Crescent School Past & Present – Winter 2024

A Magazine for the Alumni of Crescent School

Winter 2024

Lights, Camera, Action!

Crescent alumni in the film and TV industry are influenced by the American entertainment ecosystem —regardless of where they’re based. What are the repercussions?

Page 14

SM5767_5567 Crescent P&P Winter 2024.indd 1

2024-01-12 1:43 PM

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JUSTIN TANG

Page 22

Peter Hall ’80 speaks the language of economics

Bold Predictions & Global Insights

SM5767_5567 Crescent P&P Winter 2024.indd 2

2024-01-12 1:43 PM

PHOTOGRAPHY BY NATHAN LEGIEHN

Page 26

Gerald Chan ’99 is a passionate advocate for justice and equity

Purpose & Impact

Crescent School Alumni Magazine 1

SM5767_5567 Crescent P&P Winter 2024.indd 1

2024-01-12 1:43 PM

Words from the Alumni Chair

Navigating the Entertainment Ecosystem Navigating the global tapestry of the film and television industry, Canadian professionals often encounter unique challenges and opportunities significantly influenced by American dominance in this field. This issue provides a window into those journeys, guided by the insights of our esteemed alumni who have made their mark in various roles within the sector.

From Toronto to Sydney, our alumni have built successful careers as writers, producers, directors, animators, and film score composers, encountering challenges and achieving tremendous success—alumni such as Ben Sokolowski ’02, who aims to create Canadian productions with a big-budget aesthetic, and Rob Coleman ’83, whose animation expertise has taken him from skipping classes for Star Wars premieres to overseeing animation on a global scale for the same franchise. They have significant impacts on the films and television programming we consume and enjoy.

We’ll also explore the careers of Gerald Chan ’99 and Peter Hall ’80. Both epitomize excellence in their respective domains, from the rigorous avenues of law to the strategic echelons of global economics, offering us glimpses into varied paths of distinction and impact.

Here’s to stories that entertain, inspire, and provoke reflection on our own journeys.

Andrew Norris ’03 Chair, Crescent Alumni Executive

Past & Present is published twice a year by Crescent School’s Advancement Department to help all alumni stay connected with the Crescent community.

Cover Photographer: Shlomi Amiga

SM5767_5567 Crescent P&P Winter 2024.indd 2

Editor: Kristin Foster Editorial Committee: Kathryn Foster, Kristin Foster, Wendy Jacobs, Claire van Nostrand, Lynda Torneck Editorial Board: Spencer Belyea ’13, David Bruser ’95, Bert Fielding ’13, Philip Lloyd ’09, Myles Slocombe ’92

Design Agency: Aegis Design Inc. Senior Designer: Sabrina Xiang Writers: Sadaf Ahsan, Rob Csernyik, Kristin Foster, Pat Morden, Lynda Torneck Photographers: Shlomi Amiga, Karenna Boychuk, Nathan Legiehn, Justin Tang Illustrator: Kara Pyle

Comments and suggestions about Past & Present are always welcome. Reach us at: Alumni Relations Office, Crescent School 2365 Bayview Avenue, Toronto ON M2L 1A2 e: alumni@crescentschool.org t: 416.449.2556 ext. 204

2024-01-17 12:49 PM

Upfront / Experiences

What the World Needs Now

01

02

A new brand campaign for a world that needs men of character today more than ever Men with courage. Men who are curious.

Men who are positive leaders. These are just three of the 12 quality traits that underpin Crescent’s mission and are central to a Crescent education. The School’s new ad campaign highlights the types of graduates Crescent believes will thrive in and improve our complex world. It claims a provocative narrative in the face of a volatile world and positions Crescent’s Men of Character as the antidote.

01, 02 & 04 Sample ads used to launch the new campaign 03 A second mural bus on the streets of Toronto 05 Members of our varsity rugby team pose alongside “their” mural bus

03

04

05 Crescent School Alumni Magazine 3

SM5767_5567 Crescent P&P Winter 2024.indd 3

2024-01-17 1:38 PM

Past / 1980s Two Crescent boys collaborate on a science class assignment.

SM5767_5567 Crescent P&P Winter 2024.indd 4

2024-01-12 1:44 PM

Upfront / Alumni on Campus

Friday Night Lights Ignite The boys brought the heat for Friday Night Lights at the end of October! Crescent’s varsity soccer team showed its strength with a resounding 6–0 win against Villanova College. Crescent families, staff, and alumni were out in full force, fueling up at the community BBQ and taking their energy to the sidelines where they cheered on the boys to victory.

The varsity team in action

Michael Cheng ’22

From left to right: Natalie Vera, Rob Cranston, and Jeff Adams ’94, P’30 Crescent School Alumni Magazine 5

SM5767_5567 Crescent P&P Winter 2024.indd 5

2024-01-12 1:44 PM

Upfront / Alumni on Campus

Men and Boys’ Choir Tours the U.K. The Crescent Men and Boys’ Choir embarked on its 2023 U.K. tour in November, performing in Edinburgh, York, Cambridge, and London. The 55 students and three staff choir members were joined by former faculty Michael Jansen and Michael Sproule; alumni Michael Cheng ’22 (shown at right) and Larry Hui ’22; and Anne Fraser, a former Crescent music teacher, who provided the piano accompaniment. Including family members and staff chaperones, the group totalled 117, which was a massive logistical undertaking. “It really represented a huge and meaningful community effort,” says Choir Director Dr. Sandra Boyes.

What Goes Around Comes Around Kyle Chang ’19 and Ryan Cheng ’18, both former heads of Crescent’s Business team, donated their time and experience to act as judges at the Case Competition hosted at Crescent on September 30. Kyle is the captain of Laurier University’s Case Competitions, which competes internationally.

Ryan is working at Boston Consulting Group.

From left: Mike Stephens, Kyle Chang ’19, Ryan Cheng ’18, and Gavin Murunaka P’25, ’27 at the Crescent School Invitational Case Competition on September 30 6 Past & Present / Winter 2024

SM5767_5567 Crescent P&P Winter 2024.indd 6

2024-01-17 12:51 PM

Upfront / Alumni on Campus

Home for the Holidays No matter where their journeys take them, Crescent grads always end up back “home.” During the Thanksgiving and Reading Week breaks in October, many alumni stopped by the campus to say hello and visit familiar faces. The Manor door is always open!

Shay Kothari ’23 (centre) with Raheem Ebrahim ’25 (right) and Braden Andri ’26 (left)

Taran Ravindran ’14 visited campus to play squash with former teacher Greg Michalski

Aidan Walters ’22 and Headmaster Michael Fellin P’24

Navid Farkhondehpay ’23 with Headmaster Michael Fellin P’24

Cole Luepann ’23 (left) and Alec Barker ’23 (right) visited faculty member Tim Lane

Alex Soudmand ’23

Sean Wiggan ’21 visited teacher Sean DeZilva

Up Close and Personal with a Dragon Will Christodoulou ’13 represented his company, Cyder, on the CBC reality show Dragons’ Den on October 11, 2023. Cyder developed a platform that balances the data requirements of an organization with the privacy needs of consumers.

Christodoulou secured a deal with long-time Dragon Arlene Dickinson. Two weeks later, while visiting Crescent to speak to the Entrepreneurship Club, he had a surprise visit from Mr. Wesley Hall P’28, a Crescent parent and one of the Dragons.

Front: Luke Hilborn ’23 and Ryan Teng ’23. Standing: Eamonn Lay ’23, Max Fowler ’23, Matthew Overvelde ’23, Tony Qu ’23, Michael Farkouh ’20, Johnny Wang ’20

An Inside Look at American Universities Recent Crescent alumni visited campus in November to share what they’ve learned about attending university in the United States.

Class of 2023 alumni Eamonn Lay, Ryan Teng, Max Fowler, Matthew Overvelde, Tony Qu, and Luke Hilborn were joined by Class of 2020 alumni Johnny Wang and Michael Farkouh to talk about Harvard, UC Berkley, Dartmouth, Boston College, and Cornell.

Crescent School Alumni Magazine 7

SM5767_5567 Crescent P&P Winter 2024.indd 7

2024-01-17 12:51 PM

Upfront / Crescent News

Cortellucci Family Theatre Is Ready for Its Closeup

CRESCENT THEN

John Tansey, headmaster from 1982 to 2000, stands on the rear bumper of the Crescent van in 1995.

“We’re like kids in a candy store,” says Godric Latimer-Kim about the new equipment in the Cortellucci Family Theatre. Over the summer, the theatre’s entire sound and lighting systems were removed and replaced with state-of-the-art equipment.

Prior to these changes, Ian Radburn, the school’s Technical Theatre Coordinator, would painstakingly arrange multiple lights with coloured gels for productions that required special lighting. Each colour required a designated light and gel, and more demanding setups could require dozens of lights. Now, they’ve been replaced by LED fixtures that can be programmed to move and change colours.

In addition to lighting upgrades, a series of specialized microphones and speakers have been added to the roster, making choir voices and drum kits sound even better, and the catwalk has been reinforced to improve safety.

Formal Recognition for Formal Garden Donors A significant donation by the Crescent Parent’s Association (CPA) was recognized officially with the unveiling of a commemorative plaque in the Formal Garden in October. The plaque installation was the crowning touch to refurbishing the Formal Garden, made possible by the CPA’s $500,000 pledge to Phase 1 of Crescent’s Master Campus Plan.

The Formal Garden underwent a significant refurbishment in the summer of 2022 when a grasslike turf was installed, transforming the garden’s surface into a lush yet virtually indestructible lawn. The result was a more beautiful and safer play area for students that aided water management and slope stabilization.

“Our vibrant parent community gives so much of their time, generosity, and spirit.” says current CPA president Jacintha Doner P’23, 25. “It’s part of why Crescent is so unique.” Doner attended the plaque unveiling ceremony along with four preceding CPA leaders.

From left: Former CPA presidents Matilda Sos-Mavroudis P’18, ’26, Andrea Bunker P’20, ’22, ’25, Magda Koinis-Tsagogeorgas P’26, and Sherri Neldner P’23, ’25, ’28 with current president Jacintha Doner P’23, ’25 8 Past & Present / Winter 2024

SM5767_5567 Crescent P&P Winter 2024.indd 8

2024-01-12 1:44 PM

Upfront / Crescent News

Getting to Know Head Boy Tehseen Dahya ’24 CRESCENT NOW

Jerry Drab, facilities technician at Crescent since 1988, poses on the rear bumper of the school's van.

Which talent would you most like to have?

I’d like to have an eye for design of any kind. I really appreciate those people who can picture something and then bring it to life.

What do you want to be “when you grow up?”

Oh, man. If it didn’t change every week, I could give you a great answer. I know that I want to have a large-scale impact on whatever work I do. I want to work on a fulfilling project that involves some sort of international initiative.

What was one of the most memorable projects you did at Crescent?

There was an English project I did just last year where we explored the different literary devices used by Shakespeare in Othello. I worked with a team of four I hadn’t worked with before.

I got to know my teammates really well and learned from them— they had incredible ideas. It gave us the chance to get to know one another, and it actually taught me a bit about myself.

To read more of Tehseen’s answers, see the Crescent Voices blogs on crescentschool.org.

Crescent School Alumni Magazine 9

SM5767_5567 Crescent P&P Winter 2024.indd 9

2024-01-12 1:44 PM

Upfront / Crescent News

Summer Fun Starts When Classes End Our June closing ceremonies signified the end of the 2022– 2023 school year, but summer activity on Crescent’s campus was just getting started. Crescent Camps saw its largest ever enrolment, with almost 900 girls and boys aged four to 13.

Launched in 2017, Crescent Camps has grown substantially in the past seven years. The eight weeks of camp programming span arts and media, business and world affairs, discovery and adventure, innovation and technology, and sports. It is no coincidence that these themes mirror Crescent’s character-in-action programs and help explain why many Crescent faculty, alumni, and students serve in leadership and counsellor-in-training positions. Camp Director Matthew Corolis, himself a grad from the Class of 2013, oversaw the successful year. “I was thrilled to see so many campers thriving in our programs,” he said. “I hope they learned new skills, developed friendships, and had fun!”

Dr. Damour Addresses the Emotional Well-Being of Boys

Mental health is not about “feeling good.”

It’s about having emotions that fit the situation and managing these emotions effectively. This was the message delivered by renowned psychologist, bestselling author, and media personality Dr. Lisa Damour at a sold-out parent education event held on November 29.

Managing emotions effectively involves expressing and taming feelings.

Healthy expressions of distress can be verbal—some boys will talk about their feelings—and also non-verbal, such as “blowing off steam” through physical activity or listening to sad or angry music to help them process their emotions.

Unhealthy expressions of distress can manifest as anger or taking pleasure at

someone else’s expense.

Some boys seek comfort food or the calm of a family pet to tame emotions.

Distractions such as video gaming can also be healthy in doses. Conversely, unhealthy taming can lead to illicit substance use or online environments that make boys feel good by promoting hate for others.

In her conclusion, Dr. Damour said that we need to accept that our kids will get upset. Instead of trying to prevent distress or chasing it away quickly, treat it as an opportunity for growth. Help him find healthy and effective ways to express and tame his emotions to get relief.

It’s part of growing and maturing, and a skill he will need for the rest of his life.

10 Past & Present / Winter 2024

SM5767_5567 Crescent P&P Winter 2024.indd 10

2024-01-12 1:44 PM

Upfront / Crescent News

House Day Returns with Flying Colours Students, faculty, and staff celebrated the triumphant return of House Day on October 5, the first since the onset of the pandemic. The school was awash in blues, red, yellow, grey, and purple as members of Cartier, Hudson, Mackenzie, Massey, Simcoe, and Wolfe displayed their House pride and team spirit.

Time-honoured traditions like the

full-school pep rally and the reading of our House Day creed were upheld, alongside new ones, like running all new students through the tower. The day was filled with sports, games, and team spirit camaraderie that saw Wolfe House accumulate the most points. Ari Hunter, Assistant Head of Upper School, also gave special thanks to Grade 12 Prefects who “deserve much of the credit for organizing the day” and “bringing House Day back in all its glory.”

Godric Latimer-Kim Receives Prime Minister’s Award for Teaching Excellence Imagination is a life skill and one of several character traits that Godric Latimer-Kim nurtures in the “brave learning space” of her drama studio. “Building confidence in one’s ability to collaborate, problem solve, communicate, and listen to others compassionately are fundamental to being a fully functioning human in our complex world,” she says. Ms. Latimer-Kim was recently recognized with a National Certificate of Excellence, the highest recognition bestowed by the Prime Minister’s Awards for Teaching Excellence.

For 20 years, Ms. L-K has inspired her students to draw upon their own experiences and the stories of others to interpret the world around them. She values grit, determination, perseverance, and an open-minded perspective to embrace new and unexpected circumstances. Her students take on these characteristics and apply them far beyond their time at Crescent School.

“To this day, my central ethos as an aspiring doctor is to combine the skills I acquired in drama to patient care,” wrote former Head Boy Naveen Gupta ’15 in his letter of support for Ms. L-K’s nomination. “I implement empathy, communication, and humanity skills —skills developed in her class— every day.”

Crescent School Alumni Magazine 11

SM5767_5567 Crescent P&P Winter 2024.indd 11

2024-01-12 1:44 PM

PHOTOGRAPHY BY XXXXXXX XXXXXXX

Present / November 2023

SM5767_5567 Crescent P&P Winter 2024.indd 12

Grade 10 boys work together on a dissection project in the biology lab.

2024-01-12 1:44 PM

Perspective from the Headmaster

The Need has Never Been Greater

T

he world is increasingly volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous. Conflicts in the Middle East and Eastern Europe, ideological polarization, the worsening climate crisis, and economic instability are just a few of the challenges we face. Today’s educators must continually evaluate what knowledge, skills, and competencies are needed to thrive in an ever-changing world.

At the same time, global data about the state of boys and manhood is alarming. Boys are lagging behind girls across every statistical measure. They are behind in numeracy and literacy skills. They are graduating high school with lower averages and matriculating at university in lower numbers. Boys report feeling lonelier and more anxious, and, sadly, die by suicide at three times the rate of girls. Doing well and being well is getting harder for boys.

Given the state of the world and the crisis of boys, some may wonder, what type of school do boys need most? We believe they need a school that understands and celebrates boys, where they are known and loved and encouraged to reach their full potential. A school that helps them discover who they are, the ways they can lead, and the kind of legacy they can leave behind. A school like Crescent.

Crescent has identified 12 essential character traits that underpin our mission, are central to a Crescent education, and differentiate our graduates.

Traits like courage, curiosity, and critical thinking.

We strive to develop well-rounded young men who will positively impact our world. Our mission, Men of Character from Boys of Promise, is simple but not easy. Yet it couldn’t be more important or more timely.

The need for men of character has never been greater.

The need for Crescent School has never been greater.

Michael Fellin P’24 Headmaster

Crescent School Alumni Magazine 13

SM5767_5567 Crescent P&P Winter 2024.indd 13

2024-01-12 1:44 PM

BEN

S O KO L O W S K I

SM5767_5567 Crescent P&P Winter 2024.indd 14

’02

2024-01-12 1:44 PM

W rit te n

by

Sadaf

A h sa n.

P h o to g ra p hy

by

S hlo m i

A m ig a.

LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION! In the film and television industry, Los Angeles is seen as the place to be if you want to make it big. In fact, even when U.S. productions use Canadian cities like Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver as sets, they’re often standing in for American locales, whether it’s The Handmaid’s Tale or Suicide Squad.

While Canada has the infrastructure and talent to run those productions, it’s tough to compete with big-budget Hollywood.

We often lose our best to the thriving American industry, and many productions shot in Canada with local cast and crew do not qualify as Canadian content. In spite of these hurdles, Crescent alumni are thriving in the film and television industry in Canada, the United States, and around the world. Here’s how they found success. →

SM5767_5567 Crescent P&P Winter 2024.indd 15

2024-01-12 1:44 PM

On the night of the 2004 premiere of J.J. Abrams’ hit show Lost, Ben Sokolowski ’02 and his friends got together at a Hollywood diner. “We were excitedly discussing the show, asking each other, ‘Where is the island, what is that monster, what is going on,’” recalls Sokolowski. “There was this guy sitting at the table beside us with a hat that said Lost.”

Sokolowski and his friends were intrigued; it was too early for there to be fans wearing show merchandise, and the man appeared to be eavesdropping on their conversation.

“My friend asked him why he was listening to us, and he said ‘I’m one of the executive

producers, and this is the first live feedback I’ve gotten about the show.’” It turned out to be Bryan Burk, J.J. Abrams’ producing partner.

Sokolowski and Burk kept in touch, and, just three months later, Sokolowski became his intern, eventually working his way up to Creative Executive at Abrams’ production company, Bad Robot. Over the years, he’s jumped from writer to producer on various series and has become best known for his work on the CW series Arrow and The Flash.

As he puts it, “I got my start from being in the right place at the right time that night in Hollywood.”

“There are lots of talented people here, and I think the shows that are done here are good. But, with a few exceptions, they don’t really travel well.” —Ben Sokolowski ’02

16 Past & Present / Winter 2024

SM5767_5567 Crescent P&P Winter 2024.indd 16

2024-01-12 1:44 PM

Ben S okolo w ski is w orkin g at Din e e n C offe e

Rob Coleman ’83 went on a career journey that took him away from Canada. He grew up watching cartoons and was enchanted by them. He remembers being just five years old and watching his father string 16-millimetre film onto the family projector.

“Even as a little kid, I saw all those little frames and kind of understood that they were still images that, through the magic of the projector, came to life,” he recalls. “Fast-forward to Mary Poppins, and there was Dick Van Dyke dancing with penguins. I knew they were animated, but he was a real person interacting with animation. I’m actually getting goosebumps remembering it. It’s what I’ve spent my career doing, combining animation and live action. To me, it’s still absolute magic.”

Coleman opted to study journalism in university but quickly realized it wasn’t for him. After an aptitude test and a very helpful guidance counsellor, he realized animation was a better path and began to study it at Concordia University. From there, he took the work he could find in Toronto and Montreal, all the while dreaming of working at Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), the award-winning visual effects company founded by George Lucas.

It was when part of the ILM team (“rock stars to us computer geeks”) came to Toronto for a screening that Coleman took his shot and sent through a job application, cleverly noting he was familiar with the Canadian-made software Alias and Softimage. He knew this was a rare opportunity, one that could finally land him an animation job at an advanced level and work with the best in the industry. Long story short: He got the gig, becoming the ninth animator to be hired in ILM’s history. Today, he is the creative director of the company’s Sydney, Australia branch and a two-time Oscar nominee for his work on the Star Wars franchise. →

C ole m a n at w or k o n t h e Yo d a/D o o k u d u el P h o to c r e d it: s t a r w a r s.c o m

G e or g e Lu c a s a n d Ro b C ole m a n P h o to c r e d it: s t a r w a r s.c o m

Ro b C ole m a n w it h a m o-c a p-r e a d y A h m e d B e s t (Ja r Ja r Bi n k s) a n d c r e w d u r i n g t h e m a k i n g of Star Wars: The Phantom Menace P h o to c r e d it: s t a r w a r s.c o m

Shop n ea r his home

“Even as a little kid, I saw all those little frames and kind of understood that they were still images that, through the magic of the projector, came to life.”

—Rob Coleman ’83

C ole m a n’s late s t w or k a s IL M E xe c u tive S t a ff, T V s e r ie s S ta r Wa r s: A hs o k a .

T h e fi r s t t w o e pi s o d e s p r e m ie r e d o n A u g u s t 22, 2023

Crescent School Alumni Magazine 17

SM5767_5567 Crescent P&P Winter 2024.indd 17

2024-01-12 1:44 PM

Jo el H ay at Pin e w o o d S t u d ios, Tor o n to

The trajectory is similar for Joel Hay ’92, a Toronto-based assistant director. Although he’s often hired by American studios and productions, he still works on a fair bit of Canadian content, most often in the form of co-productions. In fact, only 10 per cent of his work is considered entirely Canadian. Still, he makes the effort to be a part of homegrown productions because he believes they help bolster the local industry.

But, adds Hay, “The truth is American studios have the budget to offer very competitive salaries. Every now and then I try to do a Canadian-only show, but, based on their budget, they’re much better suited to younger, up-and-coming filmmakers.”

He notes that it’s incredibly tough for Canadians to break into the industry because “every job is a financial and time crunch,” so you essentially learn on the go. Even for more experienced filmmakers, the Canadian industry is tough. Due to limited funding, Hay says, “You have to prove yourself time and time again.”

Early in his career, Hay stumbled into a gig in the location department of a production company thanks to his love of film and photography. From there, he worked his way up to assistant director roles, “hustling and working my butt off.” He honed his skills as a director of photography and has worked in various roles on large-scale productions, including the films Nocturne and Mean Girls and the television series The Expanse.

Like many in the industry, Hay was keen to get into the American union, which is “more robust” than Canada’s, and which has always felt like a sign to him of how much better the U.S. is able to support films and filmmakers.

Likewise, Sokolowski, who recently returned to Toronto, believes that part of the problem is how differently the production system is set up in the U.S. in comparison to Canada. Writers in Canada don’t get the production opportunities and training that they would in the U.S., meaning that the studios and financing companies have more creative control.

That’s not the only distinction, he says, adding, “There are lots of talented people here, and I think the shows that are done here are good. But, with a few exceptions, they don’t really travel well.” In other words, they have a very local humour and sensibility that might not easily sell all over the world. Here, there’s a plethora of reality television, crime procedurals, and family-friendly comedies.

But, says Sokolowksi, we should swing for the fences and offer up programming that can be blockbuster hits like Squid Game or Money Heist, two of Netflix’s most popular series that also happen to be foreign-made.

“The truth is American studios have the budget to offer very competitive salaries.

Every now and then I try to do a Canadianonly show, but, based on their budget, they’re much better suited to younger, up-and-coming filmmakers.”

—Joel Hay ’92

Taking the situation into his own hands, Sokolowski has made his way back to Toronto and is developing his own production company to create series that look and feel like high-budget productions.

“I’m coming here and naively trying to be a bit of a disrupter,” he says.

“This could be an inflection point for the Canadian industry. I think what’s appealing about Canada, for a U.S. market, is that you can get a show that looks like it’s an American show done for 60 per cent of the price. All these big streamers are spending hundreds of millions of dollars on a season of television … but we don’t need to spend so much here, and that will make the Canadian market even more appealing.”

18 Past & Present / Winter 2024

SM5767_5567 Crescent P&P Winter 2024.indd 18

2024-01-12 1:44 PM

“It’s worldwide, but you really feel it in Canada and it’s why we have a national inferiority complex, I think. We have the infrastructure and we have the talent. There is this perception that, if you’re Canadian and you ‘made it to Hollywood,’ that somehow means you’re better, which is absolutely not true.” —Chris Beck ’87

To p: C h r i s B e c k at hi s s t u d io P h o to c r e d it: B B C R a d io 3 S o u n d of Ci n e m a R ig h t: B e c k’s w or k fr o m 2013’s Fr oze n , 2021’s Wa n d aVisio n to 2023’s S h a za m! Fu r y of t h e G o d s

Chris Beck ’87 is a television and film score composer who has worked on everything from 2013’s Frozen to 2023’s Shazam! Fury of the Gods. Beck says that part of the urge to make Canadian content look more American is the “cultural domination of Hollywood.” He adds, “It’s worldwide, but you really feel it in Canada and it’s why we have a national inferiority complex, I think.”

Beck says there’s a confidence in the American industry that Canada lacks, and he believes it has a lot to do with the difference in money and ability to take risks. But it doesn’t make sense, he says, because “We have the infrastructure and we have the talent.” Still, he notes, “There is this perception that, if you’re Canadian and you ‘made it to Hollywood,’ that somehow means you’re better, which is

absolutely not true.”

Like Sokolowski, Beck attended the University of Southern California in hopes of finding a practical way to produce music (since his dreams of being a rock star were foiled by his stage fright). He’s optimistic and says what bodes well for Canadians is that, post-COVID, a considerable amount of work can now be done remotely. “Once broadband internet became common, it became easier to work away from Hollywood. We still need to fly in because, like all industries, it’s strongly based on relationships. Being able to sustain a career requires a lot of solid relationships, people who know you, people who trust you, people who enjoy working with you. PostCOVID, that has really shifted. I feel like I could do what I do from anywhere. Today, when I look around, people are scoring from all over the world.” → Crescent School Alumni Magazine 19

SM5767_5567 Crescent P&P Winter 2024.indd 19

2024-01-12 1:44 PM

Mik e Homer on the set of the 11t h season of

Big Br o th e r C an ad a

Mike Homer ’03 has the luxury of working in his hometown of Toronto, where he lives with his wife and children. His career kicked off in New York in the early ’00s where he worked as a staff member at Saturday Night Live, which was interrupted by the 2007–2008 Writers Guild of America strike. That, and his visa running out, led him back home. Today, in addition to being a professional photographer, he works in television production, which can see him doing things like coordinating the build of the epic house for the Big Brother Canada set as well as leading the various departments through the day-to-day shoots. He says, “I didn’t look back.”

In his particular line of work, Homer doesn’t manage the day-to-day business dealings of any given production. His focus instead is aimed at bringing the physical production to completion and working directly with the design, construction, video, and lighting teams.

Although he works on Canadian television productions, many of the series Homer has worked on are part of large American reality television franchises, including Big Brother, The Amazing Race, and Top Chef. Canadian adaptations are easy, he says, because they’re proven to be successful, have a built-in audience, and help satisfy local television networks’ hunger for Canadian content.

“We in the business pride ourselves on working for and delivering shows that can be seen as equal in terms of quality and content, often for significantly reduced budgets compared to our counterparts abroad,” Homer says.

Indeed, there’s a reason why the set of Big Brother Canada often wins bigger raves than its U.S. counterpart.

With solid infrastructure and diverse tech and creative teams behind them, Toronto continues to gain solid ground in the overall industry. It’s why Joel Hay—like his fellow alumni—believes that the Canadian industry is poised for a breakout. “Our films have won Oscars, we’ve got big blockbusters behind us and coming up. Well-known directors and studios absolutely love coming to Canada, like Guillermo del Toro. Every successful project that comes out of here only elevates us, and it attracts investors to give Canadian and independent filmmakers a chance. It’s official: We’re on the map now.”

20 Past & Present / Winter 2024

SM5767_5567 Crescent P&P Winter 2024.indd 20

2024-01-17 12:52 PM

“We in the business pride ourselves on working for and delivering shows that can be seen as equal in terms of quality and content, often for significantly reduced budgets compared to our counterparts abroad.”

—Mike Homer ’03

THE LEGAL SIDE OF ENTERTAINMENT After attending law school at Osgoode Hall, Dan Goldenberg ‘98 eventually found a way to combine his love for music and the arts with his degree: by becoming an entertainment and media lawyer.

Today, he runs his own firm and represents, among others, a number of leading film producers in Canada and the U.S. His firm advises on everything from development to distribution.

Goldenberg notes that the Canadian industry market is about a tenth of the size of Hollywood but punches well above its weight and competes globally. He offers a turnkey solution to his clients, in contrast to the U.S., where a number of different legal teams are often required to service specific needs. His ultimate goal is not just about protecting his clients but also helping to build and grow their careers.

To be considered Canadian content, productions must meet strict criteria, including copyright ownership by a Canadian producer.

While some consider that too strict a guideline, he says it can be an advantage for intrepid, entrepreneurial Canadians, especially as they’ve begun to develop more of their own work and take more risks.

Goldenberg says that there’s hope those rules will become less restrictive and relax what exactly certifies a project as Canadian.

Why? “To incentivize Canadian producers and talent to stay in Canada and create Canadian content without feeling the only way they can make the work they want to is by moving to the U.S.”

Crescent School Alumni Magazine 21

SM5767_5567 Crescent P&P Winter 2024.indd 21

2024-01-12 1:44 PM

22 Past & Present / Winter 2024

SM5767_5567 Crescent P&P Winter 2024.indd 22

2024-01-12 1:44 PM

Peter Hall ’80 recently retired from his role of Vice President and Chief Economist for Export Development Canada (EDC).

Today, he’s still using his expertise—as as a strategic adviser and a speaker who talks about the economy’s impact on independent schools.

BOLD PREDICTIONS & GLOBAL INSIGHTS Written by

Rob Csernyik

Photography by Justin Tang

Crescent School Alumni Magazine 23

SM5767_5567 Crescent P&P Winter 2024.indd 23

2024-01-12 1:44 PM

A

few years after graduation, Peter Hall ’80 ran into Adam Griffith, his Crescent economics teacher, at Bloor-Yonge subway station. As they chatted, the inevitable question arose: “So, young man, what are you studying at university?”

When Hall replied he was studying economics, he thought there might be an incident. “He was quite an old man, and unsteady on his feet,” Hall recalls. “He just killed himself laughing. He just thought that was the greatest joke he’d ever heard.”

Though a passion for economics didn’t ignite while at Crescent, Hall developed strengths in English, French, and history —all of which laid a foundation that proved useful in his later career.

At the University of Toronto he discovered an aptitude for mathematical economics, which was followed by a Master of Arts in economics at Carleton University. Hall recalls saying as an “idealistic” undergrad that he wanted to be on top of the Canadian economy. “I had no idea what that meant,” he says. What it turned into was a distinguished career, which included well over a decade as the chief economist for Export Development Canada (EDC).

Peers know Hall for being willing to take bold stances. Under his watch, the EDC forecasted a major global slowdown during the period which ultimately became known as the Great Recession, despite such a prediction being unpopular.

He attributes part of this boldness to where he started his career. “I got my dream job out of grad school at the Conference Board of Canada, working with large-scale econometric models forecasting the economy,” he recalls. Unlike some institutions which create their forecasts based primarily on the data of others, the non-partisan economic think tank would tabulate forecasts using their own data and take a stance. “That gives you immense freedom to have your own view.”

“I got my dream job out of grad school at the Conference Board of Canada, working with large-scale econometric models forecasting the economy.

That gives you immense freedom to have your own view.”

—Peter Hall ’80

02

24 Past & Present / Winter 2024

SM5767_5567 Crescent P&P Winter 2024.indd 24

2024-01-12 1:44 PM

01 Peter Hall

“[The export economy] is not for the faint of heart, but if it’s where the growth is going to be, then the rewards are the greatest there. And of course, it’s going to be paying the bills for a lot of the rest of the Canadian economy.”

02 Hall is frequently in the media hot seat, supporting his outlook 03 Sharing his views at Canada House in London, England

01

03

This process shaped his ability to develop economic points of view and speak on them confidently, but more importantly, the projections proved true. This offered him “a little bit of respect, maybe a little bit of notoriety.”

During his years at EDC, Hall travelled all over Canada and the globe doing 80 to 100 external presentations per year on top of his office-based work. Though he estimates the latter made up about 85 per cent of his workload, travel took up about half his time. This intense pace led him to plan an early retirement where he could “take the ideas that accumulated over time and write books.” Yet as he wound down his work at EDC, consulting contracts started coming in, continuing at a pace that has resulted in his making admittedly little headway on his literary ambitions. Presently, Hall runs his own economic consultancy, Econosphere, applying his skills to a variety of industries including companies in the auto parts and financial services sectors and a networking group of the top 100 global-oriented firms in Quebec.

An expert in separating economic signals from noise, Hall says it isn’t possible to know where you’re headed without understanding where you’ve come from and where you are presently. “You’d be surprised how many people try to forecast without having the first two things in place.” Further complicating projections is the popular view that change and chaos reign in our economy, which makes it sound like everything is constantly changing.

Hall believes not enough people are asking what hasn’t changed. “I think that’s a

—Peter Hall ’80

pivotal question,” he says. “Not everything is a variable. There are constants.”

Hall’s outlook for Canada is largely (and unsurprisingly) informed by international trade, which makes up about two-thirds of our GDP. “That’s large by a developed economy’s standard,” he says.

“I think we’re in for a particularly rough ride on the domestic side of our economy over the next little while,” he adds. “If Canada is going to do well in the future, it’s really going to do well on the export side.”

The zone with the most potential, in Hall’s view, is the 10 fast-growing economies that make up the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Its member states include Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam. Hall started writing about trade diversification “passionately” in 2006, and one of the last things he left EDC with before retiring was a major ASEAN diversification strategy.

“They’re actually implementing that right now,” he says. “You can read about it in the headlines.”

In recent years, Hall has become a popular conference speaker discussing the economy’s impact on independent schools. He believes bright prospects for international trade create opportunities for schools like Crescent to educate future leaders in this field. In his estimation, few Crescent or other independent school graduates are prepared for or directed specifically toward export sector-related university programs or career paths.

Given the potential yet to be unlocked, Hall says it’s critical for independent schools to understand the export economy and to view it as an opportunity worth preparing graduates for.

“It’s not for the faint of heart, but if it’s where the growth is going to be, then the rewards are the greatest there,” he says. “And of course, it’s going to be paying the bills for a lot of the rest of the Canadian economy.”

Crescent School Alumni Magazine 25

SM5767_5567 Crescent P&P Winter 2024.indd 25

2024-01-12 1:44 PM

PURPOSE & IMPACT: GERALD CHAN IS A PASSIONATE ADVOCATE FOR JUSTICE AND EQUITY Written by Pat Morden Photography by Nathan Legiehn

“I believe in the role of lawyers in our democracy as professionals who stand up for the rights of the marginalized and disadvantaged. That view is what drives what I do.” That’s Gerald Chan ’99, who practices criminal and administrative law at a top Toronto firm. Passionate about the law as a force for good, he gives generously of his time and expertise through pro bono work, volunteering, writing, and teaching.

26 Past & Present / Winter 2024

SM5767_5567 Crescent P&P Winter 2024.indd 26

2024-01-12 1:44 PM

SM5767_5567 Crescent P&P Winter 2024.indd 27

2024-01-12 1:44 PM

Chan started his education at a small Christian school in Toronto and then transferred to Crescent School in Grade 10.

“Crescent opened my eyes to a new and bigger world,” he says. Not being familiar with the legal profession, Chan’s father wanted him to become a doctor or pursue a career in business. Chan was well into his commerce program at the University of Toronto when some friends said they were taking the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) and he tagged along. “I was always a good student, but nothing else ever clicked for me the way law school did,” he says.

“Every topic in every class was engaging.

I just dove in headfirst!”

After graduating from Osgoode Hall Law School at the top of his class, he applied to be a clerk with a Supreme Court Justice and ended up working with the muchcelebrated Rosalie Silberman Abella. At the Supreme Court, Chan “caught the criminal law bug.” After a year at a large commercial firm, he moved to a smaller firm with a focus on criminal defence. “I did a bit of freestyle rapping when I was younger, and this is as close as I could get to having a professional life that mirrors that!” Chan’s mentor was the legendary Clayton Ruby, one of Canada’s best known defence lawyers and a committed defender of civil rights. Chan says Ruby helped him develop confidence, courage, and forcefulness in his advocacy work.

Chan relishes the intellectual stimulation of his law practice and enjoys the cut and thrust of the courtroom. But it is the human impact of his work that motivates him. “What we do matters,” he says. “Liberty is at stake in nearly every criminal law case. If I can vindicate someone’s reputation and let them move on with their life, that’s enormously satisfying.” In addition to his trial practice, Chan often acts for clients on appeals and judicial reviews, including more than 20 appeals to the Supreme Court of Canada.

“Practicing law is an impactful and intellectually stimulating way to make a living. It’s a privilege, so I want to give back to others who may not have had the same opportunities I did.”

—Gerald Chan ’99

Chan does much more than represent his paying clients: He lends his expertise and experience to several non-profit organizations. “Practicing law is an impactful and intellectually stimulating way to make a living,” he explains. “It’s a privilege, so I want to give back to others who may not have had the same opportunities I did.” As a longtime member of the Ontario Inmate Duty Counsel program, he represents inmates who want to appeal their convictions and are not eligible for legal aid. He also acts for pro bono organizations like the Canadian Civil Liberties Association and the British Columbia Civil Liberties Association, seeking to present their views on cases at the Supreme Court.

Service to his profession is also important to Chan. Early in his career, he ducked involvement with the Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers, fearing that he would be perceived as “too Asian.” Eventually, though, he saw the value in embracing that part of his identity and working to create a more robust community for other Asian Canadian lawyers. He served as president of the organization from 2019 to 2021.

In 2023, Chan was elected as a bencher, a member of the governing body of the Law Society of Ontario. He was inspired to run for office after the 2019 election saw a number of candidates planning to roll back equity initiatives. “I jumped at the chance to run because of the commitment I’ve always had to diversity and inclusion,” says Chan. “I ran on a platform of bringing the focus on equity back, and happily the voters agreed.” Through his role as a bencher, Chan is also a member of the Board of Trustees of the Law Foundation. The Foundation is funded by the interest accrued on lawyers’ trust accounts and makes grants to support access to justice for Ontarians.

Chan also contributes to his profession by teaching at the University of Toronto Faculty of Law and speaking to many professional groups. He writes and publishes on a variety of topics, mostly related to technology and the law. “It’s my way of learning about areas I’m interested in,” he says. “Hopefully other people are able to derive some benefit, too.”

Although Chan’s many commitments can sometimes be overwhelming, he wouldn’t have it any other way. “I was lucky enough to be able to choose a career I enjoy, that enables me to have a meaningful impact. I believe in the broader purpose behind it, and that makes it a lot less like work.”

“I was lucky enough to be able to choose a career I enjoy, that enables me to have a meaningful impact.

I believe in the broader purpose behind it, and that makes it a lot less like work.”

—Gerald Chan ’99

01 Gerald at Osgoode Hall, Toronto 02 Gerald speaking at a Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers (FACL) gala 03 Mentoring event at the Court of Appeal for Ontario 04 Gerald presenting the Law Society of Ontario’s Honourary Doctorate to Justice Steve Coroza in his role as a Bencher 05 In the Supreme Court of Canada after arguing a case on behalf of the Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers & Chinese and Southeast Asian Legal Clinic

28 Past & Present / Winter 2024

SM5767_5567 Crescent P&P Winter 2024.indd 28

2024-01-12 1:44 PM

01

03

02

04

05

Crescent School Alumni Magazine 29

SM5767_5567 Crescent P&P Winter 2024.indd 29

2024-01-12 1:44 PM

Expert Advice

A Guide to Philanthropy

By Lincoln Mak ’10

Millennials are poised to inherit a significant amount of money from their parents in the coming years. Prominent publications like the New York Times and Forbes magazine call this phenomenon the Great Wealth Transfer. It will put our generation in a position to consider, perhaps for the first time, the opportunity to make philanthropy a key part of our lives. With that in mind, financial philanthropy can happen a number of different ways, some of which are outlined below.

Lincoln Mak ’10 is a National Account Manager at Colgate-Palmolive in Toronto. He is also the cochair of the Fundraising Committee on the Crescent Alumni Executive.

ILLUSTRATION BY KARA PYLE

Throughout my career, whenever my clients, colleagues, and I come together to support a common cause, one of the wonderful byproducts of our philanthropy is the deeper connections we create with each other.

I continue to experience this today in my Alumni Executive role where alumni share their stories about the impact Crescent has had on their lives and we reminisce on our mutual experiences.

Set It and Forget It

Create a Personalized Pledge Schedule

These are the bread-and-butter donors who generously sign up for a recurring monthly donation on their credit card.

It soon becomes a habit and part of their regular budget to give back. You’ve heard the slogan “For less than a coffee a day, you can…” Well, it is true! Don’t underestimate the power of small but meaningful and consistent donations.

Major gift donors often take advantage of personalized pledge schedules to make donating large sums of money more financially attainable. For example, donating a one-time gift of $100,000 is cost-prohibitive for many, but $20,000 per year over five years can be more manageable. Multi-year commitments also have tax benefits, as they can spread out the tax deductions over several years.

Buy! Buy! Buy! Sell! Sell! Sell!

Leave a Lasting Legacy

Donating gifts of stocks is a meaningful way to make a significant donation without touching day-to-day finances. Begin the process with a conversation with your financial advisor who can clarify whether you may be exempt from capital gains tax.

Naming a charitable organization in your will is an incredible way to make a lasting impact on an organization that will not lessen your day-to-day financial well-being.

Need another reason? Your estate will gain a tax credit for the full current market value of the planned gift. Speak to your lawyer when creating or revising your will.

Double Your Impact Did you know that a number of corporations offer a matching donor program through their corporate social responsibility initiatives? That means you can double your impact through your employer! Speak to your human resources office. If you are the boss and don’t have this program in place, there is no time like the present to get one started!

SM5767_5567 Crescent P&P Winter 2024.indd 30

2024-01-17 12:52 PM

Expert Advice

From Stress to Serenity: The Benefits of a Passion Hobby

By Charlie Mills ’99

Health and Wellness Everyone deserves an activity that magically whisks them away from their worries. Simply strumming a series of chords can make me forget about most problems. Hours can pass where I exist only in the present moment. I often notice how my focus, productivity, and mood improve after spending even a small amount of time in this state.

Skill Development Charlie Mills ’99 is Subject Head of Interdisciplinary Studies (Grades 7–12) at Crescent School. He is also a singer-songwriter known for his unique blend of historical narratives and country-infused folk-rock.

His latest EP, Portage, was released in September.

ILLUSTRATION BY KARA PYLE

ILLUSTRATION BY ALLY REEVES

It’s 11:30 p.m. I’m exhausted, sweaty, and an hour from home where my 6-monthold baby is asleep and my alarm is set for a 7:30 a.m. meeting. I’ve spent the last four hours in a humid 8' x 8' room playing songs with our band repetitiously.

We’re rushing to shake off 24 months of rust before a show in November. Though the pressure is on, I feel balanced, centred, and recharged. Music is my outlet, and in many ways, it makes me a better person and teacher. Here are five good reasons for maintaining a passion hobby.

I’ve learned to create digital posters, videos, album artwork, and websites. I’ve marketed and managed live events targeted at a small but loyal following on social media. I’ve written press packages for radio stations, resulting in on-air interviews. I am learning through trial and error in a “low stakes” environment.

If it doesn’t go well, that’s okay; it’s only rock and roll.

Problem Solving Songwriting promotes different approaches to problem solving. It challenges you to think about things from various angles. “Does this song need a bridge before the chorus?” “Is this verse necessary?”

“What rhymes with orange?” These exercises in creative thinking have made me better at organizing content efficiently and meaningfully when teaching.

Discipline and Control Our world can seem chaotic and out of control.

Having an outlet you are passionate about can help assert a little “corner of control” in one’s life. Music is a space in my life that provides a small harbour of autonomy. It’s a space where I can assert myself to connect, de-stress, express, and learn all at once.

Collaboration Being in a band of two teachers, a doctor, and a live entertainment director is an interesting mixture. With family and work commitments to schedule around and different approaches to being creative, it’s important to consider people’s emotions and perspectives. Your passion project can also provide great lessons in compromise and communication. These skills are beneficial in business and friendship.

Crescent School Alumni Magazine 31

SM5767_5567 Crescent P&P Winter 2024.indd 31

2024-01-17 12:53 PM

Social Life

Together Again It’s always a good time when Crescent brothers get together. For more photos and upcoming event listings, go to crescentalumni.org.

Midtown Alumni Social Alumni gathered at the Rose & Crown pub for a late fall social on November 23, 2023. The well-attended social included Crescent retirees Greg Michalski and Rob Cranston.

32 Past & Present / Winter 2024

SM5767_5567 Crescent P&P Winter 2024.indd 32

2024-01-12 1:45 PM

Social Life

Scotland Alumni Visits Nicholas Oprescu-Havriliuc ’18 attended a performance of the Crescent Mens and Boys’ Choir at St. Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh during its U.K. tour in November. During the Scotland stop of the tour, Chief Advancement Officer Jamie Lougheed ’87, P’18 also visited with Turner Elliott ’23 and Oscar Gordon ’21.

U.K. Branch Reception

Headmaster Michael Fellin P’24, Chief Advancement Officer Jamie Lougheed ’87, P’18, and Director of Development Kathryn Foster welcomed over 20 alumni to the London, U.K. branch reception. Special guests included retired teachers Doc Atkinson and Michael Jansen.

Hong Kong Branch Reception Headmaster Michael Fellin P’24 and Jamie Lougheed ’87, P’18 joined Hong Kong alumni for dinner at Carbone. During their trip, Mr. Fellin and Mr. Lougheed visited other alumni and past Crescent families.

Crescent School Alumni Magazine 33

SM5767_5567 Crescent P&P Winter 2024.indd 33

2024-01-12 1:45 PM

Life After Crescent

Milestones and Celebrations Have family or career news to share? Send your Life After Crescent updates to alumni@crescentschool.org.

Jason “Chilly Gonzales” Beck ’89 performed at Massey Hall in Toronto on October 18, 2023.

Michael Warner ’96, P’30, ’32 celebrated his 45th birthday in November with Class of ’96 alumni David Cuthbert, John Quinn, Chris Frost, Aleem Janmohamed, David Hudson, Harry Carmichael P’32, and Patrick Osler.

1990s Martin Ritchie ’92 and his wife, Diane, welcomed their son James Knox on June 1, 2023.

Siblings William (pictured), Alfie, and Scarlett are very excited to have a new baby brother.

2000s

1970s

Sean Hoff ’02 and his wife, Alicia, welcomed a baby boy, Arlo Hudson Hoff, on July 12.

Members from the Classes of 1975 and 1976 along with retired faculty members Dick Howard and Paul Duckett attended a celebration of life for Martin Perantinos ’76 at Crescent School this past October.

the one-year anniversary of his first chemotherapy treatment at Princess Margaret.

Ryan Nelson ’05 had his third baby boy, Oliver James Lette Nelson, born May 26, 2023. Big brothers Henry (5) and Tristan (2) are thrilled!

Andrew Lindsay ’97 started a new position in September 2023 as Corporate Vice President, Artificial Intelligence, Data, Industry & Applications BD at Microsoft.

1980s Christopher Beck ’87 married Merritt Lear on July 8, 2023, at the Paramour Estate in Los Angeles.

Nahid Harjee ’99 started a new position in June 2023 as Co-Founder and Vice President of Hardware at Tacta Systems.

Brandon Throop ’04 ran the Toronto Waterfront Marathon in October 2023, raising over $121K for cancer research at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre. October marked

Gordon von Steiner ’06 has been nominated for a Grammy for Best Music Video for “Rush” by Troye Sivan.

34 Past & Present / Winter 2024

SM5767_5567 Crescent P&P Winter 2024.indd 34

2024-01-12 1:45 PM

Life After Crescent

Tommy Sorbara ’07 and his wife, Jessica, welcomed twin boys, Leo and Max, in September 2023. Leo and Max join big sister Sienna.

Stephen Boeckh, Robbie Dowler, Adrian Dingle, and Eric Offutt. Duncan Bull ’08, Reid Buchanan ’08, Brandon Macpherson ’09, Josh Su ’09, and Philip Lloyd ’09 were also in attendance.

2010s Nicholas Latifi ’13 is currently doing his MBA at the London Business School.

Cole Halbert ’14 started a new position as an associate at Fasken in September 2023.

On November 15, alumnus Ben Pitfield ’14 released a new short story called Ravineland. Pitfield, who has been a finalist for the CBC Short Story Prize, is using the story to raise funds and awareness for Red Door Family Shelter, an organization that runs two shelters in Toronto for women, children, and families.

Toye Ojo ’09 and his wife, Sarah, welcomed their first child, James, a wonderful and healthy baby boy, to their family on June 18, 2023.

Daniel Cameron ’09 married Alexandra Thorn in a beautiful ceremony at the King Edward Hotel on October 7, 2023, in Toronto. Dan was joined by his best men, brothers Brett Cameron ’09 and Mark Cameron ’09, and celebrated alongside Class of 2009 alumni David Walter, Michael Bolton, Peace Jarvis, Clark West, and Philip Lloyd.

Josh Su ’09 helped produce a feature documentary called Attila, which made its world premiere on October 10, 2023, at the Rendezvous with Madness Festival in Toronto.

Harry McCallum ’09 married Brittany Davis on May 27, 2023, at Avling Brewery in Toronto. His wedding party included Ian McCallum ’11 along with Class of 2009 alumni

Michael Palma ’16 started a new role as an associate in the Corporate/Commercial Group at Aird & Berlis LLP in September 2023. He articled with the firm from August 2022 to June 2023.

Zeid Mango ’19 was recently accepted into the Double Degree option, combining the Master of International Business program at the Smith School of Business at Queen’s University and the Master in Management program at ESSEC Business School. He was also awarded the Dean’s Entrance Scholarship.

2020s Stephen Webb ’23 and Morgan Di Nardo ’23 were selected as first team all-stars at the 2023 Canadian University Men’s Rugby Championship in November.

Stay Connected Join the Crescent Alumni Network Site.

Go to crescentalumni.org to find mentoring opportunities, internship positions, reunions and networking events, news from your former classmates, and ways to get involved at Crescent.

Find alumni news on our social media: CrescentSchoolAlumni @CrescentAlums @crescent_alumni Crescent School Alumni Group Have questions?

Contact alumni@crescentschool.org

Crescent School Alumni Magazine 35

SM5767_5567 Crescent P&P Winter 2024.indd 35

2024-01-12 1:45 PM

Catching Up With...

Ross MacDonald: Coming Full Circle Ross MacDonald taught at Crescent from 1978 until 2011.

He taught Grades 8–12 English, history, and geography before becoming the Head of Lower School in 1995.

Scott MacDonald: Tell me about your start at Crescent.

Ross MacDonald: I started teaching at Crescent in 1978. Teaching jobs were at a premium, and I applied to every board in Ontario and every private school in Canada.

I got a phone call from Charlotte, Chris Gordon’s executive assistant, to come for an interview. I wore my blue three-piece suit, was interviewed, and got a job offer that day. I was reaching for the pen to sign the contract, and he told me, no, no, no, take a couple of days to figure it out.

So, I called him back the next day and said, “I’ll take the job,” and came down the day after. I put my three-piece suit back on. I had close-cropped hair and a closely cropped mustache. I had just finished a rowing season, so I was very fit. After signing my papers, he introduced me at a staff meeting. Alan Kiddell, who became a good friend, thought I was a police officer coming to chastise them for some shenanigans they had at a staff function.

SM: What are some of your fondest memories from those years?

RM: Early on, the Grade 13s—these 18- and 19-year-old men—started calling me “sir”, and I’m thinking, “Well, that’s curious.” So yeah, being called “sir” for the first time by these guys is a fond memory. And then the day-to-day fun, laughter, and giggles you’d get from teaching and working with seven to 12-year-olds in the Lower School.

Another fond memory was being able to create a course. I asked Bill Pedoe,

By Scott MacDonald

ministrative roles like Sandy Boyes, Rob Cranston, David Young, and others. Hiring former students Jeff Barton and Jamie Lougheed was also quite something.

I am very proud of how, with the help of the Lower School staff, Sandy Boyes and I initiated the Lower School’s emphasis on character education, furthering one of Jimmy James’ goals when he established Crescent in 1913.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY KARENNA BOYCHUK

“Outdoor education trips are vital for kids today because they can play and learn in a screen-free environment.”

—Ross MacDonald

then Head of English, if I could combine history and English and create a course called History of Literature, essentially how history influenced literature and vice versa. The Grade 10 boys liked it, and the class really took off.

I coached basketball for 41 years —33 years while teaching and another eight years after I retired. Working with the boys and taking teams to tournaments with my teaching partner Doug Smith are very fond memories. Those were great times.

SM: What do you see as your legacy at Crescent?

RM: I had the honour of working with many wonderful people and hiring outstanding teachers. Some went on to ad-

SM: I understand that you played a significant role in the development of the outdoor education program at the school. What value did you see in these types of experiences?

RM: That was a big initiative which, after many years, became BEAR Week.

It gave kids a chance to have structured and unstructured play in a natural environment they may not have spent as much time in or been comfortable in.

I believe that adds to their resilience.

Outdoor education trips are vital for kids today because they can play and learn in a screen-free environment. We brought senior students along to act as counsellors. Seeing the younger boys interacting with the older boys was wonderful, and those relationships lasted.

SM: What advice would you give to teachers today?

RM: Fear not. The school will take care of you if you take care of the school, and enjoy every minute of it because it’s over way too soon.

SM: Anything else you’d like to say?

RM: I’m very proud that you took over as Mr. Mac. One great parenting joy is seeing your grown children having success and thriving in that success.

It’s amazing, and I’m thankful to Crescent for offering you that opportunity.

Scott MacDonald is a Grade 6 teacher at Crescent. He is Ross MacDonald’s son.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

36 Past & Present / Winter 2024

SM5767_5567 Crescent P&P Winter 2024.indd 36

2024-01-12 1:45 PM

d

Nominate an extraordinary Man of Character.

Each year, the Alumni Executive recognizes outstanding alumni.

We are now seeking nominations for 2024 inductees.

Honours an alumnus who is distinguished for his career, personal endeavour and/or community service.

Honours an alumnus of excellence who has graduated in the past 15 years.

Honours an alumnus who has been of tremendous service to Crescent in a volunteer capacity.

WALL OF HONOUR Crescent’s highest honour, it celebrates an extraordinary alumnus who is a living representation of all that Crescent endeavours to foster in its students.

Go to alumni.crescentschool.org/awards for details and to submit your nomination.

If you have any questions, please contact alumni@crescentschool.org.

SM5767_5567 Crescent P&P Winter 2024.indd 3

2024-01-12 1:45 PM

RETURN UNDELIVERABLE ITEMS TO: Crescent School 2365 Bayview Avenue Toronto, Ontario M2L 1A2

SM5767_5567 Crescent P&P Winter 2024.indd 4

2024-01-12 1:45 PM