DR. CLAUDINE BONNER

ACADIA UNIVERSITY’S FIRST VICE-PROVOST OF EQUITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION

DR. CLAUDINE BONNER is leading transformational change at Acadia University as its first Vice-Provost of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI). She is the senior leader responsible for providing vision, excellence, and leadership to support the University’s equity, diversity, and inclusion initiatives.

“My goal is to enact change, which begins with education and understanding. There is much work ahead to ensure everyone at Acadia feels accepted and supported in a way that provides them opportunities to thrive.”

As Vice-Provost, Bonner represents the institution on matters related to EDI. She is also responsible for planning, implementation, and evaluation processes to advance institutional diversity, inclusion, and equity goals.

Bonner holds an HBSc and MEd from Toronto, an MA from Dalhousie, and a PhD in gender, equity, and social justice from Western. She has led research projects on Diversity and Equity in Education, African-Caribbean Migration to Cape Breton, and Canada’s 19th-century Black press. She currently serves on the board of the Council of the Canadian Historical Association, Valley African Nova Scotia Development Association (VANSDA), and the Nova Scotia Women’s History Society.

Dr.

Claudine Bonner, Vice-Provost of EDI Bonner, an Associate Professor of Sociology and Women’s Gender Studies, was appointed to the new role in September. She brings a wealth of experience teaching and researching gender, equity, and social justice, focusing on African Diaspora migration and identity issues. Before taking on the role, she helped identify gaps and develop recommendations as a member of the President’s Anti-Racism Taskforce (PART) and the President’s Advisory Council on Decolonization.

Currently, Bonner is focused on gauging the institutional EDI climate as well as working alongside senior administration to align the University’s strategic work with institutional EDI goals.

“Acadia is fortunate to have Dr. Bonner take on this important position. EDI has a significant place in our strategic plan, and her leadership in this area will be crucial to our campus community’s ability to enact meaningful change.”

Dr. Peter Ricketts, President and Vice-Chancellor

A cultivated experience for the mind, body, and soil.

HORTON HIGH SCHOOL: HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL PRODUCTION

Lyndsey Mitchell, Music Director, Horton High School

While the past few years have certainly had their ups and downs, performing arts organizations across the world have been rocked by the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Even with all of the uncertainty created by these events, the students at Horton High School are looking forward to bringing live performances back to their theatre. Starting on February 24, these young performers will step out on stage not as Horton students, but as students from East High in Disney’s High School Musical.

When the cast first started dissecting the script for this show, the music room was filled with giggles and eye rolls, but as they dove further into the text and lyrics, those same students realized just how much of this production they saw playing out day to day, from their classrooms to the cafeteria. High School Musical explores the upheaval caused by two characters, Troy and Gabriella, deviating from the status quo. Following the cliques of East High (the jocks, brainiacs, thespians, and skater kids) might feel all too familiar to many of us who have felt like we couldn’t do something, just because it wasn’t what others might expect from us.

Evelyn Swanson-Snook, who plays the character of Ms. Darbus, says that working on the show has been a hugely positive experience.

“Portraying a character so different from myself has helped me to be bolder and more confident. Getting to become a part of a community of people who have similar interests has been wonderful.” This is a sentiment shared by Allie Burns, who has been itching to get back to doing things she enjoyed doing pre-pandemic. “It’s just so great to collaborate as one group of students and just do something we all love with a purpose!”

Over 400 students from Evangeline Middle School, Hantsport School, and Wolfville School will be coming up to get a bit of behind the scenes action at an open dress rehearsal prior to opening night. A member of the “thespian” clique, Mashayla Conway, says she’s “super excited for the people who grew up watching High School Musical to see how we’ve been bringing it together” and that she “really hopes they enjoy our version of the show and find it nostalgic.”

Performances will be held at the Horton High School Performance Centre on February 24 & 25, March 3 & 4 at 7pm and on February 25 & 26 at 2pm. You can get your tickets by going to our website (https://sites.google. com/gnspes.ca/horton-music/), stopping by the main office at Horton, or at the door. We can’t wait to see you there - Go Wildcats!

Fresh Snow In The Valley

Ron Lightburn’s art cards are now available at locations throughout the Annapolis Valley: Endless Shores Books in Bridgetown; The Rusty Chandelier in Coldbrook; Tides Art Gallery, R.D. Chisholm and the Kings County Museum in Kentville; Absolutely Fabulous at Home, Coles Book Store and Saunders Tartans & Gifts in New Minas; The Port Pub and Sea Level Brewing in Port Williams; Lightfoot & Wolfville Vineyards in Wolfville. thelightburns.com

Irish Heritage Irish Heritage Month Month