2022 - 2023
Welcome Back BBQ
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9 5:30 PM www.lfabc.org/Welcome-Back-BBQ
Open House
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12 6:00 PM www.lfabc.org/OpenHouse
Viva Las Vegas
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15 6:00 PM www.lfabc.org/Vegas
Home for the Holidays
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15
CHRISTMAS MASS 1:30-2:30 | RECEPTION 2:30 - 5:00 www.lfabc.org/Christmas
Distinguished Alumnae Mass
FRIDAY APRIL 21 1:00 PM MASS & RECEPTION www.lfabc.org/Distinguished
Spring Event
FRIDAY MAY 12 6:30 PM
To Be Announced
I hope you're having a beautiful summer and this issue of La Petite Fleur finds you safe and well. This year's issue is once again packed full of articles, written mostly by volunteer alumnae. The 2021-2022 school year at LFA marked a return to relative normalcy. Events, athletics, clubs, retreats, and more all returned. There was an outpouring of gratitude and joy from our school community as we all sorely missed sharing spaces with each other. In much the same way, our editors took great delight in putting together stories of reunions, the return of annual school events, alumnae success stories, and a look back at favourite school trips abroad as we look forward to more in the future.
As our community emerged from the throes of the global pandemic, we were fortunate enough to bare witness to the incredible resiliency, character, and generosity of our greater community. The return of our Walkathon saw resounding community support as it marked our most successful event ever (read more on page 74). We saw some of our students turn a turbulent few years into an opportunity for growth and healing through the establishment of a non-profit dedicated to eradicating homelessness (read more about Project Empathic on page 70). LFA itself also took important steps towards growth, truth, and reconciliation with, among other things, the installation of our new Heritage Wall (see page 14). The Heritage Wall is dedicated towards accurately reflecting our school's history, and is part of our wider commitment to teaching the truth about the residential school system.
As we look forward to the coming school year we're excited for the long-awaited return of our Welcome Back BBQ. This fall will also see the return of Viva Las Vegas! Tickets for the event will go on sale Thursday, September 8th, and with a groundswell of anticpation for it, we recommend getting those tickets early. Lastly, December 15th marks the return of Home for the Holidays as we'll open our doors to all alumnae to take in great food, drinks, and the Christimas spirit.
PLANNING YOUR 60, 50, 40, 30, 20, 10 OR ANY YEAR IN BETWEEN? WE CAN HELP alumnae@lfabc.org
Finally, I'd like to give a big thank you to our alumnae volunteers, donors, parents, and broader community members who have kept LFA in their hearts years after passing through its halls. Our vibrant and diverse alumnae community is an indelible part of what makes the LFA family so special. Thanks for reading.
Sincerely,
Bettina Sy '97
We wish to acknowledge the incredible accomplishments of our Class of 2022. Their hard work, dedication, and commitment have served them well and presented them with wonderful opportunities across Canada and abroad, where they will bless new communities in the next chapter of their lives.
Offers of acceptance give our students outstanding post-secondary choices, which this year include Azusa Pacific University, Boston University, Corpus Christi College, Emily Carr University of Art and Design, Emmanuel College, Gonzaga University, Juilliard School, Langara College, McGill University, McMaster University, Queen’s University, Ryerson University, Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Simon Fraser University, University of California Los Angeles, University of British Columbia, University of Guelph, University of Toronto, University of Victoria, University of Western Ontario, Vancouver Film School, Visual College of Art and Design.
LITTLE FLOWER ACADEMY CLASS OF 2022
WE WELCOME THE LITTLE FLOWER ACADEMY CLASS OF 2022 TO THE ALUMNAE ASSOCIATION
We answer the call to be witnesses of the Light
WE ANSWER THE CALL TO BE WITNESSES OF THE LIGHT
4195 Alexandra Street
Vancouver, BC V6J 4C6
Phone: 604.738.9016
Fax: 604.738.5749
Email: alumnae@lfabc.org
www.lfabc.org/alumnae
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Pamela Ascroft '84
Maria Zen Baxter '22
Alexandra Drab '14
Ben Fitch
Jane Gaffney '61
Tony Guglielmin
Kat Jayme '06
Linda Liutkus '94
Ali McGillivray
Marizza Mislang
Winona Roque Naval '87
Colleen Orr '94
Kennedy Orr '23
Gabriela Oteiza '97
Carlie Erin Paxton ‘97
Dyniel Rabang '15
Schuyler Smyth '10
Udhay Sokhi
Mikayla Stelling '21
Carolyn Sussey '94
Mauvorneen Suttie '67
Bettina Sy ‘97
Jo-Ann Tait '92
Karen Teufel ‘02
Ann Thibaut '57
DESIGN, LAYOUT
Ben Fitch
Connie Sabo
Udhay Sokhi
PHOTOGRAPHY
Blaine Campbell
Ben Fitch
EDITOR
Ben Fitch
Udhay Sokhi
COVER
Mikayla Stelling '21 represented Canada in the Junior World Cup in South Africa this spring. Read the full story on pages 6-7.
UPDATES AND COMMENTS
Let us know what you think.
Send updates and comments to alumnae@lfabc.org
We acknowledge that students and staff at Little Flower Academy are privileged to live, learn, play and worship on the unceded and traditional territories of the Coast Salish peoples - xʷməθkʷəy əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and səl ilwətaɁɬ / sel
Nations. We are grateful for the stewardship and traditional knowledge, passed down through ancestors, which have sustained the lands we love.
Making the Canadian Junior Women’s National Team and being selected to compete in the Junior World Cup (JWC) was a dream come true. The team arrived in South Africa in late November, ready to compete at the highest possible level of global competition for our sport at this age. It is a great honour and privilege to be selected to represent your country. Our team, including fellow LFA alumna Allison Kuzyk '20, spent countless hours training and preparing for this event. Collectively, we also raised more than $160,000 to pay our own way to South Africa, as the Junior program is self-funded.
Just days after arriving, we learned of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 and, within hours, our World Cup was postponed and international borders were closed to travel. Suddenly, all flight routes home were unavailable. Having come so far and worked so hard to reach this exciting point in our field hockey careers, it was both shocking and hugely disappointing. Once hearing the tournament was postponed, staff and athletes just wanted to go home to Canada as soon as possible. Travel home, however, was not possible. Though stuck, we were safe in our team accommodation at North-West University in Potchefstroom. We continued to try and maintain a regular schedule of training and (remote) school work, while supporting each other through an intensely difficult time. We were able to use the challenging time to continue to push ourselves on the field and improve as a team.
The whole team is university students. I am studying Kinesiology at UBC, and just finished my first year. The balance of school work, with the mental, physical and emotional stress of training so hard and so often is a difficult one. I learned to use each moment to be as productive as possible, completing assignments or studying for exams in the few hours of free time that we had. Our staff and teammates were also really supportive of each other in terms of finding time for school work or studying together.
After finally being able to leave South Africa in December, and completing quarantine in both Calgary and Vancouver, we settled back into our homes and awaited news of when the Junior World Cup would be rescheduled.
As with so many things during the pandemic,
we had to navigate the unknowns around plans for a rescheduled Junior World Cup, and the implication of once again missing school. When the announcement came that the tournament would take place at the same facilities in South Africa in April, it prompted a long deliberation process: I was torn between saying no to competing for my country or being able to finish off the second semester of school with normalcy and without interfering with exams or my grades. There was also the uncertainty that the tournament could be cancelled or postponed again! It had been my dream for so long to play internationally and my family, my team and I had sacrificed a lot to get to that point. An opportunity to play for Canada, and represent your country, especially on the international stage at the JWC, is one that comes around once in a lifetime. It was also a big deal for Canada to qualify in the first place. So, many emails, academic concession forms, and phone calls later, I was able to organize a pathway with my professors
and school to attend the rescheduled JWC. The experience in SA at the JWC in April was one to remember! It was incredible to receive my first cap for Canada and play in my first international tournament. The level of speed and skill of the top teams was really amazing to witness and play against. I learned so much and developed a deeper understanding of what is required to compete at the international level. Unfortunately, Canada did not do very well in the tournament. I know we all felt a deep disappointment--like we let down our country and field hockey communities by not performing our best as a team. Every one of my teammates, including myself poured our hearts out on the field but the results just did not fall our way. All we can do is grow and develop as athletes and players from this experience, both mentally and physically, so that each time we step on the pitch we can improve.
60 Years
with us “for a season” and then went elsewhere (there were even two who joined us briefly from Venezuela and Denmark). All are welcome, then and now; all belong to our class.
annual spring and fall gatherings. Sometimes the turnouts are small but often large groups of the original gang are able to attend.
For these words, Ste. Therese Martin, from the beautiful French town of Lisieux, France, would become forever known as the “little flower”. Vancouver’s Little Flower Academy was later named in Therese’s honour shortly after her canonization in 1925. Since then, our school has educated hundreds of “belle fleurs” over the years, including the members of the Class of 1961.
In September 2021, LFA’s Class of ‘61 celebrated its 60th anniversary with a lunch gathering at the Arbutus Club. Pink roses, remembering our patron saint’s promise, were the table’s centrepiece. The Class of ‘61 was small compared to today’s grad classes (there are 24 photos in our yearbook).
Some class members were LFA “lifers”, spending all 12 years of their education at the school, while others joined in later grades. Some girls were
At the September 2021 reunion, there were nine grown up “girls”, while two others who were out of town that day, attended in a smaller “rose” luncheon in October. As all are too aware, 2021 was a year of great pandemic uncertainty. Our class was unsure that we would even be able to meet to celebrate our 60 years of friendship, but we set a date with hopeful hearts in the spring and the beautiful fall luncheon day came to pass.
Over the decades, the Class of ‘61 has made it a priority to keep in contact with each other, especially since our 45th anniversary when we decided to gather more often. We now plan
We have shared the joys and sorrows of each other’s lives. We have supported each other through thick and thin, and lifted each other in prayer when needed. We have been the “roses” in one another’s lives. (One grateful grad who shall remain nameless woke up in a very tiny VGH hospital room after open heart surgery to see three LFA “roses” there to cheer her on…… with a fourth LFA-er arriving the next day!)
Like all alumnae classes, we have lost track of some members, and several of our classmates have passed on. We treasure in our hearts each one of them, and remember them in our prayers. We are thankful that our parents sent us to Little Flower Academy, not only for our education, but to meet these lifelong friends.
Thanks for the roses, St. Theresa!
"I will send down a shower of roses from the heavens…"
AUTHOR: JANE GAFFNEY '61
A string of emails that began last November had one objective… to get as many 1987 LFA alumnae to attend the Grape Escape on March 13, 2022. The call to action was successful. Approximately 30 out of 64 alumnae attended the event from all parts of Canada, the US, Australia, and the UK.
The event was beautiful. Family-style dishes of duck, salmon, braised short ribs, and other delicious items were paired with wonderful wines. Truth be told… the focus of the evening was on each other. After two years of COVID, hugs with fellow alumnae meant so much more.
Each table hosted lively and engaging stories of life experiences – from traveling the globe to paving the path for the next generation of women in various areas of expertise (such as Engineering, Law, and Medicine) to celebrating the growth and accomplishments of our children and grandchildren. Although 35 years had passed, seeing each other again
made our LFA graduation feel like yesterday. One alumna summarized just how we all felt… “I didn’t realize how much I needed this (reunion) at this time in my life.”
A sincere thanks to Chef Dyogo and the Dana Hospitality team, the LFA Alumnae Association organizers, LFA staff, and parent volunteers for a successful Grape Escape! The event opened a new chapter for the Grads of ’87. Friendships were reawakened (in person and on social media) and commitments were made to keep the lines of communication open.
To the Grads of ’87… Stay beautiful, strong, and ever aware of your inner strength. It is that strength that binds us and will always carry you through to thrive in anything you choose. You were and are never alone. Sending you love until we meet again…
GRAPE ESCAPE REUNIONS
Friday the 13th proved lucky for the Grads of ’97 – drawn by the promise of great food and wine, an impromptu 25-year reunion took place at May’s Grape Escape event. There was a lot of catching up on family, careers and travel between bites and sips, even for those of us ‘on duty’ (Bettina Sy, LFA Alumna Committee President). We were even able to get a group picture in the courtyard. See you next year, ladies, for Grape Escape #11!
We were so grateful to have the chance to celebrate 20 years of graduation at the Grape Escape this year. We enjoyed an evening filled with great food, amazing wine, and lots of laughter. It was nice to hear about all the children added to the families and the job changes throughout the years. It isn’t often you have the chance to go back in time and laugh like a teenager.
A huge thank you to Mr. St Cyr for taking us on a tour of the school and sharing in our stroll down memory lane.
REUNIONS ARE OFFICIALLY BACK!
LET US KNOW HOW WE CAN HELP COORDINATE A SCHOOL TOUR OR SCHOOL-BASED REUNION EVENT. CONTACT CONNIE SABO AT SABOC@LFABC.ORG
Early this year, during Spring Break, LFA unveiled our new Heritage Wall. The Heritage Wall serves as a showcase of LFA’s rich history as a school since 1927. The wall features a timeline of key milestones in LFA’s history; a land acknowledgement; the broader story of the Sisters of St. Ann, and the role they played in founding LFA and building its legacy; it also includes, a list of the many schools and hospitals founded or served by the Sisters of St. Ann across British Columbia. LFA’s hope with the Heritage Wall is that it accurately reflects our shared history as we commit to acknowledging and teaching the truth about the residential school system, deepening our collective understanding of the inter-generational harm it caused, and contributing to the larger process of reconciliation and healing.
As the Heritage Wall reflects LFA’s deep history to all who walk by, we hope too that it inspires our students to reflect on all they will yet accomplish.
Arriving at LFA in 1989, Dina is one of the longest serving members of our faculty. Our French Department will feel very different next year! Dina is particularly excited about her days not revolving around bells. In her own words: "recess can be as long as I want!" That said, it's more time for travel, cycling and especially for her family. With the travel and her love for photography, she's going to explore some business opportunities too. Dina is also looking forward to getting more involved in volunteer work - and has even put her hand up to help at LFA.
Reflecting on her Little Flower experience, Dina has some very fond memories. Travel with the school looms large. A trip with Linda Graham to Rome in August 2000 to attend World Youth Day and the long walk in the blazing heat of the Roman sun to Tor Vergata field to attend the evening Vigil Mass with Pope John Paul II. That night the group camped in the same field under a starry sky. Dina leaves with a trove of school trip memories, including educational tours to locations like Moutiers, Albertville, Avignon, Nice, Paris, Versailles, London, Oxford, Canterbury, Rome, and Florence.
More locally, the retreats to Vancouver Island stand out to Dina: seeing the legacy of the Sisters of St. Ann in action at Providence Farm doing so much to benefit the needs of the local community. She was touched to visit the retired Sisters in Victoria and hear their personal stories and words of wisdom.
For three decades, Dina led the production of LFA Yearbooks (with Tim Fenrich, Mimi Jones and Adele Coady), leaving a lasting legacy. From classroom and club, there was also the joy of taking part in the joy of school life. Her favourite Halloweens include her students dressing her up as Michael Jackson and Marge Simpson.
With all that in mind, what Dina will cherish most is the day-to-day classroom activities, with enthusiastic students who are compassionate and kind towards their peers. Dina has loved the students' humour and creativity. From creating and acting Dr. Phil episodes to singing songs in French (especially Let it Go from Frozen), it has been a wonderful time.
A kind and generous colleague, she will missed. From your many friends on staff and in our alumnae community, we wish you the very best!
PHOTOS Top Right: Dina preparing for graduation ceremonies in 2018. Left: Dina embraces the Halloween parade, dressed up by her homeroom students as MJ in 2018.After a two-year absence and much anticipation, LFA’s beloved Grape Escape made a triumphant return with our Best of the Decade edition. As this was our 10th edition of Grape Escape, we knew it had to be special, with both a nod to the past, and an embracing of the present. And so, “The Best of the Decade” was born, with five courses of food handpicked from menus of
As tables and glassware were set, mouthwatering smells were wafting out of the kitchen, and guests began arriving, I personally had a slight moment of panic. Would we remember how to run this event
after two years away? Would it live up to everyone’s likely heightened expectations? Would our new alumnae volunteers and firsttime guests enjoy themselves?
In the end, I needn’t have worried. Everything turned out just fine, better even. At its core, Grape Escape is about coming together as a community, something that happened in spades,
as we hosted reunions for the classes of 1987, 1997, and 2002. Alumnae, parents and friends of the school all enjoyed great food and wine, paired with wonderful company. The short rib and pavlova in particular were just as delicious as I remembered. And as always, I have already found some of the wines from the wine list to try at home.
We wish to extend a sincere thank you to everyone who helped to make this event the success that it was, including our guests and volunteers, particularly our many first-time alumnae servers. We are so appreciative of your ongoing support, and grateful to have you in our community.
Our first Grandparent Day since 2019 was a glorious return to one of our favourite school traditions. With nearly 300 grandparents and grand-friends joining us to celebrate the special day, it was an afternoon full of mirth and a spirit of great joy. We are incredibly grateful to His Grace, Archbishop J. Michael Miller, CSB for celebrating mass with us on the day, which also included a performance from our awardwinning Chamber Choir, light lunch and refreshments, and a school tour facilitated by the granddaughters. It was an absolute delight to see grandparents and granddaughters alike beaming from ear to ear over the course of a truly beautiful day at the school.
Yesterday is gone.
Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin.
MOTHER TERESA
In Catholic tradition, the tabernacle is the place in the church where the Eucharist is kept for adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. This makes the tabernacle the heart and the cornerstone of each church. It is a place where Catholics can come to pray and worship the body of Christ even outside celebrations.
In June 2021, Darren Yanko (Campus Minister) with Marizza MIslang and school Principal, Diane Little set out to find a tabernacle for the Little Flower Academy Chapel to mark the heart and cornerstone of the school. The purpose of the tabernacle was not only intended to invoke the presence of God, but to also show how He is close to us and walks alongside us in our daily lives. It was meant to be accessible at any time for students to be able to sit with Jesus peacefully in prayer.
Choosing the tabernacle took some time as Darren and Diane wanted to find one with a design that had a symbolic connection to the school. One of their inspirations that led them in their vision to pursue the tabernacle
was our core value of simplicity. They chose a simple design with fish, water and the bread of life. The water is deeply rooted in our West Coast way of life along with the traditions of our First People. The bread symbolizes our commitment to Jesus: “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger and whoever believes in me shall never thirst” John 6:35. The tabernacle was sourced from Milan, Italy.
Little Flower Academy is the first CISVA school to have an exposition tabernacle. This type of tabernacle has a small round window behind the door for the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. The new tabernacle in the Chapel is the perfect place for peace and prayer.
When I was asked if I would be interested in writing a piece for the magazine, as someone who could best be described as a ‘lackluster’ student, I was stumped as to what I could write about. I was of course hoping to be able to share useful lessons or possibly inspire students towards a career in international work. While thinking about this, Paul Farmer, a giant in the development community, died unexpectedly and I thought of a quote of his, “For me, an area of moral clarity is: you're in front of someone who's suffering and you have the tools at your disposal to alleviate that suffering, and you act.” His passing made me think back to when we are younger and deciding on our career paths, when we learn to take risks and how we become comfortable taking chances so that we can act on our goals in life.
Being surrounded by gaggles of young women may not seem like a likely place to learn about risk-taking; however, it turns out that for many, myself included, LFA did just that. Not to discount the role of our families, but as teenage girls can attest, the role our friends and school environment play is paramount to our success… as is a whole lotta work. From my own experience, this learning at LFA, to work hard and feel comfortable taking risks and embracing new challenges (scholastic or not), helped me on the road post-high school. Having the ability to study well into the night before a biology provincial exam, is also a talent that cannot be underestimated!
After graduation, with these skills in hand, I completed a Bachelor of Arts from St. Francis Xavier University, followed by studies in International
Development at St. Mary’s University and the University of Havana, Cuba. Taking chances along the way has led me along an erratic, but exciting, path from the streets of Vancouver, to Africa, Asia, and Latin America, working in the not-for-profit sector as a program manager and technical advisor. This work has allowed me the opportunity to live and travel to countless countries. Experiences such as learning about cooperative movements in the Philippines and Peru, volunteering with women’s organizations in Guatemala and Nepal, doing research about indigenous education in Ecuador, and working with UNICEF on child rights in Tajikistan.
Working in some of the more difficult contexts has its challenges. From managing child-protection projects in Haiti after the earthquake of 2010 with War Child Canada to the war-ravaged Democratic Republic of Congo facilitating teacher training, to supporting legal aid clinics for women and children victims of violence in Uganda. Despite the hard conditions, working on social issues and equity issues has been rewarding, such as being part of teams working on vocation programs for ex-child-soldiers in South Sudan and out-of-school youth in Burkina Faso. Designing projects for refugees in Rwanda and working with local health officials to strengthen maternity hospitals in Senegal and Nigeria. Today, I am working on projects for HIV-affected populations in Liberia and El Salvador and evaluating early childhood education programs in Cambodia, Laos, and Tanzania with
Plan Canada.
Now that I am also a part-time professor at Humber college, some key learnings from LFA are coming in handy. Guiding future practitioners I can draw on years of experiences overseas, but to be honest, when students come in with stories to explain unfinished homework or missed classes, it is priceless to be able to say, ‘Though it has been years, I survived high school using those same excuses!’
Seeing my niece in the maroon uniform for the first time this September, made me reminisce, hoping she gets the same experience. I hope she joins extra-curricular activities such as field hockey and drama. I hope she doesn't know the feeling of doing homework last minute on the 406 bus ride from Richmond. Most of all, I hope she meets an amazing group of friends, with whom she can still laugh decades after graduation, remembering the many hilarious (and stupid) things we got up to. That is probably the best lesson to learn from time spent on Alexandra street.
Linda is currently living in Toronto, working with Plan Interntional. See page 73 for an interview with Linda Liutkus '94 by LFA student, Kennedy Orr '23.
As the Director of Vancouver Coastal’s Emergency Operations Centre for Long-Term Care and Assisted Living for the COVID-19 pandemic, Jo-Ann supported the creation of resources and coordinated responses to the outbreaks. She continues to support the sector through the pandemic to build a resilient culture of prevention, quick response, and excellent care.
Jo-Ann is also an adjunct professor at the UBC School of Nursing and a current parent at LFA.
Being first in many situations is often accompanied by great accomplishment and success. Being the first health authority to have its first COVID case in long-term care in Canada accompanied by the first person who died from COVID was far from being lauded as any form of success. The resulting several weeks in Wave 1 surfaced the truly vulnerable people in our communities who lost their lives from COVID.
In my role, I experienced some of the most devastating outbreaks in long-term care being onsite at times to try and support the teams working incredibly long hours and many long consecutive days to ensure that the people we serve were cared for despite the risk staff faced before vaccines arrived.
Looking back over two years of working in health care, it is humbling to reflect on the impact on people throughout multiple waves of COVID and several environmental health crises. Each of us has our own story to tell – many with moments of hopelessness, loneliness, loss, and grief as well as moments of resilience amidst exhausted times, finding hope all over again, renewing one’s faith, and realizing that with each day we are one day closer to coming to the end of the darkest time of this pandemic.
But in order for us to transition to a new phase it requires a bit of an art in letting go balanced with what we want to carry forward. I find myself reflecting on two critical questions these days: what have I learned about myself that I need to leave behind? And, what have I learned about myself that I want to bring forward into the days ahead?
For the health care teams who I am fortunate to support in my current role – we also reflect on what happens if we don’t let go of what we need to? What impact does that have on us and on the people around us?
Throughout the pandemic (certainly, more early on) there were sentiments about re-evaluating the important pieces in one’s life: family, faith, friendships, and community. We acknowledged our duty to care for those less fortunate than ourselves and to turn down the volume on the things that we once thought were important, but realized were just noise when our lives were forced to become more simplified. We found ourselves spending time at home, not traveling, nor frequenting shopping malls, getting to know one’s spouse and children again. Spending more time with the people we hold most important in our lives used to be something we struggled to find the time for. The pandemic helped remind
us how precious this time truly is, and how it must be honoured and cherished.
But now, two years in, how successful have we been at holding onto what truly is most important in our lives? And if we find that things are slipping back into old patterns and habits, how do we intentionally recreate the kind of future we want for ourselves, the people in our lives, and the communities that need our help?
Now is our time to reflect as we build our resilience, find hope again and start to look towards a future that has now been shaped by a pandemic.
My hope is that we find ways to support one another into that future.
Little Flower was pleased to host an in-person Home for the Holidays with a few pandemic modifications. This was the first in-person event that was held at the school in the past couple of years, which added to the festive feelings. Due to health rules, the event was limited to alumnae and did not include the Grade 12 girls, unlike in past years. However, despite this, the event was a wonderful experience.
Carolyn Sussey ‘94 and I had the opportunity to serve some delicious beverages: hot chocolate, made from scratch by Chef Dyogo and hot apple cider. Both equally in demand, we served hot chocolates with “the works”, which included whipped cream, marshmallows, chocolate shavings, and a candy cane, while the hot apple cider came dressed with cloves and orange slices.
The array of food was mouth-watering with dishes prepared in our cafeteria by Chef Dyogo, who was happy to celebrate before heading off to celebrate the first Christmas with his new baby boy. Appetizers ranged from antipasti skewers and smoked lox on potato pancakes to a large assortment of sweet treats.
Alumnae were happy to mingle with current staff who popped in to say hello and toast some Christmas cheer. The event was well attended, with the majority of whom were recent grads back in town for the holidays.
SAVE THE DATE: DECEMBER 15, 2022
Home for the Holidays 2022
December Mass | 1:30 – 2:30
Home for the Holidays | 2:30 – 4:00
Please join us for our December Mass. Reception to follow. Food, fun, and Christmas cheer to kick off the season and reconnect with friends and teachers.
The planning around developing our campus started back in 2017. The research was clear: we need more space to deliver an exceptional and contemporary education. Anticipating the ever changing needs of an all-girls' edcuation has always been a strength of our school. This project will be no different. Over the next couple of years we will move forward to completely reimagine the academic teaching and learning environment, delivering a campus that is befitting our communty's brightest, most energetic, and ambitious young women.
What exactly is a reimagined academic and teaching environment? It's new, much larger classrooms with break-out spaces and capacity for scaleable technology. It is expanding STEAM space and centralizing the lab, so the tools can be accessed easily across curriculum. It is a massive expansion in our performing arts space, including specialized rehearsal spaces for choir and drama, dressing rooms, costume and storage and, most excitingly, an Auditorium that easily transitions into a theatre for performances. With so many of our students in science, it is a science lab renewal with an additional, fourth, laboratory. It is new kitchens for Food Studies to replace the ones that are nearly unchanged in 70 years. With the ever increasing role of both academic and personal counselling, there is expanded space for the school's Counselling Department. It will include an all-weather synthetic field for our outdoor sports. It is, probably, the single biggest change to our school campus since the mid 1950s.
Though there is monumental campus change coming, what makes LFA special will remain the same. Research was undertaken as we explored expanding enrollment and came to the conclusion that our current student population is ideal. The accessibility of a Little Flower education remains at the heart of our school mission, so campus development will coincide the expanding role of the school's endowment fund to provide both operational resources and financial aid.
Would you like to learn more about the project? Maybe explore how you can help us move towards this change in the next few years? Please contact Ben Fitch, Director of Advancement at 604-738-9016, ext 104 or at fitchb@lfabc.org
Years in the planning, a transformational change is coming to LFA's campus.
Samantha Huang '17 walked across the LFA stage in June, 2017. The Master of Ceremonies read, as Sami gave Mrs. Little a hug and posed for photos: "Sami was on the Honour Roll every year. She played on LFA's volleyball teams in Grades 8, 10 and 12. Her club participation included membership in Pro-Life, Model UN, the
British Columbia." With such an impressive high school resume, it was unsurprising Sami was off to Sauder.
Business, as it turns out, does not really do justice to what Sami ended up doing. Though accepted to Sauder, it was not until September, at an orientation event, that she first heard about her program, which is a combined major in Business and Computer Science (BUCS).
It was, from the start, a great fit. She immediately loved her computer science courses and found her way into the co-op program, where she worked with a couple of small to mid-sized technology companies.
Sami has just graduated from UBC and has already landed her first job. Later this summer she will be re-locating to Seattle to work for Microsoft. The opportunity is no small feat: Sami applied through their public job board and was successful through several rounds of interviews. The interviews included both behavioural and technical know-how. Just preparing for the interviews was hard work.
Officials Club and LFA's STEAM Club. Sami is planning to study Business at the University of
The immediate appeal of the BUCS program was how it was described to the new students. Sami remembers them saying, "it's a great program for students who love problem-solving!" She had done a little bit of programming at LFA and had been part of Mr. Chow's IT courses that had been exposed to the first iterations of our LFA STEAM lab. More importantly, Sami loves puzzles. It all added up to an application. Sami was taking a chance. Not only do you specialize with BUCS first year (most Business students specialize after second year), but Sami notes that the program is very male-dominant. Sami muses that, "the labour pool demographic is not very balanced." She is excited to see more LFA alumnae come through
The prospect of moving to Seattle is exciting. With eight siblings, she's leaving behind a very busy household and merely living alone will be a new experience. Microsoft is also a very big company. Sami notes, "I'm going to be a very small fish in a huge, huge ocean so that is definitely going to be a learning experience! I am very excited though to be working on products that impact and empower billions of people around the world."
After playing on LFA's provincial championship volleyball team in her senior year, volleyball remains a fun social activity for Sami. Playing currently in a league, she's excited to see what options there will be in Seattle.
SAMANTHA HUANG '17 GRADUATES FROM UBC AND IS OFF TO WORK FOR MICROSOFT
LFA Alumna Olivia Yee '17 was recently spotlighted by Women in Consulting Engineering for her work with Intelligent City, a housing development company dedicated to innovative and sustainable urban housing methodologies. We recently caught up with Olivia to learn more about what she's been up to in the five years since graduating from LFA.
You're graduating from UBC in December...with what degree?
My degree is a Bachelor of Applied Science in Integrated Engineering with a specialization in structural and materials engineering.
How did you find your way to engineering and this specific field?
My original intention was to go to Western University and play on their varsity soccer team. I always had engineering in the back of my mind though because my favourite classes at LFA were physics, math, and chemistry - but I was very intimidated by engineering in high school. As I neared graduation, it dawned on me that I should give engineering a real shot despite my original plan. So I entered the engineering program at UBC immediately after graduating from LFA in 2017 and I've loved the journey its taken me on.
You took part in the co-op program that allowed you to get real-world experience while earning your degree. What led you to co-op?
Frankly, because I didn't know what specific field of engineering I was interested in at first. I think the best way to learn what suits you is by trying something and going from there. Co-op gave me the opportunity to work in industries of various scales, academia, and government. It wasn't until my last co-op work term that I realized where I could see myself working full-time.
You were recently spotlighted by the organization Women in Consulting Engineering, how did you get involved with them?
I am not an active member with WCE. However, during my time at UBC I worked for two years at EngCite, which is a non-profit organization committed to transforming the way that engineering is perceived and
understood, so that young women see engineering as not only a possible and feasible educational and career path, but also an inspiring and exciting opportunity. This organization is committed to helping UBC become the national leader for gender diversity in engineering. I represented UBC Engineering at various networking events, and mentored female high school students who were interested in pursuing a degree in engineering.
The company I currently work for, Intelligent City, is a sponsor for Women in Consulting Engineering and I am one of two female engineers at the company.
What is your role at Intelligent City?
I'm a co-op student in Sustainability and Mass Timber Structural Engineering. In my role I've helped contribute to our team's understanding of adhesive-based connection design, mass timber floor panel engineering, and integrated sustainability analysis.
What are your plans post-graduation?
After graduating, I am going to work as an Engineer-In-Training to obtain my Professional Engineering licence and designation. I aim to return to school to pursue my Master's degree in structural and earthquake engineering. I will likely take some time off to travel and relax in between.
Any advice or reassuring words for current LFA students who might be considering Engineering?
LFA prepared me with the quality of education and work ethic required to be successful in engineering. It is a lot of hard work, but it is incredibly rewarding to know that my profession directly serves the people around me.
One last burning question: are you still playing soccer?
I am still playing soccer - yes! I've played on intramural teams at UBC throughout my degree, and recently joined a women's league as well.
Catching up with Olivia Yee '17 in her final semester in UBC EngineeringDebbie Smallwood spent 22 years at Little Flower Academy teaching Physical Education and coaching every sport you can imagine. She coached everything, but basketball was her favourite sport to coach. A very accomplished athlete herself, Debbie received a full-ride scholarship to Oklahoma State University for both Javelin and Softball. After graduating from university, she went on to play five seasons representing Team Canada playing outfield on the Women’s National Softball Team. She was tough as nails, a fierce competitor, and her athletic prowess lent well to her long successful career as a PE teacher and coach at LFA.
What did you love most about being a PE teacher?
I remember year after year loving teaching the Grade 8’s. They were so green, so fresh, and hung on every word you would say. It was a pleasure watching them develop and grow into young women throughout the five years at the school.
What was the biggest challenge ?
When I first came to LFA fitness and health weren’t a priority for students. It was a challenge trying to change the culture from academics to also being fit and having a healthy body. I wanted students to embrace the idea of the whole person.
What did you love about working at LFA?
Year after year, it was the same staff. We had so much fun together. It felt like one big happy family.
What were some of your fondest memories about working at the school?
Hands down working with the Sisters of St. Ann. I remember loving going over to Victoria for our annual staff retreat. We got to learn so much about the Sisters. They were such wonderful women and I loved listening to their stories about working in various schools and the impact they had on their communities.
Which Sisters stood out to you?
Sister Josephine was a very intriguing lady. She was very intelligent and a great storyteller. I remember her having a skipping rope. She would skip every time she went into the basement door of the convent. Up until the last year that she was at the school I remember her skipping to stay fit.
Sister Eileen also stood out to me. She was a fabulous leader. She was well educated and highly intelligent. She treated everyone with the utmost respect. You really couldn’t find a kinder person.
What was one of your fondest memories as a coach?
Some of my fondest memories were coaching at the BC Catholic Basketball Championships as we had many successful seasons going to that tournament. Coaching against other CISVA coaches was always fun. We all knew each other well. It made for a fun yet highly competitive environment.
Did any one athlete stand out to you?
So many great athletes came out of the school. One of the groups that stood out to me was Jeannette Guichon's year (Class of 1992). They were in Grade 8 when I first started. Jeannette was the full package, a great leader, calm, and an extremely talented athlete. I got to see her group (which included many great athletes such as Sue Bryde '92, alumna and current PE teacher) from Grade 8 full circle to Senior basketball and making it to the BC Championship Tournament. They were a special group of kids and very memorable because they were my first group of Grade 8's.
What are you spending your time doing now that you are retired?
Always a workout in the morning. Most days I am either on the golf course or playing pickleball. Once an athlete, always an athlete.
Justice over Law. That was the final position Maya Mior had to debate in favour of at the 2022 National Debate Competition. She recalls not being the most confident about arguing that position, but then again confidence wasn’t what got her to this moment.
Back in 2017, Maya had just entered the eight grade at LFA. High school was finally upon her and it brought with it a mixture of excitement and fear – so many new faces, new responsibilities, new expectations, and so much unknown. Her love for Speech Arts and talking in general is what led Maya to join the Public Speaking team, and in only her second week of the eight grade Maya got the chance to do just that, speak publically. Her topic was “reading”, something she loved doing and had so much to say about, but when she stood in front of her peers and tried to speak, she froze. Looking out upon all the new faces, some of which she couldn’t yet even attach names to, Maya found herself overcome with nerves and unable to speak. Then the tears came. It was mortifying; her first foray into public speaking had been an utter disaster. Yet, Maya’s love for it had not diminished: she found herself more determined to prove that she was a great speaker.
A few short weeks later Maya once again found herself in front of that same audience, and this time she spoke with vigour and eloquence. This
was the turning point in Maya’s public speaking career, having lived through failure and survived, she realized it wasn’t so scary anymore.
Over the course of the next 5 years, Maya was a prolific public speaker. With it came its fair share of hiccups on stage and rough tournaments, but through it all Maya remained resilient, composed, and steadfast on treating every experience as a lesson. Eventually, successes began piling up for Maya, and before she knew it, the successes had far outweighed the failures. So when it came to having to argue for Justice over Law at the 2022 National Debate Competition, Maya was ready to do what she had always done throughout her public speaking career, persevere. She persevered so well in fact that she was able to walk away with the top prize, earning herself recognition as the Top Debater in Canada.
Maya considers the win the proudest moment of her public speaking career to date. She credits her father for helping spur her joy of discourse - she recalls going on lengthy drives with him where they would engage in a spirited debate on a certain topic and then switch positions and argue the other side of the same topic. For Maya, discourse is not a confrontational experience, it is a mind opening one - it encourages adoption of a greater perspective and cultivates thoughtfulness.
As for nerves when it comes to public speaking, they aren’t really a factor for Maya anymore. There still exists a bit of initial stage fright when facing a crowd, but as she puts it, her passion and excitement for speech eventually kick in, overriding any nerves she may have. This immense passion of Maya’s also takes the form of coaching.
As a senior member of the Public Speaking team Maya devoted countless hours of her time this past year, including the better part of her spring break, to coaching and prepping the junior public speakers. The future of public speaking at LFA owes a debt of gratitude to Maya for both her time and devotion, and for setting such a glorious example of excellence.
Most recently: Maya took home top honours at the Barry Sullivan Law Cup for the second year in a row. The Barry Sullivan Law Cup is a prestigious provincial competition that is judged by legal and academic professionals, bringing together the province’s best and brightest public speakers. The topic for this year’s competition was: What limits, if any, should there be on a person’s ability to protest? Maya’s thoughtful approach to the topic cited a number of federal laws as she argued that a person’s ability to protest extends as far as they are not infringing on the rights of any other person.
Of course, debate and public speaking aren’t Maya’s only areas of expertise; she is also a prolific poet, boasting an impressive list of published work at her young age. Maya currently has works published in Voices/Voix 2, Voices/Voix 3, ink – VPL, Poetry Society UK, Caroline Press, and an honourable mention in the prestigious, Scholastic Art and Writing.
Maya’s foray into poetry began not too dissimilarly from public speaking, in disaster. Maya recalls learning to love poetry in the sixth grade. Her teacher had assigned the class a poetry project that would require them to do one free verse poem, two haikus, a number of rhyming couplets, and a mixture of some other styles. As Maya began working on her project she was absolutely taken with writing her free verse poem, so much so in fact that she decided to do it seven more times and submit eight free verse poems for her project. Maya recalls her teacher almost failing her for refusing to follow the instructions, however the effort and merit in Maya’s free verse poems was so evident that her teacher decided to let her off with a warning. That moment of discovery and affirmation was all Maya needed; she had discovered an unadulterated joy for poetry and ever since then became a voracious consumer and creator of it.
For Maya, poetry is a limitless avenue for expression. She finds it at once an incredibly vulnerable and yet safe and comforting medium for expression. Her major source of inspiration in the poetry world is the Pulitzer Prize winning American poet, Mary Oliver, who also holds the distinction of having written Maya’s favourite poem, “Invitation”. Maya has the poem memorized by heart and recites her favourite line from it every day when she wakes up.
Maya’s intense passion for poetry carries over to her work ethic. In April of 2021, Maya began a dedicated artistic journey to hone her craft by writing one poem every day. Now, over a year later, she has continued to stay true to her commitment and has over 400 original poems to show for it.
Maya’s process starts with keeping meticulous notes of any fresh idea or thought she has. Whether it’s an interesting word, or an unfamiliar phrase, Maya is quick to jot it down in a note on her phone. When it comes time to write her poem of the day, if she’s stumped, Maya will make her way over to her notes, scroll at random, and force herself to write about whatever idea or word she lands upon. As Maya puts it, most of the poems she ends up writing never see the light of day, but every once in a while, she’ll write something that becomes the
kernel of a great poem down the road. Her selfimposed trial of fire has proven to work wonders for Maya as it’s allowed her to gain valuable experience in her craft on a daily basis.
When asked about the ultimate objective of her poetry, Maya responded quite simply, that out of everyone who gets to read her poetry, somebody will get something meaningful out of it – they’ll see themselves reflected, or a particular phrase or word will resonate with them. Conveying some kind of truth and fostering a connection between writer and reader is ultimately the goal.
As Maya looks forward to attending the University of British Columbia to pursue a combined major in political sciences and economics with a minor in psychology, she is keen on pursuing both public speaking and poetry further. Eventually, Maya hopes to pursue law school somewhere in the Ivy League’s. We hope that Maya’s spirit for discourse guides her through her studies and that post-secondary life helps inform both her and her poetry. LFA is incredibly proud to have witnessed the maturation of such a passionate and resilient young woman, and we wish Maya nothing but continued success in her future endeavours.
Diane was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba on April 10, 1939 and passed away peacefully in her sleep in Chilliwack, BC on July 10, 2022. Diane and her family (Mom, Dad and brother, Fred) moved to Vancouver in 1951, and she joined our class in 1953. After graduation, she specialized in radiology and practiced in Vancouver, the UK, Montreal, and Seattle. She returned from the UK on the "Queen Mary", landed in Montreal and started work at the Jewish General Hospital. She also had a short stint in Seattle as a bus tour guide!
On March 8, 1975 she married Robert (Bob) Edmonds at St John the Apostle Church in Vancouver. Shortly after, they moved to Prince George for a few years where their daughter, Lisa Mae (Edmonds) Boughen was born. The cold winters soon found them back in Chilliwack.
Our classmate, Janet Faulds '57, would send Diane the Blue Jays' road schedule and Diane and Bob would drive to Seattle to attend the
away games as well as fly to Toronto to visit Janet and attend the games there, together. As well, Bob and Diane enjoyed attending hockey, football, and basketball games. Diane and Bob enjoyed many cruises, especially, to Hawaii. Diane will be missed at our regular reunions. We almost made it to our 65th this year. RIP Diane, until we meet again.
Thank you from the LFA Community One of Diane's final wishes was to make a gift to support financial aid for students at LFA. Honouring Diane's wish, Bob sent her incredibly generous gift to the school, which has been invested in the Class of 1957 Fund. The Class of 1957 Fund, along with all of the Class Funds, are endowed for the sole purpose of providing financial aid at the school.
LFA is blessed that Diane's beautiful spirit of generosity will live on through the young women whose education and enrichment will be supported by her gift.
Next year LFA is planning a return to international travel. As with so many things, these sorts of trips have been on a hiatus. Ali McGillivray, who is now helping on the Alumnae Executive, decided to take a look back at some of the phenominal trips LFA students have taken over the years.
The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page St. Augustine
PHOTOS
Facing page: LFA touring field hockey team at Caerphilly Castle, Wales in 2017
Two left: New Zealand trip, just beating out COVID lockdown in 2020
Left: Dressed up for Model UN in Japan, 2019
Middle, left: Ecuador social justice trip in 2015
Middle, middle: Angels in a phone booth in Bourtonon-the-Water during the UK field hockey tour in 2014
Middle, right: The Louvre, in Paris, France on a language tour in 2011
Bottom right: Sydney Opera House, Australia on a Model UN and cultural trip in 2017
As new school trips are being planned again, here is a look at some memorable ones from years past.
According to our records, "SUPER" is the one word to describe the 1985 trip to Italy and Greece. The food was particularly noteworthy and among the highlights of places to see were the local shopping areas. The Vatican, Parthenon, Acropolis and other world sites also got mention but the yearbook write-up suggests there was a great deal of fun just hanging out with one another. Explosive nights, major tanning sessions, and a toga party (because "when in Greece") were all worthy of special highlights.
The 65th Annual Oregon Shakespeare Festival was overrun by a group of fun-loving Shakespeare enthusiasts from LFA. Eighteen Angels led by Mrs. Grindlay and Mrs. Farrell took in five plays and really got a kick out of Ashland... and the trip to and from. Photos suggest there was a lot of dressing up involved as well.
Mid-March, 2001 saw eleven LFA students, led by Senora Martin, head off to Cuernavaca, Mexico. After somehow delaying a flight along the way, the trip was an extraordinary itinerary of amazing activities. They saw cathedrals and ancient pyramids; explored caves; "catapulted" off of cliffs into fresh springs; and studied Spanish at a local university. Returning to Vancouver sounded tough as they
group was occupied with attending classes, volunteering at schools for the underprivileged children of Cusco, visiting ruins such as Sacsayhuman, climbing Machu Picchu, and soaking in the incredible culture that is Peru. Returning home was an emotional time after having experienced an incredibly moving and memorable stay.
LFA Athletics took its first tour beyond North America in the spring of 2014 as the field hockey program drew athletes from the Senior A, Senior B, and Junior teams for a tour of southern England and Wales with Mr. Fitch and Mrs. McGillivray. Playing 8 games in 12 days against some top UK field hockey schools, our Angels played superbly while compiling a 2-3-3 record. Our best hockey came against Monkton Combe School near Bath while our most enjoyable post-game celebration with the opposing team was at St. Edward's School on the stunning campus in central Oxford. Other highlights included training with international coaches, staying in dorms at a quaint English boarding school (Beachwood Sacred Heart), a town of books, Roman ruins, castles, discovering English chocolate, ancient villages, cathedrals, school tours, having cream tea, coaching kids at a state school, shopping, touring London, seeing the musical Wicked, and staying for a couple nights at a castle.
In March 2015, a group of 9 students along with Senora Espinel and Mr. Ballard embarked on a new adventure in Ecuador. As they travelled into the Andes mountains towards the rural town of Cariacu, there was a sharp contrast between the large city they arrived in and the village they were entering. The group was quickly welcomed into the home of Gabriel and Isabellita whom they stayed with during their time volunteering. The students took part in various activities such as assisting residents with farming, helping out at the nursery, building a water treatment plant and a fish hatchery, as well as teaching English at a school where the group connected with Christian, a boy who worked at the store they visited every day.
from different perspectives. The rest of the tour explored sites such as the Opera House, the Harbour Bridge, and Barrenjoey. Swimming in the surf at Bondi and Manly as well as exploring the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree National Rainforest of Queensland were unique experiences.
While the Model UN students were honing their skills at the conference, Ms. Prescott and Ms. Diakow's Eco-Adventure tour students were exploring Sydney and learning about its colourful past. After a long day of travel, the girls rallied for a 6am start on the second day to venture into the lush Blue Mountain region. Here they hiked thorugh stunning vistas of white mist and flooded trails. Although the girls met up with the MUN group two days later, they were already pros at navigating the narrow and meandering streets of The Rocks, and enjoyed an impromptu pizza party at a local restaurant on their last night in Sydney.
In March 2018, LFA students went on a whirlwind adventure through Austria, Italy, and Spain. After fourteen hours on the plane, the group landed in Munich where they sampled the iconic bratwurst before heading off to Austria. In Austria they spent time exploring Salzburg, including a giant fortress at the top of a mountain and Mozart's birthplace. They also had the chance to attend High Mass in the Salzburg cathedral, the very cathedral in which Mozart played. From there, the group embarked on a long bus ride to Venice where they visited the island of Murano and witnessed a glass blowing demonstration. Armed with souvenirs the group took a ferry to the island of Venice to visit the Doge's Palace, followed by a gondola ride. Saying goodbye to Venice, they headed to Rome where they visited the Colosseum, the Pantheon, the Spanish steps, and the Trevi fountain. The pizza, pasta, and gelato were magnificent!
had a stunning two week Spring Break full of adventure and friendships.
In December 2009 sixteen LFA Spanish students embarked on a journey to Cusco, Peru with Ms. Martin and Ms. Ullrich. The students and teachers stayed with local families within five minutes from the lively centre of the city, the Plaza de Armas. For the two weeks the
The UNYOUTH Model UN conference in Sydney, Australia in March 2017 was an exceptional experience for 25 LFA students along with Mrs. MIlls (in her native land) and Mr. Coady. The small group MUN sessions were held at a conference centre at Collaroy Beach, a beautiful venue thirty minutes from Sydney. The formal MUN sessions were held at Sydney University. The students had a wonderful time meeting local Australians and discussing world issues
The group had the privilege of visiting the Vatican where they got to attend Mass and see some of Michelangelo's greatest works: his astounding frescoes in the Sistine Chapel. Finally, they headed off to Spain. In Barcelona, they visited La Sagrada Familia and explored the famous works of Gaudi, including Park Guell. They participated in an intense yet fun game of bubble soccer and ended their last night in Europe with a beautiful flamenco show.
Having spent a chunk of the last year (during COVID!) in both Belgium and Spain implementing software and setting up warehouses to deliver groceries online for a major grocery retailer, Bettina is looking forward to spending some time at home with friends and family and celebrating a number of postponed COVID weddings and birthday celebrations this year.
Jo-Ann
After graduating from LFA, Jo-Ann developed a passion in health care. She served in a variety of progressive leadership roles, starting as a frontline nurse. She currently serves as the Executive Director for all of the long-term care sector in Vancouver Coastal Health. She has been blessed with two daughters, Jordyn (LFA Class of 2023) and Jayda (LFA Class of 2027) who are following in her footsteps at LFA. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family outdoors and on the water--enjoying one of her husband’s latest creations of wooden canoes and kayaks.
Carolyn
Carolyn jokes that her biggest claim to fame at the moment is being a mom to 4 kids (2 girls and 2 boys). In the fall, both daughters will be at LFA: Katelyn (LFA Class of 2023) in Grade 12 and Allison (LFA Class of 2027) will be in Grade 8. Carolyn has a Commerce degree from UBC and Masters in Arts Applied Legal Studies from SFU. She is a Notary Public with a practice in Vancouver at Cambie and Broadway.
Colleen (Palethorpe) Orr ‘94
Colleen has a daughter at LFA who will graduate in 2023 and a son at Vancouver College, going into Grade 10. After LFA, Colleen attended the University of Western Ontario for her undergraduate degree and then went to Simon Fraser University for a graduate diploma in Business. Today, she is a small business owner. In 2017, she launched MATT Concrete with her husband Randy. They have developed a low carbon concrete option for the design industry, which they have patented. MATT Concrete Panels sell across Canada and into the US. When not working or volunteering with the schools, Colleen can be found at the beach with their chocolate lab, Kona.
Pamela Ascroft ‘84
After many years working as an actress, singer, and director in England, Vancouver and South Florida, Pam took up a role at a school. She has served, for the last 15 years, as Director of Theatre and Director of Choral Studies in the Middle School division of Saint Andrew’s School in Boca Raton, Florida. Pam also taught English at Saint Andrew's for several years and has written several youth plays and a book of poetry, which she is hoping to publish. Pam’s greatest joy is her 12 year old daughter, Molly.
Mauvorneen (O’Connor) Suttie ‘67
Mauvorneen entered LFA in Grade 1 in 1955, just a few years after her sister. She still remembers attending her sister's Sports Day in the field on the south east corner of the school--what is now the 1957 wing. Mauvorneen left LFA at the end of Grade 10, returning again when her daughter Taryn entered grade 8 in 1991. Mauvorneen
immediately joined the Parents’ Auxiliary that year and served as Head Class Mother for four years. In 1995, Sr. Mary Claude Anne retired and Mauvorneen became the Bursar. She retired in 2016, after 21 years. She truly values her association with the Sisters of St Ann and LFA and has always felt that the school was a second home. She felt one important way to keep supporting the school was by joining the Alumnae Assocation and has been a wonderful volunteer on the Committee.
Carlie Erin Paxton '97
Carlie is both an alumna and a current teacher at LFA. She teaches Foods 8-12 and works as a counselor. She also shares her passion for basketball as one of the school's basketball coaches. Carlie fondly remembers having a wonderful experience as a student at LFA and felt she couldn't help but jump at the chance to come back and teach. She currently lives in Vancouver with her husband and daughter Amaia, along with her father Dan Paxton (who taught and coached at LFA in the 1970's).
My desire to become a lawyer was solidified after attending LFA’s 2013 Career’s Day Lawyer Panel. The lawyers on this panel represented successful and talented alumnae. These women illustrated to us students that we could also become capable lawyers with the same hard work and dedication as themselves.
During this panel, I remember being particularly inspired by Elizabeth Mah '97, a lawyer who at the time had recently opened her own law firm. I remember Ms. Mah’s poise and passion when speaking about law and her drive to succeed as a business owner. It was truly inspiring to see a woman, and past LFA student, owning a law firm and succeeding in an industry that has historically been dominated by men. Ms. Mah truly embodied the career woman and lawyer I hoped to become.
After my graduation from LFA, I began my pursuit of becoming a lawyer by obtaining my Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of British Columbia. In September of 2020, I started law school at the University of Leicester, and I will be graduating with my Bachelor of Laws this summer. I have now been admitted to the University of Toronto in the Master of Laws program and I will be moving to Toronto to begin this program. After my graduation from the master’s program, I plan to pursue admissions to the Bar of British Columbia. I hope to become an established lawyer and I eventually would like to become a partner at a law firm or open my own firm. I believe that owning my own firm will give me a platform to inspire a new generation of lawyers, just as Elizabeth Mah inspired me.
Josette Jorge '01
Actor, voice actor, writer, and educator living in Toronto
Tiffany Lui '12
Senior Android Engineer at Nike
Joyce (Nisperos) Henry '93
Registered nurse, clinical educator, and current LFA parent.
Jennifer Prunty '91
RCMP Sergeant, currently detachment commander of Alert Bay RCMP
Megan Cash '89
Senior Vice President of Finance at Ritchie Brothers
Hannah Rusak-Gillrie '13
Human Factors Engineer at Starfish Medical in Victoria
Lexie’s inspiration, Elizabeth Mah '97, is the founder and owner of the Paperclip Law company. It is great to hear that our alumnae are making a difference in the lives of our past and present students. We would also like to congratulate Lexie on receiving the Afshar Family Award from the Canadian Federation of University Women, an organization that advocates on issues affecting women and children, as well as providing multiple bursaries annually to deserving young women.
AUTHOR: BETTINA SY '97
After taking a year off due to COVID, Careers Day returned to LFA this past November, like many things … virtually! This gave us an opportunity to include speakers who are not local and would not normally be able to participate in the in-person event. Through Zoom, the following speakers shared different aspects of their Career - from how they got to where they are to what their company looked like and how their work fit in.
The LFA Alumnae Association is so grateful to these alumnae who took time out of their busy schedules to share with the Grade 10-12 students.
If you are interested in speaking at a future Careers Day event, please email bettina.sy@gmail.com
Reflecting on her first year at Harvard University
AUTHOR: UDHAY SOKHIWe recently caught up with Joyce Chen '21 after completing her Freshman year at Harvard. Beyond being a gifted student, Joyce's gregarious and welcoming energy made her an absolute delight to be around during her time at LFA. Read our conversation with Joyce below to learn more about the highlights of her year at Harvard, how LFA set her up for success, her advice for transitioning to college life, and more.
What are you studying at Harvard?
I'm doing a major in Government with a minor in Ethnicity, Migration, and Rights. Originally, I was deciding between a major in economics or government, so I took classes in both disciplines.
One of my economics professors was a top advisor to President Obama and one of my government professors actually co-wrote my favourite political science book titled "How Democracies Die". I had an amazing time in both classes, but the goverment course got me excited like no other, so I'm really excited to explore that discipline for the next three years.
How has the jump from high school to the Ivy League been for you?
I think LFA primed me really well for college, no matter where I would've ended up. I took a writing class in my last semester at LFA with Mrs. Mills for example that I was really grateful for.
I've also been exposed to so many new people and new experiences at Harvard. I've gotten to meet some incredibly cool people from all over the world: I've made friends from Nepal, Colombia, Brazil, and more. Harvard does a good job of maintaining diversity on campus and it's been really special to be amidst that.
What, if anything, has surprised you about the experience so far?
I wouldn't say this came as a surprise, but it's been really enlightening to see just how much people here care about the causes that are meaningful to them. For example, whenever current events pop up usually the next day there'll be protests, or an article written, or people advocating for it, and it's incredible to see how much passion there is.
It's inspiring to think that some of these people will go on to be the future of constitutional law, or the future of biomedical sciences. It pushes me to work harder and question why I study and work for the things I do.
Is there anything the Grade 12 Joyce would be surprised to learn about Joyce today?
I think my freshman year was incredibly transformative. After I left high school I was able to see how much exactly laid beyond the horizons. In high school I was so focussed on academics that I didn't focus a lot on what was in the moment right in front of me. In university, by virtue of the fact that I now had to juggle people I love back home and new friends at Harvard, along with my physical and mental health, it all led me to develop work-life balance. I'm a lot better at fitting in time for my loved ones and my friends and eating well, and that's something that I think Grade 12 Joyce would've been pretty proud of and surprised to learn I've found by end of freshman year.
What was the highlight of your first year at Harvard?
I don't think there's one singular highlight I can point out as much as the whole experience was great. Me and some friends went to the annual Harvard vs. Yale football game and everyone ended up rushing the field when we won by 3 points in the last seconds of the game. I had left the stadium early but it was amazing to witness and hear about. I went to NY over spring break with a couple of friends and we had the best pizza ever. There was a foreign policy club that I joined on campus that ended up sending us to London for a foreign policy conference.
Also, between all those highlights, the best memories were just learning about people and sharing stories in the dining hall; laughing with my friends til 4am in the library when we really should've been studying for our exam the next day. Honestly every day came with its highlights, I had a blast in freshman year.
How did the LFA experience set you up for college life?
I think first and foremost LFA did a really good job of instilling in each of us that we're capable and confident, and that we're smart enough and we deserve to be in the spaces that we occupy.
Between all this you still managed to stay involved at LFA. How did you stay connected to the LFA community?
I definitely think I could've done more to give back but I was pretty honoured that there were people that wanted me back to help. For public speaking we had a lot of juniors and seniors competing at public speaking provincials this year. Ms. Duffy reached out to me first and then a couple of individual speakers also reached out to ask me if I could help them with their speeches and offer my feedback, so I happily did that.
I was happy to be involved because I really love the way the LFA public speaking program works. I think of it as a little family where the older seniors all mentor the younger ones, and then as the younger ones move up they also take up that mantle of leadership. So it was really gratifying to help out, and I was glad to hear that some of them ended up doing super well. I'm just glad that the skills and wisdom some of the older students were able to instill in me, I was able to pass on to younger students
When I think of the experiences that best set me up, what comes to mind is AP Lit in Grade 12. It was a very challenging class when I took it at first and I remember Mrs. Mills feedback would always be very precise and very helpful. It certainly sharpened my skills as a writer to the point where I remember thinking sometime in March or April, "thank God I took AP Lit in Grade 12". In my style of writing now I see elements of what Mrs. Mills taught me, and I'm really grateful for that foundational knowledge, and in turn to Mrs. Ullrich as well who taught me in Grade 11. That all comes to mind as well as my educational experience at LFA at large which taught me the virtue of discipline, so to that degree I'm very grateful for every teacher I encountered at LFA.
What advice do you have for our new alumnae ready to embark on their own freshman years?
I think if I were to go back a year and give myself a piece of advice, it would just be a line of reassurance and I'd say that everyone is going through what you're going through. That early period of uncertainty and uprootedness, that is something that everyone is struggling with. That would've been really nice to know. I think that also extends to your first finals period and the idea that not everyone knows what they're doing and the key is to just try your best, and if you're finding it hard then chances are somebody else is as well.
To that degree, it's honestly to your advantage to reach out and talk to people because most likely they'll be pretty open to talk about your shared experience.
Have you thought about life beyond Harvard, in terms of career aspirations and personal goals?
That's definitely still in formation. I've literally switched my major choice three times over the course of freshman year. But I think it would be really nice to continue exploring government and what sub-field I want to study within it. It'd be cool to explore ethinicity, migration, and rights which is my minor field, or I could also see myself going to law school or going into academia. There's so much out there and I'm inspired at once and also intimidated by all the possibilities. But I have a clear grasp of the direction I'd like to move if not the destination.
AUTHOR: KAT JAYME
This past March I was in New York to film two feature films I’m currently directing: The Grizzlie Truth about Vancouver’s first and only NBA team, and Game 7 about the 2011 Vancouver hockey riots. Both films have subjects who live in New York, so my crew and I (along with our 14 bags of equipment!) flew down to film some interviews. It was surreal to be filming in New York because of these two dream projects. However, the one thing I learned was how stressful it is to film in Manhattan! Not only because of all the equipment we needed to load/unload from the busy streets, but parking was near impossible to find. That said, the shoots went amazingly.
While I was there I was able to meet up with some other Angels. Vikki Kam ‘12 and I connected a few months prior. Vikki works for the NBA in NYC and is part of their Global Business Development team. After graduating from University of Toronto, she started working at the NBA’s Canadian office in Toronto but then was transferred to the NBA’s NYC office, where she’s been for almost three years. Although Vikki loves all 30 NBA teams, she has a soft spot for
the Toronto Raptors and the Miami Heat (I'm working on getting her to love the Grizzlies too!). Vikki invited me and my entire team to pick an NBA game to watch in New York. I had never watched a Brooklyn Nets game before so getting to experience that was so special. Even more special because another LFA grad joined us! Niki Non '14 who recently made the move to NYC attended the game too. Niki and I go way back as I coached her Junior basketball team when she was in Grade 9! This team was one of my absolute favourites to coach so it was so great to catch up with Niki after all these years. Niki just moved to New York two months ago for a new job. She is a UI/UX designer and designs digital products and experiences. Niki, Vikki, and I had a great time connecting and reminiscing about our days at LFA. There are so many more Angels in the Big Apple doing incredible things and we hope to meet up again (with even more grads) the next time we’re all in the city.
'06
The game of basketball brought together three LFA grads from three different years for an impromptu Angel reunion in the Big Apple.
Grizzlies superfan and LFA alumna Kat Jayme '06 is back, exploring the mysterious departure of the Vancouver Grizzlies. Giving students some behind the scenes access no less! But no spoilers from us.
See the latest @thegrizzlietruthfilm on Instagram.
This year we were pleased to welcome Mitchel Wrayton to the LFA Family.
Mitchel began working with us in early January as a Library Technician, providing some much-needed assistance to Ms. Duffy. As the Library Tech, Mitchel’s role entails copious amounts of cataloguing and physical processing of our ever-growing inventory of books.
Before coming to LFA, Mitchel earned an English Degree at the University of the Fraser Valley in Chilliwack. Mitchel always had aspirations of one-day becoming an English Teacher, however, over the course of completing his degree at UFV and applying to earn a Teaching Certificate, he realized it might not be his calling after all. Having spent some time working at Langley City Library and the UFV Library, Mitchel found the perfect sweet spot between his love for literature and education.
Mitchel was particularly drawn to LFA by the opportunity to work in a place that deeply valued academia – something that was sorely missing from his public library experience. He finds great inspiration in the students’ enthusiasm for reading and is delighted to be a part of a community that fosters a love for literature.
Mitchel’s literary areas of interest include the great Greek Tragedies, and the work of the American Transcendentalists such as Emily Dickinson, Walt Whitman, Ralph Waldo Emerson, and more. He is currently on an epic quest to go back to the very beginnings of the written word, and become a literary completionist. As such, Mitchel is currently working his way through the Epic of Gilgamesh – an epic poem from Ancient Mesopotamia, widely regarded as the first book ever written.
We’re ecstatic to have Mitchel join our library team and we can’t wait for his enthusiasm and passion for reading to rub off on our students!
It’s our great pleasure to introduce our newest faculty member, Dyniel Rabang ’15. Dyniel joined our faculty in late January teaching Math and Science 8, she also volunteers her time to the Badminton Club and Jr. Basketball Team.
Dyniel looks back on her own days as an LFA student with great fondness. She believes LFA set her up for incredible success by instilling her with discipline. The encouragement to strive academically and push yourself really set her up to approach post-LFA life with vigour and confidence.
By her Grade 12 year, Dyniel already knew she wanted to become a teacher. Her teachers at LFA, who put so much care and thought into being great educators, inspired her. In particular, teachers like Mr. Ramirez and Ms. Coady made learning feel safe and fun, a feeling Dyniel wishes to recreate for her own students.
Post-LFA, Dyniel attended the University of Western Ontario where she earned a Bachelor of Science Degree with a major in Chemistry and minor in Biology. She then went on to do the Professional Development Program and attain her Bachelor of Education from SFU. She then joined us here at LFA, drawn by her own fond memories, the close-knit community, and the sense of freedom and possibility the school helps foster in students.
Dyniel’s passion for education extends beyond the classroom. In 2020, along with some of her close friends from the Christian School System, Dyniel founded the Future Bounce Basketball Program. Future Bounce Basketball is an allgirls basketball program that is designed to teach girls the fundamentals of basketball while providing a safe-space for them to learn how to work together and realize their full potential.
As a teacher, Dyniel wishes to uphold the notion that there is a time and place for everything. Yes, the classroom can be a serious place where
important learning is meant to happen, but it can also be a place of fun, where lessons are learned through experience and engagement. She strives to foster an atmosphere of safety, excitement, and joy for her students, one in which they can realize their full potential and have fun while doing so.
We’re overjoyed to have Dyniel join us! We’re confident that intelligent and passionate teachers like her will continue to raise the standards at LFA.
It’s fantastic to welcome the newest face on our Advancement Team, Udhay Sokhi. Udhay joined LFA in January as our Communications Officer, bringing new direction and energy to our school’s communication strategy.
Before joining LFA, Udhay was linked to our school community through his attendance of Vancouver College. Graduating from VC in 2011, he went on to pursue a Bachelor’s of Applied Science at UBC. After finishing his degree in 2016, Udhay spent time working in the Mining sector as a Metallurgical Engineer, before deciding to head back to UBC to complete his Master’s in Management in 2018. During this program, Udhay realized his affinity for all things marketing and communications, prompting him to pursue a Master’s in Global Business at Yale in 2019. Finishing up his academic odyssey in 2020, Udhay began doing marketing and communications work for local start-ups before finding his way to LFA.
Udhay was drawn to LFA by the strong culture of community. He’s motivated by the responsibility of leading communications for the school, and takes great inspiration and pride in being part of a community that is helping steward the next generation of female leaders.
In his free time, Udhay is an avid fan of film and literature, eager to discuss both with any willing participant. In 2021 alone, Udhay managed to watch over 260 movies ranging from Hollywood Classics to alternative and independent foreign cinema. His passion for storytelling translates to his passion for communications and the opportunity within his role, to tell the “story” of the school.
We’re glad to have Udhay join the LFA Team, and we’re excited to have his voice contributing to the growth of our school.
Marisa Pavone '14
LFA is delighted to welcome Marisa Pavone ’14 as a member of its esteemed faculty.
Marisa joined LFA’s teaching staff in fall 2021 teaching Religion 9 and 10.
Throughout her time at LFA, Marisa always had an inkling that she would one-day love to teach in the hallowed halls in which she grew up. “LFA always felt like such a safe space, and the school did such a great job of pushing me to realize my full potential.” Marisa cites Mr. Coady as her biggest source of inspiration at LFA and the reason that she ultimately chose to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Earth Sciences at UBC.
With the zeal and confidence she picked up at LFA, in 2015 Marisa enrolled in the annual Miss Vancouver Pageant. Her driving motivation was the top prize, which offered the opportunity to be a spokesperson for a local charity that funded extra-curricular activities for schools, a cause near and dear to her heart. While she didn’t walk away with the top prize, her 3rd place finish is a testimony to the intelligent and well-rounded woman we know her to be.
In 2019, with a bachelor’s degree under her belt Marisa enrolled in the Bachelor of Education program at UBC, graduating in July 2020. She taught for a year at St. Anthony of Padua before eventually accepting a job at her “dream school”, LFA. Having had practicum experience with special education students and having ADHD herself, Marisa’s approach to teaching is highly flexible. She understands that each student learns in their own unique way and she strives to provide a classroom atmosphere and curriculum that lends itself to a highly varied approach to education.
We’re delighted to have Ms. Pavone teaching at LFA and we’re grateful that our students get to learn from such an enthusiastic and charming educator.
Above:
This year saw a glorious return to our traditional Graduation Liturgy and Ceremony. Our Auditorium was filled with grads, teachers, parents, family and friends. It was a truly joyous atmosphere in which we were able to celebrate the accomplishments of the Class of 2022.
Having persevered through online lectures, adjusted schedules, updated curriculum, and more, the Class of 2022 showed enormous strength and character in the face of novel challenges. It was with great pride that we celebrated this fine group of young women, who will continue to shine their light beyond the walls of LFA.
Congratulations to the graduating Class of 2022!
We are pleased to share Maria’s valedictory speech, which she presented to a full-house in our Auditorium during our Commencement Ceremony on June 6, 2022.
Good afternoon families, friends, faculty, members of the Jane Rowan Society, Sisters of Saint Ann, and all of the Little Flower community.
On behalf of the graduating class, thank you so much for taking the time to be here today. This is the culmination of years of perseverance, and we now find ourselves at the cusp of a new and exciting time in our lives. We are so grateful to be able to celebrate that in the company of those we love, those who have helped us so much on this journey.
Now I could talk for hours about the infinite potential of this group of graduates. Behind me, I see talented creatives, academics, athletes, and leaders. But honestly, as excited as I am to witness them create their futures, I’d like to take this moment to appreciate who they are now, and what the past five years have meant to all of us.
Now those who know me personally may tell you that I am a little bit boisterous. Many people
don’t believe me when I tell them how shy and reserved I used to be. When I first came to LFA, I was scared to be myself. But as I grew up with this class, they showed me kindness that knew no bounds. I came to know a group of individuals as diverse as they were united, and as caring as they were courageous. Like me, they had their share of insecurities, but each and every one of them has a beautiful array of strengths.
It has been one of the great privileges of my young life to see these strengths blossom, and to see these people bloom into bright, kind, loving individuals.
This growth was only possible because of the decades of hard work put into building this community. When the Sisters of Saint Ann founded this institution almost a century ago, they created an entirely unique environment. One that empowered us to cherish our individuality while enabling us to form a tightly knit community. One that pushed us towards excellence while constantly reminding us of the importance of service.
Over the years, our teachers have gone above and beyond to challenge us academically, support our endeavours, and mentor us as we navigate the tribulations of adolescence. I would be remiss not to mention the administrative staff, cafeteria team, custodial staff, and all the
unsung heroes who work tirelessly to make our education possible. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you.
And of course, we must thank the people who brought us here, and have been with us from the beginning: our families. I feel it would almost be reductive to make any sweeping generalizations about your support, because I know each and every one of you has impacted your child in an entirely distinctive way. Thank you for all the ways, big and small, that you have helped us on this journey.
As we grow, I am sure this event which seems so monumental now will take up a smaller and smaller portion of our memory, but the influence of this class, this school, this community, will stay with us forever.
WE ANSWER THE CALL TO BE WITNESSES OF THE LIGHT
Field Hockey remains the biggest sport at LFA as we run four teams, including being the only school to field a dedicated Grade 8 team. The Grade 8's began and ended their season with games against the LFA Junior team. Many of our youngest athletes had never played hockey before, but they played their best, developed their skills, and even scored a few goals against the older team. The strides in their development were apparent to all who watched their first and last game. The Junior Field Hockey team had an amazing season thanks to support and guidance from Ms. Pavone. The season was jam packed with games all over the Lower Mainland, allowing players the chance to play with a variety of opponents and on some of the nicest pitches. The season was capped with a well-earned playoff berth, but the highlight was the team bonding and camaraderie developed throughout the season. This year marked the first time since 2019 that the Senior A Field Hockey team participated in league games and at the AA High School Provincials. After a shootout win against Rockridge in Zones, the team earned a spot competing in Provincials in Victoria. There, they triumphed over Windsor and Collingwood and drew with Shawnigan Lake. The team went on to earn 6th place in BC. All in all it was a season of promise and great fun for the Field hockey players at LFA.
The Swim club had an overall record of 36 participants this year - the most in LFA history! Each individual persevered and overcame all obstacles that were thrown their way. The hard work and dedication ultimately culminated in a fourth place ranking for LFA in the AA Women's Category. A truly momentous milestone for LFA Swimming and all club members involved. Beyond the accomplishments, the first annual Breakfast of Champions, organized for the team by sponsor teacher Madame St-Arnaud was a major highlight.
This year's Cross-Country team embraced new experiences and celebrated the return of old. With a new coach (Mrs. McGuinty) at the helm, the team was excited to return to the races for the first time in a few years. While it was a warm return, the conditions were anything but; students who participated in the races did so in some treacherous rainy and muddy conditions. The resolve they showed in braving the conditions and committing themselves to the sport and their physical health deserves great commendation. A number of our athletes also had the privilege of attending some highly competitive meets this year. These served as a prime opportunity for these athletes to set and reach personal goals to improve throughout the season.
Basketball enjoyed a glorious return to league play this season. The Bantam Basketball team was eager for action as they began their season with rigorous practices in anticipation for games and tournaments. Their hard work paid off as they enjoyed an exciting win at the Douglas College tournament against St. Pat's, with a score of 30-27. More than on-court action however, the Bantam season was defined by laughter had on the bench and the joy of competing once again. The Junior Basketball team soared to new heights this year. The team won the league championship and Sea to Sky Zone championship. They also managed to knock off the #1 perennial powerhouse SMU to make it to the provincial semi-final. Ultimately finishing in 4th place, the season will be remembered for the incredible teamwork and determination displayed throughout.
The 2021 Bantam volleyball team had an incredibly successful season, showing a tremendous amount of improvement throughout. After a strong showing at the BC Catholics and in league play, the Angels managed to defeat York House at the Provincial Quarterfinals before falling to the top-seeded Crofton House in a tightly contested match. The Junior team had a terrific season in their own right. Finding themselves without a coach in their first set of games, the team displayed extraordinary resilience and determination from the get-go. As they improved and became a more promising and cohesive team throughout the season, they worked their way to a Quarter-Final match against York House. While their season ended there, the girls showed tenacity and effort til the very end. To read about the Senior Volleyball team's great season, please see page 63.
It was a wonderful return to form for the Ultimate team this year. The combined LFA/VC team welcomed a new roster of eager and dedicated members. The team started out strong winning their opening games against Fraser Heights and St. John's. An early season defeat to Crofton/ St. George's primed the team for a provincial qualifier rematch where they would put on a valiant effort, showing great leaps in both skill and teamwork, falling short by a tiny differential. The team would bounce back to storm to victory in a later playoff match against Argyle Secondary and finishing off the season at the North Vancouver Zones with impressive efforts against a number of teams. It was a truly action-packed season for the Ultimate team, who looks to match and eclipse their success next year.
The 2022 Track and Field team had an incredible year. From the Sea to Sky Track Meet to Provincials, they represented the school tremendously, putting together several impressive showings across their meets. Three seniors, two juniors, and an impressive five Grade 8 students qualified for the Provincial Championships in Langley. Minji Jeong '23 earned top ten finishes in both the 1500m Race Walk and Pole Vault; Katelyn Sussey '23 placed in the top eight for High Jump; our Grade 8 4x100 relay team earned a top five finish; and Ana Montessori '26 shined as she earned a silver medal in 80m hurdles. Ana missed the top spot by a mere hundreth of a second. Overall, it was a year of strong finishes and stronger spirits.
With the soccer program taking a two-year break due to COVID, the Angels looked to rebuild the soccer program. With a 20-player roster, the Angels worked to develop their game with the goal of making it to the zones and eventually the Provincial Championship tournament. With a few close games that resulted in one-goal losses during the very evenly matched Independent League, the Angels started to find their form as the season drew to a close. Despite an earlier loss to Crofton House at the start of the season, the Angels faced them once again in the Consolation Final with the winner moving on to the Sea-toSky Zone Championships. The Angels played one of their strongest games and came out on top, defeating Crofton this time when it really counted! The team then faced St. Thomas Aquinas in their must-win zone playoff game to keep their season alive. Despite playing their best game of the season, the Angels were taken to overtime and with a minute left in the second half of overtime, STA found the back of the net and the Angels lost 2-1. The team was led by BC Catholic All-Star, graduating player, and captain, Kaylee Bains '22. Her exceptional leadership on and off the pitch will set a precedent with many young junior players waiting to leave their mark. Fantastic team play at the end of the season shows great promise for the years to come!
Coach Katie Larson led an enthusastic group once again this spring. Game opportunities are few as the sport continues to get off the ground for high school girls, but LFA is a the forefront of offering girls these sorts of opportunities.
To read about the LFA/VC Tennis team's remarkable 2022 season, please see page 64.
To read about the LFA/VC Badminton team's incredible undefeated run and championship season, please see page 62.
Reflecting on our BC Provincial Championship Badminton season
AUTHOR: DYNIEL RABANG ‘15
From June 2nd to June 4th the LFA/VC Badminton Team faced teams from across the province to become the BC Badminton Provincial Champions.
Coming out of COVID hibernation, the LFA/ VC badminton team came out with full force as they entered the 2022 Badminton Season. The team started strong, winning all 6 of their regular season games, securing a ticket to the Zone Championship Tournament. The tournament was held at Crofton House where they beat out the competition, placing 1st in the Zone and earning a spot at the BC Badminton Provincials Tournament. This momentum carried the team through the Sea to Sky Championships held at LFA, as they won the tournament and secured their first banner of the season.
The team practiced hard for the Provincial Tournament and in the end, their hard work paid off. The team faced off against the best of the best, taking top spot of 16 teams from across the province and becoming the second LFA/ VC Badminton team to win the BC Provincials Badminton Tournament.
LFA's Co-Captains: Jordan Woo '22 and Sam Ng '22, along with VC's Co-Captains: Jeremy Tam '22 and Albert Liang '22 displayed exemplary leadership as they brought home the gold which couldn't be possible without key players: Thalia
Se '25, Breanne Chan '24, Adrian Wong '22, Dayton Se '22 and Aiden Leong '22.
The team worked hard and all the players: Oafe Cheung '25, Ava MacNeil '25, Carissa Chan '26, Shanice Yu '25, Stephanie Wong '25, Priscilla Mark '24, Nicholas Santos '23, Raimi Misalucha '23, Nicholas Poon '24, Trevor So '24, Tommy Liu '24, Cyrus Lau '25, Max Yang '25 ; and managers Shannon Siu '22, Erika Bush '22, and Matthew Dichupa stepped up to help the team claim gold.
In the end LFA/VC led the way, all the way, ending their season with a perfect 19-0 record.
How LFA's Senior Volleyball Team came back to action with resilience and grit
AUTHOR: LFA YEARBOOK TEAM
It was a season of "comebacks" for our Senior Volleyball Angels this year. After a cancelled season last year, it was awesome to have the team back, playing volleyball for LFA again. The team "came-back" with energy but took a while to find its rhythm, with some early season losses at the UBC Tournament and in the season opener to York House. Then our team was struck by the injury bug. But... this team found a way... a way to fill roles, a will to win and then "comeback", and persevere. This grit demonstrated by our team brought enormous success this year; a silver medal at the BC Catholic Championships, the Independent League Championship for the second year in a row, the Sea to Sky Championship, and a berth in the Provincial Championships.
It is at the BC Provincials where our Angels fell just short of a miracle comeback. The team was losing 2-0 to the #3 team in the tournament - Seaton (from Vernon) - and found a way to dominate the 3rd and 4th set. The team rallied around some massive kills by Elizabeth Lee and the awesome serving of Maddy Darrugia and Georgia Liaskas, not to mention some stellar defense by Lydia Du and Alex Artuso. This set up a thrilling 5th set that went back and forth that could have easily gone the Angels way; but they eventually were bested 19-17 in the 5th and final set. A devastating loss, but yet again
another comeback story for this team. They picked themselves up and marched over to Crofton House to face the team from Dawson Creek, who they quickly dominated and went on to an easy 2-0 win for the bronze medal. Overall, it was a great year for a truly incredible team. Congratulations to our Tournament All-Stars: Elizabeth Lee '22 and Maddy Farrugia '22. Our departing Angels: Kate, Liz, Lydia, and Alex will be sorely missed next year. The team wishes Liz the best of luck as she heads to UBC to play volleyball for the T-Birds!
The LFA/VC tennis team displayed mettle, determination, and exceptional ability during their amazing season. After two years of high school tennis being on hiatus, the Fighting Angels battled hard and earned a well-deserved 4th place in the BC Provinical Championships.
The Fighting Angels started the season by confronting the St. George's/Crofton powerhouse team and successfully defeating Notre Dame. During playoff season, the team dominated the court against West Vancouver Secondary and Lord Byng, securing a spot in the Provincial tournament.
Provincial Championships were held in Victoria for the first time in many years, where the team got to relax and explore the city in their free time. The tournament started with easily defeating Gleneagle and fighting hard against Pinetree. Oak Bay was no match for the team's quick and fast-paced balls, leading the team to fight Sentinel for the Bronze Medal. Although the Fighting Angels were defeated, all players can hold their heads up high as they finished strong and ranked a well-earned 4th place in the province.
The LFA team is incredibly grateful to Coach Pat Macken and Senora Espinel for their constant encouragement and guidance. A special thank you also goes out to team leaders
Lucie-Marie Fabre, Meghan Allaye-Chan, and Benjamin Dee for their leadership, and all players for their eagerness during the tennis season.
Congratulations to the Fighting Angels for such a glorious return to the tennis season and for putting together such a strong showing at Provincials. The future looks incredibly bright for LFA/VC Tennis.
AUTHOR: CAROLYN SUSSEY '94
On November 27th, 2021, the Little Flower Parent Association hosted its 7th Mother Daughter Brunch at the Pinnacle Hotel in downtown Vancouver. The annual event is very popular and usually sells out the first day tickets are released. Unfortunately, due to COVID, it was not held in 2020. Therefore in 2021, anticipating high interest, the event was moved to a larger venue to accommodate more people. Once again, it sold out quickly. In the inaugural year, there were 111 attendees. This event had a record attendance of 500 mothers and daughters showing how much the event has grown and how important this event is to LFA moms and daughters.
As moms to daughters in Grade 11, Colleen Orr ’94 and I relished being able to meet more of our daughters' friends in person, as well as catch up with other moms we had not seen for a while. It was also a nice surprise to see other alumnae with their daughters. It was wonderful to witness friendships that have been formed at school that we as parents haven’t had a chance to observe over the last couple of years. And it was special for us to again be able to share this experience as moms with our daughters and as LFA alums. We always welcome opportunities to reminisce about our experiences and friendships built while at LFA.
When registration started at 9:30 am, more than half the attendees were already there and eagerly participating in the various event stations.
The brunch buffet served was varied and delicious! It was a great way to celebrate time with our daughters. With dad volunteers in charge of hosting the event, we were taken very well care of. Fathers also attended the candy bar where girls eagerly waited to select goodies for their takehome candy boxes.
The brunch was also an event with an additional purpose. Attendees participated in a fundraiser for the food bank and flood relief after historic floods in BC earlier in November. Raffle tickets were sold with prizes from popular stores. There were two photo booths set up. Mothers and daughters could select from an array of props to add colour and whimsy to their pictures. As a keepsake, everyone received a print out and electronic copies of their photos.
The most poignant part of the event was when we collected ourselves in prayer before partaking in the buffet. A prayer was read where mothers prayed for their daughters. Then another prayer was read where daughters prayed for their mothers. It was a lovely moment for us to remember our daughters’ journey at LFA as young ladies.
The ultimate kick off to an incredible spring of LFA events.
With so many events postponed and cancelled, the return of the Father Daughter Dinner Dance was always going to be highly anticipated. The LFA Parents' Auxiliary did a wonderful job of scaling up the event to include every father and daughter who wanted to come.
Though the Father Daughter Dinner Dance has traditionally been contained in the old Auditorium, the vastly increased numbers meant the PA had to reimagine a number of things. The dinner seating spilled into the Dining Hall. Meanwhile, drinks were served in a courtyard tent. It was the only way to accommodate nearly 400 fathers and daughters, but it also created a lovely vibe to the evening. Fathers shared a drink in the courtyard and caught up - or, in many cases, met for the first time. Girls posed for selfies as the light faded with friends and with groups of dads and daughters.
For all the extras, the Father Daughter Dinner Dance is mostly about the dancing. The DJ was in fine form, as the dance floor hopped all night long. There was never a down moment. Top 40 songs gave way to classics and seasoned dancers mingled with those who might be said to have "two left feet". It was all smiles and laughter. Prizes were awarded, though it wasn't clear if dance prowess or simply the ability to make the crowd cheer was the pathway to victory.
Everyone who took part will share in the wonderful memories of a stunning evening shared among a delightful community.
Throughout the pandemic, many of the usual music activities for our LFA students were put on hold as we all navigated a school year of ups and downs and the ever-changing tightening and loosening of pandemic restrictions. Although, at the start of the school year the possibility of a return to in-person performances for our choir students was still unknown, by the end of June all of our music students were able to return to the enriching musical experiences which have been staples of the LFA choral program for many years.
The LFA Chamber Choir performed at the Beyond the Horizon Choral Festival in North Vancouver alongside some of the top high school choirs in the Greater Vancouver area, and our Junior Concert Choir received gold standings at the Vancouver Kiwanis Choral Festival held at the Massey Theatre. In addition, all of our singers had the opportunity to practice in choral workshops throughout the year deepening their knowledge and understanding of music from a variety of different time periods, composers, genres, and musical traditions. Guest conductors included Carrie Tennant, artisitic director of the award-winning Vancouver Youth Choir; Dawn Pemberton, vocalist, teacher, facilitator, choir director, and staple of the Vancouver music scene; as well as Dr. Elizabeth MacIsaac, artistic
director of Ensemble Laude and Jubilate Vocal Ensemble and professor at the University of Victoria on Vancouver Island.
However, the highlight for many of our LFA music students was the opportunity to return to the stage at the Chan Centre of the Performing Arts to share their music in a beautiful choral concert entitled "Where the Light Begins". Audience members were graced with performances by our Junior Concert Choir, Senior Concert Choir, Chamber Choir and student soloists in a concert with themes and reflections around hope, love, and light.
Alice Lee, an award-winning cellist, chamber musician, and orchestra member and member of LFA's graduating class of 2022 also performed at this year's Chan Centre Concert. Alice Lee will be studying cello at the prestigious Julliard School of Music this fall and was an excellent addition to the concert and an opportunity for us to highlight one of the many talented student musicians that we have at Little Flower Academy.
One of the most unique things about the choral music program at LFA is that students are encouraged to explore music, poetry, and text which inspires them to stand confidently and proudly in the world, embrace who they are,
and share their light and love with others - a reminder of LFA's school motto, Ad Lucem, which means "to the light". In preparing our music for this year's concert, both the students and I were reminded that the path towards love and light begins within all of us. We all know that the past few years have been a challenge, but through it all, many of us have emerged with new hope and an understanding of the important things in life. May we be grateful for the many experiences, opportunities, and heartfelt moments we are able to share together now that things look brighter.
AUTHOR: UDHAY SOKHI
Theatre Arts at LFA are a critical part of our mission to support every student's journey of self-expression. Our fine and performing arts program is designed to help every student explore and discover their creativity as they pursue all they are called to be. Drama productions over the years have served as incredible opportunities for our students to learn, grow, and express themselves in a safe and fun environment.
This year was no different. Collaborating with fellow thespians from Vancouver College, LFA students worked tirelessly to put together a dazzling production of one of the most enduring musicals of the 80s, Footloose! At its heart, Footloose is more than just a simple story about a ban on dancing and a rebel with a cause. It's a story of people coping with change, having their beliefs challenged, and learning to accept new things. With this being the first major theatrical production for both LFA and VC post-pandemic, the themes of creative expression and personal freedom couldn't have been more appropriate.
Performances were held at the Irene Manrell Theatre for Performing Arts at Vancouver College from April 25th - 30th. The actors and crew were overwhelmed with the audience response as there wasn't an empty seat for the week's worth of performances. A hearty congratulations is owed to Directors Simone
Bazille and Nicole Macdonald, along with Musical Director Marizza Mislang, for their tireless work in putting the production together. Special thanks are also owed to all donors who helped support the creativity and self-expression of our students through their generous gifts supporting Footloose. Most importantly, we couldn't be more proud of the entire cast and crew of students for putting together a truly incredible and electrifying week of performances.
This year's production of Footloose was made possible in part by LFA's Annual Fund. For the past decade the Annual Fund has been supporting performing arts at LFA. Gifts to the fund are a direct investment in the creativity and self-expression of our students. Such opportunities are pivotal in the development of confident, self-assured, and empowered young women.
AUTHOR: UDHAY SOKHI
It was the summer of 2021; Vancouver was still in the throes of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the 24-hour news cycle was opening our eyes to troubling social issues plaguing both our communty and the world at large. It was in the height of this weighty and scorching summer, that Janelle Tam and Kaitlyn Liu, two LFA students on the cusp of entering the 11th grade, decided they had had enough. Not of the pandemic or the important issues mind you, but of the prevading sense of hopelessness. The presiding sentiment that the world was in bad shape, and there was nothing we could really do about it - that we had to just sit and wait for it to all blow over...whenever that would be.
This did not sit right with Janelle and Kaitlyn, so they started brainstorming how they could make a difference. In doing research, they stumbled upon the issue of homelessness. Homelessness was an issue rampant in the Lower Mainland, and more importantly perhaps, it was an issue they felt they hadn't heard or learned nearly enough about.
The next step for these two enterprsing young women was even more research. If they wanted to make a meaningful contribution towards supporting victims of homelessness, they needed to understand firsthand how it affected people. Janelle and Kaitlyn began reaching out to various homeless shelters and foundations and began having important dialogues with individuals who had lived experiences of homelessness.
This preliminary step not only helped inform the girls of the magnitude of homelessness as a societal issue, but it helped generate a
meaningful framework for how Janelle and Kaitlyn could make a difference.
With the mentorship of LFA's own, Ms.Harrison and Owen Fan, the Director of Operations at Learning Buddies Network, a local non-profit, Janelle and Kaitlyn were able to formulate the main concept of Project Empathic. Through their many conversations with shelters and individuals with lived experiences, something that struck both Janelle and Kaitlyn was the incredible isolation many unhoused people feel at specific times of the year.
This feeling of isolation is not only caused by the experience of being unhoused, but society's general apathy towards the issue of homelessness; many unhoused people expressed how they often feel invisible to passersby. This resonated with Janelle and Kaitlyn, and they were confident it would resonate with their peers as well; the feeling of being seen or unseen was not uncommon amongst their age group. With this, the idea dawned on them that they could create a little light in the life of unhoused folks by commissioning fellow students to write and create greeting cards for them, particularly around holidays like Christmas and Valentine's Day.
The girls weren’t satisfied with just that however.Over the course of their research Janelle and Kaitlyn realized how much their empathy for the issue of homelessness was informed by their deeper understanding of it. The more the girls learned, the more important it became to do something. Knowledge as a driver of empathy was an important revelation
for them, and they realized it was important to spur it in their peers and society at large. Thus, in tandem to commissions for greeting cards, Janelle and Kaitlyn decided they would also host workshops to teach fellow students about homelessness. In particular, their aim was to shed light on how homelessness is a societal issue rather than an individual one – it is not in fact brought on by people unto themselves but is a symptom of socio-economic inequality.
Project Empathic would thus be a fully realized concept, committed to making a positive impact on the lives of unhoused people today, while simultaneously generating empathy through knowledge on the issue of homelessness itself. A project at once interested in making an immediate impact, while creating a pathway for greater change in the future.
As of today, Project Empathic has collected over 500 greeting cards and delivered six workshops in total in collaboration with the following organizations:
- Errington Clubhouse
- Ferris Clubhouse
- Grauer Clubhouse
- Jessie Wowk Clubhouse
- McKinney Clubhouse
- MacCorkindale Clubhouse
- Spul’u’kwuks Clubhouse
- Westwind Clubhouse
- Connections Kids Club
- Maple Grove Elementary School
- St. Augustine School
- St. Jude Elementary School
- Little Flower Academy
Watching the community take to Project Empathic the way it has, has been overwhelming for Janelle and Kaitlyn to say the least. Janelle describes it as “one of the best experiences of [her] life.” Not only seeing the heaps of cards produced, but reading the beautiful sentiments and words of encouragement inside them has filled the girls with immense gratitude and joy.
When asked what they hoped to accomplish with Project Empathic, Janelle expressed, more than anything, wanting to inspire a sense of empathy in people. In destigmatizing homelessness, Janelle and Kaitlyn hoped to get children to start thinking about the issue in a different way and to subsequently go home and engage their parents about it as well. In doing so, Janelle and Kaitlyn hoped to spark thoughtful family discussions about homelessness - discussions that would encourage parents to think critically about the root causes of homelessness and try to better understand how we as a society can help tackle the issue.
Ultimately, homelessness is not an issue any one individual feels responsibility for, unlike littering for example, it can thus be difficult understanding what part we can or should play in combatting it. Therein lies the apathy and lack of momentum for an issue like homelessness. By starting Project Empathic, Janelle and Kaitlyn hoped to educate people to the point of being personally invested in the matter – after all, a societal issue like homelessness requires a society to help address it.
What exactly makes homelessness a societal issue you ask? Janelle and Kaitlyn were quick
to answer. It boils down to three main ideas: income inequality, discontinuation of social programs, and criminalization. Increased income inequality throughout the 21st century has pushed more and more people out of their homes. The stark disparity of a living wage and the current minimum wage in BC has rendered situations whereby hard-working citizens are forced to choose between feeding themselves or putting a roof over their heads. The simultaneous discontinuation of social programs that provide affordable housing and aid low-income individuals has meant the elimination of the few safety nets these people had. Finally, further exacerbating the situation are discriminatory laws towards unhoused individuals. Laws preventing people from sleeping on benches, and other harshly imposed measurements simply add fuel to the fire, making it virtually impossible for someone who finds themselves unhoused to subsist and emerge from their situation. These combined factors in essence create and perpetuate the vicious cycle of homelessness.
So, what’s next for Project Empathic? Janelle and Kaitlyn hope to expand their reach by partnering with more schools. This will not only mean more volunteers making more cards, but it will also mean the opportunity to get to host more workshops and educate more students about issues surrounding homelessness. As Project Empathic grows, Janelle and Kaitlyn also hope to introduce more specific workshops, moving from bringing awareness to homelessness as an issue to tackling more specific subject matter within. They also hope to learn a lot more themselves and begin formulating more tangible solutions to homelessness; they hope to move from
diagnosing the problem to taking active steps to remedying it.
We are incredibly inspired by the enormous empathy and steadfast determination Janelle and Kaitlyn have displayed in stewarding Project Empathic. The girls have already made an enormous contribution to enriching the lives of unhoused people while raising awareness of homelessness and fostering empathy. Project Empathic is a testament to the great minds and even greater hearts of Janelle Tam and Kaitlyn Liu. We couldn’t be more proud!
A touching story of outreach and gratitude
AUTHOR: UDHAY SOKHIThroughout the pandemic, seniors in care homes faced many challenges. The strict restrictions and overwhelming sense of isolation created a deep longing for connection with loved ones. In response, LFA's Reverence for Life Club, led by teacher Sarah Matossian '97, decided to reach out to seniors in care homes with handmade cards to express their love and compassion.
Club members put together 75 handmade cards for a local seniors care facility, writing personal notes of encouragement and hope to each member by name. The hope was that this project would bring a smile to their faces and brighten their days. This project of compassion was one of many outreach efforts organized by the Reverence for Life Club this year.
What made this specific outreach particularly special was the amazing response the club received back from the care home. The staff and members of the senior's residence were so moved by the gesture from our students that they wrote back to LFA with a touching letter expressing their gratitude. The content of said letter is transcribed here:
Dear LFA Reverence for Life Club,
The Staff and Residents of PHC - Brock Fahrni Pavilion 3rd Floor would like to extend our sincere gratitude, heartfelt thanks, and appreciation to all of you.
Your act of kindness and thoughtfulness through the beautiful handmade cards with thoughtful and loving messages you sent brought joy and smiles to our residents. Those cards cheered up a lot of them who were feeling bored; helpless; hopeless; and missing their homes and loved ones.
Many of them carried their cards on their walkers and proudly showed them to other residents, visitors, and staff. Others put them on their tables or pinned them on their bedside cork boards.
Here are some of their verbal remarks:
"It feels good to be remembered"
"I will pray for the sender during my rosary"
"May God bless the students"
"The sender of this card is an Angel"
"I am touched that someone is thinking of me"
I am so happy to have this card"
"I will show this to my family when they come"
And many more...
The knitted hearts were used by a few for hand exercises or placed at the residents bedside as part of their collection/decor. Once again, thank you so much for your many creative acts of kindness especially to the residents of our home. May God continue to bless you, your school, and your families.
The students were truly touched by the response and ecstatic that their gesture had made an impact. We couldn't be more proud of our students for exemplifying the spirit of generosity and compassion that defines Little Flower Academy.
Student Kennedy Orr '23 interviewed Linda Liutku '94 as part of an assignment in her Career Education 11 class. Linda works in the non-profit International development sector in Toronto, where she works with underdeveloped communities overseas.
After LFA, Linda went to St. Francis Xavier University in Nova Scotia where she did
her career. She got a job at the United Nations working with UNICEF, the United Nations Children Fund. She moved to Tajikistan to pursue this job, which had been her dream since she was young. She moved back to Canada and began a career at WarChild and then Plan International where she currently works. When you begin working in international development in Canada you grow your career by traveling a lot. Most of your work is done in the field, so people travel to underdeveloped countries
Growing up, Linda lived in a very grounded family that did not idolize money, success, or other superficial things. As she grew up and entered the international development world, she was able to better understand the values that her family had when she was younger. Compared to people in other parts of the world, we are very lucky to have all that we have in Canada. She had three international development workers in her family when she was young, two uncles, and one family friend. Back then it was only a volunteer position, not a job that you could get paid for. This was when she realized how amazing it was to give up your time to improve the lives of others. Linda has always loved to travel and was also very passionate about human rights, so when she found out that there was a way you could make money doing both of those things, she decided it was the right fit. The people that she gets the privilege of meeting are also big inspirations for Linda. Even though you see some sad things along the way, knowing that you are making a difference in someone else’s life is a great part of the job. You get to meet lots of great people that inspire you to work harder.
an undergraduate degree in anthropology and psychology and took classes at Coady International Institute. After, she went and traveled around Latin America and Southeast Asia for five years and volunteered with local organizations. She traveled to countries such as Nepal and Costa Rica; this was the first time that she was immersed in the world of international development. She returned to Canada and did a master's degree at Saint Mary’s University where she studied international development and Latin American politics. In the final year of her master's degree, she applied for oversea postings to gain practical experience. This allowed her to see how different working in the field vs working from a head office was and later inspired her to move back to Canada.
After finishing her master's degree she experienced the first major turning point in
overseas at least once a month if not more to help out. Once you progress in your career you can choose to keep traveling or to start working more from your head office. Linda started by traveling a lot and interacting with communities firsthand, but now she has transitioned to working with people from different international development offices to develop their skills and to allow them to work in the field with people in need. She monitors and evaluates their progress and decides what the next steps should be. Currently, most of her work is focused on French speaking countries such as Haiti and the Congo. Linda also teaches a college course that prepares people to go into international development. If you are working for a non-profit, international development does not pay as much as some other career paths do, but being able to see the changes that you make with your own eyes is beyond rewarding, according to Linda.
Linda’s advice for the younger generation is to research and figure out lots about the career path you want to go into before you enter it. You should get some experience and perspective of that job. For the students in her college course, she always recommends spending time volunteering overseas to see if they would enjoy international development. You also have to enjoy your studies in order to enjoy your future job. She strongly believes that no one should do a job only for the money, as you will not be happy. One of Linda’s biggest regrets in life was not taking a biology class during her undergraduate. She thought that she would not be smart enough to take a science course, so she stuck to what she thought she was good at. Had she taken biology she would have had more options later in life, and may have even done a master's in biology and had a career in marine biology. The lesson here is to not doubt yourself or limit yourself because you think that you may not succeed. Just because you are leaning towards arts or sciences, it does not mean that you cannot switch between the two. I learned a lot from Linda and found her story very interesting and helpful.
Our annual Walkathon serves as a great opportunity for students to contribute to their own education. In the process, they gain valuable insight and understanding of the collective investment that sustains LFA. This year, our students raised over $65,000! It is an incredible accomplishment and our most successful Walkathon ever. Beyond the money raisef, the success of the day could be measured in the smiles and laughter emanating from the girls as they enjoyed a beautiful walk on a gorgeous day.
STUDENTS RAISED MORE THAN $65,000 ... OUR MOST SUCCESSFUL WALKATHON EVER
We want to celebrate the named endowment funds, which will serve and enrich Catholic girls’ education in Vancouver in perpetuity.
Dana Hospitality Endowment Fund
AREA OF GREATEST NEED
Fitch & Dudek Family Endowment Fund
AREA OF GREATEST NEED
Hensel Family Endowment Fund
AREA OF GREATEST NEED
Jack and Bettye Mills Family Endowment Fund
CAMPUS MINISTRY
Jeanne (Gagnon) Comesotti ‘55 Endowment Fund
AREA OF GREATEST NEED
Le Billon Family Endowment Fund
AREA OF GREATEST NEED
Lloyd and Mary Rogers Memorial Endowment Fund
FINANCIAL AID
Man Family Athletic Endowment Fund
ATHLETICS
Marcelle De Frietas Endowment Fund
FINANCIAL AID
McKee Family Endowment Fund
AREA OF GREATEST NEED
Mowat Family Endowment Fund
AREA OF GREATEST NEED
Sr Josephine Carney SSA ‘38 Endowment Fund
FINANCIAL AID
Westbury Family Endowment Fund
AREA OF GREATEST NEED
www.lfabc.org/lfafoundation
Little Flower Academy is fast approaching its centenary. We seem to be past the most disruptive days of a global pandemic and in-person events and activities are returning. Performances, athletic opportunities, competitions, and travel are returning to the fold. It is, in short, a very exciting time for students and families at the school. The year ahead promises to be something really special and we are thankful for the rich experience that each and every girl will have at LFA in the coming months and years.
Already one of the most exceptional schools in the province, LFA is unique on many levels: Catholic and all girls. Delivering a CISVA curriculum, but independent. The top ranked school, but widely accessible. Authentically well-rounded, with amazing fine arts, athletics, and club opportunities. The school has established itself because leadership has always looked forward. Whether it was the Sisters of St. Ann in 1992 seeing the importance of science labs or the Jane Rowan Society making the commitment to co-curricular infrastructure in 2007. We again find ourselves looking forward to give young women a school facility that sustains and enriches the type of education we hope to deliver.
The Little Flower Academy Foundation is working closely with the Jane Rowan Society to help see through a generational project. In fact, this project will be the largest revitalization of school facilities since the 1950s. It will transform our spaces, tools and learning environment to one that is far better suited to empowering exceptional learning outcomes in the 21st century. Growing the Endowment Fund will be a key part of the project, as we see the role of endowment revenue being critical to maintaining accessibility and, therefore, our school culture through to our next centenary.
Our plan is being formulated, and it will be ambitious. Our ambition mirrors the dreams and aspirations of every student that walks the halls of Little Flower. We will need your help. As we continue to advance our planning and begin sharing the vision more fully, I look forward to updating you more in the months ahead. We see this opportunity as a blessing that will impact generations.
As we look forward, I want to also thank all those who have helped us get to where we are. Gifts to LFA have increased and gifts continue to enrich every girl’s experience, every day. Thank you. Please know that your support, in all its forms, does wonderful work in the lives of our daughters.
Sincerely,
Tony Guglielmin CHAIR, LITTLE FLOWER ACADEMY FOUNDATION
The Founders' Circle Reception is our annual opportunity to recognize those in our community who have made LFA a philanthropic priority and given at a leadership level over the past year. This year's reception was particualrly special because it was our first in-person reception since 2019. We were thrilled to celebrate the over 220 families who were part of our Founders' Circle over the last 3 years. The Founders' Circle includes alumnae, parents, past parents, grandparents, faculty, staff, directors, and trustees. We were especially grateful to recognize those who hit the milestone of being five, and ten year members of the Founders' Circle. The reception took place in the beautiful Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Gardens; graciously made possible by Lorraine Lowe '93. On the following pages you can see images of the beautiful event and some of the wonderful people we had the privilege of celebrating.
A joyous evening of community and gratitude.
The LFA Foundation stewards the Little Flower Academy Endowment Fund—a permanent trust that provides financial resources to Little Flower in perpetuity.
The continued growth of the LFA endowment fund has been made possible by those who have committed named endowments ($25,000+), which generate resources that will enrich girls' education for years to come. The LFA Foundation received more than $85,000 in endowment fund commitments this year, and now manages approximately $2M - a true milestone for the Foundation and a testament to our community's generous spirit. Each named endowment is a unique story of connection to the school and often a personal commitment to the value of the type of education that is uniquely LFA. These named endowments include:
DANA HOSPITALITY ENDOWMENT
FITCH AND DUDEK FAMILY ENDOWMENT
JACK AND BETTYE MILLS FAMILY ENDOWMENT
JEANNE (GAGNON) COMESOTTI '55 ENDOWMENT
HENSEL FAMILY ENDOWMENT
LE BILLON FAMILY ENDOWMENT
MARCELLE DEFREITAS BURSARY ENDOWMENT
MAN FAMILY ATHLETIC ENDOWMENT
MCKEE FAMILY ENDOWMENT
MOWAT FAMILY ENDOWMENT
LLOYD & MARY ROGERS MEMORIAL BURSARY ENDOWMENT
SR JOSEPHINE CARNEY SSA ‘38 ENDOWMENT
WESTBURY FAMILY ENDOWMENT
The Foundation also administers financial aid and awards that widely benefit our community at every grade, which are not endowed but funded annually through long-term commitments to the school. These include:
BRENDA TROUGHTON MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
THE CARRARESI FOUNDATION IN MEMORY OF AUGUSTO
CARRARESI BURSARY
CULLEN FAMILY BURSARY
KRISTIAN DOMINGO FOUNDATION #11 FOREVER SCHOLARSHIP
MEI YING CHANG MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
PENNY AND JIM ROGERS SCHOLARSHIP
SAMANTHA M. WONG '96 MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP (NEWLY ESTABLISHED)
WASIELA FAMILY BURSARY
VINCENT T. WONG MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
Did you know that 100% of financial aid and scholarship available to LFA students is made possible through philanthropy? With the growth of Class Funds, which are designated solely for financial aid, alumnae giving is playing a crucial role in keeping LFA accessible in the community. It is a testament to the spirit of generosity and service that pervades our greater community that we see such strong support from our alumnae.
Begun in 2012, our class endowment funds were born when the Grad Committee of the Class of 2012 made the very first class gift to the LFA Foundation. Only a week later, during their 50th reunion, the Class of 1962, inspired by the wonderful gesture and the impact a class gift could truly have, made their own gift in recognition of the impact that LFA had on their lives. Ever since, each new graduating class has continued the tradition by making their own gift, and since that time grad classes of the past have joined in.
The result has been an outpouring of love from past generations of Angels in support of future generations. As LFA provided a safe space of empowerment, compassion, and growth to so many girls before, so to will it provide such opportunity and more to future generations of students.
Together, all class funds represent over $40,000 of endowed financial aid resources. This number is a testament to the strength of our alumnae community. Its steady growth is symbolic of the role LFA has played in empowering generations of young women, and the role it will continue to play in empowering future generations. Below are the current leading Class Funds:
A generous community sets a pathway for uniquely accessible all-girls education into the future.
We recognize all those donors who have supported us through the year. Special thanks to those members of our Founders’ Circle at Little Flower Academy, where we recognize leadership giving to the school.
Leadership gifts have a profound impact on the education and experience of every girl at Little Flower Academy. Leadership gifts are the foundation for balancing excellence and accessibility, which is core to our mission and vision. We gratefully acknowledge our leadership donors this past year.
* : 5+ years as members of the Founders’ Circle
** : 10+ years as members of the Founders’ Circle
Anonymous x 9
Anonymous x 4*
Mary Alexander
Arantxa Alikhani-Nunez ‘25
Gerald Allaye-Chan and Sau Sau Liu
Joseph Alvaro and Erica Chen
Robert Ambardar and Jane Arthurs
Philippe Arrata and Bernadette Alejandrino
Ricky and Sarah Artuso *
Karen Au Yeung ‘02
Marivi and Rosauro Bacay
Wensley and Joanna Ban
Daniel and Diana Bartolic
Robert and Jean Baxter
Morgan and Colleen Beggs *
Mark Brown
Ryan and Susan Bryde ‘92 *
Daniel and Sophia Bubaš
The Burns Family
Chris and Shana Bystrom *
Truc Cao and Thi Huyen Tran
Carraresi Foundation in Memory of Augusto Carraresi **
Karen and Pino Carteri
Suzanne Cassinos **
Perry Ceholski and Valerie Baiton
The Chak Family
Andrew Chan and Helen Cheung
Bruno Chan and Lisa Cheung
Francis Chan and Connie Yu *
Leonard Chan and Keryl Leung
Patrick and Yong Yong Chan
Roger and Ming-Ming Chan
Silvia and John Chan
Casper Chen and Mandy Li
Andy and Lily Cheng
Jason Cheng and Winnie Lai
John Cheng and Joyce Tsang-Cheng
Peter Cheng and Laura Gao
Tanya Cheung '02
Thomas Cheung and Lu Tang
Christopher Chiu and Joyee Ng
Stephen Chiu and Bonnie Tse
Edward Choice and Selina Leung
Jae Chong and Anna Choi
Dan and Maria Chow
Howard Chow and Cecilia Ting
Julius Chow and Elsa Kam
Phillip Chow and Cindy Mak
Kostas and Sylvia Christopoulos *
Angel Chu and Kim Leung *
Kelvin Chu and Renee Cheung
Jim and Kathy Clarke *
Tom Clarke and Lilian Du *
Matt Collingwood
Leo Comesotti *
Corilee Cotter ‘70 **
The Cullen Family **
Dana Hospitality LP *
Emeric and Raquel de Traversay **
The Do Family
Kailey Do’21 and Kara Do ‘22 *
Kristian Domingo Foundation
Jose Dos Santos and Christine Yap
Aaron Dunn and Gabriela Oteiza ‘97
Rocelyn Duro *
Robert Edmonds in memory of Diane Edmonds '57
Brian Elgood and Rowena de la Torre
Oguz and Funda Erel
Laurent Fabre
Andy Fan and Monica Chen
Neil Farlette and Wendy Christie '79 *
Bret and Cat Ferguson
Alexander and Milly Ferronato *
Delaney and Shari Fisher
Ben Fitch and Angela Dudek **
The Forward Family
Janina Freyman ‘55 **
Andy and Esther Fung
Gerald and Cecilia Gatchalian
Rusty and Lindy Goepel ‘63
Luigi and Sherry Grande
Tracey Gurton
Steve and Chiara Hnatiuk ‘85 *
Melissa Holland and Bruce Clark
Kathryn and Richard Hoos
Arthur Huang and Maggie Ma
Bill Huang and Maggie Zhang
Jeffrey Hunter and Stephanie Weterings
Joseph Ip and Lorna Tang
Bob and Lesley Jackson ‘90
Simon and Kim Kai
Paolo and Winnie Kalaw *
Erika Kasai-Ullrich and Dierk Ullrich *
Tsuyoshi Kin and Jeannie Leung
Damien and Vickie King '94
Dylon Koh and Christy Chow
Edwin and Goretti Kong
Paul Kopczynski and Kamila Kopczynska
Mike Kuiack and Barbie Wu
Alex Kwong and Leona Mak
Sarah Kwong '06
Agusto Labao and Ruby Cenizal
Kenneth Lai and Bronche Cheng
Maya Lakhanpal '27
Vincent Lau and Agnes Yu
Pascal Lavoie and Isabelle Fontaine
Michael Law and Shirley Fung
Steven and Vanessa Le
Philippe Le Billon and Karen Bakker *
Chan-Seng Lee and Sheila Yuen
Alick Lei and Michelle Zhang
Leith Wheeler Investment Counsel Ltd.
Marcus Lem and Jill Bowerman
Philip and Carole Leong ‘86 *
Hervé Leong-Chung and Bonna Poon *
Henry Leung and Frances Lam
Martin Leung and Agnes Fung
The Li and Lew Family
Bosco Li and Miranda Choi
Eric Li and Teresa Yang
Morning Li and Vicky Guo
Matthew Liang and Thera Chen
Thomas Liaskas and Dikaia Vakakis *
John Lin and Nancy Lee *
Eric Ling and Lorraine Lowe ‘93
Jon and Diane Little ‘88 **
Michael Liu and Anne Lau
Patrick Liu and Monica Pang
Andrew Loo and Jobina Tsang ‘93
Lorraine Lowe '93 in Honour of teacher Virginia Slayton
Terry Lu and Rosanna Wang
Siegfried and Lisa Luft *
Alan and Clara Lui
Nelson Lui and Ingrid Chan ‘85
Edgar and Karina Luk
Albert Lum and Ayako Tan-Lum *
Cynthia and Sampson Lung *
Jie Ma and Yi Chen
Andrew MacNeil and Joanne Kent
Nicholas and Claudine Maile
Brandon Mak and Sally Cheng
The Man Family **
Brad Martyniuk and Rita Scarpino
John and Alison McGillivray
Michael and Monika McIsaac
Michael and Monique McKee ‘91
Michael and Leanne Moretto ‘90 *
Todd and Marion Morgan '91
John Morrison and Jane Adams *
Andrew and Miriam Mowat ‘88 **
Gordon Ng and Rio Wong *
Ken Ngan and Margaret Yeung
Alberto and Alma Nisperos and Family
Amir and Marina Noorpour
Patric Ouellette and Patricia Aroca-Ouellette
Jacqueline Ovsenek ‘17 **
Julia Ovsenek ‘17 **
Thomas Pang and Michelle Leung
Warren and Su Yin Paolucci
Carla Pashak '87
Khai Phan and Lisa Tran
Tamsin Plaxton
Fernando and Kharen Po
Hong Qi and Meijuan Zhong
James Qian and Carol Chen
The Ramchandani Family *
Dan and Johanna Roberts
Kirk and Michelle Romero
Aldo Salvestro and Cathie Filiatrault
Rob and Allison Sapiecha
Derek Schick and Stephanie Von Dehn '91
Jiong Shan and Jing Zhang
Angela Shen ‘86 *
Norman and Wai-ling So
Roland and Sandy St. Cyr **
Eric and Catherine Sugiarto
Mauvorneen Suttie ‘67 **
Bettina Sy ‘97 **
Diana and Alex Sy **
Jose and Catherine Tai *
Rod and Jo-Ann Tait '92
Stephen Tam and Irene Chang
Yue Tang and Michael Duente *
Steve and Ruth Tatone ‘92
Alex Teng and Vivian Tang *
Theresa Teufel and Karen Teufel ‘02 *
Fred and Patricia Tewfik
Christian Thoma and Saby Ramirez
Tommy Tian and Wendy Wang
Eric and Vivian Tong
Kirk and Laurinla Tran
Geoffrey and Karen Trotter
Jim Tsui and Jackie Fan
Godfrey Uy and Brenda Cheng
Harold and Mary Jane Uy
Marie Valino
Frederick and Iris Villasenor
Isabelle Vonder Muhll ‘88 **
Sergius Wai and Bertha Wong
Dong Wang and Angela Jiang
Jonny Wang and Jiana Liang
Nelson Wang and Vivienne Wu
Nanuk Warman and Onelis Estevez
Izabela Wasiela ‘99 | Wasiela Family Bursary Fund
Mark Werner and Anna Kang
David Williams and Tamara Christie *
David and Catherine Williscroft '89
The Wong Family in Memory of Samantha M. Wong ‘96 *
The Wong Family in Memory of Vincent T. Wong *
Alex Wong and Cindy Chow *
Vincent Wong and Joyce Lee *
Chung Wah Wong and Adrienne Cheng
Sovereign Property Group | The Woo Family *
Dan Xu and Camellia Yang
Adrian Yu and Pamela Foo
Richard Yu and Jennifer Chan
Andy Yuen and Sandy Lai
Paul Zeng and Annie Chen *
Alex Zhang and Amy Wei
Yiting Zhang and Cecilia Huang *
Xiaoqian Zhu and Jia Guan
Gifts of every size make a difference. It is our collective effort that sustains and enriches LFA’s long history of educating young women in the Catholic tradition. We acknowledge and thank those who supported LFA this past year.
* : 5+ years giving to the Annual Fund
** : 10+ years giving to the Annual Fund
Anonymous x17
Linda and Mark Aleong
Rosemarie Alvaro ‘69
Hardy Antolis and Dewi Ratna
Cherie Au '01
Davies and Cheryl Aw
Ross Ballard
Kurt and Elzmari Bedford
Theresa Belton ‘79 *
Bianca Bravo '23 and Matti Bravo '26
Sr. Nancy Brown, SC
Susan Bullock ‘68
Rolan Cajuday and Merce Munoz
Meghan Canil ‘00
Though included above, we wanted to specially acknowledge alumnae who continue to support the next generation of young women at the school.
* : 5+ years giving to the Annual Fund
** : 10+ years giving to the Annual Fund
1940s
Fay Guns ‘46 **
Rea MacNeil ‘49
1950s
Leo Comesotti in memory of Jeanne Comesotti ‘55 *
Janina Freyman ‘55 *
Joan Dumaresq ‘56
Robert Edmonds in memory of Diane Edmonds '57
Jane Torresan ‘57 *
1960s
Janice Feld ‘62 *
Mary Catherine Doyle ‘63 *
Lindy Goepel ‘63
Jacqueline Gresko ‘65 *
Maureen Elliott '67
Mauvorneen Suttie ‘67 **
Susan Bullock ‘68
Rosemarie Alvaro ‘69
Caroline Cannon ‘04 *
Richard and Barbara Cannon
Samantha Chang '04
Bergan Cheng '00
Dina Chies
Michele Chiu ‘96 *
Catherine Chua
Chantal Coschizza ‘10
Louella Cruz ‘97 *
Charmaine de Silva ‘00 *
Roderic and Anges Dela Cruz
Russ and Nicole Dosenberg '92
Mary Catherine Doyle ‘63 *
Joan Dumaresq ‘56
Monika Durose '92
Maureen Elliott '67
Mariana Falbo ‘17
Janice Feld ‘62 *
Lynda Fellows ‘79 *
Ewen Fung and Elsa Tam
Ross and Elizabeth Gray
Jacqueline Gresko ‘65 *
Fay Guns ‘46 **
Emma Hatfield ‘95 **
Froilan Hernandez and Leah Pangilinan
1970s
Corilee Cotter ‘70 **
Theresa Belton ‘79 *
Wendy Christie ‘79 *
Lynda Fellows ‘79 *
Carolyn Railton ‘79 *
1980s
Ingrid Chan ‘85
Chiara Hnatiuk ‘85
Carole Leong ‘86
Angela Shen ‘86
Caroline Kriekenbeek ‘87
Carla Ledesma '87
Tracy Kerins '88
Diane Little ‘88 **
Miriam Mowat ‘88 **
Isabelle Vonder Muhll ‘88 **
Catherine Williscroft '89
1990s
Lesley Jackson ‘90
Leanne Moretto ‘90 *
Monique McKee ‘91
Marion Morgan '91
Stephanie Von Dehn '91
Susan Bryde ‘92 *
Nicole Dosenberg '92
Monika Durose '92
Javier Herrera and Sandra Trujillo
Cywa Huang
Michelle Huang
Sunny Ip and Gloria Cheang
Joey and Connie Javier
Candace Jue '12
Shreya Kakachery '20
Tracy Kerins '88
Caroline Kriekenbeek ‘87
Peter Kwong and Crystal Zhan
Jerry and Kathleen Landry
Leonora Laranang
John, Yvonne, and Joelle Lee '13
Jorge and MJ Lee
Gretel Ling and Ivo Widjojo
Artur Luebkemann
Rea MacNeil ‘49
Masami Matsuda
Eduardo Moura and Fernanda Souza
Patricia Ng ‘01
Thoi Nguyen and Phuong Tran
Eric and Geraldine Pe
Dean, Yvonne, and Francesca Pietrantonio '13
Athena Pucovsky ‘19
Carolyn Railton ‘79 *
Sheila Randall
Stephen and Jenet Robles
Michelle Rodrigues ‘18
Greg and Connie Sabo
Jimmy Santoso and Aemelia Noegroho
Ricky Siu and Florence Wong
Vincent So and Sandy Zhang
Amanda Spathis ‘17
Ken and Delores Thai
Weilie and Kim Tjoe
Jane Torresan ‘57 *
Vincent Uy and Grace Limoanco
Stephanie Wan Min Kee ‘03
Lindsey Williams
Raymond Woo and Catherine Sales
Bernard Wu and Joanna Yau
Max Xiao and Ivy Chan
Michelle Yang ‘14
Jefferson and Lee Yupitun
Jo-Ann Tait '92
Ruth Tatone ‘92
Lorraine Lowe ‘93
Jobina Tsang ‘93
Vickie King '94
Emma Hatfied ‘95 **
Michele Chiu ‘96 *
The Wong Family in Memory of
Samantha M. Wong ‘96 *
Louella Cruz ‘97 *
Gabriela Oteiza ‘97
Bettina Sy ‘97 **
Izabela Wasiela ‘99 *
2000s
Meghan Canil ‘00 *
Bergan Cheng '00
Charmaine de Silva ‘00 *
Cherie Au '01
Patricia Ng ‘01
Karen Au Yeung ‘02 *
Tanya Cheung '02
Karen Teufel ‘02 *
Stephanie Wan Min Kee ‘03
Caroline Cannon ‘04 *
Samantha Chang '04
Sarah Kwong '06
2010s
Chantal Coschizza ‘10
Candace Jue ‘12
Joelle Lee '13
Francesca Pietrantonio '13
Michelle Yang ‘14
Mariana Falbo ‘17
Jacqueline Ovsenek ‘17
Julia Ovsenek ‘17
Amanda Spathis ‘17
Michelle Rodrigues ‘18
Athena Pucovsky ‘19
2020s
Shreya Kakachery ‘20
Kailey Do '21
Kiara Do '22
MOM: Katelyn McGuinty '04
BABY: Georgia
MOM: Schuyler Smyth '10
SCHUYLER SMYTH '10 “Lachlan Shane Nazareno came into the world fast and furious, three weeks early, born on March 3, 2021. He was 5 pounds and 18 inches long, and boy could he cry! Our hearts melted instantly with grateful relief and euphoria. The last two years have been equally the most amazing and terrifying of my life.
At my 21 week ultrasound, I thought the biggest news Logan and I would hear was whether we would be welcoming a baby boy or girl. All sorts of futures danced through my head as I wondered what he or she might be like. But that detail seemed as insignificant as the price of tea in China by the time we received the results. Our future son had Congenital Heart Disease; specifically, he had something called Tetralogy of Fallot, which is a combination of 4 separate defects. Later, we learned he had an additional defect around his mitral valve. I felt numb. I felt angry. I wondered what I did wrong. I grieved the child I thought I would be having and the beautiful future we imagined.
JESSICA CHOW '08 will marry her elementary school crush Sherman Ho on August 13, 2022 at OLPH Church. They met in grade 2 at OLPH and were reunited during the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. They will be celebrating with friends, family, and many LFA ladies who have watched them grow up together. Congratulations!
BRIDGET BEDARD '06 and husband Colin are thrilled with the birth of Sweet Baby James on March 3, 2022 weighing in at 6lbs. 8 oz. Grandma Krista Bedard "MOMO" is over the moon!
KATELYN (MOORE) MCGUINTY '04 Gordon, Margo, and Evelyn welcomed Georgia Marie on April 2, 2022. That makes her the first student to be enrolled in the LFA Graduating Class of 2040!
JULIA DIAKOW '08 and husband Kyle are thrilled with the birth of their first child, the wonderfully amazing Amy. Born December 1, 2021 in Squamish, weighing 5lbs 14 oz.
In a few short months, I became an expert and advocate for our son and his condition. I understood the HUGE range of possible outcomes that our unborn child might face. Nonetheless, I was determined to step up to any challenge. Something I think about often is our first full cardio work up, after being discharged from the NICU. Lachlan was so small and had a terrible night, so I had a terrible night. I couldn’t lay him down for even a minute without hearing my son scream. I was exhausted in the waiting room, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. Nobody told me what these appointments looked like and due to the pandemic, I was alone with him. There was a teenager sitting behind us, waiting too. I cried silently as I rocked my baby. I looked up at the wall where there was a map of the road to adult cardiac care. More tears and anxiety washed over me. Then, the mother of that teenager came up to me and said, “It gets easier. It gets harder, too. But it gets easier. You can do this and so can he.”
That mother was right. It got easier after this. We entered our new stage with the same pertinacity I had learning about Lachlan’s condition. The appointments became routine. Lachlan grew bigger and stronger. At home, he started cooing and smiling at us. We were surrounded and filled with love, joy, and hope.
That mother was also right that it got harder, though. TOF babies are known as “blue babies,” for good reason. The most distinctive characteristic or symptom in a TOF baby is that they quite literally go blue, due to lack of oxygenated blood to their lungs. In the months leading up to Lachlan’s expected surgery, he demonstrated this. Then, on August 9, 2021, at 7:54 am, we kissed our son and a surgical team took him away. It was time to fix his heart. We had 100% faith in our team and in our brave boy. But that was an impossible moment.
Congenital heart disease effects approximately 1/100 babies. I’m no mathematician, but that is a huge number. Many of those effected by this disease live full and happy lives, which we expect Lachlan to (he sure hasn’t slowed down yet, anyway)! But there is no cure. Even if your child doesn’t need future surgical intervention, there will always be cardiologist appointments that inevitably bring on painful memories and new fears.
That said, I don’t grieve the child I didn’t have anymore; watching him turn into a fiercely curious, smart, strong willed and charismatic little person is the greatest gift in the world. Besides, some of the best hearts have scars.” Currently, he’s happily eating pasta by the handful and has no idea he has any limitations at all. A perfect little storm.
MARGARET (MACVEY) SHEARER '65
Our beloved sister, Margaret, died September 26, 2021, after complications from open heart surgery. She lived her life with great energy, joy, and love, despite living with chronic heart disease. Margaret attended Little Flower Academy, as did her sisters Elizabeth Biagioni ’59, Kathleen Macvey ’62 and Mary Jo Macvey ’66. Sadly, LFA was not available to our only brother, Peter. Our family is very grateful for the excellent education provided by the Sisters of St. Ann, for the character development they provided and for the formation of many long and meaningful friendships. Margaret was the very proud mother of Peter and Matthew Shearer. She was eventually a much loved and devoted Grandmother. As well as many travels, Margaret and her husband Jim lived an adventuresome life, off the grid in the Lower Nicola Valley for many years. After she had raised her children, Margaret returned to school and had a richly rewarding career as a Cardio Technician. Margaret was an especially brave, kind, and generous person. She was active in many organizations concerned with social justice and she gave generously to those causes. She had a life long dance with curiosity and the pursuit of knowledge. Each family member, her cousins and many friends acknowledge her individuality, her infinite capacity to enjoy life and to engage with others, in a meaningful way. Our life will be emptier without her joyful presence. She was truly beautiful, physically and spiritually.
Macvey Family
Therese Barry, 91, died on Holy Thursday, April 14 in Vancouver. Born on January 14, 1931 in Vancouver, Therese was the eldest daughter of Alf and Mary Guichon. She is survived by her daughters, Margaret, Patricia, and Cathy (Sean) Collins; her grandchildren, Liam (Rose), Paul, Sophie, Maura, John, Irene, Joe, and Ben; her great-grandsons, Lavrans, Owen, and Dominic; her sister, Colleen Plain; her brother, Mike (Susan) Guichon; her cousins, nieces, and nephews, and many friends. She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Reg, and by her brother, Paul (Sheila) Guichon and brother-in-law, Bob Plain. Faith and family were important to Therese. Known for her quiet service, she served her family, her church, and her community. Therese loved well and was well-loved.
https://vancouversunandprovince.remembering.ca/obituary/mary-barry-1085011073
Downer passed away after a short but courageous battle with cancer on Tuesday, April 27, 2021 at the age of 58. Vanessa is survived by her parents, John and Jennifer of Gabriola Island, BC; her sister Fiona (Michael) of Chilliwack, BC; her cousins in England, as well as many extended family and dear friends. Vanessa moved to Gabriola Island in December of 2018 with her cat, Cooper, and dog, Austin, and quickly fell in love with the community. She loved to laugh with others and had a smile that would light up the room. It was her wonderful personality that made it so easy for her to connect with others and she quickly made many close friends on Gabriola Island. Vanessa was also very involved in the community and was a volunteer with the PHC hot lunch program, was a member of a book club, and made prayer shawls for the church. Vanessa loved tropical places and was hoping to travel to Fiji and Tahiti. Vanessa was the most thoughtful person, always remembering to call family and friends on their birthdays and sending cards. She would also be there to help anyone who needed it, any and every time she was asked. She will be greatly missed by everyone who knew her.
https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/nanaimo-bc/vanessa-downer-10169392
JOANNA (RINDAL) HAGAR '51 passed away peacefully at Glengarry Hospital in Victoria B.C. on October 4th, 2017 at the age of 83. Joanna's love of English led her to be an avid lifelong reader. Joanna and her husband Barney were the owners and proprietors of an Antiquarian Bookstore in Victoria, "Poor Richard's Books" for over 25 years. Whenever Joanna spoke about Little Flower Academy she appreciated most the lifelong friends she made there."
Kaare HagarIt is with great sadness that we share that Valerie Margaret Stanley (nee Cousineau) passed on Sunday, February 2 at the age of 78. Valerie was fortunate to call the Lower Mainland her home for almost her entire life. She graduated from Little Flower Academy and worked a variety of jobs where she was known for her keen sense of humour, her devotion to Jeopardy, her late in life adoration of cats (particularly the wonderful Casey and Riley), and love of a good word puzzle. She would do anything for a drive through Stanley Park to celebrate each season, a road trip with her kids, a good Tim’s steeped tea and ketchup chips. Through tough times, nobody got back on the horse better or faster than Valerie. She never walked out the door without her hair done, or her makeup and perfume skillfully applied. And nobody could convey an emotion through facial expression like her. Valerie’s greatest accomplishment was raising her two children, Lisa & Brice. She taught them how to be independent, value family above all, and to be kind. She will be missed with an unimaginable passion, but we are comforted knowing she will always be on road trips with us in spirit. -
Lisa Stanley
