Au Courant
Winter 2017
THE MAGAZINE OF WEST ISLAND COLLEGE Winter 2016
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Au Courant Magazine
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Embracing Creativity and Innovation
A Bright Future
A Year Like No Other
Campus Core Grand Opening
Leaders Of Tomorrow
Creating Innovators
Cultivating Young Minds
Playing the Long Game
The Digital World of our Future
Honouring our Veterans on Remembrance Day
The Power of Laughter in the Fall Drama Production
The Future of Alumni Relations At WIC
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This Issue 04 Embracing Creativity and Innovation 06 A Bright Future 08 A Year Like No Other 10 Campus Core Grand Opening 11 Leaders Of Tomorrow 12 Creating Innovators 14 Cultivating Young Minds 16 Playing The Long Game - a six-year plan 18 Outdoor Education Highlights 20 The Digital World of our Future 22 Honouring our Veterans for Remembrance Day 24 Junior High Girls: Friends, Enemies and Frenemies 25 Touchstones Discussion Project 26 Building Executive Skills 27 WIC Technology: What’s New 28 The Power of Laughter in the Fall Drama Production 30 The Strength of Our Community 32 The Future of Alumni Relations at WIC 34 Alumni Class Notes 36 WIC Legacy Gala 37 WICelebrates 38 Upcoming Events
Editor-in-Chief Mr. Mottershead, Interim Director of Marketing and Communications
WIC Copy Editors Ms. Ryder, Executive Assistant Ms. Huhn, Manager of Corporate and Human Resource Services
Graphic Designer Mr. Sengaus
Photographers Erickson Group Edward Ross (Edward Ross Photography) WIC Yearbook Club Members Ms. Meckelborg, Director of Grade 7 Studies
The Au Courant is published twice a year for parents, alumni and friends of West Island College. Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: West Island College, 7410 Blackfoot Trail SE, Calgary AB T2H 1M5 West Island College is proud to be associated with:
WIC is committed to sustainability and environmental stewardship. This publication is printed on 10% postconsumer waste recycled paper.
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Embracing Creativity and Innovation Mrs. Grant-Watt, B.Ed., M.A. HEAD OF SCHOOL AND CEO Years ago, I was introduced to the ideas of Roger Martin who at that time was Dean at the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto. His landmark book The Opposable Mind (2009) resonated with me and I find myself reflecting on his idea as I reflect on the start of the new school year and our strategic plan. Martin presents a thesis that integrative thinking: the ability to hold two opposing ideas in one’s mind at once, and then reach a synthesis that contains elements of both, while actually improving upon each allows individuals and organizations to find creative solutions to seemingly intractable problems. What skill could be more important to develop in our students than this one?
innovation can seem like too much work, or at the very least not necessary. This may sound simplistic, but I think it is true and I have always believed it is important to instil in our students a commitment and belief in lifelong learning and continuous improvement. I love the quote from Henry Ford that says, “the only real mistake is the one from which we learn nothing.” How liberating this is when we approach new situations and opportunities from a learning perspective. We are moved to action when we see a way that we can contribute in purposeful and meaningful ways.
As an educator, I am able to see the evolution of our students as they transform, evolve and grow throughout their time at the school. Even more interesting is seeing them return as young alumni and being amazed by their ideas, achievements, goals and dreams. The human endeavour is intriguing and I wonder if we ever stop considering who we want to be and what we are trying to accomplish? How do the experiences we have shape who we are as people and, in turn, create the society in which we live?
I am astounded on a daily basis by the capacity of our students to generate new ideas and put them into action. Our students have a strong desire to make the world a better place and have the ability to assemble the masses in pursuit of their goals in ways that astound me. When something matters to them, they create the conditions to achieve their goals galvanizing others in the process. As Alberta Education announces plans for a major curriculum overhaul, it is exciting for me to see our WIC students already benefiting from a program that builds on its strong academic core with an innovative and extensive menu of unparalleled, real world experiences.
One of the commitments the College makes to its students is creativity. We say, “together, WIC students and faculty build a powerful culture of creativity that is without boundaries. You are critical thinkers who challenge ideas, pave new paths and encourage inventiveness whenever possible.” What propels an individual to do this usually results from the need to solve a problem. When we are comfortable and complacent,
The academic program at the College has never been stronger. Our students are able to develop an understanding of foundational principles and skills in relevant academic coursework. Our master teachers ensure students have both the knowledge and skills to thrive in the post-secondary environment and even though education is ever-changing, some things remain essential. A strong academic program that
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Swiss Summer School challenges and stimulates students within a culture of high expectations is the hallmark of an excellent school. Our students depend on us to deliver on our promise to “challenge, inspire and support one another as we imagine and create our best future.” A strong academic program coupled with innovation and creativity ensures WIC students have the competencies, knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary for lifelong learning that is achieved through an integrated, relevant and engaging educational program. Developing critical thinking, collaboration, communication and problem-solving skills provides the resiliency to deal with the rapidly changing context of the world today. Martin’s concept of integrative thinking and Tim Brown’s design thinking processes, are becoming embedded in the work we are doing at West Island College making the WIC education even stronger. Organizational cultures that embrace questioning, creativity and innovation are the hallmarks of great companies and institutions, and this is where our graduates will find themselves in their future careers. Preparing our young charges for this reality is as much our responsibility as is the teaching of core curriculum and I am excited as an educator with the program, opportunities and experiences to which our students have access. This edition of the Au Courant will highlight some of these initiatives.
The opportunities for reimagining education have never been greater and perhaps more important. With a burgeoning world population, technology as an innovative disruptor and the ever-increasing demands on our scarce resources, changing political landscapes, diverse perspectives and globalization, innovation is more important than ever. Our students live in this world and their education needs to prepare them for today and for the future. I am hopeful for this future because I see what our students are capable of and I know, beyond a doubt, the solutions to world challenges will emerge from these young people. West Island College, powered by a dynamic faculty and incredible student population has always been an educational leader. As we enter our thirty-fifth year of operation, the spirit of innovation and creativity has never been stronger. The concept of integrative thinking has always been a facet of the WIC ethos. F. Scott Fitzgerald captured the essence of this important skill when he wrote, “the test of first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposing ideas in mind at the same time and still retain the ability to function. One should, for example, be able to see that things are hopeless yet be determined to make them otherwise.” Innovation, imagination and determination coupled with hard work and the indomitable human spirit make anything possible. It is exciting to imagine the future that will be created by our students.
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A Bright Future Ward Mallabone,
CHAIR, BOARD OF DIRECTORS It is a great pleasure to serve as the Chair of the Board of Directors for West Island College. As a Board Member for five years and a parent of WIC kids for eight years, I am proud to be a part of this vibrant and successful community. I would like to acknowledge and thank all of my fellow Board Members who volunteered their time and efforts on behalf of the College. We can look back with pride on past accomplishments, but more importantly, the future of the College looks very bright. It starts with the leadership provided by our Head of School, Carol Grant-Watt and her hard working team. The talented faculty allows the College to achieve WIC’s primary objective of academic excellence. The quality of teachers we are attracting at the College is outstanding. While academic excellence is the top priority, the College offers so much more for WIC students. The diverse and extensive co-curricular programs at WIC provide our students with the tools to succeed upon graduation. From our Fine Arts Programs, to International Language Options, to International Studies Experiences, to our highly successful Athletic Programs, WIC provides
countless experiences and opportunities for its students. WIC has been a pioneer with the implementation of its Institute Programs. Students have myriad opportunities to explore their passions through the Institutes. This year we are pleased to launch the newest Institute: Liberal Arts. This is in addition to the popular Business, Engineering and Health Sciences Institutes. The Institute Programs have allowed WIC students to experience learning opportunities that lead to future academic success and career areas of interest. With the launch of a formal Advancement Program in 2015, we are optimistic we can build on our strong foundation of tradition and excellence. Dollars raised through our Advancement initiatives provide essential nonbudgeted funds that enhance the student experience in all programs. The recent renovation to the Campus Core area of the College and the addition of the parking lot is the first phase of what will be a much larger, multistage capital infrastructure plan. I believe that West Island College is well positioned for the future. Academically, as reported in the latest Fraser Institute rankings, WIC is ranked at the top end of all high schools in the province. Further, WIC had a strong fiscal year for the period ending August 31, 2016, driven primarily by record enrollment. I hope you share with me and my Board colleagues’ excitement about the future of West Island College.
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A Year Like No Other Ms. Klippenstein, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF ADVANCEMENT 2016 was a year like no other at West Island College, especially in Advancement. We officially opened our new Campus Core, including a new main entrance, parking lot and outdoor space, launched our first ever Annual Fund Campaign, held an inaugural WIC Legacy Gala and unveiled our Take A Seat theatre seat sponsorship campaign. I continue to be impressed and amazed by the support of our WIC community, including our students, parents, faculty, staff, alumni, friends and partners.
Our 2016/17 Annual Fund Campaign Team A favorite quote of both mine and Carol GrantWatt’s is by Margaret Mead. She wrote, “never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” WIC is where it is today because of the dedication and support of a small group of committed founding families. The tradition continues with the creation of the Annual Fund Campaign Team and our generous Annual Fund donors to-date. We are fortunate to have a great team of volunteers dedicated to assisting with our first Annual Fund Campaign. I am pleased to introduce our Committee and our new Campaign Chair Bob Sutton.
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Annual Fund Committee Campaign Chair Bob Sutton Parent Members Ward Mallabone, Advancement Committee Chair Drew Ross Alumni Members Fraser Abbott
Saskia Knight
Ranny Shibley
Kathryn Waslen
“I am delighted to join Debra Klippenstein and the Advancement Team as WIC’s Annual Fund Campaign Chair. The Sutton’s support of WIC has truly become a family affair. I joined the Annual Fund Team this fall and my wife Allison joined the Gala Committee in December. Allison and I truly believe in WIC’s mission – two of our children, Chaz and Sean, have greatly benefited from their WIC experience and we are pleased to support the future of this exceptional school. Charitable gifts beyond tuition are essential for WIC to continue delivering extraordinary programs and opportunities for our students. Through our contributions, we have the power to impact our children’s learning today and to help shape the College’s future. Allison and I have made a two-year financial commitment to the Annual Fund Campaign and encourage all WIC families to consider supporting the cause. Every gift, no matter the amount, makes a difference. When we support the Annual Fund, we support every WIC student, every day.”
Expanding Our Possibilities Say yes to the Annual Fund 2017 is a new year, with new plans and new possibilities for WIC. Our future is bright and it is an exciting time to be a member of our College community. WIC is strongly positioned to move to new levels that just a few years ago would not have been possible. With a bold strategic plan, full enrollment, enhancements to our curriculum, a new Institute and significant facility enhancements, WIC is poised for what we believe will be a breakthrough year on many fronts. Our first Annual Fund Campaign gives every family, every year, the opportunity to become an integral part of what makes WIC unique. Each year the Annual Fund will support the areas of greatest need and the areas of greatest opportunity on our campus.
Take a Seat Campaign We have a seat saved for you In Fall 2016, WIC unveiled our Take A Seat Campaign. For $2,500, one can dedicate a seat in WIC’s Performance Centre and inscribe one’s name and/or message on a plaque that will be proudly displayed on the seat itself. Over 250 seats are available with flexible payment options. Order forms are available at WIC and can be downloaded from our website. Thanks to the generosity of our parent community, staff and faculty, 10 seats are already reserved. Be the next family to reserve your seats. Want to get involved? If you are interested in joining the Annual Fund Campaign volunteer team, sponsoring a theatre seat, supporting the 2017 WIC Legacy Gala, or donating to the Annual Fund appeal, please contact Debra Klippenstein, Executive Director of Advancement, 403-255-5300, ext. 308 / debraklippenstein@mywic.ca
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Campus Core Grand Opening
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Leaders of Tomorrow Ms. Hunt, HEAD OF SENIOR SCHOOL Teenagers, I love working with them. I truly love working with them. There is so much optimism, exuberance, potential and hope. This is evident each day at West Island College. After a long career in teaching and administration in senior high school public education, and a short foray into the non-profit world, it was without hesitation that I accepted the role of Head of Senior School at West Island College in the spring of 2016. Every day at the College confirms this decision, for every day brings me great joy and hope for the future in working with our brilliant West Island College students.
appreciation to the many people who crossed our path on the trip. Yet all along the way they laughed, enjoyed being in each others’ company and proved they were still teenagers when minutes after eating dinner one evening, the vast majority convinced us to keep walking so that they could buy snacks for the evening and the bus trip the next day. Mature for their years, but still typical teenagers. I see a calm commitment to preparing for post-secondary education in our senior school. They are focused and dedicated to their studies. The extra help rooms and Focus Friday tutorials are always humming with activity.
At WIC, we ask students to “own your future,” and own their future they do. This was so evident on the recent university tour to the Maritimes to investigate King’s College, Dalhousie University, Acadia University and Saint Francis Xavier University. It was a tremendous privilege to join 31 Grade 11 and 12 students along with three other wonderful faculty members from WIC on the trip. We toured the dorms, ate in the dining halls, met with admissions advisors and connected with WIC alumni along the way. By the end of our whirlwind three and a half days, there was a look to the future in their eyes. They tried the universities on for size and talked about seeing themselves at each of the universities with their hoodies and hats from the bookstores declaring their allegiance. Our 79-year-old bus driver complimented our students, saying that they were “mature for their years.” The students were gracious and generous with their
WIC students welcome the leadership opportunities that come their way. Prefect Council, Spirit Council, awards assemblies and BBQ are a few examples of this. At the recent awards assembly, students were both shy and proud as they stood to be acknowledged for the Honor Roll and recognition for the Head of School List. A culture of achievement, participation and citizenship is clearly evident not only on awards day, but each day as I walk the halls and visit classrooms. It is a great gift to be Head of Senior School at the College. I am looking forward to the year ahead and the ongoing connections with our truly wonderful community.
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Creating Innovators Mr. Bennett,
HEAD OF STRATEGIC PLANNING AND INITIATIVES “There is no innovation and creativity without failure. Period.” – Brene Brown How do schools today prepare students for jobs that have not yet been created? Our rapidly changing environment has challenged the education system in ways never seen before. Schools are seeking a wide variety of different paths to help students transition well into not only post-secondary institutions, but to give them the skills to navigate this rapidly changing landscape. Schools are key to providing the tools and experiences that are essential to cope with this current climate. Skills that include problem-solving, critical thinking, team work, time management and oral presentation. Schools will evolve to not only imparting knowledge, but to instill in students the 3 Ps - play, passion, and purpose as identified in Tony Wagner’s book, Creating Innovators. Some educational institutions today are exploring the creative process of Design Thinking. Design Thinking may be defined as a proven and repeatable problem-solving protocol that any business, profession, or school can employ to achieve extraordinary results. Design Thinking was adapted for business purposes by David Kelley at Stanford University who then went on to found IDEO in 1991. The company uses this methodology to design products, services, environments, and digital experiences. IDEO has worked on projects in the retail, computer, medical, educational, toy, and
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office industries just to name a few. Tim Brown’s book, Change By Design explains Design Thinking and breaks it up into three stages – inspiration, ideation and implementation. This process speaks to the power of trial and error and the practice of prototyping. Goal 4 of West Island College’s 2015-18 Strategic Plan is to provide unparalleled real world learning experiences. Through the Design Thinking framework, we can help to create our own innovators through a variety of experiential opportunities. Last summer, the College offered an Entrepreneurship Camp introducing the concept of Design Thinking led by Mr. Houston Peschl (Entrepreneurship 317 Instructor) of the University of Calgary Haskayne School of Business working with the Hunter Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. This year, the College has been more intentional in the Design Thinking methodology by introducing students to a wide range of critical thinking and problem solving situations in the option courses and in the Focus Friday block time. Starting in Grade 7, students compete in an Engineering Challenge. The problem varies asking students to design and construct a product in a set time period, or to construct a structure with limited materials. Grade 7s will also head to the Telus Spark Science Centre to engage in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) workshop lab activities.
Grade 8s will be exposed to a number of different creative scenarios. During the Focus Friday block, they may work on a variety of engineering challenges: students may be tasked with designing a spaghetti bridge, preparing a marble run, finding a way to get an egg sucked into a bottle, and figuring out how to light a candle in a jar of water. Focus Friday time also allows students to research and prepare their projects for the annual Science Fair. Students are also introduced to basic computer coding using Scratch software and then asked to create their own game. In the Computer Programming Exploration 8 course, students create their own website template while being introduced to HTML, Photoshop, and Java Script. The website, Code Combat, will be used to allow students to learn real world coding through a fun gamification method of learning. Two cornerstone Grade 7/8 clubs solidify the vision of Design Thinking. Dr. Sumner’s Discover Club has students explore and seek answers to different problems involving hands-on science activities. Our seniors present and discuss science concepts with the juniors and ask them to answer some intriguing science conundrums by carrying out experiments. The students have fun while investigating science concepts with activities investigating the density of liquids, chemical reactions, surface tension and Newton’s Laws. Mr. Fredrickson’s Robotics Club has students learn how to program EV3 modules and design a Lego Robot finishing with a Robotics League tournament.
The Grade 9 Engineering option course was designed for students to work on a number of projects: designing a table made out of paper to hold 20 books, a moveable hand to pick up objects, an electromagnetic digger, creating the tallest tower to withstand an earthquake and putting together a bobsled track, roller coasters with a loop, hill, and jump. This course incorporates the use of a wide range of materials: ping pong balls, wooden sticks, copper wire, batteries, pipe cladding, pipe, and some duct tape always helps. In the Focus Friday block, students may also learn how to design their own smartphone app using the software PencilCase created by Robots & Pencils. We have seen teams produce an air hockey game, a labyrinth maze game, and a babysitting organizer app to name a few. The Alberta Education curriculum is trying to stay current with the rapidly changing learning environment, but that does not mean that West Island College cannot provide the basic tools and activities to engage students in active, hands-on learning experiences and to be creative innovators moving forward. Steve Jobs once said that, “innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower.”
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Cultivating Young Minds Ms. MacArthur, FACULTY There is a history of innovation within the programs at West Island College and enriching student experience is of paramount importance. An element of programming that we are particularly proud of is our Institutes. It has been five years since WIC introduced the Institute programs that partner with universities and colleges to provide educational interactions with post-secondary programs and communities, and we have seen the students involved blossom and succeed immensely. Not only does Institute involvement increase student success in the post-secondary environment, but it provides valuable real world experience that stays with the student into his or her career of choice. I am particularly excited to spearhead the launch of our newest Institute in the 2016-17 school year, Liberal Arts. The Liberal Arts education is
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based on the premise that learning is meant to cultivate the mind. WIC has capitalized on this idea and has created Liberal Arts opportunities for students to explore the following areas of study: humanities, creative writing, international relations, journalism, law, philosophy, and political science. To facilitate the exploration of the journalism branch of the program, 14 WIC students visited Global TV Studios in December 2016 where they were fortunate to tour the facility and witness the behind-the-scenes action of the studio. During the tour, they were able to speak to Global TV employees and learn about the intricate aspects of each team member’s job and how each person contributes to the broadcasting of programs that Global TV viewers receive. Additionally, students were able to sit on set and view a live broadcasting of the Global TV News at Noon show and speak to the anchors
after the program. The visit was finished off with the opportunity to explore the set of Global TV News. As the Institute continues to grow, we will offer enrichment activities across the other areas of interest. For students who are interested in Law, we have an exciting Law Club experience planned for next semester where the students will be able to meet with various law professionals. Stay tuned for these and other upcoming Liberal Arts experiences. Please contact Mr. Bennett or myself if you are interested in learning more about the a Liberal Arts Institute Certificate.
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Playing The Long Game - a six-year plan Mr. Larsen, HEAD OF ATHLETICS AND EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING As with our academic program, WIC Athletics has the opportunity to have a vision for our young athletes that spans from Grade 7 to Grade 12. Very few schools in the City have the opportunity to develop the passion and knowledge of young athletes over a long-term plan. At WIC, our athletes graduate through three different phases of development. The first phase of development in Grade 7 and 8 involves lots of participation, positive team camaraderie and the development of core fundamentals. For many of our athletes, this phase involves learning a new game, being on a team for the first time and developing lifelong friendships. In Grade 9, athletes begin to experience more competitive opportunities, increased training and begin to understand the connection between hard work and success. Grade 9 still includes lots of opportunity for participation, and having fun with friends is still the
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priority. High School brings the thrill of structured competition, intensive training and the opportunity to travel outside the city to a variety of high level competitions. The 2016 Provincial winning Senior Boys basketball team is the perfect example of WIC’s six-year development program. Several Grade 12 boys on that team had been coached at WIC by four different coaches (Mr. Schell, Mr. Goulet, Mr. Bridal and Mr. Grewal) over a six-year period and each contributed to the team’s final success. Athletics at West Island College is truly a development model for athlete growth. Coaches operate as a collaborative team because we have a vision of long term success for our young athletes. We know that passion and support at every stage of development is equally important and that long term growth creates excellence. Go Wolves!
Senior Girls’ Volleyball
Senior Boys’ Golf
Senior Girls’ Golf
Senior Cross Country
Junior Boys’ Basketball
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Outdoor Education Highlights Mountaineering
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Mountain Biking
Scuba Diving
Canoeing Winter 2017
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The Digital World of our Future Mr. Mottershead,
INTERIM DIRECTOR OF MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS It is no secret that our lives are becoming increasingly digital with each passing day. With this increase, comes an ever-changing landscape of opportunities and challenges, especially for young people. The team at WIC identified that this was a topic area requiring a deeper dive for our students, families and staff. In October of 2016, the College hosted technology guru and social media expert Amber MacArthur as a part of the Wolves’ Den Speaker Series. MacArthur started her career in San Francisco and Boston during the dot-com boom of the late 1990s as a strategist for an agency called Razorfish, and the Director of Marketing for an e-procurement software company. She spent years working in the “technology start-up trenches.” Since then, she has started her own agency called Konnekt. She is a digital networking specialist who stresses the importance of personal reputation and safety in the online universe. She is also the co-author of Outsmarting Your Kids Online. MacArthur was kind enough to speak to three separate groups during her time here in Calgary: the Junior school, the Senior school, and for our larger community. Each session had a tailored topic that was most applicable to the group. For both groups of students and our larger community, MacArthur also emphasized the seriousness of cyberbullying and strategies to use to overcome, dissuade and report bullying online.
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Her topic with the Juniors was Digital Citizenship in 2017: How to Play Smart & Stay Safe in Today's Connected World, the primary focus of which was personal safety and internet “street smarts.” We learned that over 92 per cent of teens go online daily, many of whom are online “constantly” and frequently on social media networks. She stressed the importance of removing location details and auto-login features across accounts like Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat and Instagram to increase safety. The biggest surprise was that settings should be reviewed regularly as they can change with software and security updates without the user’s knowledge. For our Seniors, her topic was 3 Steps to Build your Personal Brand. This was well received by the students because of the implications around digital reputation, university admittance and ultimate career progression. Giggles erupted around the Performance Centre when MacArthur shared that “93 per cent of hiring managers review a candidate’s social media profile before hiring – that goes for University admissions officers too,” followed by a flood of questions around editing and deleting social media content and accounts. It was a good reminder that once something is posted online, it is often hard to eliminate completely. Her top three recommendations for social media were to “avoid: constant complaining, inappropriate photos and unprofessional profiles.” Our community learned about digital
citizenship and personal branding during the evening session. Similar themes and questions emerged to the Senior school session because attendees wanted to learn about curating a professional online life and how to become better digital citizens. We also learned about the future of digital where MacArthur shared her top predictions for the future and how technology will further influence our lives:
• The consumer will be king – online reviews and testimonials continue to shape the strategic direction of organizations and their marketers
our digital future. To further educate the WIC community about the digital world, the Parent Advisory Coucil (PAC) will be screening the film Screenagers in late February. It highlights the impact of the digital world in which we live. The film stresses the importance for students, parents and families to be confident, and better equipped in this digital age in order to find balance around screen time. The screening of the film will be followed with questions posed to the audience, and an informal reception to promote discussion within our community.
• Everything, everywhere, connected – hundreds of new devices will flood the market for our homes making our lives more connected to the internet than ever before
• Big Data – this relatively new element of the digital marketplace will become the hottest new job sector needing employees
• Live streaming – social media channels will continue toward live and in-the-moment content
• Ephemeral messaging – social media like Snapchat and marketing content will continue a trend toward ephemeral messaging and disappear before our very eyes, a journey away from saved content
A huge thank you to Amber MacArthur from all of us at WIC for your insights and tips for
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Honouring our Veterans for Remembrance Day
This year’s Remembrance Day program celebrated the 200-year Anniversary of the Perth Military Settlement and the 100-year Anniversary of the Battle of the Somme. WIC also had the opportunity to showcase artifacts from the Somme on loan from the Princess Patricia Canadian Light Infantry. Students recounted the events of the Perth Military Settlement and the Battle of the Somme and their significance to Canada’s military history. We hosted a special guest, Corporal Mullet, to speak about the role the Princess Patricia Canadian Light Infantry played in the Battle of the Somme. Corporal Mullett has served in the Canadian Forces with the Princess Patricia Canadian Light Infantry for 13 years, earning a Canadian Decoration Medal for long service and good conduct. The Canada Remembers Program of Veterans Affairs Canada encourages all Canadians to learn about the sacrifices and achievements made by those who have served — and continue to serve — during times of war and peace. As
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well, it invites Canadians to become involved in remembrance activities that will help preserve their legacy for future generations. As a part of this program, a student wrote a compelling piece that he shared. Sean-Gerald Udeh read his powerful poem titled “For You” that references the sacrifice soldiers make and have made in the protection of their country. The ceremonies closed this year with the laying of three wreaths. The wreaths were presented by the Dallaire Family who placed a wreath in memory of their son Kevin Dallaire whose plaque of remembrance hangs proudly inside our Hall of Nations. Mrs. Melanie Timmons placed a wreath for all stories told and untold by those who have served our country and for those who have recently fallen. Sergeant Lowes from the Princess Patricia Canadian Light Infantry placed the third wreath in recognition and memory of all families and communities impacted by conflict.
Ms. Lewis,
FACULTY, TEACHING AND LEARNING LEADER (FINE ARTS) What do a bicycle crankcase, an unfinished game of crib, and Canadian Tire money have in common? They are all mementos that belonged to Canadian soldiers who served in Afghanistan, and each one carries a story. War: In Pieces is the name of a travelling gallery that displays a collection of such items and the stories behind them. Active military personnel, decorated veterans, and their families have donated these exhibits that reveal how war has affected their lives. The exhibition was hosted at WIC from November 7 – 10, 2016. It allowed for students and families to better understand the impact of war on those most intimately involved – the soldiers. The stories provide an intimate glimpse of life through the eyes of our soldiers and their loved ones and inspire better understanding of the humanity of those involved in conflict. An opening event was held for the WIC community to attend the exhibition November 9 to see the pieces and to meet the founder and curator Melanie Timmons.
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Junior High Girls:
Friends, Enemies and Frenemies Mrs. Allen, HEAD OF STUDENT SERVICES In the introduction to her landmark book about adolescent girl friendships, Queen Bees and Wannabes, Rosalind Wiseman sums up every parent’s experience of watching their daughter navigate the teen years with the following observation: “Welcome to the wonderful world of your daughter's adolescence. Ten seconds ago she was a sweet, confident, world-beating little girl who looked up to you. Now she's changing before your very eyes – she's confused, insecure, often surly, lashing out. On a good day, she's teary and threatening to run away. On a bad day, you're ready to help her pack her suitcase.” Does this sound familiar? We all know that early adolescence and Junior High can be uncomfortable and awkward at the best of times. Your body is changing, your hormones are out of control, and you are just hoping you will get through puberty in one piece. For most girls, those years are not just about the physical growth spurts — they are also a daily soap opera. For many girls, Junior High becomes a mine field filled with power struggles, conflicting ideas, physical growth and raging emotions. If you ask a Junior High girl about her life — her school, her friendships, her classmates — she will almost always use the word “drama.” When girls of that age talk about the “drama” in their lives, it almost always has to do with their relationships with other girls. Two girls who have been best friends their entire lives can suddenly hate each other, or become frenemies (friendly enemies), and neither one knows who she can trust. During
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these years, it’s normal to make new friends and to lose some too. Despite this fact, many girls find it difficult to navigate when their friendships change, but that is normal, they are changing too. It is important to remember that their body is not the only thing that is growing. These changes in friendships and friendship groups can be hard, especially while they are dealing with all the other changes that are coming at them during the Junior High years. The behaviors that the mainstream media refer to as “mean girl culture,” a term popularized by the movie of the same name based on Wiseman’s book, is actually what psychologists would call relational aggression. If you have been a teenage girl, or the parent of a teenage girl, chances are that you will probably recognize these behavior patterns which often include exclusion, gossip, the silent treatment, belittling and conditional friendship. The good news is that it does get easier. Those of us that have survived Junior High know that it gets better. But how can parents help? In her article, Girls and Their Frenemies, Linda Slade provides some tips for parents dealing with “mean girl culture.” Some of the things she suggests include teaching kindness, compassion and empathy, and modeling good friendships for your daughters. Most importantly she reminds us to “never say, “that’s just girls”, or “boys will be boys” for that matter. We can be better than that. Or at least we can try.”
Touchstones Discussion Project Ms. Armitage, DEAN OF JUNIOR STUDENTS Never before have our young teens lived in such a dynamic, interconnected world, where their mainstream discourse is taking place online, often in abbreviated text, and with an immediate response expectation. Their prospective lives will demand that they are tech savvy and resourceful, but also that they are collaborative in a global workforce, where the art of truly listening and respecting one another will be paramount. In order to help prepare our youth for today and the future, we have embedded the Touchstones Discussion Project into the timetable. Touchstones lessons are taught weekly to each Grade 8 student within the Fourth R and Outdoor Education courses. Grade 7 students are being introduced to the program with five consecutive lessons during Friday Focus time. Critical thinking, active listening, collaboration and respectful face-to-face group discussions are the cornerstones of the Touchstones Discussion Project. Touchstones is an internationallyrenowned educational curriculum that is taught in schools, universities, businesses and varied social organizations. We were fortunate to first learn of the Touchstones Project when visiting Trinity College, a fellow CAIS school in Port Hope, Ont. After following Trinity’s implementation and reported success with the program, several of our teachers were trained in the discussion methodology this September. The teacher in a Touchstones lesson is an active participant and facilitator, but it is the students, who over time, will take on the responsibility and ownership for the collaborative, inclusive discussions.
The class begins in a full circle with the teacher initiating the lesson by reading a carefully selected text with a common theme to which all students can relate their experiences. After some individual reflection about the text and topic, students work in small assigned groups and then gather in the circle for a class-wide discussion focused on the theme of the text. The ideal discussion involves everyone in the circle and is sparked with questions followed by respectful requests for clarification and thoughtful responses. The skills being taught and reinforced in the program are challenging in that everyone is required to participate and follow the four ground rules: read the text carefully, listen to what others say and do not interrupt, speak clearly, and give others your respect. The first lesson asks the students which of the rules they feel will be hardest for the class to follow. To date, all of the WIC classes have indicated that it will be most difficult for the students to listen to one another and not interrupt: their hypothesis has indeed been proven correct. Another guideline within the program is that the students not raise their hand in order to participate, but rather they share their thoughts respectfully when the discussion allows them the opportunity to speak. It is our hope that the skills students learn within the Touchstones Discussion Project will transfer to other areas of their lives. The ability to lead and participate in thought-provoking discussions, incorporating various points of view, is bound to serve our students well, both at WIC and wherever their futures take them.
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Building Executive Skills Ms. Meckelborg, DIRECTOR OF GRADE 7 STUDIES Research shows that the adolescent brain can function at its prime with 10 hours of sleep, daily physical activity, a well-balanced diet, exposure to free play and the arts, routine, and help with executive skills. That is definitely an action packed schedule. Gail Bell, who presented to WIC Grade 7 teachers, and again to parents at the Junior High information night, says that parents and teachers can help teenagers immensely by “lending them our frontal lobes,” or assistance with organizational skills. The teenage brain is rapidly changing and the frontal lobe, the section of the brain in which executive skills live, is the last to develop meaning that any support the adults and teachers can provide is invaluable.
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This research led the school’s administration to provide each incoming Grade 7 student with a beautiful, WIC-crested binder into which they could store almost everything they need for a school day. There is a common section to store homework papers and materials that need to be submitted the next day. Thank you to the College’s administration for this generous gift to our Grade 7s. Teachers and students alike appreciate the difference that these binders have made to a typical Grade 7 day and the organizational skills that are learned from their use.
WIC Technology: What’s new Mr. Matula, CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER
Digital Communications
WIC Website
To best serve our families, and save some trees, WIC has utilized the latest innovative, digital technologies to keep you up-to-date. All WIC Students, Teachers, and Staff have an @mywic.ca email. Email is our primary and preferred method of communicating with the WIC community; please keep your email address up-to-date in Campus Connect. The link is available on the top of our website, or by navigating your browser to https://connect.mywic.ca. Parents have access to the Campus Connect to keep their personal details up-to-date with our database.
Our freshly overhauled and interactive new website has the latest in features so that we can keep you up-to-date. There are several tools that can help you find specific information:
New Server Infrastructure
Campus Connect Each WIC community member has a specific login that allows them to see WIC services and information based on their role, be it faculty, parents, students or staff. Campus Connect is the central nexus where you may access all available resources from one location.
Calendar View specific dates and times, or view WIC’s schedule by the month, you may also sync the calendar to your own calendar, so that it will alert you when events occur.
Over the summer of 2016, we implemented a new state-of-the-art hyper-converged server infrastructure. What this means is that we are able to supply the WIC community with internal content at lightning fast speeds, and it is extremely reliable. We have a specific server in each building that can fail over to each other in case of a buildinglevel emergency, and in the case that the school is compromised, we can fail over to the Datacenter server which can continue to run critical WIC IT services within an hour. This means that we keep all data behind our firewalls at all times in case of an emergency.
Our new app for Apple devices has been deployed and is in use by parents, staff and students to access Campus Connect and Focus Friday events.
New Network Infrastructure & Security
PowerSchool
The summer also allowed us some time to implement a new networking infrastructure, where we implemented new Datacenter Server CoLocation, firewalls, switching and 10Gb fibre-optic lines to better connect the school and decrease usage bottlenecks.
West Island College App
Apple School Manager Teachers are now able to directly control the student’s iPads in a class, so that better learning outcomes can be achieved.
PowerSchool Parent and Student Portal gives parents and students access to real-time information including schedule, attendance, grades, school bulletins and even personal messages from the teacher. PowerSchool Mobile app gives parents and students access to real-time information on grades, attendance, assignments, scores, and comments.
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The Power of Laughter in the Fall Drama Production Mr. Ackerman, FACULTY Laughter filled the Performance Centre this fall and tears welled up in many eyes. What was creating such a fervor of mirth? The rehearsals of Canterbury Tales or‌ Geoffrey Chaucer’s Flying Circus. The comedy was in the writing, but the real laughter came from young and imaginative minds playing with a script and jumping in and out of roles. Accents were flying, impersonations were ever present, girls became men and boys became ladies. With all of the hilarity, it is a wonder how anything was accomplished. Through smiles and winks, pushes and pulls, eye rolls and belly rolls, and exhaustion and dismay, a production was born. Students embraced their characters and took to the stage in style. Over 60 students were involved in this nonmusical play. It is now safe to say that WIC has a strong tradition of large cast fall productions. Last year, leading ladies took charge and were the ones who brought together the show. This year, a veteran core of Senior male actors led the way and the Canterbury train could not
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be stopped with silliness oozing out of every scene. Matthew Lutz, Chris Dalton, Cameron Bailey and Sean-Gerald Udeh led the charge this year and helped our younger students to better understand their characters and how a production is organized and performed. They created a fun atmosphere where students gained confidence with being vulnerable, and allowing their inner clowns to come out. It is truly inspiring to watch students from Grades 7 through 12 come together and produce such a successful play. What is even more special to me is watching these same students say hello to each other months later in the hallways, having created bonds that will last throughout their time at WIC. Thank you, WIC students, for another year of smiles and memorable moments. Drama will continue to flourish with the creativity and exuberance you bring to the stage!
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The Strength of Our Community Chemainus Artist Retreat 2016 WICAA House Competition
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Chemainus Artist Retreat 2016
Grade 7 Sleepover
WICAA House Competition
Junior Days First Aid Training
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The Future of Alumni Relations at WIC Mr. Chalifoux,
ADMINISTRATOR OF ALUMNI RELATIONS DEVELOPMENT Part of my rationale for seeking, and ultimately assuming, my new role as Administrator of Alumni Relations Development was realizing the importance of the alumni role in the College’s future. Four of the five school priorities as outlined in our current Strategic Plan can be supported to some degree through our alumni. Nurturing relationships, providing real world experiences, enriching our programs and ensuring a sustainable future are all priorities which can, and should, be embraced in some capacity through alumni relations initiatives. With an alumni base nearing approximately 1,600 individuals, and with some reaching a point in their lives where their own children are of Junior and Senior High school age, it is imperative that we seek to engage, or in many cases, re-engage our alumni into our growing community. Our alumni are, and will continue to be, instrumental in the future of West Island College as it works diligently to sustain itself in this ever-changing
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and competitive world. It is important that we continuously improve upon our reputation as a leading educational institution in our city and that we include our alumni community in this process. This year alone, with the support of our alumni, we will have implemented several new initiatives geared towards building relationships and providing support for our current students who, in short order, will themselves be WIC alumni. To date, our alumni have been part of the inaugural WIC Legacy Gala, have provided guidance to our current Grade 11 and 12 students through our university visits and have volunteered as panel members, sharing experiences and providing supportive resources through the Networking 101 series. The Networking 101 series will occur a total of four times throughout the school year. In addition to this, some alumni have also been enlisted to committees and as guest speakers for our Institute programs. To complement this, we
have continued to stay connected to our alumni by hosting an evening at the University of British Columbia campus. This event, WIC Hosts @ UBC, involved alumni from the classes of 20122016 gathering for an evening of fellowship and support. WIC Hosts @ Queen’s is slated for the month of February 2017 and will take place at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ont. Re-engaging mature alumni has also been a priority as I re-acquaint myself with no less than four alumni per month, often bringing them back to WIC and all that is happening after being away for years. In all cases, much enthusiasm and appreciation has been expressed by our mature alumni. It has certainly not been difficult having them agree to be part of the school again. As it is, a 10-year reunion committee (class of 2007) has already been formed and plans are underway for this event in March.
I would be remiss if I did not also acknowledge the work of the West Island College’s Alumni Committee and its representation on WIC’s governing Board. This committee comprises 10 dedicated individuals, two who also sit on the Board, who truly believe in giving back to their WIC community. This committee works closely in conjunction with both myself and Ms. Tina Butz, Director of Procurement, Special Events and Alumni, focused on providing support for the school as required, and for collaborating on major events such as WICelebrates, Homecoming and the Alumni Golf Tournament. As we progress towards building a strong alumni foundation, we will seek to find ways in which our alumni can continue to not only engage through mentorship and volunteerism, but through the philanthropic mindset which has always been part of the WIC culture. Once a WICer — always a WICer.
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Alumni class notes
Montana Chong, class of 2016 Montana has been busy training 25 hours a week at the International School of Ballet and will be working with renowned artist, Jaciel Gomez to help create a unique and individualized ballet variation for her upcoming competitions. Montana competed in the World Ballet Art Competition Grand Prix in October, then went on to perform three variations in Ottawa on November 19. The following weekend, she danced the role of the “Sugarplum Fairy” in the Christmas classic “The Nutcracker” ballet in Edmonton. During December 2-11, Montana competed at the Genee International Ballet Competition in Sydney, Australia. In January, Montana will hang up her ballet shoes and began her studies in Biomedical Sciences at McGill University.
Doug Doyle-Baker, class of 2011 Currently, Doug is pursuing the completion of a Master’s of Science in Kinesiology from the University of Calgary with a specific focus on the physiology of neuromuscular fatigue. Fatigue is a natural by-product of exercise and activity, but for people who have certain diseases like cancer, multiple sclerosis or fibromyalgia fatigue becomes abnormal, chronic, and to-date untreatable. His thesis project is a reliability study of a new bicycle that has been built that allows his team to put participants through an exercise test and then measure levels of neuromuscular fatigue objectively. In October, Doug took top honours in the US and Canada region of The Undergraduate Awards, often referred to as a “junior Nobel prize” – congratulations Doug!
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Lauren Alston, class of 2006 Lauren is the Provincial GSA Coordinator for Alberta, a position within the Institute for Sexual Minority Studies and Services (iSMSS) at the University of Alberta in Edmonton. Lauren’s role is to help start, strengthen, and sustain gaystraight alliances, or queer-straight alliances in Alberta’s K-12 schools and communities, with an emphasis on developing supports in rural communities. The GSA Coordinator’s ultimate goal is to foster student leadership within schools and communities with the purpose of creating safer and more inclusive spaces for all students.
Dr. Hayley Owens, class of 2002 Dr. Owens works as a naturopathic doctor at Healing Cedar Wellness in Port Moody, B.C. Her path to becoming a naturopathic doctor was not a conventional one since she used to work as a chartered accountant and management consultant for a number of years. She decided to follow her heart and purse medicine since discovering that she wanted to serve and help people in a deeper way. She completed the fouryear doctorate program at the Boucher Institute for Naturopathic Medicine.
Adam Melnyk, class of 1998 Adam was recently awarded as one of Avenue Magazine’s Top 40 Under 40 this past November. His work as an Outreach and Housing Location Manager with Calgary Alpha House Society earned him his spot on the coveted list. He works closely with Calgarians struggling with homelessness and addiction as a member of the Downtown Outreach Addictions Partnership (DOAP) Team.
Matt Bailey, class of 1992 After graduating in 1992, he attended Acadia University, in Nova Scotia, where he graduated with a Bachelor in Business Administration and a major in Computer Science – he thanks Mr. Rennie for his guidance. He also played rugby winning Nova Scotia Championships in 1993 and 1996 and credits Monsieur Chalifoux for “teaching him all of his moves.” Besides two years at Credit Suisse with their Investment Banking Operations team in London, he has worked at Deloitte for 18 years in Toronto, Brussels, Zurich, London and now Singapore. He and his family moved there 2012 to help build his family consulting business in Asia. He met his wife, Stephanie, an Australian, in London at a pub on a Sunday afternoon, and has three children: Georgia (5), Annabel (2) and Louis (1).
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WIC
LEGACY Gala
On behalf of West Island College’s Gala Committee, Faculty, Staff and our Board of Directors, we sincerely thank you for your attendance and contributions to the inaugural WIC Legacy Gala. October 21, 2016 was an evening filled with great camaraderie, food, dancing, and wonderful live and silent auctions. Without the support of our WIC families, sponsors, donors, staff, faculty and volunteers, this evening would not have been possible. The funds raised will help expand WIC’s opportunities and enrich teaching and learning for our students. We are truly humbled by your generosity and we look forward to this year’s event. Over 350 people attended WIC’s inaugural Legacy Gala, raising a net revenue of more than $115,000. The community truly came together and the results were well beyond our expectations and our budget. Our second Annual WIC Legacy Gala brings the community back to the Roaring ‘20s! Mark your calendars – Friday, October 20, 2017 at Hotel Arts. Early Bird tickets are available for purchase now until May 31, 2017. If you are interested supporting the 2017 event, please contact gala@mywic.ca
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WICelebrates Wine and cheese reception
Bringing together the WIC community
Thursday, April 20, 2017
to recognize our 2017 Alumni Achievement Awards Recipients;
Hotel Arts
for alumni who have made significant contributions in their
119 12 Avenue SW
professional, or personal lives in the areas of:
7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Arts
One welcome drink per guest provided — cash bar
Jeremy Freeborn, Class of 1995 Business
Please RSVP by email at celebrate@mywic.ca with your name, address, telephone number and the year you graduated from WIC, if alumni. Please indicate number of guests attending the event.
Arden Styles, Class of 1992 Personal Janine Davies, Class of 1990 Philanthropy Faheem Allidina, Class of 1994 and to kick–start 2017-2018, our thirty–fifth celebratory year
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YEARS
1982 — 2017
Upcoming Events Grade 8 Science Fair
March 1
West Island College Campus
Annual Student Art Exhibition
March 15
West Island College Campus
WICelebrates
Grade 12 Commencement Ceremony
May 31
Arts Commons 205 8 Avenue SE
WICAA Breakfast
June 1
West Island College Campus
Graduation Dinner and Dance
April 20
Hotel Arts 119 12 Avenue SW
Senior Drama Production
April 26 – 28
West Island College Campus
Alumni Homecoming
June 2
Hotel Arts 119 12 Avenue SW
Graduate Art Show and Spring Concert
June 6 Bella Concert Hall Mount Royal University Conservatory, 4825 Mount Royal Gate SW
May 5
National on 10th 341 10 Avenue SW
WIC Alumni Golf Tournament
Grade 9 Celebration
May 16
Calgary Petroleum Club 319 5 Avenue SW
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June 22
Winston Golf Club, former Calgary Elks Club 2502 6 Street NE
Grades 7 to 12
Business, Engineering, Health Sciences and Liberal Arts Institutes
Be Bold. Be Brave. Be Ready.
French Immersion & French and Spanish as a Second Language Advanced Placement Fine Arts Leadership International Studies
OWN YOUR FUTURE West Island College Calgary
westislandcollege.ab.ca
@WICYYC
West Island College Calgary
403.255.5300 7410 Blackfoot Trail S.E.
admissions@mywic.ca
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West Island College Calgary
@WICYYC
West Island College Calgary
7410 Blackfoot Trail S.E. 403.255.5300 www.westislandcollege.ab.ca
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