadian girls her age who seemed sophisticated with their lipstick and coiffed hair.

“It was a difficult transition because I was not only adjusting to living in a new county and leaving my friends behind, but I got thrown in with a bunch of boys!” she says. “When you’re a child of a master, it’s also awkward. The boys didn’t know how to treat me.”

Recess, in particular, was challenging as there was no one to play with. One boy taught her how to throw a football, but the other students teased him, so that ended their friendship.

Her clipped British accent was also an unwelcome distinction, one she worked hard at erasing. Speaking to Philippa now, you would be hard-pressed to detect her suppressed dialect.

She admits now that her fears got in the way of fitting in. Despite not making friends during her Grade 8 year as a day girl, Philippa says she enjoyed attending services in Memorial Chapel and liked woodworking class. Philippa remembers Jack Wright, Head of the Lower School, as being extremely kind.

Even when she and some classmates were caught defacing desks by carving their initials in the wood, he was lenient with her punishment, asking her to pretend she’d been reprimanded.

Philippa also fondly remembers art teacher, Ken Ives, from whom she took 40 The ANDREAN Spring 2020

classes from on Saturday mornings.

Perhaps this is what steered her toward a path as a teacher and an artist.

Because there were no facilities for females at SAC in 1948, she was allotted a small bathroom for privacy in Macdonald House, just off the front door. “I saw my first chipmunk from that bathroom window,” she recalls,

Clockwise from top left: Philippa’s Review short essay; SAC “Old Girl” mention in The Review; Philippa’s father, Bill, in the classroom.

pointing to the tiny window during her visit to campus.

Philippa has always been an animal lover and during her SAC year, wrote an essay that appeared in a 1948 Review.

Titled If I Had Just Three Wishes, she penned that her first wish would be for world peace. (Her family came to Canada just a few years after the end of the Second World War when her home country and adopted land were struggling to rebuild.) Her second wish was for all wild animals to have a positive relationship with humans. Her third wish was for all people to speak the same language so there would be understanding between all countries.

In a 1949 Review, there is a reference to her participation in a display in the library, where she displayed her “beautiful collection of English butterflies and moths.” Her inclusion in the yearbooks reveals Philippa was considered a peer among other student contributors.

Philippa was even given a class year. She was referred to as Philippa Garstang ’49 in the Midsummer 1957 edition of The Review in the class notes section.

The paragraph celebrated her graduation from the Ontario College of Art, noting she came first in her class and won the medal for Proficiency in Drawing and Painting.

“It will come as a shock to some Andreans to learn that we ever had a girl in our midst,” the note states.

When asked if she considers herself an “old girl,” she states she is most definitely an Andrean.

Following her year at SAC, Philippa attended a public high school in Aurora, then art school in Toronto followed by post-graduate studies at École des Beaux-arts de Montréal, and Saint Martin’s School of Art in England.

Despite her rocky introduction to the School, she says she occasionally returned to the campus to watch football games and says she learned to skate on the School rinks. “We always went to the Carol Service, Cadet Inspection, and teas with the Ketchums.”

Her dad remained the classics and English teacher until 1960. He left St. Andrew’s to help establish St. George’s College (now Royal St. George’s College), which opened in 1964 and where Philippa had her first teaching post. The first headmaster was the above-mentioned Jack Wright.

She married, had two sons, and

worked as a kindergarten teacher for 20 years. She lived in Toronto for 30 years before returning to her Canadian roots near the College in Aurora, where she lives with her second husband. She now goes by her married name, Philippa Hajdu, and signs her work, Philippa.

her parents as newlyweds and a family portrait based on a photograph taken outside their Aurora home in 1950. She loves texture and playing with different media, expressing an appreciation for graffiti during a tour of the Wirth Art Centre.

A tour of her website reveals she has a clear connection to her family and her history. She displays a painting of

The dreaded pigtails are a thing of the past, replaced by hints of fuchsia in a sassy haircut. The British accent is just

a memory, and the grey, pleated shirt of a schoolgirl is not at all evident in Philippa’s bohemian attire. But during her visit to the School, as she peered around the corner in Macdonald House, looking for the little room that was once her refuge, the shadow of that shy, 11-and-a-half-year-old new girl surfaced for just a second. X

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AND NOW FOR THE

OLD BOYS NEWS

1906 Lawren Harris: Visionary

It is never more pronounced that St. Andrew’s College has a rich and remarkable history than when Lawren Harris, who attended from 1899 to 1903, is included in the Old Boys News.

This year, he and the other founding members of the Group of Seven are being celebrated on the 100th anniversary of their first art show that took place on May 7, 1920, in Toronto. More than 2,000 visitors passed through during the threeweek run at the Art Gallery of Toronto, which is now the Art Gallery of Ontario. To commemorate this milestone, the McMichael Canadian Art Collection in Kleinberg, Ont., is hosting a landmark exhibition of the group’s finest pieces.

A Like Vision is the name of the exhibit that runs into next year. (Due to the COVID-19 restrictions, the gallery is currently closed. Please visit mcmichael.com online for updates.) The title is taken from the 1920 exhibit catalogue: “The group of seven artists whose pictures are here

1950 Michael Ballentine

and his wife, Sally, say they are blessed to spend their winters in West Palm Beach, Fla. In January, Mike had dinner with Len Franceschini ’52, who was one of his original roommates in 1942.

Mike is impressed with how much the School is progressing and says he wouldn’t recognize it if he saw it today.

42 The ANDREAN Spring 2020

Artwork by Lawren Harris 1906 on exhibit at the McMichael gallery includes, at top, Mt. Lefroy, oil on canvas from 1930, and Montreal River, oil on paperboard, from 1920.

exhibited have for several years held a like vision concerning art in Canada.”

Lawren is acknowledged by many as Canada’s foremost visual artist. He passed away 50 years ago, in 1970, and he and his wife, Bess, are buried in a small cemetery on the McMichael grounds.

Joe Paterson

has spent the past 20 years in retirement with his wife, Barbara, living on their farm in Indian River, east of Peterborough, Ont. Joe has a workshop full of woodworking tools he has collected over 75 years and still uses many of them regularly for building furniture and carving. Joe says he enjoyed reading the last issue of The Andrean, especially the notes and photos of the Rosedale school as his father, James Paterson 1916, and

his uncle, George Paterson 1913, attended during that time. Joe noted his last visit to the College was in 2018 with Tom Hickey ’60, and he had difficulty recognizing the extensive facilities, commenting, “It’s quite remarkable what has been accomplished in 70-plus years.” Joe says he took much pleasure from his years at SAC, and what he learned has served him well.

1954 Barry Wansbrough

recently co-authored a book titled, Be There. It is an approach for youth to build the soft skills necessary for living and working in the digital era. He donated a copy to the School for senior students to use in building their futures.

1955 Steve Newroth

has a message to pass along to members of the Class of 1955: As some of you know, the Class of ’54 has expressed Andrean hospitality by inviting us to their reunions. However, the contact list for our class is incomplete and out of date. I would like to create a new list to hopefully get us together for the next reunion. Please contact me at newroth@surenet.net with your email address.

Greetings to all of you!

1957 Bill Yuill

and his wife, Liz, hosted Head of School, Kevin McHenry, and his wife, Karan, at their home in Arizona for a few days during March Break. The Yuills have had a place in Scottsdale since 1993 and spend a couple of months there every winter.

From left: Liz Yuill, Kevin McHenry, Bill Yuill ’57, and Karan McHenry.

1959 Wally Hardie

sold his business, Hardie Financial and Insurance Services, after 52 years and reports he is now fully retired. Wally lives in Ancaster, Ont., for two-thirds of the year and spends the remainder of the year in Thunder Bay, Ont., where

his son is on the faculty at Lakehead University.

Wally has been involved as a Rotarian for 34 years and says these days he enjoys being a tour guide at the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum in Hamilton, Ont.

Bill Snyder

retired in May 2019 after 20 years of contract work with The Boeing Company as a flight instructor in simulators. He started at Boeing in 1999, the same year he retired from Air Canada.

Bill and his wife, Carole, moved last June from Washington to Nanaimo, B.C.

1960 Kirk Gardner

invites any Andreans visiting San Diego, Calif., in the winter to join him as he continues to lead tours of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography.

He would be delighted to show you around this famous environmental research institution.

Summers take him to Vermont, where he leads tours at the Vermont State House in Montpelier.

1962 Peter Deacon

fully retired from the practice of law on December 31 after 40 years. Retirement is allowing time for travel with his wife of 51 years, Mary Jane, more time with his children and grandchildren, and more games of golf, “despite my diminishing skills,” he says.

1967 Bill Chapman

retired in 2014 after 39 years of private law practice as a country lawyer in Almonte, Ont., and has alternately spent six months each year in Almonte and various warmer places in the United States, specifically Hilton Head Island, S.C. and Daytona Beach Shores and Longboat Key in Florida with plans to spend time in Key Largo, Fla., next year. He now devotes his time to bicycling (which he reports doing a minimum of 15 kilometres per day) and creative writing, which he describes as “an elevated description of the codswallop I call my blogs and website.”

1969 David Kaufman

retired from a successful career as an antique dealer in Calgary, Alta., and has launched a new career as the owner of a bed and breakfast in Troncones, Mexico, on the Pacific Ocean.

Raqueros, located on the beach of Manzanillo Bay, is newly renovated and now consists of 10 rooms and two cottages. He and his girlfriend, Marlene, retrofitted two rooms, so they are entirely wheelchair accessible to all the flat

surfaces at Raqueros. David is learning the hotelier business and working on his Spanish language skills. He makes regular pit stops in Calgary, as well as Pointe au Baril, Ont.

1970 Tom Gilchrist

spent 37 years distributing commercial coinoperated games such as pinball, jukeboxes, and video games like Space Invaders and Pac-Man for companies like Bally, Sega, and Atari. He also sold coin-operated pool tables, shuffleboards, and foosball tables. Tom supplied many restaurants and bars, and because these entertainment games required change for the machines, he segued into the ATM business when it was made legal in Canada. He sold his games company to Cineplex seven years ago but continues to supply and manage ATMs throughout Canada. Tom enjoys travelling and visiting with his children and their families in Dorset, Ont.

1971 John Craig

was inducted into the Junior Achievement New Brunswick Business Hall of Fame on October 29, 2019. John is the CEO of Craig Manufacturing, founded by his father, Woodford “Woody” Craig, in 1946 as a service station and machine repair shop in Hartland, N.B. The company now has three locations in Canada and one in the United States. John spent his early years working in the shop, “taking on just about every dirty job in the plant.” After St. Andrew’s, he studied business at the University of New Brunswick, travelled to Europe after graduation, then worked in Hamilton, Ont., finally joining the family business in 1976. In 1985, he was named company president and built Craig Manufacturing into a leading North American heavy equipment attachment manufacturer. John is proud to report the company is currently under the leadership of its third-generation president, Ben Craig ’00.

1971 Chris Stoate

had an opinion piece published in the National Post on November 21, 2019: “For this immigrant, hockey was Canada’s greatest gift. That’s no longer the case.” The article outlines Chris’s view of hockey from the time he immigrated to Canada at age 8 to now. He closed with a wish to see outdoor rinks and games of shinny restored to their former glory, with all being able to participate in the great game of hockey. Chris is an entrepreneur and former Oakville, Ont., town councillor. He is CEO of TitanFile and serves on the board of United Way Halton and Hamilton.

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1972 Ches Crosbie

was elected leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Newfoundland and Labrador on April 28, 2018. On September 20, 2018, he was elected as MHA (Member of the House of Assembly) for the Windsor Lake district and became Leader of the Official Opposition upon being sworn in on October 12. Ches led the party into the 2019 provincial election and was re-elected in Windsor Lake.

1976 Hugh Munro

and his wife, Eva, moved from St. Helier, Jersey, Channel Islands, where they lived for eight years.

Hugh retired in late 2018 from a career in global executive search and Eva retired at the end of February from a more than 20-year career with RBC as a wealth manager to international highnet-worth individuals. They are building a home in the Town of Blue Mountains in Ontario, where they plan to live part of the year and will spend winters in Europe, most likely southern Spain.

1980 Nicholas Abrahams

married Linda Doe in 2006 and the couple has five children between them. They live in Toronto, where Nicholas is a derivatives and swaps broker at Tullett Prebon ICAP Canada. He is a member of the Queen City Yacht Club, where he met up with Allan Bean ’03.

finance sector. Kristian has two daughters, Antonnia, 23, who graduated from Vanderbilt University in Tennessee, and Karla, 19, who is studying at the University of Notre Dame in Indiana.

Bart Brooks

and his wife, Esther, recently celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary. Bart says they are empty-nesters and taking time to travel and look forward to more great adventures. They welcomed a granddaughter, Parker Sandra, on May 4, 2020, their first grandchild. “Life is good. Everyone is healthy, and our three sons are all doing well,” Bart reports. His company, a John Deere heavy equipment dealership, has been purchased by Brandt Tractor, headquartered in Regina, Sask. It is now the largest Deere dealership in the world.

Glyn Jones

lives in Calgary, Alta., with Marguerite, his wife of 33 years. He is a partner in a boutique environmental health and safety consulting company with Canadian offices in Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, and Ottawa, as well as in San Jose, Calif. Also in Calgary, and living nearby, are their two daughters, Emily, 28, and Danielle, 30.

Alfred Chuang

has been involved in venture investing, and over the past 12 years, his portfolio has grown from a handful of small startups to more than 100 companies that include some of the most iconic Silicon Valley technology firms. Previously, he was a co-founder of BEA Systems (the A stands for Alfred) and, in 2001, became the software company’s CEO. It sold for $8.6 billion US. Prior to BEA, Alfred held many senior executive positions at Sun Microsystems, including as the director and chief scientist of Sun Integration Services.

Alfred is also the founder and chair of Magnet Systems, a mobile application server software company. He received a B.Sc. in computer science from the University of San Francisco and a master’s degree in computer science with a specialization in distributed data management from the University of California, Davis. He has been avidly collecting and racing vintage cars for more than two decades.

Glyn Jones ’80 and his family.

Rob Minialoff

and his wife, Julie, love life in Texas and now have four grandchildren. His software company, RoofLogic Inc., is in its 31st year. The company makes software for roofing contractors. Rob became an American citizen in January 2019.

Rob Minialoff ’80 and his wife, Julie.

Clockwise from left: Alexa Law (Allan’s wife), Allan Bean ’03, Nicholas Abrahams ’80, and Linda Doe.

Andrew Paterson

Alfred Chuang ’80

Kristian Bickenbach

is living in Frankfurt, Germany, representing Colombia as Consul General for a period of four years. Once he finishes, he will return to Colombia and continue with his work in the 44 The ANDREAN Spring 2020

Brett Cole

retired last year as a detective with York Regional Police after 31 years. He now works as a trainer with the Ontario Provincial Police, instructing the physical surveillance course.

is an adjunct professor at Kedge Business School in Bordeaux, France, teaching strategy, innovation and entrepreneurship, business model design, and international business environment. Andrew is also the founder of Birdseye, a customer relationship management tool for freelancers, and Burrow Ventures, a small venture firm for early-idea projects. He is also

in the midst of writing a book on fundraising.

After more than 250 triathlons, 26 of which were Ironman races, he now enjoys backpacking, slacklining, and open water swimming. Andrew has one son, Paul, who is 14.

Andrew Paterson ’80, his wife, Marjorie, and son, Paul.

Ian Shandling

lives in England with his wife, Clare, and two sons. He has been working at Microsoft for 20 years and is currently CTO to HSBC.

Glenn Stanley-Paul

reports that his son, Graham StanleyPaul ’19, has settled into his first year at Queen’s University, studying history. Graham enthusiastically continues piping after his six years of boarding at SAC, playing as a volunteer with the Princess of Wales’ Own Regiment in Kingston, Ont.

1981 Michael Bedard

started working for Workday as a senior solutions architect in Pleasanton, Calif., in November 2019. Last June, he and his fiancée, Jessica Socias, purchased and are renovating a beautiful home in Fair Oaks, Calif. They are also planning an August wedding in Las Vegas, Nev. Michael is proud to offer an update on his daughters: Lauren, 23, is teaching Grade 9 math at Benjamin Holt College Preparatory Academy after she graduated with a B.Sc. (in math) and a master’s degree in education (following in the footsteps of many Bedards) from the University of California, Santa Barbara; and Ashley, 21, is in her final year at Sacramento State, completing her degree in communication studies.

1982

telecommunications specialist developing nextgeneration mobile SATCOM systems supporting contingency operations in all U.S. states and territories.

1984 Paul Keating

and his wife, Kathy, are proud that their son, Mack, 13, will be attending St. Andrew’s in September. “Mack is very excited about carving his own path at this wonderful school,” Paul reports. Mack has two sisters, Ava, 15, and Stella, 11. The family lives in Collingwood, Ont., and Paul is the distributor for Redback Boots Canada, a line of casual boots and CSA-certified work boots made by fifth-generation bootmakers in Sydney, Australia. Paul also coaches hockey in Collingwood and says he seems to spend most of his time in the arena: “Some things never change.”

Al Crawford

is president of Morley Bedford Funeral Services, a family-operated funeral provider in Toronto. He is a longtime volunteer in the North Toronto youth sports community and currently serves on the North Toronto Memorial Arena Board, of which Jim Herder ’64 is a former chair. Al lives in Toronto with his wife, Jennifer, and they have three sons, Jonathan, Cole, and Keenan. Al sends a shoutout to all his favourite teams: “Go Leafs, Raps, TFC, Jays, Wolfpack, Argos, Rock, Newcastle United... you can see what we do with our spare time!”

Paul Keating ’84

1985 Iftikhar Barrie

Glenn Stanley-Paul ’80, left, and Graham ’19 at Cadet Inspection in 2019.

Al Weddel

retired in 2017 from the Central York Fire Services as a captain with 34 years of service.

He also coached minor hockey in Newmarket for 17 years. Al is the proud father of Adam, who is with the Royal Canadian Air Force, Tyler, who is a Red Seal welder/volunteer firefighter just outside of Parry Sound, Ont., and Gregory, who is in the restaurant business in Aurora and is inspired to become a firefighter as well. After retiring, Al and his wife, Louise, moved to Collingwood, Ont., to enjoy more of the outdoor life.

Al Crawford ’82

1983 Stuart Wright

and his wife, Kimberly, left Stuttgart, Germany, for Arlington, Va., in November 2019 to continue their federal service careers with the U.S. Department of Defense. Stuart accepted a position with the National Guard Bureau as a

is consulting to the federal government as an enterprise architect with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. Iftikhar is a member of the Canadian Immigration Biometric Identification System architecture team or CIBIDS. He lives in Ottawa, Ont., with his wife, Noor. Iftikhar is also working on building a prototype for a wearable device called the WatchStick nSight in partnership with Centennial College. The WatchStick nSight attaches to any classic wristwatch turning it into a smartwatch.

WatchStick is a Canadian startup.

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1986 Tim Watson

moved back to Ontario in August 2019 after working throughout North America for more than 20 years. He and his family live in Mississauga, and he is working as CFO at JANA Corporation in Aurora.

1987

Haddon, grandson of J.A.D. McCurdy 1903, the first pilot in Canada and the British Empire. The C150 Global Odyssey raised funds for True Patriot Love, a charity supporting veterans and their families, and Southlake Regional Hospital in Newmarket, one of Canada’s leading cancer care facilities.

1988 Daniel Elder

Steven Dengler

reports that the FAI, the world governing body for sports aviation, has declared his circumnavigation of the world to be an Exceptional Air Sports Performance and has officially certified it as the first Canadian circumnavigation by helicopter. Departing on July 1, 2017, to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Canadian confederation, the Canadian crew (comprised of Steven, his father, Bob, and retired test pilot, Rob “Dugal” MacDuff) flew a Canadian-made Bell 429 helicopter 37,000 kilometres around the world, visiting every Canadian province and territory as well as landmarks celebrating notable achievements and events from Canada’s rich history. Along the way, they were joined by notable Canadians such as astronaut, Dave Williams, hockey legend, Guy Lafleur, celebrated photographer, Peter Bregg, and HCol Gerald

got involved in competitive barbecue in 2013.

He moved to Texas after graduating from high school and fell in love with barbecue. He met his wife, Jenn, and they moved back to Toronto after he finished his architecture degree at the University of Texas at Austin. After a couple of years back in Canada, Daniel says he realized the

barbecue scene in Toronto was dismal. “I tried four or five places one spring and decided that if I was ever going to have good barbecue again, I would have to figure out how to cook it myself.”

That sparked his interest in cooking, and the competition side followed. He participated at the 2014, 2015, and 2016 American Royal World BBQ Competition in Texas. His rib entry placed in the Top 20 out of more than 550 teams in 2015. Fast forward to 2018 when he started entering steak competitions. Daniel qualified for and competed in the Steak Cookoff Association World Championships held in Fort Worth, Texas.

This led to being ranked the top steak cook in Canada for the past two years. His competition grill performed so well that in 2019 he opened a business and became the Canadian distributor for PK Grills, a line of charcoal barbecues from Tyler, Texas that was started in 1952. He and Jenn live in Toronto and have two daughters, aged 13 and 16.

1990 Ryan Austin

is retiring from policing after 28 years as a sergeant specializing in motorcycle training and major collision investigation. He plans to focus on his company, Advanced Rider Training, which gives civilian riders the advanced skills he was teaching police officers. It operates in British Columbia, Ontario, and California. At the end of 2019, Ryan opened a new branch of the company, Enduro Park Canada, in Victoria, B.C., which is a BMW off-road training center. Last year, he became certified as a BMW tour guide in Germany and then as a BMW off-road instructor in Spain, and plans to offer a full range of BMW motorcycle off-road training, as well as guided BMW motorcycle tours. At the beginning of the

→

Daniel Elder ’88 and his daughters.

Steven Dengler ’87, right, and his father, Bob. Above, their Exceptional Air Sports Performance certificate.

Ryan Austin ’90 46 The ANDREAN Spring 2020

year, Ryan was in Toronto filming a second series of pro motorcycle rider tips for Honda Motorcycles Canada. He lives in Victoria, B.C., with his wife, Tiffany, and three children. His sons, Jacob, 17, and Marcus, 14, are in high school and excellent athletes. His daughter, Madeline, 22, is finishing her last year at Western University and will move back to Victoria where she will work for the summer to prepare to travel to Switzerland for a job in a high-end hotel. Tiffany is a financial adviser and the VP of their company. She is also a yoga instructor and is working on opening a yoga studio to focus on balance and health for older people.

Canadian International School. The couple, along with their son, Henry, 4, lives in Stouffville, Ont., and Scott is teaching art and history in the York Region District School Board.

Alex Stein

took on a new challenge and role this past season and became the head scout of the Kassel Huskies (DEL2), a German professional ice hockey club, helping develop their scouting and recruiting department from the ground up. After winning the championship in the Austrian 2nd League in 2016, Alex coached in Bremerhaven in the DEL (the highest German league) and then in Innsbruck (EBEL), Austria’s highest league, both as an assistant. In 2018, he made his home in southeast Germany, just over the border from Salzburg, Austria, to be near his son, Niklas, 4.

Niklas loves hockey, is already skating, and is a big Toronto Maple Leafs fan!

1993 Robert Leckey

Allan Frost

continues to work for BMO Financial Group, based in Toronto, where he is a business technology specialist responsible for project management, design, and installation of all audio/visual technologies across Canada.

and his wife, Millie, have two daughters, aged 10 and 7, who are aspiring ballet dancers. They live in Hermosa Beach, Calif.

Scott Davidson ’91, right, with his wife, Kim, and son, Henry.

reconnected with Randall Blom ’02 at the annual alumni cocktail party of the McGill Faculty of Law on November 13, 2019, in Toronto. Both are alumni of the faculty, of which Robert is dean. He taught Randall during his first year in law school.

Randall practices at Cassels Brock & Blackwell.

They spoke about how much they’d gained from their time at SAC and how much the School has changed for the better: more female teachers, more opportunities to interact with girls, and more focus on wellness.

James Morgan

and his wife, Michelle, welcomed their second child, Violet Gwendoline, on October 9, 2019.

Older brother, Cooper, 2, is excited to have a playmate.

1992 Darren Katic

ran into Paul Perrier ’01 at a University of Southern California golf tournament in January.

Darren is an alumnus of USC, while Paul is the university’s deputy athletic director. Darren invests in oil fields in Southern California through his company, West Energy Capital. He Randall Blom ’02, left, and Robert Leckey ’93.

1994 Victor Hyman

Alex Stein ’90 and his son, Niklas.

1991 Scott Davidson

and his wife, Kim, returned to Canada from Singapore, where Scott was teaching art at the

Paul Perrier ’01, left, and Darren Katic ’92.

started a new internal business venture for Emco Corporation in 2018 called Emco Managed Equity Solutions (EMES) to provide a consumer and commercial leasing solution for HVAC and plumbing contractors. EMES now has more than 100 dealers from coast to coast with the goal of tripling this year. Victor’s daughter, Devorah, 19, graduated from Tiferes Bais Yaakov high school in Toronto and is planning a career in event planning. His daughter, Orly, 18, will graduate from Tiferes Bais Yaakov this year and is planning a year abroad in Israel, followed by the performance production program at Ryerson University in 2021. His son, Yossi, 15, is in Grade 9 at Yeshiva Darchei Torah, and his daughter, Talya, 11, is in Grade 5 at Bais Yaakov Elementary School. Victor’s wife, Sara, is seriously considering getting a dog to fill the emptying nest. Victor says he and classmate, Kurt Alfrey, met up ahead of their 25th reunion last October for a beer after not seeing each other in about that long.

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1996 Ted Mercer

and his wife, Victoria, welcomed a third son, Piers Robert William, in July 2019. Piers has two older brothers, James and Hugh. Ted started a new role in March 2020 as an enterprise account executive at Snowflake Computing, selling the democratization of data to companies in Ontario.

has been organizing these dinners for 15 years, with its origin being a holiday house dinner with roommates that included classmates, Jonathan Price and Brook Dyson. Over the years, the dinner evolved to include more and more people, anywhere from 20 to 30. The core group of friends remains the SAC boys plus welcome additions each of them picked up during their university years. In 2019, the guests happened to be all Old Boys, including one surprise guest, Antonio Riva Palacio ’98, who flew in from Dubai.

2000 Frank Ross

and his wife, Jennifer, welcomed their first child, Alexander, in November 2019. They live in Waterloo, Ont.

Max Woods

and his wife, Kelly, welcomed their first child, Amelia Josie Kathryn, on September 2, 2019 (Labour Day!). They are thrilled with their new family and enjoying their free time exploring the great outdoors with her.

Frank Ross ’00, holds Alexander beside his wife, Jennifer.

Matt Tsuji

is enjoying his fourth year as an orthopedic surgeon in Oshawa, Ont. He, his wife, Melissa, and their 3-year-old daughter, Lily, are looking forward to welcoming their second child in May. They found out it will be a boy and hopefully an Old Boy someday!

Ted Mercer ’96, his wife, Victoria, and their three sons.

1998 Christopher Fusco

and his wife, Tushee, gathered with friends at a holiday dinner in November 2019. Christopher

Max Woods ’98, his wife, Kelly, and daughter, Amelia.

→ Matt Tsuji ’00, his wife, Melissa, and daughter, Lily.

2003 Geoff Delean

From lower left, clockwise around the table (all men are from the Class of 1998): Kelly Trinka holding Amelia, Erin Mac Con, Max Woods, Antonio Riva Palacio, Kandice Cross, Vania Meneses Borges, Brook Dyson, Melissa Mercer, Will Mercer, Jason Perrier, Andrew Malloy, Brad Cross, Christopher Fusco, Douglas Mac Con, Tushee Fusco, and Richard Lai. 48 The ANDREAN Spring 2020

and his wife, Samantha, had a big year in 2019.

Not only did they complete a substantial eightmonth renovation of their Toronto residence, but they also welcomed their first child, Charles Geoffrey – “Charlie” – in early October. Geoff is a real estate salesperson with Chestnut Park Real Estate Limited, Brokerage and is more than happy to help fellow Andreans make their next move.

jobwatch.ch, a specialized recruitment website providing job postings for 40,000 candidates in the watch and microtechnique industries. Some of its biggest clients include the Swatch Group, Richemont, and Audemars Piguet.

Andrew Wakefield

Donato Ardellini, left, and

Bradley Downey ’03

→ Bradley Downey

recently joined Environmental 360 Solutions (E360S), an environmental management company founded by Donato Ardellini, father of Claudio ’22. Bradley is responsible for business acquisitions and corporate development as the company actively consolidates the waste management industry in Canada and the U.S.

Brian Harvey

Providence Healthcare. Brian and his wife, Victoria, who also works at Unity Health, as a cardiac device technologist, recently celebrated their first year of marriage and moved to Dundas, Ont.

Adam Hoffman

and his wife, Sherrie, welcomed a daughter, Ivy Anne, on January 10, 2020.

started a new position in January 2020 at Unity Health Toronto as an accreditation lead. Based out of St. Michael’s Hospital, he will be leading the organization through its first hospital accreditation as a network. The network includes St. Michael’s, St. Joseph’s Health Centre, and

was selected to the officiating crew for the 107th Grey Cup in Calgary, Alta., in November 2019 between the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Winnipeg Blue Bombers. As a six-year line judge with an 85-game experience in the Canadian Football League, this was his first Grey Cup appointment.

He previously worked both East and West finals as well as Andrew Wakefield ’03 poses semi-final games with the Grey Cup. in recent years.

Between games, Andrew works at CIBC as a senior product manager overseeing consumer credit cards for the bank in Toronto.

Luc Zoratto

and his wife, Leesa, welcomed Luna Rose Linh on September 16, 2019. Luc recently took up long-distance running, including his first half marathon, as a way to ensure the “dad bod” doesn’t creep up on him. Luc works as a senior sales manager at Dell Technologies and has also been working in real estate since 2009. The family lives in Toronto.

Adam Hoffman ’03, his wife, Sherrie, and daughter, Ivy Anne.

Mike Tzimas

started at Napoleon in January as CFO after ten years in the automotive industry. Napoleon, a $500-million privately owned Canadian company with global operations, manufactures and sells grills, fireplaces, and HVAC. Mike and his wife, Andrea, live in Richmond Hill, Ont., and have two sons, Lucas, 5, and Daniel, 3.

Tyron Vogt

Brian Harvey ’03, and his wife, Victoria.

had a busy summer in 2019 with a wedding and a job change. He and Selina got married at the Chateau-de-Gilly in Burgundy, France, on August 24, 2019. They hosted more than 100 guests from across the globe from as far as Canada, the U.S., and Hong Kong. The couple has two children, Gianluca, 6, and Lily-Grace, 2. Tyron started a job on July 1 as director of sales and marketing for

Luc Zoratto ’03, his wife, Leesa, and daughter, Luna Rose Linh.

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2004 Erik Bornstein

married Sarah Roper at the Old Fort Bay Club in the Bahamas on December 6, 2019. In attendance were his brother, Sean ’03, Geoffrey Campbell ’03, and Nicholas Laveau ’04. Erik is the CEO of a technology company called TOOLBX that he founded after selling his construction company, Mazenga Building Group. Erik spent ten years in the construction business before transitioning into technology. TOOLBX is a platform that helps construction professionals manage their construction material procurement by consolidating the order process from hundreds of suppliers. Erik recently raised $4 million US from investors in Silicon Valley and New York and is in the process of raising his next round of funding to grow the Toronto-based business. Erik and Sarah live in downtown Toronto.

→ Erik Bornstein ’04 and Sarah Roper were married in December.

Darrin Henein

is the director of UX at Shopify in Toronto, where he’s been for the last four years. He and his wife, Alicia, daughter, Ayla Grace, 6, and son, Samuel David, 4, moved from Milton, Ont., to Toronto in 2018.

Ritch Lau

has been working in the media for a Chinese broadcast company, Fairchild Television, as a news anchor/reporter since he graduated from the University of Toronto at Scarborough. He met his wife, Loretta, on the job when they were co-hosts of the evening news. They got married on June 10, 2018, and live in Richmond Hill, Ont. Ritch recalls his favourite time at SAC was playing basketball with classmates, and says he still enjoys the game. He participated in the St. Andrew’s Cadet program as a cook and continues to borrow from the recipes he used in SAC’s kitchen.

Ritch Lau ’04 and his wife, Loretta.

2005 Scott Fullerton

married Sarah Bellamy on February 1, 2020 at Baro in Toronto. Old Boys in attendance were Scott’s brother, Kevin Fullerton ’02, brotherin-law, Gord Birkett ’01, along with Nathan Rothwell ’03, Joseph Rothwell ’03, Ryan Bryce ’05, Clinton McCullough ’05, Jay Smith ’05, Ryan Besse ’09, and Reese Foegele ’13. Scott and Sarah honeymooned in the Bahamas, where they

Scott Fullerton ’05 and Sarah Bellamy were married in February.

50 The ANDREAN Spring 2020

met up with Matthew Whiteland ’05, Jonathan Cartwright ’05, and Karl McCartney ’06. Scott and Sarah live in Toronto, where Scott works as a wholesaler for National Bank Investments.

From left, Matthew Whiteland ’05, Scott Fullerton ’05, Jonathan Cartwright ’05, and Karl McCartney ’06.

Robert Iaccino

has been named a partner in Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP’s Commercial Real Estate Group.

He works in the company’s Toronto office specializing in leasing and construction matters and has extensive experience in acquisitions and dispositions of office buildings, vacant land, and shopping centres.

2006 Justin Lemieux-Reale

and his wife, Sarah, welcomed their first child, Ellara Kathleen, on December 28, 2019. The family lives in Hamilton, Ont., where they just completed a full renovation on their Victorian home.

Jun Woo Park

had a busy 2019. He graduated from Carnegie Mellon University in May with a PhD in computer science. He and his wife, Sunshee, along with their cats, Toffee and Coco, relocated in July to the San Francisco Bay area for his new job at Google as a software engineer. Their daughter, Hazel, was born in September.

Adam Lebar ’07 and Tessa Christine Laviolette were married last July.

2007

2008

Adam Lebar

Dylan Baker

married Tessa Christine Laviolette on July 27, 2019, at Gracewood Estates, Kurtz Orchards in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Old Boys in attendance were his brothers, Erik ’05 and Mitch ’08; classmates, Matt Boyd, Derek Cleary, Nunziatto Fattore, Scott Giroux, Peter Goitanich, Mathew Halloran, Cameron Healy, Eric Lee, Colin McCullough, Ladi Onayemi, Neil Osien, James Seymour, Richard Shouldice Stewart, and Jon Tozzi; as well as Ricky Reininger ’04 and Jeff Seymour ’05.

Jonathan Thomson

Jun Woo Park ’06 with Sunshee and their daughter, Hazel.

and his wife, Alicia, welcomed a daughter, Charlie Jay Thomson, on November 15, 2019.

They live in downtown Toronto where Jonathan works at KingSett Capital. The family is enjoying every moment as a trio and looks forward to travelling with Charlie to Japan, where Alicia is from.

became a lawyer in 2017 after clerking at the Ontario Superior Court of Justice. He now works in Toronto as a commercial litigator at Teplitsky, Colson LLP.

2009 John Cockshutt

moved from Toronto to England more than two years ago and took a marketing position at an industry-disrupting skincare and cosmetics business. It was there he met his wife, Elly.

“After a few months, we were both sure beyond any doubt,” John reports. They were married on November 16, 2019, and honeymooned in Seville, Spain. In attendance at the wedding was classmate, Nicholas Woo. The Old Boys re-connected after nearly 10 years when Nicholas noticed one of John’s Instagram stories about moving to England. “We met over a few pints Spring 2020 The ANDREAN

51

and some ramen, and it was like no time had passed,” John says. He and Elly reside in London and spend their free time in the English Surrey countryside and Geneva, Switzerland.

Old Boys from the Class of 2011, from left: Connor Pugliese, Thomas Di Falco ’12, Andrew Kerr, Carter Sopik, Alec McCleave, Matt Mardini, Brendan MacDonald, and Ian Malcolm (friend).

→ At top, John Cockshutt ’09 and Elly were married in November. Above, from left, Elly, John, Nicholas Woo ’09, and his partner, Marina.

Mark McLean

2011

2012

Andrew Kerr

Kevin Rush

and a group from the Class of 2011 went to Scottsdale, Ariz., on February 1 for the 2020 Waste Management Phoenix Open. Time was spent in the sun by the pool; however, the main attraction was the infamous par-3 16th hole grandstands. Pints were had, laughs were shared, and there was no shortage of good times.

sent his thanks to SAC for supporting The Pond Hop, an outdoor hockey marathon in Toronto.

Participants played a series of shinny games at two outdoor rinks on February 22, 2020. Several Old Boys joined the series. Mark says more than 75 players participated and collectively raised in excess of $20,000 in support of the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. Old Boy participants included Brendon McCullough ’03, Cameron Healy ’07, Adam Lebar ’07, Colin McCullough ’07, Ladi Onayemi ’07, Mitch Lebar ’08, Jeff O’Neill ’08, Ryan Besse ’09, Morgan Bonner ’09, Josh Harris ’09, Josh Phillips ’09, and Leland de Langley ’11.

52 The ANDREAN Spring 2020

joined SAC as the mathematics residential don following work in Ireland as an integration engineer. Kevin aspires to become a math and computer science teacher and graduated with a BA in computer science from Queen’s University in 2017. In addition to his academic expertise, Kevin has extensive rugby experience at the university level.

Rob Williams

won the Hon. Edward Goff Penny Memorial Prize for Young Canadian Journalists in 2019. In the small market category, Rob won for his work with the Telegraph-Journal in Saint John, NB. His entry submissions included: an exclusive piece on the struggle by 800 Campobello Island residents to stay connected to mainland New Brunswick; an exclusive story of Lois Merritt’s fight with the federal government over workers’ benefits for employees on long-term leave; an in-depth look into the plight of international workers trying to enter New Brunswick’s labour force; and the story of a mother and her journey with cancer while building memories with her son. Before joining the Saint John office in 2017, Rob worked in the legislative bureau for Brunswick News Inc., where he covered provincial and federal politics. Rob worked as an intern at The Daily Gleaner in Fredericton and at iPolitics in Ottawa after graduating from the journalism program at Carleton University. He was one of 10 journalists selected in 2016 for the Canadian military journalism course with the Canadian Global Affairs Institute, in partnership with the Centre for Military, Security and Strategic Studies at the University of Calgary.

2013 Michael Chiang

and Charles-David Mitchell ’14 performed at the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo in August 2018. Michael was playing with the Combined Universities’ Officer Training Corps Pipes and Drums, while Charles-David was playing with the Pipers Trail. They found out they were playing together at the tattoo during the first rehearsal.

They both had a great time and were proud to represent SAC in this world-renowned production set in Scotland. Michael graduated from the University of Edinburgh with a master’s degree in physics in 2017 and is studying for a PhD in biological physics at the same university.

Charles-David graduated from Carleton University with a bachelor’s degree in music last year and is now pursuing a diploma in music and digital media at St. Lawrence College in Kingston, Ont.

photo / Todd Reicher, Rockford IceHogs

Tyler ’10 and Dylan Sikura ’13.

→ Dylan Sikura

Charles-David Mitchell ’14, left, connected with fellow piper, Michael Chiang ’13.

Mario Chiodo

recently accepted a job with Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment in its Global Partnership Department. In his role, Mario works closely with both the Toronto Maple Leafs and Toronto Raptors on various sponsorship initiatives. He graduated in 2018 from the University of Windsor with a bachelor’s degree in commerce with a concentration in marketing.

scored his first NHL goal playing for the Chicago Blackhawks in a game against the Detroit Red Wings on January 6, 2020. This season, Dylan plays alongside his brother, Tyler ’10, with the Blackhawks’ AHL affiliate, the Rockford IceHogs.

Tyler was named the team captain for the 20192020 season, and both he and Dylan are among the IceHogs’ top scorers.

2014 Corey Bristoll

graduated from the Smith School of Business at Queen’s University in 2018. In January, he co-founded Northern Breeze Painting Ltd., a

full-service painting company in the Muskoka area of Ontario. Previous to this, Corey ran a College Pro Painting franchise in 2019 as a partnership. The duo ranked in the Top 5 franchise owners nationally in terms of sales volume and job quality. Corey enjoys staying in touch with classmates, Mitch Carter, Peter Grantcharov, Bryce Johnson, Taylor Pilmer, and Kris Townsend. This spring, Corey took a surfing trip to Nicaragua to catch up with some of these friends.

Peter Grantcharov

completed his M.Sc. in data science at Columbia University and has returned to Toronto to be the data science lead at Surgical Safety Technologies Inc. Surgical Safety Technologies invented the OR Black Box, which was selected as one of Time Magazine’s Top 100 Inventions of 2019. The OR Black Box records nearly everything that happens in a hospital operating room, including video of the surgical procedure.

2015 Kevin Chong

Mario Chiodo ’13

Corey Bristoll ’14

recently completed a life sciences degree at Queen’s University and is finishing his Bachelor of Education with the hope of working in the independent school system in Canada or internationally in Korea or Japan. Kevin reports that during his time at Queen’s, he was involved in a variety of extracurricular activities and volunteering, such as varsity squash, working Spring 2020 The ANDREAN

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with the municipal affairs commission of Kingston, Ont., the Toronto Blue Jays’ Jays Care Foundation, and organizing orientation week for incoming concurrent education students.

Mac Rowcliffe

graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in production from Ryerson University, where he spent the last semester working as the assistant to two professional directors from the Stratford and Shaw Festivals. He has switched gears completely and entered the wine industry, working at Coffin Ridge Boutique Winery in Annan, Ont., at their tasting bar and operating their tours. He is also making his way through certifications with the Wine and Spirit Education Trust. He holds Level 2 and plans to reach Level 3 by the fall.

City, Que., on November 23, 2019. The Dinos defeated the Montreal Carabins 27-13 at Telus Stadium.

Matthew Medhurst

is finishing up his junior year at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Fla. He reports he had great success in the academic field this school year, as well as on the golf course. He represented Eckerd in South Carolina at Kiawah Island Golf Resort.

He is studying toward his bachelor’s degree in history and plans to earn a Master of Education.

2018

Mac Rowcliffe’15

2016

committed to attending the University of Alaska Fairbanks and playing for the Nanooks in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA).

Yiannis Spetsakis

was an athletic scholar and a member of the Marauders football team in his first year at McMaster University. The team won the Yates Cup (Ontario University Athletics champion).

2019 Isaac Bradbury

Cameron Hillis

was named captain of the OHL Guelph Storm ahead of his third season with the team. The Montreal Canadiens prospect is enjoying a bounce-back year and sits in the Top 20 for scoring in the OHL for the 2019-2020 season. On May 12, 2020, he signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Canadiens.

Cameron Hillis ’18

Matt McKim

enjoyed his first year at Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pa., where he is studying international business and management. In his freshman season on the men’s soccer team, he started 16 games and scored three goals, two of which were game-winners. Following the season, he received an honourable mention to the 2019 AllCentennial Conference Team. X

photo / Canadian Press

Thomas Kook

and Isaac Bradbury ’19 were former soccer teammates at SAC and caught up with one another following Isaac’s game with the Dickinson College Red Devils in November 2019.

Andrew Biddell

was selected as an Academic All-Canadian for his achievement in both sports and academics for the 2018-2019 season. Andrew is a fourthyear finance major and accounting minor in the Desautels Faculty of Management at McGill University. He was recognized alongside seven other Desautels students by U Sports earlier this year. To qualify for Academic All-Canadian status, a U Sports student-athlete must have maintained an average of 80 per cent or better over the academic year while competing for one or more of their university’s varsity teams.

Andrew is a former captain of the McGill varsity football team and currently serves as the varsity lacrosse team manager.

Isaac Bradbury ’19

submit your

CLASS NOTE to appear in

THE ANDREAN

2017

theandrean@sac.on.ca deadline: August 31, 2020

George Hutchings

was a member of the University of Calgary Dinos football team that won the Vanier Cup in Quebec 54 The ANDREAN Spring 2020

Thomas Kook ’18, right, and Isaac Bradbury ’19

Spring 2020 The ANDREAN

55

THE 2020 GRADUATE ROADSHOW Over four days in early June, members of the Advancement team rode the SAC bus around southern Ontario delivering a grad package to the members of the 2020 class. Executive Director of Advancement, Greg Reid, and Assistant Director of Advancement, Nicholas Weedon ’02, along with school photographer, Paul Mosey, and social media expert, Sean Maillet, presented the grads with their Old Boy tie, a lawn sign, and a gift of cufflinks from the Parents Guild.

Although the end of the school year was not what anyone expected it would be, the grads received a fitting St. Andrew’s sendoff. At the appropriate time in the future, the 2020 class will be welcomed back on campus for a special tribute.

Matthew Deo and parents

Evan Ellig

56 The ANDREAN Spring 2020

Murphy Ives Family: Sebastian (centre), Sacha ’19, and Chris ’82

Neebin and Neebeesh Elliott

Jack Li and father

Joshua Baldassi

CONTENTS Spring 2020: volume 64, number 1 FEATURES 4 7 9 19 24 25 39

SAC’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic Staying Social at St. Andrew’s

The ANDREAN Published by St. Andrew’s College for Old Boys, parents, and friends of the School Editor Julie Caspersen Director of Communications Nicolette Fleming

The Originals Reflections of a Head Prefect: Rory McGuire ’13 Jayna Hefford takes the Mic The Excitement is Building: McLaughlin Hall Update The One and Only Old Girl

Contributors Sean Maillet Chris Traber

Dutch Smith

Dorian Jones and parents

Art Direction, Design, and Photography Paul Mosey Telephone 905-727-3178, ext. 333

COLUMNS 3 20 28 42

Email admission@sac.on.ca oldboys@sac.on.ca theandrean@sac.on.ca

From the Editor Sports Roundup

Website www.sac.on.ca

Old Boys Profiles Old Boys News

The Cover

On the front is a photo of SAC’s first Grade 5 class in 2012, gathered around the statue of Andy. On the back, a lone desk sits on an empty campus as the School shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Welcome to The Andrean, your alumni magazine since 1956.

This unique issue contains a collection of features that appeared on The Andrean website, launched in April 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The magazine staff members worked remotely to offer weekly, emailed installments to readers culminating with an online flipbook of the truncated edition. We will print a limited number of the spring issue for the St. Andrew’s Archives. Some of the features contained within will be either re-printed as is or revised and included for wider distribution in the Fall 2020 Andrean.

Julie Caspersen, Editor

Daniel Vercillo and family

Shayan Naqvi

We belong to the following associations:

The Andrean magazine supports the St. Andrew’s College mission to “…develop the complete man, the well-rounded citizen,” connects Old Boys and parents to the School, and is a reflection of St. Andrew’s College’s enduring value to the constituents it serves.

Richard Rong and family

Davide Zadra (right) with brother Luca ’17

THE St. Andrew’s College 15800 Yonge Street Aurora, ON L4G 3H7 Canada

ANDREAN Spring 2020: volume 64, number 1

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We’ll meet again Don’t know where Don’t know when But I know we’ll meet again some sunny day Keep smiling through Just like you always do ‘Till the blue skies drive the dark clouds far away

THE ORIGINALS 14 boys made up the new Grade 5 class in 2012.

11 remain and graduate as lifers in the class of 2020.

We’ll Meet Again

By Ross Parker and Hughie Charles

PLUS: LIFE IN PANDEMIC TIMES

The One and Only Old Girl OLD BOYS PROFILES + NEWS