This is a question I am frequently asked by prospective families, and the words that follow often include: academic, growth-oriented, rigorous, artsy, student-centred, supportive and progressive, to name a few. And, during the past year, we’ve been asking how St. George’s is meaningful for you – beginning with our very own Community Café last October. Since that time, we’ve combined your feedback with the expertise of our Marketing Committee, Communications Department and our outside educational branding expert, Firebrand for Education, to capture stories and experiences that express who we are and how we are unique. Through many conversations with students, faculty and staff, parents and alumni, we now have a launch pad for our new branding campaign that truly represents the many aspects and dimensions that comprise St. George’s. Our school is truly multifaceted, and as you will see in our feature story, our new brand design fully supports this description. At St. George’s we remain laser-focused on developing in our students a genuine and diverse interest in the world and its people; an orientation toward reflection, engagement, and creative contribution, and the unshakable confidence that comes from each student knowing they are fully prepared for what’s next. Amazingly, these principles and values have been upheld throughout the past 86 years. We are so fortunate to have in the St. George’s Community, very committed individuals who have selflessly given of their time to ensure that the school remains strong and true to its mission. These community members will be celebrated during our inaugural Tribute Dinner and Homecoming Weekend, November 5th and 6th. While the number of individuals who have made a significant impact on St. George’s is too great to count, we are excited to honour seven members of our Community at our first annual event. I invite you to join us on Saturday, November 5th, as we recognize and rejoice in the contributions of our honourees. The evening kicks off at 6 p.m., with a cocktail reception and tours of the school – including a first glimpse of our new Fitness Centre currently under construction. On Sunday, November 6th, the opportunities to rekindle old friendships, reunite with former teachers and staff, and create new connections within our community continue as we hold a Celebration of Life for Gilbert Plaw at 1 p.m., followed by the Gilbert Plaw Memorial Basketball Tournament. I look forward to seeing you at our Tribute Dinner and Homecoming festivities, and to connecting with you throughout the year to hear your personal stories about the magic of St. George’s. HERE BE DRAGONS! Sincerely, Sharon Klein Head of School
What kind of school are you?
Dragonlink Fall 2016
Our cover photo is from the Grade 7 Leadership Trip to Tadoussac in September, Head of School, Sharon Klein, at the top-right. The photo on this page and the back cover is also from this trip.
2 | Letter from the Head of School 4 | World Scholar's Cup 6 | Around the School 8 | Fitness Centre 9 | Feature Story: Expressing the Magic of St. George’s 14 | 2016 Homecoming Weekend and Tribute Dinner 20 | Alumni – Bloomberg Family Portrait 22 | Alumni – Alex Cohen ('14) 23 | Alumni – Michael Stepner ('07) 24 | Alumni Representative to the Board 25 | Message from Adam Greenberg 26 | Alumni Reunions 27 | Alumni Today 34 | Faculty Updates 37 | Planned Giving: A Lasting Legacy
Junior Team: Shirley Barnea, Varvara Malyguine, Emma Boucher
Senior Team: Rachel Hadef, Matthew Hart, Lillian Simons
Challenging, collaborative, creative and a whole lot of fun. These words describe the World Scholar’s Cup, a world-touring learning competition which made its Canadian debut at St. George’s this year and resulted in six of our students competing in Prague over the summer. The competition is designed to be a celebration of learning, where applying your knowledge in speech, writing, academic testing and collaborative problem-solving is also a lot of fun. Founded in 2007, the World Scholar’s Cup holds regional rounds for students ages 10-18 across 50 countries each year. The top Regional teams are then invited to two Global Rounds, where a select few earn the right to compete in the Tournament of Champions, hosted by Yale University. St. George’s hosted a World Scholar’s Cup Regional Round in January 2016, and more than 40 students from Montreal schools competed. From there, six St. George’s students qualified and were able to travel to compete in the Global Round in Prague, Czech Republic in July. Chantal Martin, Assistant Head of our Elementary School, accompanied these six students and their parents for a week in Prague. “The time I spent in Prague with the kids and parents was amazing and inspiring,” Chantal says. “I am so proud of how they competed and, more importantly, how they represented St. George’s and Canada!” In addition to the competition, students participated in a global cultural fair, where each country’s representatives showcased their culture and toured the room to see what others had brought from around the world. Three St. George’s students did so well in Prague that they qualified to compete among the best in the world at the Tournament of Champions at Yale! Our Senior Team of Lillian Simons, Matt Hart and Rachel Hadef placed 3rd among all schools at the Prague Global Round in the Scholar’s Bowl competition and placed 15th overall. They will make the trip to Yale on November 18-21. We will keep you posted on their travels and achievements! In January, it will all begin again as St. George’s will host one of several Canadian Regional Rounds from January 20-21, 2017. From there, as we have seen, there is a world of possibilities.
Becoming World Scholars and World Travelers
World Scholar’s Cup competitions include collaborative writing, where you can assist your teammates in writing a persuasive essay; the Scholar’s Challenge, a multiple choice test over six pre-selected categories; team debate, where you team up and go face to face against the best in the world; and the Scholar’s Bowl, a game-show-like team competition where every team has a clicker and the sooner you click the right answer, the more points you earn. Plus, every question is a little more difficult than the one before.
“During the week I became more culturally educated and I've met people that I'm never going to forget,” Rachel Hadef, Grade 10. “By interacting with so many individuals from places all over the world, I have gained insight into many peoples. From both an objective and my subjective standpoint, that there is no more enriching activity that St. George's could provide than the Cup,” Lillian Simons, Grade 10.
“I'd say that even though I was very upset at first for missing (summer) camp because of it, the next few days more than made up for it by being an event that I came to realize was really special and unforgettable,” Matt Hart, Grade 10.
We all know it can be difficult to break the summer routine and get teenagers to school on the first day. So what could possibly bring them in a day early? For our Student Ambassadors, all it takes is to understand that their extra effort will have a positive impact on others. Our New Student Welcome Program took place the day before school opened, and brought our everyday leaders together with the students new to our school. The day was comprised of various activities and games designed to develop connections and build friendships. This, in turn, allowed our new students to arrive on their first day of school and see familiar faces and new friends.
Elementary school children make friends quickly, and this often results in parents playing catch-up as they try to meet and get to know each other outside of school. At St. George’s, we have a fun way to bring families together in the first weeks of the school year by hosting an Annual Corn Roast. Early this September, on a sunny afternoon, students and parents mingled and munched corn on the cob, freshly prepared by our new Elementary School catering team. Hosted by Chantal Martin, Assistant Head of the Elementary School, the Corn Roast has become an enjoyable annual gathering anticipated by all. We love bringing our families together!
School’s in session and that means St. George’s students are involved in exciting activities and achieving great things. Here are just a few updates of What’s New Around the School.
Annual Corn Roast
High School's New Student Welcome
What's New Around the School
Last spring, our elementary students created an outdoor classroom by planting edible herbs and vegetables, as well as other plants, that would support the wildlife living on our Elementary School campus. This planting is part of our Earth Day celebration every spring. Following a summer of growth, the plants were ready for harvest when students returned to school in September! They collected eggplants, peppers and other treats that the wildlife had left untouched. This harvest was yet another opportunity to learn, as students tasted new flavours and discussed the uses of the foods they cultivated.
Summer Harvest
Creating a cohesive culture does not happen easily. It takes a strategic and respectful approach, a lot of listening to students' needs and, sometimes, a parking lot full of awesomeness. One of the ways we achieve the awesomeness is through our “Welcome Back Carnival”! To cap off the first week of school, the St. George’s High School campus was transformed into a fairground where students were free to roam, play and compete in a variety of games for the “St. George’s Book of Records”. The carnival, hosted by Assistant Head of the High School, Michael O’Connor, and made possible by nearly 40 parent volunteers, creates an atmosphere of celebration, sharing and togetherness. After a long summer away, sometimes kids just need a little time to reconnect. The Carnival is a great way to do that and celebrate the year to come!
Welcome Carnival
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New Fitness Centre Opening in 2017
Health must come first. As one of our school’s six founding principles, this acts as a foundation in directing our curriculum, school activities and athletics to promote an overall understanding and embrace of the importance of a healthy lifestyle. In pursuit of this principle, we came to understand that the High School’s existing gymnasium and physical education spaces could not support our growing programming in physical education, student recreation and other areas of wellness, including mindfulness and relaxation. A new fitness centre was proposed as a solution and we broke ground in June 2016. Over the summer, the lower-level area that housed student lockers was cleared completely, a portion of the area was dug out to make it almost two feet deeper so the area could accommodate weights and elliptical machinery, and construction began. This fall, the demolition phase was completed and the building phase began, with an anticipated open date in January 2017. The new fitness centre will accommodate multiple activities simultaneously, addressing the scheduling needs of the High School, Elementary School, staff and faculty, parents and alumni. Our new Fitness Centre will feature 2,490 square feet of new and renovated space: • Flexible and dynamic space to promote new sport alternatives: yoga, pilates, dance, arts, martial arts, wrestling, etc. • Locker area including washrooms, change rooms, and private showers • Functional and sports-specific resistance equipment • Cardiovascular training machines • Mirrored walls • Free weights • TV monitor and USB charging stations
Kind. And also, quirky. Those were the words offered by two of my peers when I asked them to tell me about St. George’s. I was preparing to interview for the position of Head of School, and as intriguing and endearing as those two words may be, I wasn’t completely sure what to make of them. As I’ve settled in as Head of School over the past two years, I’ve learned that my experience was far from unique. It seems that many of us in the St. George’s community - past and present - have struggled at times to explain what we find so compelling and valuable about our experience here.
By Sharon Klein, Head of School
Expressing the Magic Introducing St. George’s New Brand Design
This is why, a year ago, the Board approved an ambitious branding and marketing initiative to add clarity, relevance – and sizzle! – to the things we say, and to expand upon what other people then understand about us. I’m excited to share below some key outcomes of that undertaking, and I hope you’ll feel, as I do, that this marks the beginning of a new era of St. George’s pride. First, though, I want to offer my observation that our struggle to describe “The St. George’s Magic” is entirely appropriate. After all, this is no simple commodity we’re talking about. Instead, St. George’s is a living, evolving community. It’s dozens of teachers, each with their own personality, thoughtfully and responsively accompanying each unique child through countless moments of learning and discovery. It’s hundreds of parents, staff, administrators and alumni, each adding some special contribution with every interaction. It’s 86 years of fine-tuning how our founding principles can be lived in everything we do. If it were simple, it wouldn’t feel like magic; it wouldn’t be unique; and it wouldn’t have the impact that it does. For all these reasons, we knew that no ordinary branding agency would do. After a comprehensive review of options locally and elsewhere, Atlanta-based Firebrand for Education turned out to be exactly what we were looking for. And already, my sense is that choosing them is one of the best decisions we’ve ever made. Since then, I’ve been immensely proud of how engaged our entire community has been in this thorough and thoughtful process. We kicked things off last October with our “Community Café,” a gathering that brought together over 130 teachers, parents, students, staff and alumni to share their stories.
Click here for Firebrand’s detailed explanation of the logo’s design.
From there, Firebrand conducted dozens of focus groups, classroom observations and in-depth interviews. I can confidently say that the perspectives of parents, students, teachers, staff and alumni have all been well represented. I can also assure you that the heritage and founding principles of the school have been honoured and integrated. And from all of this, Firebrand got us. I mean, they really got us, more than we dared hope for. What resulted was, first of all, a fresh treatment of the school’s logo, last updated in the early 1990s. This offers an important means of differentiating us from other private schools, as well as conveying the school’s progressive approach and inclusive culture. It also opens up new, creative ways to use the logo in different contexts.
Sharon Klein, Head of School, and Kathay Carson, Director of Enrolment Management, promoting St. George's at a recent educational fair.
Finally, our beloved dragon got a makeover:
In addition, Firebrand provided a new tagline (a tagword, really): multifaceted. This speaks to the rich and valuable complexity of our students, our approach and our community.
And there’s more, with each element more exciting and effective than the last. Prepare to be delighted and surprised as new materials are rolled out over the coming months and beyond. Best of all, this process has helped our community take a new look at itself, only to realize how truly special the “St. George’s Magic” is. Firebrand shared the transcripts from their interviews and focus groups, and they’re filled with heartwarming quotes like these: When you like your environment, when you like your teachers, you work harder. I think that’s a universal truth. When you appreciate the teachers and what they do for you, on a genuine level and not just because they’re your superior, you end up working harder and doing better. –St. George’s student The ability of the staff to see what opportunities the kids would excel in and can handle? Amazing. –St. George’s parent There’s kindness in the culture. The kids are very kind and empathetic. There’s an acceptance and an inclusion. Kids have friends, and they’re all accepted as who they are - any quirkiness and eccentricities are part of that’s just who they are. –St. George’s teacher Imagine my surprise in reading that last one! It turns out my two colleagues were right in their assessment of St. George’s two years ago. Among other things, we are a community that is kind and “unusual in an interesting and attractive way” (the dictionary definition of quirky). How wonderful. Now, with the help of these new brand elements, we’re in a better position than ever to highlight, celebrate and cultivate even more of what makes St. George’s great.
Circle November 5th and 6th on your calendar: that’s when, for the first time in many years, we will be welcoming our entire St. George’s Community from near and far to a Homecoming Weekend designed to celebrate the remarkable people and rich culture of St. George’s School of Montreal. Among the highlights of Homecoming Weekend will be the inaugural Tribute Dinner, where we will honour some truly amazing individuals who exemplify the unique characteristics and qualities inherent in the founding principles of our school. Selected through a nomination process open to all members of the school community, our 2016 award winners are drawn from the ranks of alumni, volunteers, donors, parents, teachers and support staff. Over the course of the evening we will be applauding the outstanding contributions of recipients in seven categories – culminating with the Award of Distinction, which is being presented to an alumnus in recognition of a lifetime of exceptional leadership and service to St. George’s.
We anticipate welcoming a capacity crowd of some 250 guests for this not-to-be-missed happening on the Saturday evening, which will begin with a cocktail reception and tours of our new Fitness Centre, followed by dinner, a live auction and, of course, the awards presentation. Be sure to get your tickets early for this signature event. Our Homecoming Weekend program for Sunday will provide alumni with additional opportunities to rekindle relationships with members of the St. George’s community and celebrate our rich 86-year history as a provider of innovative, individualized education. Scheduled events include a Memorial Service to celebrate the life of the late Gilbert Plaw, the revered former English teacher, department chair and director of our High School, who passed away earlier this year. Fittingly, because Mr. Plaw loved basketball –– and, in fact, is credited with initiating alumni basketball games at St. George’s –– the service will be followed by the first Gilbert Plaw Memorial Basketball Tournament. If you fancy getting your game on and shooting some ‘hoops’, why not sign up for the tournament? Alumni, students, parents, faculty and staff –– past and present –– are all welcome to participate. The Homecoming Weekend and inaugural Tribute Dinner are being organized by the Office of Advancement and Alumni Relations in collaboration with the Alumni Executive Committee. For further information, contact patricia.lavoie@stgeorges.qc.ca
Get Involved in Our Tribute Dinner There are many ways to get involved in our Inaugural Tribute Dinner. Learn more about our many sponsorship opportunities or contact Patricia Lavoie at patricia.lavoie@stgeorges.qc.ca to help with areas including decorating, set up, registration, reception and more!
Homecoming Weekend & Inaugural Tribute Dinner A happening not to be missed!
An homage to some very deserving members of the St. George’s School of Montreal community Awards preview
Ralph Waldo Emerson, the celebrated 19th century essayist and champion of individualism, rightly observed that “it is not length of life, but depth of life” which truly defines people. It is in that spirit that seven exceptional individuals deeply involved with St. George’s will be honoured at our inaugural Tribute Dinner on Saturday, November 5.
Cheryl, currently serving as our Board Chair, exemplifies a tenet long embraced by the St. George’s community – namely that family involvement is key to the overall success of a child’s education. Her involvement began 15 years ago, with the enrolment of the first of her four children to attend the school. As time passed and her kids prospered in the nurturing environment of St. George’s, Cheryl’s level of commitment and involvement in school affairs steadily increased, from proud parent and hard-working volunteer to Board membership, Co-chair of the Parents Activities Committee and, now, Board Chair. As anyone who has seen her in action will attest, Cheryl’s warmth, energy and obvious love of St. George’s are infectious, making her not only an effective leader but also a superb ambassador for the school. For her part, Cheryl modestly asserts that she has gained as much as she has given through her involvement with St. George’s, “which has truly changed my life and the life of my entire family.” In fact, she says, “I have come to regard all those great people at St. George’s – everyone from the Head of School and Board members to faculty, staff and volunteers – as part of my extended family.” Cheryl’s stated aim is simply “to leave St. George’s in even better shape than I found it” – a goal her many admirers have no doubt will be achieved.
The Award of Distinction, bestowed on an alumna or alumnus who has made a lifetime contribution of exceptional leadership and service to St. George’s and the community, will be presented to Kenneth Salomon, Class of '64.
After graduation, Ken – who has been dubbed “the Godfather of St. George's alum” – went on to study at Dartmouth College and McGill University Law School before embarking on a successful legal career in Montreal, where he is a partner in Sternthal Katznelson Montigny LLP. Although it is now more than 50 years since he picked up his St. George’s diploma, Ken has never stopped caring about and giving back to our school, which also numbers his two children among its alumni. A former long-time Board member and Board Chair, he has presided over or sat on numerous consultative committees, serving on two occasions as Chair of Head of School Search Committees, and acting as St. George’s legal counsel. Ken remains an active supporter of the Alumni Association and attends virtually every notable school function, displaying an unbridled enthusiasm and unfailing willingness to provide an encouraging word or – if need be – a little constructive criticism to help ensure that St. George's continues building on its legacy as a leader in progressive education. Ken’s enduring commitment to education and the community transcends his bond with St. George’s: he has also served as a director and board chair at Marianopolis College, sits on the board of the non-profit Montreal Fluency Centre and worked for many years as a tutor for the literacy program RECLAIM. However, he is quick to point out that “St. George’s remains Number One in my heart – no contest there.” Nor is there any doubt that Ken is truly deserving of our top honour, the Award of Distinction.
Cheryl Weigensberg-Wood Community Champion Award
The Community Champion Award, conferred on a non-graduate of St. George’s who has demonstrated an outstanding, long-term commitment of support and service to the school, will be presented to Cheryl Weigensberg-Wood.
Kenneth Salomon Award of Distinction
Risa Lukofsky Alumnus/Alumna of the Year Award
The Alumnus/Alumna of the Year Award, presented to a graduate who has demonstrated a strong, on-going commitment to St. George’s goes to Risa Lukofsky, Class of ’82.
Gilbert Plaw Outstanding Contribution to Teaching and Learning Award
Risa’s connection to St. George’s dates back to early 1978, when the precocious teen approached her parents about making a change to a private school for Grade 8. Her pre-conditions were clear: the school of choice had to be strong academically and offer a welcoming and creative environment with caring teachers. Plus, it had to be co-ed with no uniform requirements. Unbeknownst to Risa, St. George’s was to be her destiny. All it took to seal the deal was a tour of the school and a meeting with Bahadur Bhatla and Gilbert Plaw. Risa went on to enjoy four “incredible” years at St. George’s, which included intensive involvement with the student newspaper Pot Pourri and culminated with her presiding as Master of Ceremonies at the Class of ’82 graduation ceremonies. She credits those years at St. George’s for helping her develop the resourceful nature and communications skills that have served her well in pursuit of her career in marketing and management. Since graduation, Risa has remained committed to and involved with St. George’s on many levels, as an alumnus, parent, volunteer, Board member and staffer – including a stint as Alumni Relations Coordinator. Risa and her husband Anthony Wolfe (Class of ’80), are the proud parents of Russell and Molly, who graduated as St. George’s Scholars in 2010 and 2014, respectively. The tradition continues.
The Outstanding Contribution to Teaching and Learning Award, which honours a current or former teacher who has demonstrated a positive and lasting impact on St. George’s students, will be conferred posthumously on the late Gilbert Plaw.
Gilbert – or Gil, as he preferred to be called – was born in Kingston, Ontario and educated at Sir George Williams University and Dalhousie University. He joined the faculty at St. George's in 1973, and remained here for 27 years until his retirement in 2000, enjoying a distinguished career as a revered – albeit irreverent – English teacher, Department Chair and, ultimately, Director of the High School. Mr. Plaw’s three children attended St. George’s and he remained actively involved with the school following his retirement, teaching and working with alumni. Gil was also a poet and occasional playwright, an avid fisherman, gadabout and general provocateur. He touched the lives of countless students, teachers and staff with his keen intellect, balanced by a tremendous sense of humour and salt-of-the earth manner. Gil passed away earlier this year at age 76. He will long be remembered in the minds and hearts of past and present members of the St. George's Montreal community. We invite you to visit the school’s special web page established in his memory and contribute to the St. George’s Gilbert Plaw Fund, which will benefit students. As rightly noted on the website, “great teachers are long remembered for their remarkable contributions to the students, their peers, and to the institutions themselves.”
The Young Alumnus/Alumna of the Year Award, which honours a graduate from the past 10 years who has demonstrated professional excellence and community leadership, goes to Samantha Levy, Class of '06.
The Outstanding Staff Member Award, given to a current or past staffer whose outstanding dedication and conscientious performance has had a significant impact on St. George’s, will be presented to Patricia Lavoie.
Samantha Levy Young Alumnus/Alumna of the Year Award
Patricia Lavoie Outstanding Staff Member Award
During her time at St. George’s, ‘Sam’ was actively engaged in myriad aspects of campus life, including school theatre productions, Student Council, the yearbook, and peer advising. Perhaps most memorably, she participated in the bi-annual ‘India Trip’ to visit Sheela Bal Bhavan or ‘SBB’ – a home for underprivileged girls in Jaipur, India that is a priority charity partner of St. George’s. That journey sparked a passion and commitment which endures to this day. Following subsequent independent visits to Jaipur and other parts of India, Samantha was retained to author a comprehensive history of SBB that was published in 2015. She also was invited to join the board of the CanServe Foundation, a registered Canadian charity that supports SBB. While continuing to work on behalf of the underprivileged, the feisty former St. George’s tripper went on to earn a B.A. degree from Dalhousie University as well as B.C.L and LL.B degrees from McGill University Law School. Samantha now works at a boutique law firm in Montreal that specializes in immigration matters.
Presently Coordinator of Alumni Relations, Patricia has been part of the St. George’s community for more than 25 years – which makes her the school’s longest-serving staff member. She began her career at St. George’s in 1991 in the Development Office as Assistant to the Director, where she worked closely with parent volunteers and alumni. In 2001, she was named Assistant to the Head of School, a role that entailed providing critical behind-the-scenes support for 10 years. In 2011, Patricia came full circle and returned to her first love – working with alumni – taking up the challenge as Coordinator. While Patricia’s lengthy tenure at the school speaks to her loyalty and commitment, it is her remarkable knowhow, persistence and consummate professionalism – not to mention a wicked sense of humour – that are the true measure of her value to St. George’s. Little wonder that Patricia is a magnet for alumni, who always want to know if she will be there when they come to visit the school or will be attending an upcoming event. As one of her many fans in the community put it recently, “Patricia quite simply represents the heart and soul of the St. George's staff, setting a standard of excellence we all ought to strive for.”
The Outstanding Student Award, given to a current St. George’s student or a member of the most recent graduating class who has demonstrated outstanding qualities as a campus leader and contributor to student life, will be presented to Ryan Antel, Class of ‘16.
During his time at St. George's (which began in kindergarten), Ryan won accolades for his academic achievements, athletic prowess and artistic abilities. He acted in musical-theatre productions, was involved with the Glee Club, played on the football, basketball and badminton teams, served on Student Council and captured several science fair awards. He also represented St. George's at national Remembrance Day ceremonies in Ottawa, as well as at several leadership conferences organized by the CAIS and QAIS networks of accredited independent schools and at WE Day celebrations. Among the numerous awards Ryan picked up along the way were the Jaclyn Linetsky Performing Arts Award, the John Low-Beer Chemistry Award, the David Bell Spirit Award and the James A. Officer Student Leadership Award. Outside of school, Ryan has acted professionally in various stage, television and movie productions and interned at the Segal Centre for the Performing Arts. Oh yes, he has also been playing competitive baseball since the age of five. Ryan is currently studying Health Sciences at Marianopolis College while continuing to pursue his budding career as an actor. He says that what made St. George’s so special for him was that “it provides an environment where you can feel comfortable being yourself. I am grateful for all the teachers, staff, and students who make St. George’s such a wonderful place. I miss it already!”
Ryan Antel Outstanding Student Award
Congratulations to all our 2016 award winners!
Through their exemplary leadership and commitment to serve, they stand out as shining examples of how we can all make a difference and help shape our St. George’s Community, our personal or professional communities, and the world at large.
Caroline
When Dr. Ronald and Dora Bloomberg moved to Westmount in in the early 1980s, they set out to find a “best fit” neighborhood school for their oldest child Ken. Dora recalls that they were looking for a school that was welcoming and nurturing, with a personal approach. Ideally their chosen school would offer an academically rigorous and creative curriculum. After speaking to neighbors and colleagues and visiting local schools, they chose St. George’s High School for their oldest son Ken (‘88), and soon it would be clear that St. George’s would be the solution to many of the Bloomberg’s needs. Given the immediate and positive engagement of their first-born, it became an easy enough decision to subsequently enroll their two younger children; Richard (’92) and Caroline (‘97). These many years later, Dora Bloomberg is more than sure that they made the best possible decision when they chose St. George’s over the several other local schools. Dora recalls that all three of her children were actively involved in both the in-class and extra-curricular programs. Although academics came first, all three participated in public presentation activities. Ken and Richard represented the school at various debating tournaments, and Caroline was involved in the theatre, as well as a very successful fundraising Fashion Show. All three were award-winning science fair participants. Caroline, partnered with a classmate, achieved particular city-wide distinction for a project based on photosynthesis.
Ken
Richard
An Alumni Family Portrait
By James Officer, Principal Emeritus
Yearbook Photos of the Bloomberg children from 1988. 1992 and 1997.
A more recent photo of Richard, Caroline, and Ken.
Dora fondly recalls the personal connection that her children had with their St. George’s teachers, and she believes that this relationship prepared them well for future endeavors. “They were not afraid to talk with adults, to ask questions and to express their own ideas,” she says, and the confidence gained prepared them well for their future studies and careers. “At the end of the day the school got it right,” Dora concluded. The Bloomberg family siblings continued their education at Marianopolis College and McGill University with distinction. Subsequently, Ken earned an MBA in Finance and Entrepreneurial Management from The Wharton School, and began his professional career at Morgan Stanley and then McKinsey in New York. He is currently the Global Head of Private Equity Direct Investments at APG Asset Management – a firm with over $500 billion in assets. He continues to be based in New York City, where he lives with his wife and their three sons. Richard obtained his medical degree from McGill and a surgical residency at the University of Toronto. He then completed a fellowship in advanced laparoscopic surgery at Mt. Sinai Medical Center in New York City. Richard now resides in Buffalo, NY, with his wife Lauren, and children Marlowe and Reid. He is a General Surgeon specializing in Minimally Invasive / Laparoscopic and Robotic Surgery and is a partner in a private practice facility, “Surgical Associates of Western NY, PC”. He also holds an academic teaching appointment with the University of Buffalo, School of Medicine. Caroline obtained a Bachelor of Commerce in Management from McGill University in 2002, after which she joined HSBC Bank's “fixed income graduate program” and worked in London and New York in institutional sales. She is currently an Executive Director in Emerging Markets and Foreign Exchange Sales at Nomura Securities International in New York City, where she sells macro products including FX, derivatives and emerging market bonds to U.S. institutional clients. Prior to Nomura, she worked in emerging markets sales at investment banks including UBS, RBC and Lehman Brothers. She lives in Manhattan with her husband, Andrew Eisen, and their two girls. There is an oft quoted expression that “the proof is in the pudding”. I think that one can presume that the recipe for the success of each of these remarkably successful Alums includes a generous measure of a St. George’s education and their difference-making teachers. The school salutes the remarkable Bloomberg sibling Alums and of course their wise, caring and proud parents; Dr. Ronald and Dora Bloomberg.
By James Careless
To date, Alex has given 400 hours of community service to diverse organizations, including intensive work with patients suffering from advanced dementia. In recognition of these selfless efforts, she was awarded the 2016 Terry Fox Humanitarian Award honouring young people who have demonstrated humanitarianism, courage, and compassion while in pursuit of excellence in academics and community service. Alex is one of 19 students chosen out of 3000 candidates for this national scholarship. She began her quest to make the world a better place in seventh grade, when she developed an Amnesty International advocacy project for victims of sexual violence in Haiti. By Grade 9, her attention was focused on contributing to the development of a more effective treatment for diabetes by researching the ability of the Islet NeoGenesis-Associated Protein to transform some pancreatic cells into insulin-producing cells. In theory, this approach could spur some diabetes patients’ bodies to start producing the insulin they need to survive. “I dedicated myself to this project for two years, sacrificing evenings, weekends, and a summer to work in the lab at the Lady Davis Institute,” Alex said. In Grade 11, her public presentation of this research won this hard-working St. George’s student first prize at the Hydro-Québec Regional Science and Technology Fair, a $3,000 scholarship to McGill University at a subsequent provincial science fair, and the opportunity to represent Canada at the International Science and Engineering Fair. One would think this high school student’s work as a medical researcher and hundreds of hours of community service would have filled her schedule. Not at all, Alex told us, “In addition to science and community service, I am passionate about performing arts. At St. George’s, I performed in nearly every musical and Glee Club performance.” Alexandra’s hard work and achievements at St. George’s and subsequently at Marianopolis College (CEGEP) culminated in her acceptance into McGill’s MED-P program. One of 74 CEGEP students from approximately 800 applicants, she will complete one preparatory year at McGill before being admitted directly into Medical School. Looking back, Alex believes her time at St. George’s played a pivotal role in her intellectual and moral development. “From the moment I stepped foot in St. George’s at Open House, I knew that it would be the perfect fit for me,” she said. Upon winning the School’s first five-year Leadership Scholarship she remarked, “St. George’s allowed me to discover many passions and become the well-rounded person that I am today.” In particular, she credits the high quality of her teachers and the School’s unparalleled tradition of intensive student involvement for helping her realize her potential. “I was a student ambassador, a performer, a public speaker, a leader, and a scientist; nobody ever tried to force me into a box” she said. As for the future? “When I graduate from medical school, I will be 23 years old.” said Alex. “Although I am very open to falling in love with any specialty throughout my education, my current goal, due to my own personal experiences, is to work in pediatrics specializing in a chronic illness.”
Making the World a Better Place Began at St. George’s for 2014 Graduate
St. George’s graduate, Alexandra Cohen (‘14) was diagnosed with a chronic illness at age eight. In an interview this past summer, she explained how this experience shaped her future. “Seeing other children struggling inspired my desire to become a physician and improve the quality of the lives of others, which I have since done through advocacy, scientific research, and hands-on volunteer work.”
'07 Graduate Looks Into Real Cost of Illness for Canadians
In Canada, Medicare covers the medical costs of becoming ill. But what about all the other related expenses; not just prescriptions, but lost income due to enforced time off work and early retirement? What does illness cost those Canadians who can’t return to work after they are treated, and how do these expenses affect them, their spouses and families? These are the financial consequences of illness being investigated by St. George’s graduate Michael Stepner (‘07) as he takes up a research position at Statistics Canada. Michael’s goal is to “try and understand just how well Canadians are insured against the full spectrum of costs of getting sick,” he told us. Having graduated from McGill University with First Class Honours in Economics, Michael is currently working on a Ph.D. in Economics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in an effort to tangibly improve society through the pursuit of social sciences. “If you asked me now, ‘why are you studying Economics?’, I'd say it's because it provides rigorous answers to really important questions about social policy and can inform evidence-based policy-making,” said Michael. “But if you asked me ‘why did you study Economics?’, it is undoubtedly because of the series of wonderful mentors who guided me to the subject along the way throughout my education.” Michael explained that this mentorship began during his time on the St. George’s debating team. “Preparing for debates led me to long chats with Monsieur Desrochers, who taught Economics, though he retired before he was ever actually my teacher”.
Since these beginnings, Michael’s passion for Economics has led him through McGill, on to MIT, and to a meeting of his discipline’s leading lights at the Nobel Laureate Meetings on Economic Sciences in Lindau, Germany. “We were joined by upwards of 15 Nobel Laureates and 400 economics students from all over the world - all in one place,” said Michael. “It was a really great experience; both learning from the Laureates and meeting all of the students.” Looking back at his high school years, Michael noted that “One area where St. G completely stands out is the way students interact with their teachers. That experience helped me to stand out after I graduated, and to meet a host of advisors who have continued to guide me to success.” St. George’s interactive teaching style impressed Michael’s mother, Karen Poulsen, when she was seeking a high school for him and his sister, Diana (‘12). But that wasn’t all: “St. George’s helps children know what they need to do to succeed,” said Karen. “They help them find what works for them.” The result: Today Michael Stepner is working on his doctorate at one of the world’s great post-secondary institutions, in a field he loves, and is working to make a difference in the lives of all Canadians.
Our new Alumni Representative to the Board has an impressive past and a bright future!
Since his first steps onto the St. George's stage in 2000, Adam Greenberg (‘04) knew he was meant to entertain. The theatre gave him an outlet to let loose instead of being the class clown (though that didn't really stop him). Adam was compelled to keep his fellow students entertained in and out of the classroom. Moving on from St. George's, Adam had many jobs that all gravitated around entertaining; from being a mad scientist, camp counsellor, corporate video editor, as well as an MC for private events with Total Events, a company owned by St. George's alum, Lorne Levitt (’92). During that time, Adam graduated Dawson, attended University for a year and then made the decision to go to film school. Once done with film school, Adam realized that there wasn't such a market for amateur short film makers, so he decided to pave his own way by releasing his own music videos. Gaining viral success with millions of views on YouTube, it led to Adam performing under the alias, TB1 as part of a DJ duo, 1DAFUL. He has MC'd in Vegas, Hawaii, Mexico, Miami, LA, and more, while opening for some popular names such as Black Eyed Peas, Sean Paul, Sean Kingston, Adventure Club, Zed's Dead, and more. This caught the attention of one of Montreal's top radio stations, The Beat 92.5. As TB1, Adam has hosted his show "The Beatmix" on Friday and Saturday nights since 2011. His growing popularity has allowed Adam to become an ambassador of The Friendship Circle, an organization pairing teens with children with special needs. Currently, Adam stays busy with his radio show, travelling and DJing for huge crowds, video production, charitable organizations, and now, proudly, as the St. George's Alumni Representative.
Meet Adam Greenberg
To help Adam in his new role, contact alumni@stgeorges.qc.ca and ask about joining our Alumni Association.
A Message from Adam Greenberg
Dear St. George’s Students, Learn to be yourself. That is how I would sum up my experience at St. George's High School. As a kid, I was always hungry to entertain. So much so, that I usually ended up fulfilling that need as the class clown. In an organized way, being the class clown was promoted by most of my teachers – they taught me the right time and place. One of the pieces of advice from St. George's that resonated with me the most was from Mr. Officer who told me, "You'll never remember the Grade 9 math test that you failed, but you'll always remember the game winning shot, or your time on stage in front of an audience." He couldn't have been more right. It's that attitude that has led me to pursue my passion as an entertainer. At St. George's, I developed the ability to identify what I love at an early age and work incredibly hard at that. I'm so proud to say that today, I'm a radio host on The Beat 92.5 since 2011, I have travelled and performed all around the world, and I continue to work as hard as possible to maintain a career in entertainment. When I was asked to be the Alumni Representative on the Board of Directors for St. George's, those are the memories that got me most excited. It made me realize that I will have an opportunity to get involved with the students and give them some insight. My message to all the students is to start to unravel the layers of who you are and make stand-out memories that lead you to understand what you love about life. You are in the perfect place for identifying your own individuality, so really embrace that. Adam Greenberg Class of 2004 Alumni Representative to the Board St. George’s School of Montreal
Paris
2006
Getting Back Together
Paris Reunion Thursday, May 12, 2016 A mini reunion of alums living in Paris took place at Café Le Progrès. In attendance were Gabrielle Lazure ('74), Anouk Mukherjee ('88) and Matt Rossner ('98). A huge thank you to Anouk for organizing the soirée. Stay tuned for more get-togethers on the other side of the pond.
Interested in getting together with your classmates? Curious as to what St. George’s High School or Elementary School looks like now? The Alumni Office can help coordinate a wine and cheese reception or a weekend brunch at the school for you and your fellow classmates. For more information, contact Patricia Lavoie at alumni@stgeorges.qc.ca.
Class of 2006 – 10th Year Reunion Saturday, June 18, 2016 Some alums came from as far as New York and Vancouver to join their classmates at their 10-year reunion. A great time was had by the many in attendance, as they reunited in the High School Theatre and were joined by some of their former teachers. Kudos to Zenas Kuate Defo, Alumni Class Coordinator, for his tireless efforts in getting the word out and making this reunion such a success.
How to Organize a St. George's Reunion
Candy Schwartz ('64) Usually, I don't have much to say, because although I have lots of accomplishments, they are all in my discipline and somewhat boring. But here is one: Professor Schwartz Receives First Provost’s Award
Today
Roy Kaufman ('65) Having ridden horses all my life, I was completely taken by what I saw when attending Cowboy Up at the Calgary Stampede. I have now dipped my (horse’s) hoof in the water and joined Extreme Cowboy Alberta, learning initially to negotiate an obstacle course on horseback or, at a more advanced level, potentially competing at this as a timed event. I’m now 90% retired, having sold my insurance business in February, so now have more time to enjoy this sort of fun. The attached photo is of myself with friend and fellow Calgarian Cliff Morham (’66). I would be pleased to hear from past schoolmates who find themselves visiting Calgary or the Rockies.
Tom Caplan ('65) In addition to my private practice, for the past three years, I have been working with James Bay Cree up north. Here are 3 pics: one is the clinic in Wemendji. The other is a piece of art in front of the City Hall in Waskaganish by Tim Whiskeychan, the artist who designed the Canadian $5 coin (3rd pic). They are wonderful people. It is truly a gift to be able to work with them. www.tomcaplanmsw.com
Click on the image above to see more photos
St. George's Alumni
Carol Bieler Brettell ('67) These are some of my new publications. The book about Father Chiniquy is about French Canadians who went from Quebec to Illinois in the 1850s. Author, Gender and Migration Author, Anthropological Conversations: Talking Culture Across Disciplines Author of Following Father Chiniquy: Immigration, Religious Schism, and Social Change in 19th Century Illinois Co-author of Civic Engagements: The Citizenship Practices of Indian and Vietnamese Immigrants Co-editor of Identity and the Second Generation: How Children of Immigrants Find Their Space Co-editor of Migration Theory: Talking Across Disciplines
Photo: Me at the AIA College of Fellows Ceremony
Roanne (Cohen) Weisman ('69) I have been writing for consumers and professionals in the areas of health, medicine, education, and science since 1985. My clients have included most of the Harvard Medical School teaching hospitals, as well as several major universities and healthcare organizations. The co-author of several award-winning trade health books with physicians, I am a skilled “translator” of medical and scientific information so that it is both understandable and useful to health care consumers. My most recent book, In Sickness As In Health: Helping Couples Cope With the Complexities of Illness is about the effects of serious injury and illness—including terminal illness— on intimate relationships. www.thewritewaytohealth.com Awards include: 2004 Bronze Book of the Year award from Foreword Magazine for Own Your Health, which was also reviewed as “a solid reference book...a first-rate guide” by Publisher’s Weekly; 2004 Finalist for a Nautilus Book Award for Own Your Health; 2008 Excellent Product award from iParenting Media and Library Journal; “Best Consumer Health Book for 2008 for Your Developing Baby (Harvard Health Publications and McGraw-Hill); 2010 Bronze Award from the 17th annual National Health Information Awards (a consumer health organization) for 4 Weeks to Healthy Digestion (Harvard Health Publications and McGraw-Hill).
Photo: On The Mountain. I am on the left and Eva on the right
Ian Ballon ('79) My wife Masifa and I are thrilled to announce the birth of our son LC Ballon on February 6, 2016, who joins older sister Xi'analiah (born December 6, 2012) (see picture of both of them). We live in Malibu, California. I am an intellectual property and mobile/internet litigator with Greenberg Traurig LLP in both the Los Angeles and Silicon Valley (East Palo Alto) offices. I enjoy staying in touch with classmates and fellow alums on Facebook.
Susan Glickman ('70) My 13th book, Safe as Houses, a murder mystery set in Toronto, came out in September 2015. I have spent the past academic year going to art school and will be returning next fall, a much-needed break from too many years of too many words. www.susanglickman.com
Jane Cameron ('80) Here’s an update from Chicago! I am an architect at Perkins+Will’s office in Chicago and was inducted into the College of Fellows at the 2016 Convention, in Philadelphia, for the American Institute of Architects in May. I also visited Montreal for a few days in February of this year and spent time with Eva Veli (nee Reichmann) who is a member of the Class of 1980.
Claire Desjardins ('82) and David Glickman ('79) The rain came down hard but we’re quite certain the sun was shining on David and Claire who tied the knot on Saturday, August 13th in Lachute, Quebec.
Debbie Bercuvitz ('82) I am back residing in Northampton, MA (gave up the farm life but still have horses and chickens on a small scale) and working across the state as the Coordinator of the MA Department of Public Health's (MDPH) Perinatal Substance Use Initiative in the Bureau of Family Health and Nutrition. I’ve begun a new position as the Coordinator of Parents as Teachers' home visiting programs for MDPH. My daughter is off to Colorado College after a graduation delay due to what was hopefully the last of a number of sports-related concussions. My son is has started high school. I am an Ultimate Frisbee parent who still ducks when anything comes heading my way (residue from Robbin Morrison's elementary school injury sitting next to me in the log cabin). I think about my St. G's friends and experiences all the time. Anyone is welcome to reach me at dbercuvitz@comcast.net (no FB for me) and please get in touch if life brings you to Western MA.
John Laidley ('83) I'm still traveling around the pirate-infested seas of the Gulf of Guinea and, as usual, having a great time. Africa is an extremely volatile and exciting place! And they say I was a big trouble maker when I attended St. G's!
Howard Bilerman ('87) I have been busy both personally & professionally. On a personal level, Sharon Levinson and I welcomed our son Eli Russell Bilerman into the world on May 2, 2016. My daughter, Svetlana Bilerman, finished Grade 5 and got cast in her first TV show, “Rank the Prank”, airing soon on YTV, Nickelodeon, & BBC Kids. Professionally, I have been busy at my recording studio, the hotel2tango in Montreal, working on records by the likes of Leonard Cohen and his son Adam Cohen, Lou Doillon (daughter of Jane Birkin), Sons of an Illustrious Father (featuring actor Ezra Miller), Sam Patch (Tim Kingsbury of Arcade Fire), as well as dozens of others. I have worked on over 450 recordings to date and am entering my 25th year as a professional recording engineer and record producer.
Photo was taken by my husband, Chandler Kauffman, a director/cinematographer
Karen Wise ('90) I am an acclaimed wedding photographer recognized as one of the best in my field by American Photo magazine (“World’s Top 10”) and The Knot (“Best in New York”). My work has appeared in New York Magazine, Martha Stewart Weddings, VOGUE India, Marie Claire China, Style Me Pretty, and many more magazines. I have been perfecting the art of wedding photography for more than 15 years, combining technical expertise in digital and film with a fine arts finish. From '20s glamour to marigold splendor, I capture the unique spirit of each wedding I shoot, rendering it with stylistic elegance and emotional richness.
Adrianne Rubenstein ('00) A show of my artwork was just reviewed by Roberta Smith in the New York Times! NY Times – Art in Review White Room Adrianne Rubenstein
Mandy Wolfe ('94) and Rebecca Wolfe ('99) We are working together operating Mandy’s Restaurants in Montreal. www.mandys.ca A 4th location is opening in Old Montreal this Fall. Mandy specializes in creating the menu while Rebecca takes care of the design, marketing and branding. With the opening of our 4th location, we are looking to expand into Ontario, the US and possibly the Middle East. We currently have 150 employees. We are both married with 5 kids between the 2 of us.
After graduating from the Rhode Island School of Design with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography, I spent five years as an apprentice with some of New York’s finest commercial still life, fashion, and portrait photographers. Having acquired this practical and creative background, I then launched my own business. In addition to weddings, I photograph food, families and portraiture. I also teach food photography & styling workshops collaborating with chefs and food stylists in the New York area. I love organic, locally grown food, weekly yoga classes, and traveling. I live in Park Slope, Brooklyn with my husband and two cats. I was happy to see my fourth book, Tiki with a Twist, a cocktail book written by Lynn Calvo on bookshelves this June. I was also lucky enough to photograph some really great couples for New York Weddings. Adventure was found in July when Chandler and I embarked on an incredible photographic road-tripping journey through Iceland! We photographed our way through geothermal springs, waterfalls, black sand beaches and glacial lagoons glimmering in the midnight sun. I got to experience all of this while joyfully growing our baby. I couldn’t have asked for a better summer. Feel free to check out more photographic updates on my website and blog!
Lisa Caplan ('87) My cousin and teacher, the late Gil Plaw, is deeply missed. I am in touch regularly with Hyacinth Young (former English teacher and debating coach) and alumni, Robbie Blumenstein, as well as Steven Reisler, Renee Chang & Stacey Silverberg all '87. Thank you social media! Anouk Mukherjee ('88) I am currently working on a Ph.D. at Université Paris-Dauphine in Management and looking forward to a new career in teaching and research.
Cristian Rosu ('01) I finished residency training in cardiac surgery at Université de Montréal in June of 2014. I then underwent fellowship training in complex cardiac surgery at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio and I started a fellowship in July 2016 in aortic surgery with the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, TX. When my fellowship training is over, I will be an attending surgeon at Sacré-Coeur Hospital here in Montreal.
Josh Gurberg ('04) I just got married and my wife and I are working as doctors in Vancouver, BC. I am a 4th year E.N.T. Resident and she is a family doctor. Here are a few pics of us from the wedding! Still playing music!
Anna Ahronheim ('04) I am currently living in Tel Aviv, Israel and I am the Defense Correspondent for i24news, an international news channel based out of Jaffo. I am also working as a security consultant for Buzzfeed, helping journalists covering stories in war zones or dangerous areas such as the Middle East and South America.
Naomi Adams ('06) I am a registered clinical counsellor in private practice living in Vancouver. I have relocated to a wonderful health collective called Honey + Garlic, where I have more office hours to accommodate current and new clients. I have seen much growth in the individuals and couples I have worked with so far and this is both moving and motivating. If you are interested in more information on my approach and beliefs regarding counseling, please check out my profile on the Honey + Garlic website at www.honeyandgarlic.ca. Richard Atlas ('06) I started a game development company, Ultimate Chicken Horse, and it’s still alive and doing well! Blog Post by Richard Atlas Dana Carsley ('06) I am a Tomlinson Scholar currently working on my doctorate in Human Development in McGill’s Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology, and I have taught at McGill as well. My research is funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada and is published in a number of academic journals.
Alex Gatti ('02) I am currently overseas teaching a Canadian high school program in China (affiliated with the Upper Canada District School Board) and I can honestly say that St. G's had its part to play. My teachers at St. George's were the best I've ever encountered. Many of them have left an impression on me up to this day, as did the rest of the faculty. Cheers to St. G's! Jordana Schachter ('02) I have recently finished my medical residency at McGill University and have opened up my practice as a dermatologist downtown and in the south shore. I am planning on getting married in November as well.
Daniele Gaiotti ('06) Daniele graduated in Civil Engineering at Concordia and is working as a project manager at Construction Dancon Inc. Zenas Kuate Defo ('06) I am finishing a Masters in Anthropology and starting dental school in the Fall of 2016. Robin Sancton ('06) After graduating in Human Resources Management in 2012, I worked for Target Canada for two years. For the past one-and-a-half years, I have been working in sales and marketing at La Canadienne, a company that I admire and love working for. Jesse Schwarz ('06) I now own a cookie company! www.yodough.com Genna Sherman ('06) I am working at SSENSE, an online luxury retailer, as the studio production and casting manager. Jason Steinmetz ('06) I completed medical school at McGill in 2015. I am now doing a residency in family medicine at the Montreal Jewish General Hospital.
Jessica Szwaronek ('06) I am in the real estate business and am currently in charge of a building in The Plateau. I also do bookkeeping and accounting at a software company and I am the mother of two beautiful cats. Richard Wenger ('06) I just finished my MBA. Serena Carsley-Mann ('10) I am in basic training in the Israeli army and I am following a program to become a fitness trainer for soldiers. I have been accepted into a training program at the Wingate Institute, which is very well regarded in Israel. After completing the program at the end of August, I was assigned to a military unit as a trainer. I moved to Tel Aviv 5 years ago and did my BA at Tel Aviv University. I have also completed four full marathons, as well as a few half-marathons.
Zhaoning David Chen ('06) I graduated in interior design. However, I am currently working in the fastener industry. I would say my girlfriend brought me into this industry which is actually fun and challenging! Julia Colletti ('06) I am working in the spice industry. Thaisa Cotton ('06) I am a second-year medical student at McGill. Benjamin Douek ('06) I started a company called EveBoardOne Inc. which makes robotic equipment teaching students of all ages about robotic technology and programming. www.eveone.org Jason Freder ('06) I am in the process of completing a five-year joint MD-MBA degree.
Mackenzie Stearns ('12) I am on a Division 1 NCAA tennis scholarship at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I am in communications and majoring in advertising. Mathew Kaminski ('15) Recently, I was elected as youth director of NDG/Westmount in the Conservative Party. I will also be running as a candidate for member in the National Assembly of Quebec in the area of D'Arcy McGee as a Conservative.
Stuart Grief '77 After a valiant struggle, on Saturday, August 20, 2016, at the age of fifty-five, in Boston, MA, formerly of Montreal. Beloved husband and best friend of Amy Lee. Loving and cherished father of Jordan and Brooke. Devoted and beloved son of Claire and Tully Grief. Dearest brother and brother-in-law of Myrna Grief, Rhonda and Howie Schwartz, Heather and David Vickar. He will be sorely missed by his nieces, nephews, the Goler family and his St. George’s classmates.
Jonathan Antebi ('15) I am currently in the Mechanical Engineering Technology Program at Dawson College. I am learning much about the engineering field and what it is all about. My favourite class is our seven-hour machine shop class, where we spend most of the day using lathes, milling machines and other large machinery to create intricate projects out of steel. Other than school, I have been keeping busy with my artistic creations and many construction projects at home. I still make wooden pens and am constantly inventing new stuff. This summer, I finished building my aluminum bike trailer. From St. George’s, I was prepared amazingly for CEGEP. I gained so many positive experiences at St. George’s that no other school could have offered me! Thank you to all my amazing teachers who I now wish I had as teachers in CEGEP as well.
Celebrating
Their Lives
Carolyn Manzer – Former High School English Department Head, Teacher and Tutor
Stéphanie Mireault – Former Elementary School French Teacher After 20 years of teaching French in the Elementary School, I have left St. George’s to pursue other endeavours. It has been a pleasure meeting and working with so many wonderful people especially the students who I taught and learned from. It is you I will miss the most. I wish my former and current students the very best.
June Holmes – Former Assistant to the Director of the Elementary School I have sold my home of 35 years here in LaSalle, “Quebexiting”, and taking up residence in Ontario!
Retirement will be fun, if not full of mud, grease, and the occasional libation on the veranda watching the sunset – not bad, eh? We thank you all for the support, friendship and notes, letters, and emails you've sent me... and if any of you are ever around this part of the end of the earth, please stop by. Best of good fortune to you all and your families. Please stay in touch. I'll now have the time to reply in between the shovelfuls. mmeyer@stfx.ca
St. George's Former Faculty & Staff
One bright, warm morning in 1983, I walked along The Boulevard, rimmed with spring flowers when the lilacs were in bloom, on my way to an interview for a job at St. George's. Who knew then that I would still be walking that same route 33 years later, after a rewarding career as English teacher, Department Head and finally tutor, at the best school ever.
I thought I had retired in 1999 when I left teaching, tearful and wretched, unsure I had made the right decision, leaving behind a vocation that had defined me. I couldn't really leave and returned to do a little substitute teaching over the next few years, and then for a four-month stint in 2005 to replace a teacher who left part way through the year. So I left a second time after that, promising myself that I really needed to travel and read and enjoy free time. But I couldn't yet cut the cord, and back I came, as a tutor, of both Canadian and primarily of international students, from Japan, Taiwan, Korea, China, Laos, Vietnam, Spain, Italy, Colombia, Libya and Israel. How lucky I have been, my life enriched by contact with students from such diverse cultures. But now, at last, I am really leaving for good. I have recently sold a home I occupied for 26 years, and am embarking on a new life in a condo near Atwater market, close to the canal. I leave St. George's with the most wonderful memories--of students who both astonished me with their intellectual curiosity and challenged me to bring my best game every day in the classroom; of colleagues with whom I shared ideas, hard times and lots of laughter; of administrators who encouraged me to take risks; of support staff who steered me along the way through rough times and made my job so much easier; of parents who showed their appreciation of the effort I put in to make their children's learning experience meaningful. But now, at last, after 50 years (!) as an educator, I am finally saying goodbye, this time with no regrets. I am looking forward to a real retirement this time, but I'm still around. My best to everyone, with love and gratitude, Carolyn manzerca@gmail.com
Matthew Meyer – Former High School Performing Arts Department Head and Teacher Yes, the time has come. I have hung up the harness, closed the office and gave many books away (brought a few boxes home-Louise was not pleased). This all means that after 40 years as an educator, in many forms and lifetimes, I retired on June 30, 2016. What will Matthew, the Captain Matt, the Motu do? I will be cleaning out our barn on a daily basis - all the horse poop that accumulates, writing a new play, working on the tractor, and visiting our granddaughter and her parents (Lucas, son 2, and wife Shawna) in Calgary; watch Valeska (daughter) become a great performer; help coax Keegan (son 3) to become the next saviour of humankind (or at least of UKC, University of Kings College at Dalhousie U.), and follow my marching orders from Louise!
Beyond the Classroom
Improving Quebec’s Math Curriculum Nathalie Roy, High School Math Department Head I am participating in a Math Pilot Project designed to develop a long term professional development plan to improve mathematics instruction in the English speaking Elementary and Cycle 1 Secondary classes in the province of Quebec. Participating alongside other Quebec math teachers, we are also creating a professional development plan to give teachers best practices strategies for delivering the content. As a part of this project, I will attend multiple summer institute over the next three years.
Teacher as Learner in Prague Leigh-Ann Malcolm, High School Social Studies Teacher and Cross Country Coach In addition to teaching and coaching running at StGs, I am a Yoga Alliance Registered teacher (RYT200hr) and teach yoga and TRX mobility classes in my free time. This July, I traveled to Prague, Czech Republic, to complete the first stage of a 40 hour level 1 certification in joint mobility training. The course curriculum focused on preventing and rehabilitating common athletic injuries, developing exercises and drills to improve joint range of motion and relieve pain, and creating a sound pre- and post-training stretching practice. I am excited to apply this knowledge to our StG's athletes to help them integrate and maintain simple routines to avoid injury and maintain strength as they develop in their respective activities. My goal is for them to develop good joint mobility, health and flexibility so that they may stay active and thriving for years to come! I will complete my level 1 upper and lower-body mobility coach certification in Toronto and Montreal later this fall. After my stay in Prague, I was fortunate to be able to travel to Berlin. When not soaking in the culture and fascinating history of the city, I dropped into a few crossfit classes.
Today's Faculty & Staff
Erin Mahoney, Elementary School English and Math Teacher Congratulations to Erin Mahoney who married Paul Starr on July 16 at a cottage in Nova Scotia near her family's home.
Danielle Delhaes, Sustainability and Community Learning/Former Elementary School Science Teacher Congratulations to Danielle, who got married this past summer to Steven Spazuk.
Alexandra Wells, Current Elementary School Physical Education Teacher James Feith, Former Elementary School Science Teacher Congratulations to Alexandra Wells and James Feith, who tied the knot on September 10th.
Share Your Story with Us We'd love to hear from you! Tell us what you've been up to by contacting Patricia Lavoie, Advancement & Alumni Relations Coordinator, at alumni@stgeorges.qc.ca.
For many people, charitable giving is an integral aspect of their life. The act of planned giving can help take philanthropy to the next level, but this requires careful planning, negotiation and counsel. Donors who want to see maximum value in a long-term gifting relationship with their favourite charitable organization should consider planned giving. With proper planned giving, money, investment capital, and other assets that donors give to their preferred organizations can provide them with a great sense of satisfaction, happiness and purpose. Planned giving is a method that enables philanthropic individuals to consider larger gifts than otherwise possible from just their income alone. It utilizes estate and tax planning techniques in order to maximize gifts to St. George’s School of Montreal and/or minimize its impact on the donor’s estate. The planned gift is made in someone’s lifetime or at death as part of a donor’s overall financial and/or estate plan, and helps individuals achieve their philanthropic, tax and financial goals all at once. With a little planning, the donor can create a lifetime of honour in memory of a special person in their life which will establish a truly lasting legacy for generations to come. An increasing number of families are reaching a point in their lives in which the questions of transition, wealth transfer, and philanthropic planning need to be addressed. Families with a long-term vision strive to ensure future generations will benefit from successful enterprise. This vision is not always complete without engagement in philanthropy. If you are interested in learning more about planning a legacy gift, please contact Donna Boyd, Director of Advancement and Alumni Relations, at (514) 937-9289 (ext 275) or donna.boyd@stgeorges.qc.ca.
Planned Giving: A Lasting Legacy
Dragonlink is a publication of the Advancement and Alumni Relations Department of St. George’s School of Montreal
Writers (in addition to those identified): Donna Boyd, Scott Cross, Michelle Holliday, Patricia Lavoie Editors: Leigh McCarthy, Sharon Picard, Aaron Stamboulieh Design: Victoria Dobbin Photos: Sean O'Neill, Christinne Muschi, Scott Cross, Victoria Dobbin
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