La Petite Fleur
A New Campus for 2027
The timeline is set for the next evolution of our campus
School Leadership Meet our new Principal and Head of School
Our Extraordinary Alumnae Vancouver's most powerful, an Emmy, an Oscar, an Olympian, and an Order of Canada
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Welcome Back BBQ
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 5:00 PM www.lfabc.org/BBQ
Open House
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 6:00 PM www.lfabc.org/OpenHouse
The Grape Escape 2024
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 6:00 PM www.lfabc.org/GrapeEscape
Home for the Holidays
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19
CHRISTMAS MASS 1:30 - 2:30 | RECEPTION 2:30 - 5:00 www.lfabc.org/Christmas
Distinguished Alumnae Mass
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 10:30 AM MASS & RECEPTION www.lfabc.org/Distinguished
Spring Event
To Be Announced
I hope you’re having a terrific summer! I’m very excited to present this year’s issue of La Petite Fleur. A labour of love, mostly put together by volunteer alumnae, this year’s issue, as always, is full of fascinating stories of our rich school community. In these pages you will find alumnae who have accomplished incredible things, you will learn all about the most exciting events of the school year, and you’ll get to hear more about LFA’s visionary campus renewal that is fast-approaching.
The LFA Alumnae Association was happy to host a number of great events this year including our fan-favourite Grape Escape which delighted alums with a food and wine tour to remember. Our annual Home for the Holidays was held in December – with record-breaking attendance – our Distinguished Alumnae Mass and Reception in April saw the induction of Janina Freyman ’55, and our Arty Party event in May was a great opportunity for alumnae of all ages to come together, be creative, and drink wine!
As we look forward to the coming school year, we're excited for our Welcome Back BBQ in September. This year’s welcome back event will be the school’s biggest yet; you can expect great food and drinks, live music, as well as some exciting announcements for LFA! On November 22nd we will also see the return of Grape Escape: the perfect opportunity for an impromptu class reunion over some delicious food and wine - tickets can be found online at www.lfabc.org/GrapeEscape. December 19th is set for our annual Home for the Holidays; we’re excited to see our alumnae back for food, drinks, and a healthy dose of the Christmas spirit.
As I wrap up my 10th year as Chair and 20th year as a member of the LFA Alumnae Association Exec, I just want to say a big thank you to the Exec Committee members of the past and present. It’s such a joy to volunteer alongside such amazing women who care for the LFA school community as much as I do. Nothing makes me happier than connecting with our alumnae at an event or as they return to the school as parents. While I will remain on the executive, I am excited to pass on the chair torch to Jo-Ann Tait '92. The Alumnae Exec is in great hands!
Sincerely,
REUNIONS
PLANNING YOUR 60, 50, 40, 30, 20, 10 OR ANY YEAR IN BETWEEN? WE CAN HELP alumnae@lfabc.org
Bettina Sy '97
We wish to acknowledge the incredible accomplishments of our Class of 2024. Their hard work, dedication and commitment has 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 Carnegie Mellon University, Corpus Christi College, Dalhousie University, Emily Carr University, Fordham University, Houston Christian University, Langara College, McGill University, Mount Royal University, Queen’s University, Rhode Island School of Design, Simon Fraser University, St. Francis Xavier University, Trinity Western University, University of Alberta, University of British Columbia, University of Edinburgh, University of Ottawa, University of San Francisco, University of Saskatchewan, University of Surrey, University of Toronto, University of Victoria, University of Waterloo, Western University, York University.
LFA ALUMNAE ASSOCIATION
4195 Alexandra Street
Vancouver, BC V6J 4C6
Phone: 604.738.9016
Email: alumnae@lfabc.org www.lfabc.org/alumnae
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Pamela Ascroft '84
Charmaine de Silva '00
Mary Duffy
Ben Fitch
Terena Maguire '95
Ali McGillivray
Brittney Nguyen '24
Colleen Orr '94
Udhay Sokhi
Carolyn Sussey '94
Bettina Sy ‘97
Jo-Ann Tait '92
Karen Teufel ‘02
DESIGN, LAYOUT, PHOTOGRAPHY
Ben Fitch
Connie Sabo
Udhay Sokhi
Tugboat Group - thank you for designing our Welcome Back BBQ ad, on pages 84-85.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Blaine Campbell
Wendy D
Larry
Udhay
Ben
Udhay
Little '88 and Katelyn McGuinty '04
on pages 6-9.
Credit: Blaine Campbell.
and
Meet
new
of School!
When LFA set out to find its new Head of School last spring, an international search was launched. Consulting with a recruitment company, LFA scoured candidates from around the world for what would be the critical leadership role for the school going forward. At that time, among the list of names considered, you would not have found Diane Little ’88. However, as the candidates whittled down, and consideration was given to what kind of person would best be able to steward LFA towards it’s greater mission, the picture became a lot clearer. The picture in this case being our school principal of 13 years, Diane Little.
It was a role that Diane was admittedly reluctant to step into. Not because she didn’t see herself as a good fit or capable, but rather because she knew it would mean less time spent with the
students. Anyone who works with Diane or has spent any prolonged period of time with her can tell you how much she loves LFA. The school, the students, the history, the traditions, the values, are deeply sacred and special to Diane. Her passion is contagious, and as school principal for the last 13 years, she has been an exemplary leader, pushing forward how students learn, how teachers teach, and what it means to provide a leading Catholic education for girls.
The need for a new Head of School arose in the midst of revisiting our Campus Master Plan several years ago. What came out of that process was the clear need for a modern campus designed with purpose, and the need for someone whose job it was to ensure the long-term health of LFA. As principal, Diane’s
focus has been overseeing the educational program and day-to-day operations of the school, while being the primary contact for students, teachers, and parents. It is very much a full-time job – one that doesn’t leave much room for the kind of visionary planning that keeps a school like LFA at the forefront of education and curriculum in Canada.
As Head of School, Diane will oversee strategy, planning, finance, facilities, and advancement. Together, the principal and Head of School will work to ensure the very best education for current and future Angels. So what convinced Diane to ultimately step forth and embrace the new role? Simply the opportunity to do more for LFA and its students.
After 13 years of serving as school principal, Diane Little '88 will step into her new role as Head of School.
our
Head
AUTHOR: UDHAY SOKHI
Looking ahead to stepping into her role as Head of School, Diane is most excited about ushering in a new era of learning at LFA, “I am looking forward to the official launch of the Flourish Campaign, breaking ground on the campus redevelopment project, and welcoming students into the new school buildings to celebrate our centennial.” Speaking on the campus redevelopment, Diane summarizes it quite succinctly: “From bottom floor to top floor, this is all about delivering exceptional experiential learning.”
Of course, with Diane stepping into a new role, it also means a new school principal for LFA. As one of her final tasks as principal Diane set forth to find a worthy replacement and landed on none other than LFA’s Head of Counselling, Katelyn McGuinty ’04. Speaking to Katelyn’s qualifications for the role, Diane had nothing but effusive praise: “When I started as a principal, my greatest, possibly only, asset was an absolute dedication to LFA’s mission and students. Katelyn has that too, but she brings skills and competencies that I am still trying to learn. I’m so excited to be able to walk beside her as we journey into the next 100 years of LFA history.”
LFA couldn’t be more excited to have these two exceptional women leading our school going forward. As LFA heads into campus redevelopment, our hope is to build a campus that serves the students of tomorrow as well as it will serve the students of today. To continue the legacy of generations of LFA supporters who helped build our extraordinary school, and gave women the skills and voice to shape the world
Top right: Diane in her natural element, with Cate Shumka '27 and Jiyan Jane Fan '27.
Middle right: Diane with her Vice Principals, Roland St. Cyr and Carole Prescott (September, 2012).
Bottom right: Diane beaming with pride at the 2023 LFA Convocation.
Bottom left: Diane catching up with students at the 2022 Welcome Back BBQ.
Meet our new Principal!
AUTHOR: UDHAY SOKHI
When Katelyn McGuinty ’04 graduated from LFA, she knew teaching was her vocation, but she didn’t know it would ultimately bring her back to LFA. Now, exactly 20 years after donning the white gown and waving goodbye to LFA, Katelyn is poised to become the 18th school principal in LFA’s nearly 100-year history.
After graduating from LFA, Katelyn went off to study at UBC, however, her experience at LFA, what it meant and how it informed her, still lingered strongly. “During my degrees at UBC, I always considered the ‘LFA student’ in every lesson I prepared or concept I learned. It was an absolute stroke of luck that I ended up back at LFA, however. I bumped into a staff member during an event at the 2010 Olympics. She let me know about a Home Economics position that was available and the rest is history!”
For Katelyn, stepping back into her alma mater was all the reassurance she needed to know she belonged here.
“Once I was back at LFA, I knew it was the place I was meant to teach. I connected immediately with students who were so passionate about their learning and balancing amazing endeavours outside of academics. They pushed me to be a better teacher, especially in those early days. I loved being peers with staff members whose guiding principle was ‘what is best for our students?’. They reminded me daily that teaching is more than just a job. I think I always knew that my life would bring me back to LFA, but maybe didn’t appreciate the impact LFA would have on my life.”
Of course, in the 20 years since being a student to now leading the school, much has
changed at LFA. Academically, the school has come a long way since the days of typing class in the convent which served as students’ “technological education”. Today, the STEAM lab serves a critical role in our curriculum as well as in the extra-curricular lives of our students.
Having witnessed this transformation firsthand, Katelyn is excited to continue to lead LFA towards the highest aspirations of its students. In Katelyn’s eyes however, one critical thing that remains steadfast about LFA is the spirit of its community, and daily life at the school. “When I witness students doubled over in laughter in the halls or buzzing about an upcoming assessment, I am immediately transported back to 2001 or 2002 when I was in their shoes. I love that our no cell phone policy means that we still see students interacting with one another and their teachers in many of the same ways we did when
From Head of LFA's Counselling Department, Katelyn McGuinty '04 will be making the jump to school principal next year!
I was here. Students are still deeply engaged in their learning and yet find time to have fun.”
For Katelyn, the LFA experience is defined by the people and the learning that happens outside the classroom as much as inside. As she puts it, “My most formative experiences were the moments outside the classroom – programs which continue to make LFA so special. For me, it was primarily the athletic programs that built my memories. Whether the LFA ski trips or provincial championships, these adventures built my relationships with peers, teachers, and coaches and allowed all of us to connect in a way that went well beyond the classroom.”
When it comes to the experience inside the classroom, Katelyn credits a number of teachers for the impact they had on her. From Mr. St. Cyr and Mrs. McGillivray for their coaching, moments of meaningful learning in classes with Mrs. Troughton, Mrs. Mills, and Mrs. Slayton, to incredible laughs and lessons in Mr. Coady and Ms. Stokovac’s classes, and Mrs. Palaniak and Mrs. Little for their unwavering faith in Katelyn’s abilities.
Reflecting on the instructors and mentors that shaped her as a student and into her adulthood, Katelyn hopes to bring the qualities she most admired in them to her role as principal. “I hope
that students and staff see my sense of humour, my compassion, and my love of collaboration. These qualities have sustained me as a counsellor, as a teacher, and as a mother; I know they will serve me in this role as principal.”
Though she is beyond her days of being a student, Katelyn doesn’t intend to stop learning anytime soon. In fact, as she steps into her new role, Katelyn is most excited about all the learning she has yet to do. As the school’s former counsellor, Katelyn was constantly learning new approaches to support students with different needs or discovering how to best respond to students’ personal challenges in ways that resonated.
Katelyn has no doubt that while she brings a lot to the role of principal, that she also still has a lot to learn. She hopes to work more with her fabulous LFA colleagues as they collaborate on new endeavours, and she is eager to bring a new perspective to an already wonderful school.
Reflecting on the power of an LFA education, and what she hopes it represents for students today, Katelyn had this to say:
“The love that the staff have for their students as they fulfill their calling is palpable at LFA. As a parent of three girls, I want my daughters to attend a school filled with people who see
the best in each one of them, honour their unique gifts, and walk alongside them as they discover their hidden potential. I want them to be celebrated, but I also want them to be challenged and even experience failure in the safest possible environment; at LFA they will be pushed outside of their comfort zones, and they will face challenges, but they will not be alone. They will have the best coaches, cheerleaders, and teammates a parent could dream of for their daughter as she pursues excellence.”
We couldn’t be more excited for Katelyn’s vision of the school. LFA has had some extraordinary women at its helm over the years, and we are proud to say that legacy is well alive today with the appointment of Katelyn McGuinty '04.
Below: Katelyn instructing students back in 2013.
Home for the Holidays 2023
AUTHOR: COLLEEN ORR '94
LFA held its annual Home for the Holidays event, December 2023. The event welcomes home recent grads with a school mass and a welcome home party with festive drinks and lots of yummy food. The grads had a great time catching up with the current senior class and roaming the hallways to reminisce. It’s a wonderful time for the girls to visit with teachers and see each other again.
This year a volleyball game was played at the event - the Senior Girls team against alumnae. I’m not sure a winner could be reported but everyone playing had a really fun time.
I have had the opportunity to volunteer at the event for the last few years as an alumna, but this year was extra special because this year my daughter attended as a recent alumnaand she had just arrived home for the holidays. She is currently in first year university and living in residence. I had been counting down the days until her last exam was done and she could come home.
A special shout out to Dana Hospitality! They created an outstanding assortment of savoury and sweet options. Highlights included the hot chocolate station with all the fixings, beef wellington and cake pops!
Home for the Holidays is a great way to kick off the holiday season. If you haven’t been to LFA recently, it’s a lovely time to visit in the festive season. If you're coming up to a milestone reunion year, it is a great way to bring a group together. Plus, Mr. St. Cyr is always happy to give a school tour!
From Kennedy Orr '23
This past December I had the opportunity to attend my first Home for the Holidays as an alumna after many years of watching the event as a student. I truly feel that the event contributes to what makes LFA so special, as it fosters the bond between the alumnae and the current school community. The food was delicious, and the atmosphere was warm. Good conversations were had catching up with teachers and old friends!
December Mass | 1:30 – 2:30 Home for the Holidays | 2:30 – 5:00
2024
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 GRAPE ESCAPE
AUTHOR: KAREN TEUFEL '02
After flirting with a spring edition of Grape Escape in May of 2022, 2023 marked the return of this beloved event to its traditional timeslot of late November. In an effort to mix things up and keep guests on their toes, this year we introduced the concept of blind tasting two wines back-to-back, daring guests to make their best guess as to which wine might be higher-end and which might be more economical. A more detailed tasting notes template was posted on the back of each guest’s menu card, and many in attendance took
up this challenge with great enthusiasm, while also making detailed notes on their favourite wines of the evening.
Returning to guide guests through their wine tasting journey was our beloved sommelier Lara Victoria, while the kitchen was in excellent hands with our Dana Hospitality team. While favourites such as the Dungeness Crab Cake and Braised Short Rib delighted our guests, a spectacular Carmelized Miso Sablefish truly stole
the culinary show. I’m sure at least a few of our VIP ticketholders were happy to have that recipe in hand as they left the event!
As is true Grape Escape and LFA fashion, there were a number of class tables in attendance, most notably the class of 1985. Other decades were also represented, as alums from the classes of 1962, 1989, 1990, 1992, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2017 and 2021 were in attendance as well. We always enjoy having reunion tables at
Grape Escape, as it is the coming together of community that is a true pillar of any LFA event.
Grape Escape is one of our most beloved community events, but it would not be the success that it is each year without the help of everyone behind the scenes, working tirelessly to make this event the best it can be. A sincere thank you to everyone involved, including our alumnae and parent volunteers, many of whom were joining us for the first time! And an
even bigger thank you to our wonderful guests. Whether this was your first Grape Escape, or if you're a seasoned pro, we hope you enjoyed Grape Escape 2023. Be sure to join us on November 22nd for Grape Escape 2024! Event information and tickets can be found at www.lfabc.org/GrapeEscape.
Arty Party 2024
On May 10th, 2024, LFA alumnae gathered together for a beautiful night of mixing, mingling, and masterpiece making at Arty Party 2024!
AUTHOR: ALI MCGILLIVRAY
As part of the LFA Alumnae Executive, I was excited to attend the Arty Party on May 10th. What could be better than spending a Friday night unleashing my creativity while enjoying a beverage and delicious food while catching up with former students? Andrea Law, LFA Librarian from 1997 to 2009, and I welcomed 48 grads from the years 1970 to 2022. When they arrived in the art room, they found the tables set up with wooden blocks, paint, and brushes.
Our instructor was Liz Clay, the founder of Cici Art Factory. Liz attended LFA and is also the mother of three Angels, Georgia Clay '22, Kate Clay '24, and Hazel Clay '26.
All guests had received a note from Liz asking them to bring a sample of handwriting from
someone who was special to them. This was to be the inspiration for our artwork. Andrea and I both chose to bring Encounter palancas, one that her mother had written and a letter that my father had sent to me the first time I went to Camp Stillwood. Grads also brought letters from parents, and many had notes from their children. With Mother’s Day coming up that Sunday, it was a good opportunity to create a memento to celebrate the day.
Liz loves to bring out the artist she knows is in everyone. Clear instructions, including a very interesting mini lesson on colour theory, meant that all participants succeeded in creating a wonderful work of art. While the paint on the wooden block was drying between steps, there was a perfect opportunity for the graduates to
catch up with each other while enjoying more delicious food and wine.
Thank you so much Liz Clay for your knowledge, encouragement, and guidance. You are a terrific teacher and as per your advice to “celebrate our success”, I have placed my piece on a shelf in my den where I can see it from my desk. It is a memory of my dad as well as of a wonderful evening spent in the company of former students.
As you can see from the photos, the results of our artistic efforts were impressive. I look forward to seeing what fun activity the LFA Alumnae Executive is planning for their spring 2025 event, and I hope to see more alumnae there!
Grandparent Day 2024 was a truly joyous event this year! The gloomy weather did little to dampen the spirits of our LFA grandparents and grand friends, who were all smiles spending the day with their granddaughters.
We are grateful to His Grace, Archbishop J. Michael Miller, CSB and Father Paul Chu for celebrating mass with us on the day. Our award-winning choir serenaded grandparents with a beautiful selection of songs, and the day was capped with school tours along with a beautiful rose and some of our very own LFA chocolates for all grandparents that attended. It was a special day as our halls hummed with love and joy.
GRANDPARENT DAY 2024
Catching up with Asha Mior '20
From UofT to Cambridge, we sat down with Asha Mior '20 to learn all about her academic journey post-LFA!
AUTHOR: MARY DUFFY
Alumna, Asha Mior '20 graduated from LFA in the midst of a global pandemic back in June of 2020. That didn't stop her from going on to see great academic successs at the University of Toronto before accepting a scholarship to pursue her Masters at the University of Cambridge this fall.
Our librarian, Mary Duffy sat down with Asha to chat all about her academic journey since leaving LFA.
Health and minored in Political Science and Psychology. And four years later, here we are! I have officially finished my Honours Bachelor of Science degree at UofT, and I’m looking forward to pursuing graduate studies this fall.
You have done a great deal of original research while at the University of Toronto. Can you tell us about your work?
research team studying refugee and migrant health in Athens, Greece. In February 2023, our team spent a week in Athens conducting semi-structured interviews with representatives from refugee NGOs in the city — which was an absolutely incredible experience! We’re currently working on our research manuscript, which we hope to submit for publication soon.
Can you tell us a little bit about your journey since leaving LFA?
During spring break in Grade 12 (just about a week into the COVID-19 pandemic!), I found out that I had been awarded the National Scholarship, a full-ride scholarship to the University of Toronto. I graduated from LFA in June 2020 and started at UofT in September (initially over Zoom, and physically in Toronto as of second year), where I majored in Global
In my first year at UofT, I was selected for a leadership program called the Laidlaw Scholars Leadership and Research Program. As part of the program, we had to complete a summer of independent research on a topic of our choice. I worked with two professors to write a conceptual paper on determinants of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among ethnocultural minority communities in Canada, with a particular focus on Black, Indigenous, and South Asian populations.
I’ve had some other smaller research opportunities since then, which have focused on topics such as the Ontario government’s approach to pandemic policy, and on national access to mental health care for Indigenous peoples. But my biggest research project to date began during my third year at UofT — I was one of ten global health students selected to join a
You fully immersed yourself in the UofT community, just as you did here at LFA. Can you tell us about your latest experiences?
At LFA, I absolutely loved being involved in a variety of clubs and activities — special shoutouts to Public Speaking Club, Debate Club, Environment Club, and Globe & Halo, among many others! When I started at UofT, I wanted to push myself out of my comfort zone and try some new activities.
In the past couple of years, some highlights have included volunteering as a barista at a student-run café and modelling in a sustainable fashion show — but the club that was nearest to my heart was my college’s choir, Vic Chorus. Due to the pandemic, the once-thriving choir had dwindled to just four or five members when I joined in 2020. I became Co-President in second year, and I worked with my fellow club executives
to rebuild the choir. Ultimately, we recruited nearly 50 new members, held five highly successful concerts, and were even invited to perform at the Ontario Legislative Assembly. Over 130 years after the choir’s inception, I am hopeful that Vic Chorus will remain part of the fabric of UofT for many years to come!
You were just awarded a full-ride scholarship for a Masters at Cambridge University in England. What will you study and research? I have been accepted to the MPhil in Population Health Sciences program at Cambridge! The program will include courses such as statistics, epidemiology, health policy, and research methods — and then in the final semester, I will complete a dissertation (topic to be determined). I have been told that it is quite an intense program, but I am looking forward to the challenge!
Your grandfather came from India to Coventry, England before coming to Canada — now full circle, you will be studying in England. Can you tell us about his journey?
Back in Grade 10, I competed in the Optimist Oratorical Competition through LFA’s Public Speaking Club. The prompt for the competition that year was “What are the roots of your optimism?”, and I chose to tell the story of my grandfather, Joginder Johal, who immigrated from Punjab, India to Coventry, England in 1949 at the age of 19. As I described in my speech, he could barely speak any English at that point, and had to endure significant racism and discrimination in England, particularly in the workplace. Not to mention, the city of Coventry was still newly recovering from widespread destruction during World War II.
I’ve reflected on my grandfather’s story often in recent years, particularly while I was in London for a summer internship back in 2022, and now as I prepare to spend a year at Cambridge. At 22 years old, I am only a couple of years older than my grandfather was when he arrived in England — and although my lived experience is so incredibly different, I feel a deep connection to his story. I am eager to explore his old stomping grounds, connect with my extended family in England, and hopefully, carry on his legacy in some small way.
You, your sister, and your mother were all at university these past two years – tell us about that.
My sister, Maya Mior '22 is currently studying at UBC, where she was recently admitted to the highly competitive Honours program in Political Science and International Relations. But we weren’t the only two university students in our family these past few years — my mom recently returned to UBC to pursue her Master of Science in Nursing! She graduated from the program in spring 2023 after doing outstandingly well in her classes. She is such an inspiration to Maya and me, and as I begin my own graduate studies, I will have incredibly big shoes to fill!
What are some of your favourite LFA memories, and what advice would you like to share with recent graduates?
I have so many wonderful memories of LFA, but the countless hours spent in the library with Ms. Duffy, Mrs. Bedard, and the Public Speaking gang are closest to my heart. My biggest piece of advice would be to take advantage of all the wonderful opportunities for academic and personal growth in university! Try new activities on and off campus and seek out opportunities to study or work abroad (especially if it’s funded!).
Above: Asha pictured in the LFA Library with her grandparents.
Left: Asha and her sister, Maya MIor '22, with their mother, Parm Mior at her UBC Graduation.
“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”
— Eleanor Roosevelt
Mellissa Fung '90: Officer of the Order of Canada
AUTHOR: CHARMAINE DE SILVA '00
Mellissa Fung ‘90, an acclaimed author, filmmaker and CBC war correspondent, was made an Officer of the Order of Canada for her advocacy for women and girls in war-torn countries. The honour was announced by Gov. Gen. Mary Simon in June. Mellissa spoke with fellow LFA alumna and journalist Charmaine de Silva ’00 about the honour and her gratitude to LFA faculty who encouraged her on her path.
Many would-be journalists dream of reporting from faraway lands – telling stories, in sometimes dangerous and risky conditions, that help Canadians understand the world around them. In reality, the vast majority of us spend our days telling local, provincial, or national stories with a very domestic perspective. While still incredibly important, it’s not quite the dream we started with.
That gap between dreams and reality did not exist for Mellissa Fung ’90. She knew early on that she wanted to tell stories with a global perspective: she made those dreams come true.
The acclaimed journalist, author and filmmaker became a household name in Canada after she was released from being kidnapped while on assignment in Afghanistan for CBC’s "The National" in 2008. Her book "Under an Afghan Sky" details her experiences, and her 2021 documentary "Captive" recounts her own story and those of Nigerian women abducted by Boko Haram. This year, Mellissa Fung ’90 was made an officer of the Order of Canada – one of the highest civilian honours in our country. "It’s still shocking to me. I didn’t go into journalism to win awards, and the few that I have won, I didn’t expect to," Mellissa told me, speaking via Zoom from vacation in Croatia. (She currently resides in London, England.)
Mellissa grew up watching the news. She moved to Canada as a young child and says consuming news helped her learn English, about her new country and the world around her.
"I always thought that would be a cool thing to do – tell stories on television, or just tell stories," Mellissa said. "It always struck me as a way we could bring people together. Back then, the nightly news was appointment television, and the idea that everyone was sitting down to watch 'The National' was very cool for this little girl."
Her dreams of a career in journalism continued during her time at LFA. Mellissa recounts how her teachers helped put her on this path. "I credit Sister Josephine Carney with a lot," said Mellissa. She recounts being scared when Sister Jo held her behind in the first week of school after reading her first essay, asking her to come back at lunch. "I’m in Grade 8, I thought, 'I’m in trouble,'" said Mellissa. But instead, Sister Jo told Mellissa she was an amazing writer, and met with her once a week at lunch to work on her writing.
"By the time I got to Grade 10, Judy Farrell, rest in peace, also really encouraged me," said Mellissa. Mrs. Farrell recommended books for Mellissa to read outside of the curriculum and pushed her even further.
"When I said I wanted to be a journalist, [Mrs. Farrell] said 'you should go to Columbia – it’s the
best journalism school in the world.'" It’s exactly what Mellissa went on to do, graduating with a Masters of Journalism in 1995. Mellissa adds how important Ms. Virginia Slayton was in helping her build confidence. "She made me speak up in class… she really brought me out and made me argue points, because I was really shy… I was happy to write but I was never going to be a public speaker." Mellissa says she’s grateful to have had the chance to tell all three of them that she owes them a debt of gratitude.
While Mellissa’s work and experience in Afghanistan and Nigeria are well told, her work in Vancouver was also deeply impactful. She spent a lot of time in the Downtown Eastside while covering Robert Pickton. Mellissa developed relationships in the community that was most impacted by the serial killer’s reign of horror. She was reminded of the power of those relationships when she came back from Afghanistan after her kidnapping and after the news blackout was lifted. She learned how families of the missing women had been calling the newsroom, asking what they could do for her.
"It was so important for me to build those relationships so I could tell those stories in the
best possible way at the time," Mellissa said. "Even though these women were sex trade workers, we treated them with respect and dignity – and they remembered that. That was the first time I realized, you know, I’m doing this right."
Mellissa believes it is so important for journalists to remember, we are human beings first. "I do not like this parachuting in and taking everything you can possibly take from a community or family," said Mellissa. "It never really sat well with me. So, I carry a lot of people that I’ve done stories on with me."
While the media landscape is continuing to evolve and media and journalism jobs are dwindling, Mellissa also has some very clear advice for anyone thinking of journalism as a career. Specifically, it is important to do it for the right reasons.
"If you want to tell stories and want to make a difference, that has to be your guiding principle," said Mellissa. "You need to know it and know yourself, because the industry is going to beat you down. They are laying off great journalists everywhere, and there’s fake news and disinformation and misinformation. But there will
always be a place for good journalists." As for how she will be remembered for her contribution to Canada, Mellissa hopes the work she is doing helps people understand each other a little better.
"I would hope that by them giving me [the Order of Canada] it shows how vital we are as journalists. That what we do is still important, and that we can have a better country if we understand each other a little better and come out of our corners."
Charmaine de Silva ’00 spent almost two decades as an award-winning journalist in some of Canada’s best news organizations, including CKNW, Global BC, CBC Vancouver, and most recently led the CityNews teams in Vancouver and Calgary across radio, digital and television. She is currently a Senior Account Director with public relations consultancy firm Hill & Knowlton.
Above: Mellissa in Kabul, Afghanistan in 2018 Opposite page: Mellissa with Aisha the Hunter in Nigeria in 2017
ANGELS IN THE UK
The story of two LFA grads finding home, opportunity, and adventure in the UK, decades apart.
AUTHOR: PAMELA ASCROFT '84
“This royal throne of kings, this sceptred isle, This earth of majesty, this seat of Mars, This other Eden, demi-paradise, This fortress built by Nature for herself Against infection and the hand of war, This happy breed of men, this little world, This precious stone set in the silver sea, Which serves it in the office of a wall, Or as a moat defensive to a house, Against the envy of less happier lands, This blessed plot, this earth, this realm, this England….”
-William Shakespeare
Shakespeare’s immortal words, some of the last words of John of Gaunt in Act II of Richard III, are a passionate tribute to the verdant, sheepdotted green hills of the English countryside and its hardy and loyal people. Several of our LFA graduates over the decades have been drawn to the shores of the United Kingdom, myself included, to study and work - some stay for a semester, some for half a lifetime. What are our experiences and what advice may we offer to current LFA students considering leaping across the pond to immerse themselves in the plethora of historical sites and monuments, the great works of literature and science, theatre, art and architecture, music, diversity and opportunities the UK offers?
My mother, LFA Class of 1950, was born in Vancouver to British parents who immigrated in 1928, and my dad was born and raised in Bootle, Merseyside, near Liverpool. Dad came to Canada in 1957 to marry mom, whom he met when his Royal Merchant Marine ship stopped in Hawaii in 1956, where mom, a pianist and sheet music specialist, was taking her first ever vacation with friends from work. Though my grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins came to visit us all through my childhood and we always kept in close touch with our English family, dad never returned to the UK. Being an evacuee and experiencing practically a lifetime of war, economic hardship and rationing had hardened him to the country of his birth; yet, I always felt that the connection to his roots was never lost for him, only buried under a thick blanket of tough memories.
After I completed my BMus degree at UBC in 1990, I was offered a place and scholarship for an MMus at McGill, but I had always had a deep desire to go to England, so I politely declined McGill’s offer, applied to the Consulate and received my British (EU) Passport and citizenship as the child and grandchild of British citizens. I sold my old car to buy my plane ticket, gathered my savings and a few suitcases and flew to Manchester. My dad was not best pleased, to say the least, but my parents supported my right to find my own path nonetheless.
After living and working various temping jobs and acting and singing in amateur shows for 18 months up north, in 1992 I auditioned with hundreds of others for The Academy Drama School in London and was one of 24 students given a place. Thus began my years of being a theatre student and then a ‘jobbing actor’ in London. In 1997, I returned to Vancouver and worked as an actor, coach and singing teacher. In 2001, I was the vocal director for LFA’s production of "The Secret Garden", which was a wonderful experience. Later that year, I moved to Florida to take up a scholarship and TA position at Florida International University and earned my MMus in 2003. I have been in Florida since, and have worked as an actor, singer and director for various professional companies and for the last 18 years have been the Director of Theatre at Saint Andrew’s School in Boca Raton, where I also have taught Chorus and English 8, and from which my 14-year-old daughter has just graduated Grade 8 and is moving into Grade 9 in our Upper School.
My experiences in England and my professional training there have played a large part in shaping who I am as an artist, an educator and a woman, and I have returned to England several times over the years, both through receiving professional development grant awards from my school to attend courses and conferences in my field, and on my own and
with my daughter to visit cherished family and the friends I made in my years living there. The biggest bonus was that after my return from England, I deepened the bond with my dad, who found his connection to his birth country and his family again through me. Until his passing in 2021, we shared so much about his life in England and his experiences during World War II, all of which inspired me to write a youth play, "A Wartime Christmas", which has been performed at Saint Andrew’s and which I am revising, along with several other youth plays I’ve penned over the years, in hopes of publishing.
Fast forward to the school year 2022/2023, where a new generation of LFA Angels were eagerly exploring paths to the future. Isabella Villasenor '23, was one of those girls, and one who heard the same call I had many years before. Before immigrating to Canada, her parents had moved to Newcastle, England, from the Philippines. The summer before her senior year at LFA, Isabella had traveled to the UK, and became excited to investigate the opportunities an English University education might offer. She applied and was accepted at University of Newcastle to study Biomedical Science, and secured a scholarship for volleyball; she has just completed her first year of study.
“Being 18 years old and moving across the world by myself really motivated me to be independent, to rely on myself and believe in myself”, states Isabella, a wonderfully warm, enthusiastic and accomplished young woman whom I had the pleasure of interviewing recently. Her program is very ‘hands on’, with a great deal of reading, interpreting information and theory and then straight into labs and ‘real world’ application of knowledge and skill. She has also traveled extensively with her volleyball team, and has visited many places in England and Scotland, and formed tremendous bonds with her teammates, who represent many parts of the UK as well as other countries and cultures.
When speaking of her experiences in this whirlwind first year, Isabella has high praise: “Newcastle is very much a student city, a vibrant community, and a place I feel very safe, both on campus and off.” The University, like many UK institutions, offers many opportunities to join societies, to be open and social, to work, and even to take on career specific volunteer work. Isabella currently volunteers with the National Health Service (NHS), which gives her excellent experience and credentials in her field which will stand her in good stead when pursuing internships and future employment after graduation.
“Attending Newcastle and having the opportunity to travel within the UK and Europe has really opened my perspective of learning about people and different cultures. The UK has such history and character, and I love Northerners!
They support your passions and praise your achievements.”
Though Isabella and I, as LFA graduates representing two generations, have pursued very different paths in our UK journeys in very different times, we share a love of adventure and a connection to the core experience of living in the UK, which is rooted in warmth, curiosity, excellence, tradition, diversity and independence. We also share gratitude to LFA, to our teachers, administrators and the curriculum for preparing us to take on challenges, for giving us ‘roots and wings’.
“LFA taught me to be ambitious,” Isabella reflects, “to aim high, and to feel that if you love something, you strive towards it. The work ethic, along with the course work itself at LFA, prepared me well and helped me to be a dedicated student who understands organization and priorities. Through the teachings at LFA, I developed a moral compass based on the ‘four Hs’: do what keeps me happy, what keeps me healthy, what keeps me holy, and what gives me hope.” Well said, Isabella. My 12 years at LFA, too, grounded me in excellence, in curiosity, in friendship, faith, and love.
Isabella and I both would encourage current LFA students to work hard, ask questions, stay organized and open minded, to be involved in extra curriculars, to find and pursue passions at school and beyond, and to explore, read, and research because you never know when adventure and opportunity to spread your wings and fly “across the pond” may call. Rest assured, though, Angels: you will be ready, as Little Flower Academy has your back and God holds you in the palm of His hand.
Cover Page: Isabella enjoying a night out in London, with Big Ben looking on.
Above: Pamela Ascroft '84 on stage in the production of a play at the Andrew Sketchley Theatre , London, 1993.
Below: Isabella with her University of Newcastle Volleyball team.
A New Campus for 2027
Break Ground in 2025
Guided by our strategic plan, we moved into developing a Campus Master Plan to bring our school up to date. We worked with experts in educational development who considered both pedagogical changes and best practices in educational delivery.
We will break ground next year, in the fall of 2025, with a wonderful design that will create the most outstanding learning environment for our students—for a campus befitting one of the very best, well-rounded schools in British Columbia.
Open in 2027
The new buildings will open in 2027, enriching every aspect of the student experience. The 20-month build schedule will not impact the existing academic program, as the new build happens on our existing field, tennis courts, and staff parking lot. Only once we complete the new build, will we deconstruct the 1950s wing to give way for enough parking and a synthetic outdoor practice field.
New Build vs. Renovate
We looked at every imaginable option to give future generations of young women the same types of learning spaces that are already present at other Catholic high schools and local public schools. Renovation and retrofitting the 1950s cinderblock buildings was simply not cost-effective. The opportunity afforded to us by having no buildings near King Edward allowed us to consider a new building with minimal disruption. The City of Vancouver and our neighbours were understanding of re-centering our campus on the busier King Edward thoroughfare.
What Stays the Same
Though there is extraordinary campus improvement coming, what makes LFA unique and special will remain very much the same. LFA will keep enrolment the same, with 96 students at every grade: 480 Angels from Grade 8 through 12. As we explored expanding enrolment (and even looked at the possibility of reintroducing an elementary school), the extensive research we undertook made it clear that our current student population is the perfect fit for who we want to be.
From the outset, accessibility of a Little Flower education remains at the heart of our school mission. We are committed to being "needs blind" and representing a Catholic community from across the Lower Mainland. To this end, campus development will coincide with the expanding role of the school's endowment fund to provide both operational resources and financial aid.
Fundraising
LFA will launch a major fundraising campaign in 2025 to help fund this extraordinary project. With no government funding for an independent Catholic school, LFA will look to those who care for us most to help us realize this project.
We are excited that, for the first time in a generation, we will have naming opportunities for rooms and areas of our new campus.
The design is all but finalized, the permits are granted, and the anticipation of faculty and students is starting to grow. What can the next generations of LFA students expect from 2027 and onwards?
Space in the Classroom
Most of our classrooms are from a different era. It is a testament to the school's stewardship of the campus that our 1950s classrooms remain largely unchanged.
What they lack is, in a word, space. Classrooms will increase in size by approximately 30%. In the new build, teachers will not be forced to configure classrooms in rows of desks. Space offers flexibility, allowing for group and collaborative work that won't take place on the floors of hallways, the auditorium stage or in the dining hall. In addition to the flexibility of larger classrooms, the new building has dedicated break-out spaces with sightlines to classrooms for ease of supervision. New pedagogical approaches require space that simply don't exist in our current facility.
Larger classrooms aside, our cinderblock building was seismically updated in the late 1990's. Rebar and concrete were run though the cinderblock and a steel exoskeleton was added. Safe in an earthquake, it is not set up for an online world. As one might expect, the current building has proven extraordinarily difficult to introduce reliable high speed wifi to classrooms.
Reliable, fast internet in every learning space is an exciting prospect for students and faculty alike.
Girls Embrace Science: An Additional Lab
In 1992, LFA opened three new science labs, which immediately fostered a flourish of interest in the sciences. Our grads flocked to pursue science in high school and at post-secondary. With the extraordinary demand for science courses, it was not long before we bumped up against the limitations of "only" having three labs. Just looking at our Class of 2024, more than half the graduating class went on to take science (both pure and applied) at university. We are
stretched to the very limit for scheduling the science classes requested by our students.
The new building will include four modern science labs. Not only will this give us an additional lab, it is a timely refresh for our labs which remain mostly unchanged since the 1990s.
Beyond the scheduling flexibility it will add, faculty have noted how excited they are about the new opportunities it will allow for labs and experiential learning that requires additional preparation prior to the students' arrival.
Modern Kitchens
Our Home Economics kitchens have hardly changed since they opened in the mid 1950s. Visiting alumnae nearly always comment on how familiar the room remains. It remains a wonderful space, though too small for a class of 32 students, which severely limits our ability to schedule students into foods courses.
The new Foods room will simply be an update. Slightly larger and with more storage. It's location in the building has been carefully planned, with immediate proximity to the auditorium, courtyard, and central lobby. With the proximity and modern features, it will support the wonderful work of event hosting by our amazing Parents' Auxiliary.
From Grass to Synthetic Turf
Richard Cannon is diligently getting the grass ready this summer to be playable in September. Aerating, seeding, weeding, watering, mowing: Mr. Cannon has our teams training and phys ed classes playing far beyond what might be expected. But even Mr. Cannon can't stop the Vancouver rain that will inevitably make the field unplayable for weeks at a time.
Whether it is the opportunity for field hockey teams to be able to train on a surface remotely similar to games, or soccer not worrying about the rain-out, having a playable surface yearround will be a blessing for all students.
A Home for Performing Arts
For years, our amazing choirs have performed at the Chan Centre at UBC; the Massey Theatre in New Westminster; the Michael J Fox Theatre in Burnaby; Oakridge Centre Shopping Mall; and Fraserview Church. They've even performed at Carnegie Hall in New York City. They've done videos and recorded at an off-site studio. In all those years, they've not once had a performance on campus outside of a school Liturgy (like Grandparent Day).
Our student actors have taken the stage in Clue, Footloose, High School Musical and Mary Poppins. Their stage has been at Vancouver College. The last musical hosted at LFA was more than a decade ago, when we cobbled together seating, sound and lights for Annie.
Little Flower Academy doesn't have a functional performance space. The current Auditorium remains a vibrant place in our school for liturgies and assemblies, but it is not suitable for hosting performances. Acoustic, lighting, and limitations aside, the Auditorium remains a thoroughfare during each class change. The seating requires students to set up and take down in their class time. There are no wings or storage. The view itself is obstructed by seismic reinforcement. Special machinery is needed for students with accessibility needs.
The new building will include a true theatre space at LFA! A new auditorium will sit at the centre of campus. As you'd expect from careful planning, the new auditorium will remain multiuse for a basketball or volleyball tournament.
Critically, there will be retractable theatre seating for more than 500. The space will have a light and sound booth. The stage will have proper wings and accommodate modern projection technology for sets, and there will be dedicated dressing rooms.
Additionally, there will be purpose-built rehearsal space for the performing arts. The drama room will include special lighting, sound, and furniture. The music room will have soundproofing and be sufficiently large for the choir to rehearse as a group, while also providing smaller rehearsal rooms. There will also be dedicated storage for all the things needed in a robust and thriving performing arts program: sets, props, instruments, and a sheet music library.
STEAM Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM). When we first opened our existing STEAM lab, we imagined the possibilities for our students. Even with the high hope we had, we could not have imagined how the students would make the most of the tools at their fingertips.
This year LFA had yet another Schulich Scholar. Only 100 of these engineering scholarships are given out across Canada each year. An LFA student has been awarded the scholarship in three of the last four years. In each of the years since opening the lab, we've had more than 10% of our graduating class go on to study engineering at university.
In the new building our STEAM lab is expanded into a larger space, allowing for more diverse and technical tools. More than just increased space, the tools available through the STEAM program will be centralized in the building to create a STEAM "hub". In doing so, and with a vision for its cross-curricular use, our students will have far greater opportunities for learning and discovery.
Not Just "STEM" at LFA
It is typical to see a reference to STEM in the education world. While a STEM and a STEAM lab are similar, LFA was deliberate to include the "A" and invest in the additional tools needed to include "Arts". Doing so is both philosophical and
deliberate. Foremost, we value offering the most well-rounded education possible. To that end, we believe strongly that fostering creativity in all its forms best serves our students.
Textiles & STEAM
For more than seventy years, students at LFA have used the same sewing room. Like the Home Ec kitchen, it is mostly unchanged through all those years. While what's learned by the students is still a wonderfully valuable life skill, what's become abundantly clear is that fashion and textiles has become an important industry and career path for many.
Our students are pursuing academic study at Canada's top fashion and design schools. In the past few years, nearly a dozen LFA alumnae have gone to the Wilson School of Design at Kwantlen Polytechnic University and to various creative and fashion programs at Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University).
The cross-over between textiles and our STEAM lab is, in many ways, the most obvious link between the lab and cross-curricular opportunities. The laser cutter can intricately cut cloth and the creative use of CAD software offers unlimited possibility. Traditional sewing machines will sits alongside modern technology. At its heart, we are putting relevant tools in the hands of creative young minds.
Questions or Get Involved?
You can read more about the project, including more renderings of the plan at www.lfabc.org/2027
You might have further questions about the build or would like to explore supporting the project. Please reach out to Ben Fitch, Director of Advancement at 604-738-9016, ext 104 or at fitchb@lfabc.org.
A Conversation with Alumna and Oscar Winner, Nana Frimpong '14
In March 2024 “The Last Repair Shop”, won the Oscar for best documentary short. Nana Frimpong ’14 served as associate producer for the inspiring documentary which spotlights a repair shop in Los Angeles that provides free and freely repaired musical instruments to public school children. After graduating from LFA, Nana completed her MFA in filmmaking at the world-renowned University of Southern California. In 2023, Nana was promoted to Executive Media and Communications Director and Chief of Staff at Breakwater. Our librarian, Mary Duffy got the chance to sit down with Nana to chat all about the Oscars, documentary filmmaking, and more!
Congratulations on winning the Oscar for best documentary short for "The Last Repair Shop."
Can you tell us about the project?
"The Last Repair Shop" is a documentary short that shares the story of four repair people who fix broken instruments for kids in the Los Angeles Unified School District, and their personal stories of how music has healed them. Interspersed between their stories are the incredibly powerful testimonies of the kids whose instruments they fix as well as their personal connection to music and their instruments.
The documentary was one of the few ‘good news’ films at this year’s Oscars. Can you tell us your thoughts on delivering hopeful messages?
I think hope is essential. During the promotion of this film, we were clear that we wanted to be part of a project that uplifted the personal narratives of people who had never had their stories told but deserved the opportunity to do so. I think people want to hear affirming stories about people who have made it through tough moments and come out on the other side. This film is a testimony to that kind of persistence and power of the human spirit.
Do you have a personal favourite moment or vignette from the film?
One of my favourite moments in the film is when Amanda, the pianist, talks about what it is like for her to be on stage and the connection between her instrument and mental health. No matter how many times I watch the film, I am struck by how
deeply resonant her words are, and that she had the language to express herself in that way. I am in awe of her and the other kids in the film that articulated their most vulnerable truths in a way that felt deeply honest and true to what so many people feel all the time.
Has the crew kept in touch with any of the film’s subjects?
We do! We’ve become a family since the film was made, and we got especially close during the Oscar’s award season. Everyone is as dreamy and wonderful as they appear in the film. It has been quite a special ride getting to know all of them beyond the profound stories they tell in the film.
Did you have a character or story from the film that you particularly connected with?
I’ve always felt a deep connection to Duane’s story. I especially love when he talks about seeing "Bride of Frankenstein" for the first time and knowing that he wanted to play an instrument after seeing how the violin soothed Frankenstein. It’s emotional for me because like Duane, I was really bullied growing up, and always felt a little off-center and unlike the kids in my class. I never quite fit in, and I found that art was really my refuge. Duane’s story is touching to me because of how it allowed him to widen his perspective on who he might be and how he could aspire to make people feel too, just like the man did with Frankenstein.
In several instances in "The Last Repair Shop" – both in the stories of the people who repair the instruments and in the young recipients, a parent played a key role – would you like to comment on parental inspiration or encouragement in your own life?
From an early age, my parents emphasized the importance of getting a good education and doing our best in school. I grew up believing that learning was a pathway to understanding and that in order to get where I wanted to be I had to be earnest about my studies and intentional about my pursuits. I didn’t always receive my parents’ intense pursuit of excellence well — in fact, I often found the pressure of having to always aspire for greatness to be daunting.
I don’t recall when this shift happened exactly, but I remember feeling like I had to loosen the grip I had surrounding my grades and self-worth if I was going to make learning sustainable for myself. Because I had spent so many hours learning how to study and understanding what I needed to be successful, it meant that as things got more intense in my professional life and more was expected, I knew how to navigate it. When it really mattered, I understood what it meant to work hard, try, and ask for help.
Breakwater films promoted you to Executive Media and Communications Director and Chief of Staff in 2023. How did you feel about achieving an executive management position with this award-winning company?
I am really excited and feel an immense sense of pride. I’ve worked really hard to get where I am, and I’ve received so much love and kindness from friends, family, and mentors along the way. I’ve both surrendered and prayed to be able to arrive at a place like right now, and I’m excited that I get to do it at this scale and that I have people who believe in me and want to see me do well. I’ve done none of these things on my own.
Can you tell us a little about your journey since graduating from LFA?
Since graduating from LFA in 2014, I’ve earned my BA from the University of Toronto in English, Media Studies, and Women and Gender Studies, and I’ve also earned my MFA in Film and Television Production at the University of Southern California. Upon finishing my Master’s degree I started working at Breakwater Studios, where I started as the assistant to the CEO and have since been promoted to the Chief of Staff and Executive Media and Communications Director. Since starting work at Breakwater Studios, I have run an Oscar-winning campaign, overseen the completion of several awardwinning films, and most recently served as an associate and field producer on projects with LinkedIn and ESPN.
Do you have any advice for others wishing to enter the world of documentary film?
It took moving to another country, attending a premier film school, and sitting in a classroom full of people I assumed were better and smarter than me because of the schools they went to for me to realize that good stories and thoughtful storytelling isn’t about anything other than what you uniquely bring to it. There’s no one way to be a filmmaker and there’s absolutely more than one way to tell a story. My education in the industry thus far has shown me that you have to build the thing you seek. If it’s important to you that more women are behind the camera making content you want to see, you have to build that or join others already intent on fulfilling that mission. If it’s important for you to work with
creative people that add to the fabric of the thing you’re creating in new and distinct ways, you must set out to do that too.
Nobody is waiting for you to tell the story we so desperately need to see, which is both a gift and a challenge. Whenever and wherever you can, lean into your community and utilize what you do have. Before I went to film school, I was convinced that the most compelling people were somewhere out there, and I had to find them. It took going to school and being limited in time and resources to realize that actually, the story I’ve always needed to tell was closer than I realized. The most compelling people were in my family and in the books I was reading.
LFA Careers Day 2023
Learning about the wide variety of career opportunities that await LFA students culminates in an inspiring opportunity held annually on Careers Day. Careers Day helps students better understand the career paths that fellow LFA Alumnae have forged, helping shape their plans for the future and cultivate curiosity in careers they might have never considered before.
On Wednesday, November 1st, LFA welcomed 18 speakers, of which 15 were LFA alumnae and five were first time participants to the school for our event. Grade 10-12 students sat in on three sessions each to learn about the paths and careers of some of these amazing women. Prior to the actual event, the speakers enjoyed a delicious lunch and had an opportunity to meet and catch up with the other speakers while reminiscing about their time at LFA and the changes that have happened since their graduation.
Thank you to all our speakers for taking time out of their busy schedules to join us in-person and via Zoom! If you are interested in participating in a future Careers Day, please email alumnae@lfabc.org.
Careers Day Speakers
Lorna Hemming '81
Crown Prosecutor
Catherine Ponsford '87
Environmental Policy Manager
Carolyn Hartnett '88
Registered Nurse
Natasha Koshowski '89
Emergency Preparedness Manager
Errin Lally '94 and Annalese Tilling
Casting Directors
Emma Hatfield '95
Educational Consultant
Rachelle Parado '96
Executive Director of Mental Health Services
Claudine Santos '02
Director of Parliamentary Affairs
Kat Jayme '06 Filmmaker
Mary Katherine Battle '09 and Laura Jacquet VPD Officers
Anneliese Herbosa '09 Content Designer
Laura MacDonald '10 Investment Banker
AJ Tarver '10
Digital Engagement Coordinator
Janille Wingson-Gore '10 Program Manager
Brenna Fahey '14 Disputes Lawyer
Nana Frimpong '14 Chief of Staff and Executive Communications Director
AUTHOR: BETTINA SY '97
Become an Alumnae Exec
Plan seasonal alumane events, liaise with the alumnae community, organize reunions, contribute to La Petite Fleur, stay involved with LFA, and much more!
To learn how you can become a member of the Alumnae Executive, please reach out to Alumnae Executive Chair, Jo-Anne Tait '92 at alumnae@lfabc.org
Where are they now?
Do you recognize any of these talented Angels from LFA's 1980 Provincial Champion Basketball team?
If so, we'd love your help getting in touch with them!
LFA Alum and Basketball Coach, Carlie Paxton '97 is looking to get in touch with members of this team in an effort to recognize their historic achievement and impact on LFA Basketball.
If you have any information that could help, please contact Carlie Paxton at paxtonc@lfabc.org.
LFA Senior "A" Girls Basketball Team - 1980 Provincial Champions
10 Years Ago
GRAPE ESCAPE REUNIONS
Class of 1962
Class of 1985
Class of 2002
Class of 1997
CLASS OF REUNION '04
On Sunday, July 14th, 2024, the Class of 2004 came together at LFA to celebrate their 20th reunion. It was a beautiful sunny day and the alumnae had a wonderful time catching up with old friends and reminiscing as they walked through the school together. The memories of life at LFA came rushing back to them all, and it felt like no time had passed!
If your grad class has a special reunion year coming up, please get in touch with Connie Sabo at saboc@lfabc.org to find out how LFA can make your reunion truly special.
Ceili McCabe '19
Paris 2024 Olympian Team Canada
Women's 3000m Steeplechase
Round 1 : August 4, 2024 | Final : August 6, 2024
Angels Propel UBC Volleyball to 2 Straight National Title
We catch up with Gisella Goodger '19, Lucy Borowski '21, and Elizabeth Lee '22 to reflect on their back-to-back national titles
On March 17, 2024 UBC was crowned U Sports Champions for the second straight year. The team was led by LFA alums, Gisella Goodger '19, Lucy Borowski '21, and Elizabeth Lee '22. Lucy Borowski recorded doubledigit kills to lead the Thunderbirds to the win on her way to being named Tournament MVP.
It’s a matter of great pride to the LFA community that our talented alumnae have gone on to see such success in their collegiate volleyball careers. Their success on the court is a testament to the dedication of LFA’s Athletics Director and Senior Volleyball Coach, Ross Ballard. Ross personally saw the growth and potential of each of the future Thunderbirds players and is not surprised in the least to witness the success they’ve had. LFA is excited
to see all the talent that has emerged from our volleyball program over recent years, and we're grateful for the investment made in extracurriculars by our greater community.
We got the chance to sit down with Lucy, Elizabeth, and Gisella, to chat about their success at UBC as well as their time in LFA’s Volleyball program.
How does it feel to be a two-time national champion of the UBC Thunderbirds?
LB: It’s an unbelievable feeling. In high school, my goal was to make it onto a university team one day. To be able to play on a team with my best friends and win two years in a row is something special and I am so grateful for the opportunity. Being surrounded by driven and like-minded individuals every day, we push each other to be better on and off the court and I think that is what it means to be a T-Bird.
GG: Absolutely insane. It’s always been a deam of mine to win the U Sports National
Championships and play for UBC. Ever since I started playing volleyball the players on the UBC Women’s Volleyball team were my idols and seeing them win national titles made it my dream to do the same. So, it’s unreal that I have been able to fulfill that dream of mine and be part of a team that has won it twice.
EL: It feels amazing to be a two-time national champion. This is an accomplishment I could only dream of as a young volleyball player and achieving it with such a talented and wonderful group of women makes it even sweeter.
Is the pressure any different when you’re coming into the tournament as reigning champions?
LB: I do think there’s a certain pressure coming in as the reigning champs. Especially after we had a great regular season, everyone was looking to beat us in CanWest playoffs and nationals. Throughout the tournament we kept our confidence and trusted our training as we knew the skill and preparation was there, we just had to execute. The trust in each other and “nothing to lose” mindset led us to success.
AUTHOR: UDHAY SOKHI
GG: I feel like we definitely had everyone’s eyes on us going into the tournament, not only because we were the reigning champions, but also because historically, every team wants to beat UBC, and all teams bring their A-game to play us. I think that the pressure going into these nationals was very natural for all of us and we had no doubt that we would be able to come out successful.
EL: Coming into the season as reigning champions, we definitely set high standards and expectations for ourselves, which added pressure. However, we often reminded ourselves that "pressure is a privilege." This mindset helped us remember that we have earned the right to feel this pressure, and it was not something to fear or a reason to shy away from playing fearlessly.
What are the major lessons or takeaways from the success you’ve had with UBC?
LB: One major lesson everyone learns when they start at UBC volleyball (or any program) is that you must make your way up and earn your spot. We have had a very large and talented roster the past few years and coming in as a first-year was very intimidating. There were days where I questioned if I’d ever be good enough to play a bigger role on the team. Every single player had to accept and buy into their role whatever it may be. My teammates all did an exceptional job on and off the court and I think that’s what made us so strong.
GG: My biggest takeaway from the success I’ve had is to always work hard and try my best at everything I do. A major reason why we have won two years in a row is because everyone works so hard on the court, off the court, and in the classroom. In order to play a role and contribute to the success of UBC, I tried my best and it all paid off. I do believe that if you put in the work, things will eventually turn out well.
EL: One important takeaway from my time at UBC is that champions aren’t born - they’re built. I firmly believe that our program's success over the past two years is due to the hard work each athlete put in daily, both on and off the court. This effort, though not always visible or rewarded, is often the driving force behind success.
What are your core memories of LFA volleyball?
LB: Some of my favorite memories include our road trips to Kamloops and winning provincials. Singing on the bus with the team and the little moments in between games spent together are what I will remember most. Of course, the volleyball itself was fun and I learned a lot from Mr. Ballard, but most importantly LFA volleyball brought me friends for life.
GG: A core memory for me of LFA volleyball was winning the UBC high school tournament in my Grade 12 year. We all played really well the whole
tournament and had so much fun. Another core memory for me was the provincial tournament in my last year - after a long day of matches we would blast music in the LFA bus and all sing and dance.
EL: A core memory of LFA volleyball is my first provincials with the senior team. Traveling to Powell River with Gisella, Lucy, and the rest of the team was eventful and slightly chaotic, as all team trips are, but it remains one of my fondest memories.
How do you feel the LFA experience prepared you for UBC?
LB: I believe LFA prepared us exceptionally well for UBC in both athletics and academics. We were held to a high standard in practice and had a goal of winning provincials every year. We were similarly challenged in the classroom and were taught to strive for excellence which I feel prepared me for the rigour of UBC classes.
GG: The LFA experience prepared me extremely well for both the academic and athletic aspects of UBC. The volleyball team at LFA was very competitive and had great coaching so the change in training environments from high school to varsity was not a daunting jump. As for the academics, LFA places an importance on preparing their students for the class-related stressors of university. LFA gave me all the tools I needed to feel as confident as I could have been for the jump from high school to university.
EL: Being coached by Mr. Ballard for four years helped me grow immensely both technically and tactically. He went out of his way to help us develop as athletes and individuals and always believed in us. Additionally, working with such talented and driven people at a young age taught me the importance of a good work ethic and how to be a supportive teammate.
Below: Elizabeth, Gisella, and Lucy pose with their 2024 USports Women's Volleyball Championship Banner.
FOUR ALUMNAE MAKE WOMEN'S JUNIOR NATIONAL TEAM
LFA is very proud to share that four Angels were chosen to represent Canada on the Canadian Junior Women's National Field Hockey Team at this year's Junior Pan American Championship. The international tournament was hosted in Surrey, BC this July.
We want to celebrate Alicia Lung '23, Mikayla Stelling '21, Stella Malinowski '23, and Shannon Stelling '24 for earning their chance to represent our country. We couldn’t be more proud of our Angels for their dedication and incredible success in the sport after LFA.
Stella just completed her first year playing at Lafayette College (Pennsylvania). Alicia was at the University of Toronto for her first year. Sisters Mikayla and Shannon will play together next year at the University of British Columbia. While Shannon just graduated from LFA, Mikayla is a
critical part of UBC's team and has also just returned from Spain, where she played for our Senior Women's National team at the FIH Nations Cup. While Canada didn't qualify for the Olympics, they had the opportunity to play some of the world's best teams.
As the magazine goes to print, the Canadian women are in contention to finish in the top three, which would give them a berth at the Junior World Cup next year.
In recent years LFA's field hockey program has been incredibly competitive, garnering two provincial silvers in the past two years. We want to acknowledge our incredible coaching staff across our bantam, junior, and senior field hockey teams, which includes alumnae coaches at every level!
Vancouver's Most Powerful
From
empowering Chinatown to taking over as Executive Director of the HR MacMillan Space Centre, Lorraine Lowe '93 is one of Vancouver's most powerful.
AUTHOR: UDHAY SOKHI
It was the morning of February 1st, when Lorraine Lowe ’93 woke up to the news that she had just been named Vanmag’s 14th most powerful individual in Vancouver. Lorraine had been tipped off months prior that she’d be making the list, but seeing just how high Vanmag decided to place her on their prestigious list came as a delightful shock. Vanmag’s Power 50 List is an annual tradition that started back in 2001 by Vancouver Magazine.
While the list used to be a gallery of CEOs, today it represents a more modern and diverse look at the individuals who shape the city of Vancouver. Some notable people who appear on the list include Premier David Ebby, Mayor Ken Sim, Chief of Police Adam Palmer, Canadian soccer star Christine Sinclair, along with art directors, philanthropist, content creators, and more.
In Lorraine’s case, she was recognized alongside Jordan Eng, together with whom she ran the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden. More than that, Lorraine, who serves as Executive Director for the Garden, and Jordan, who was President of the Chinatown BIA, both played a vital role in being champions of Chinatown.
Together they mobilized Chinese voters by highlighting crime issues in the area, they successfully campaigned for the opening of a new city office in the area, and launched a
stalworth anti-graffiti team.
Reflecting on the honour, Lorraine is very deferential, “I’m humbled, but I don’t see this as an individual award for myself. There are a lot of moving parts, it takes a village, this as an opportunity to celebrate all those people that have worked together with us. A lot of those people happen to be on the same list, the Chief of Police, Adam Palmer, the two big community leaders I worked with Carol Lee who runs the Vancouver Chinatown Foundation, and Mayor Ken Sim, who’s been so supportive and whose platform was about uplifting Chinatown.”
Lorraine, who joined the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden team in the height of the pandemic, faced some immediate hurdles early on. There was not only the concern of the developing pandemic and how to safely navigate it, but there was also a noticeable rise in anti-Asian sentiments that began pervading Chinatown at the time. Undaunted, Lorraine handled the bad press and unpredictability with grace.
She credits her great small, scaled-down team who were able to thoughtfully assess the position of the organization and manage the risks at hand. With the hurdles however, Lorraine also acknowledges the wealth and outpouring of support she received early on to not only help
the Garden and greater Chinatown area survive in the wake of the pandemic, but thrive.
Lorraine’s favourite memories of working at the Garden include the Chinese-Canadian/ Indigenous solidarity exhibition they hosted in 2021. The exhibition featured a variety of talented local indigenous artists and explored a powerful message of connection and shared history. There was also of course, 2023’s Mid-Autumn Moon festival, which was by far the largest event they had had to date. It was a big day for the Chinatown community, and it integrated well with Truth and Reconciliation Day, serving almost as a crossover event that celebrated both communities.
Mostly Lorraine looks back fondly on the incredible people she got to work with, in particular working with Downtown Eastside graffiti artists to create projects that helped deliver an impactful message and spread positivity. Her work with Smokey Devil and Trey Helton and the folks at the Overdose Prevention Society was deeply rewarding and something she takes great pride in.
Now having moved on from her successful tenure at the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, Lorraine was just recently announced as the next Executive Director for the HR MacMillan Space Centre. Speaking on what
drew her to the role and what she hopes to accomplish, Lorraine’s passion and excitement were self-evident:
“I grew up in Vancouver, so I grew up going on field trips to the Space Centre, I’m enamoured by the whole beauty of the actual space. I think my role is to spark that excitement and curiosity that I experienced as a child, so I’m excited to provide the leadership to inspire the team to do what they already do best. I want to investigate ways we can have more visitation to that actual area, cause it’s a whole community. We have the Vancouver Maritime Museum, Museum of Vancouver, us, there are infrastructure opportunities, there’s Kitsilano Beach, there are restaurants. So, it’s not just the Centre itself, but I’m looking at it as a destination and the surroundings and seeing what we can do together to package and market the area as a destination. The mandate and vision for the Centre is ‘courage, creativity, and wow’, so we want to make people curious and inspired to explore. There are so many opportunities.”
It never gets old seeing alum like Lorraine blaze trails and reach such incredible heights. Reflecting on her time at LFA, more than the subject matter, Lorraine recalls the values imparted on her. LFA was a place where Lorraine was encouraged not to fear failure, but rather see it as a learning opportunity, it was in her time at the school that she learned growth comes from adversity. In particular, she recalls the impact her teacher Virginia Slayton had on her:
“I had this tough teacher, Virginia Slayton. She didn’t sugar coat things; she was very direct. I had so much respect for her, and I’ll never forget the things she taught me. She taught Western Civilizations and History, and her classes got me connected back to my cultural roots. It made me really appreciate and not be ashamed of my culture. That was a key life lesson that resonated with me.”
It's touching to know that the lessons students learn in the classroom every day have the power to inspire them in such meaningful ways. We couldn’t be prouder of Lorraine’s incredible distinction and her incredible body of work as a community leader. We wish her the best of luck as she stewards the HR MacMillan Space Centre.
Above: Lorraine receiving a City of Vancouver Proclamation from the Mayor's Office for the Full Moon Festival.
Right: Lorraine with Mayor, Ken Sim and Chief of Police, Adam Palmer at the VanMag Power 50 Award Ceremony.
The Emmy goes to...
Meghan Ang '13!
AUTHOR: UDHAY SOKHI
LFA Alum Meghan Ang ’13 recently had the prestigious honour of winning an Emmy for her work as a Production Coordinator at Distillery VFX. Meghan and her team at Distillery were awarded the Emmy for Outstanding Special Visual Effects In A Season or A Movie for their work on HBO’s “The Last of Us”.
Meghan and her team were recognized amidst a powerhouse group of nominees which included the VFX teams for the shows “Andor”, “House of the Dragon”, “The Rings of Power”, and “The Mandalorian”. In light of the extraordinary achievement, we sat down with Meghan to learn more about winning an Emmy and her career as a Production Coordinator.
So, take me to the moment you found out your team won an Emmy for VFX, what was that like?
I was spending a weekend at my friend’s place. I’m not working with Distillery anymore, so I wasn’t with the team when we got the news, so when I heard we won it took me a second to register it. I quickly messaged my coworkers and started looking online, and I found a clip of my VFX Supervisor at the Emmys actually going up the stage to receive the award! To see him there was so surreal.
It was nice to see our team be recognized for "The Last of Us" in particular. We loved the series just as viewers, sometimes you work on something so much that you become jaded by the end of the process and feel a sort of detachment. But we were so proud of the final product, and when we were nominated, we knew there was a chance we could win. Once we did win, it took a little while for it to sink in.
Were you aware of "The Last of Us" as a video game property before taking on VFX work for the show?
I was yes, I hadn’t played it myself, but I had been familiar with it, and a lot of my coworkers were huge fans, so through osmosis I knew it well. There was quite a bit of excitement about adapting this particular game, and we knew it was a big opportunity.
What does the Emmy win mean as you move forward in your career?
It definitely gives me a lot of validation, cause my journey into VFX production was a leap of faith. I wasn’t sure what to expect and I was just going to give it a try and see what came of it. Also, most of my work in production is not tangible, I’m not an artist so I don’t ever physically see the fruit of my work, the result of my work is more so just things getting done. So, to have an Emmy is a tangible representation of my work being done or having accomplished something. It validates my decision to enter the industry.
What aspect of the VFX did Distillery work on?
We worked mostly on the episodes, “Long, Long Time” and "Left Behind”, episodes three and seven respectively. Our company didn’t specialize in creature work, we did a lot of environment stuff. The work we did on episode three is actually quite subtle.
Tell me about your experience at Emily Carr, when did you know you wanted to go there, how did it help you discover your career path?
At Emily Carr I went in thinking I wanted to be an animator, but I also knew so little about the granular stuff and what’s involved in animated film production. The way their curriculum is structured I was able to get a taste of everything from start to finish. So, I dabbled in screenwriting and storyboarding all the way down into editing and sound mixing. I was ready to try anything. I came out of that specializing in stop motion
animation actually, it was my favourite medium to work in; I love that it lets you see the artist in the art itself.
With that, I also really loved the pre-production process, which requires lots of planning. I’m a very organized, Type A person and a lot of my professors saw that in me and told me I should give production a try. So, once I started applying for stuff, framing my skill set in a production lens, I really found confidence in the kinds of responsibilities those roles required of me. It felt like a really natural fit for me, so I really kind of stumbled upon it while finding myself.
Tell me about your time at LFA, how did it shape you for the journey you’re currently on? When I was at LFA a lot of my peers were steering towards careers in science, nursing, medicine, etc. That was overwhelming for me, I tried my hand at those things, but they never worked for me. What I really learned at LFA was how to develop a strong work ethic. Discipline and focus were ingrained into me at LFA and I really noticed the benefits of that at Emily Carr. A lot of my good work habits stem from LFA. LFA can be a very competitive school, but what I realized was, it fosters competitiveness with yourself. Comparing yourself to who you were a day before, week before, year before, etc. I learned to strive for my own development at LFA.
My biggest solace during my time at LFA was watching movies, it was never a background activity, it was always absorbing. I got so involved in learning about the behind the scenes and background work, and I realized there are so many jobs involved with that work, and that it could be more than just a pastime for me. The Wes Anderson movie “Fantastic Mr. Fox” was incredibly inspirational in that regard, it spurred my love for stop motion, and it was so enchanting and made me appreciate the work that goes into movies.
What memories do you cherish from your time at LFA?
I think my most cherished memories come from chamber choir. That was the first experience where I really put myself out there, because I had pretty bad stage fright before then. I remember thinking the chamber choir people were so cool, they seemed like a really great group of girls. So, when I finally joined chamber choir it was so meaningful, and it really helped me grow; it was one of the first things I dedicated a lot of time and effort to, to improve myself and get better. Looking back, it filled a lot of my days at LFA and defined so much of my experience. It was often very challenging but, in the end, I look back on it very fondly.
What advice would you give young aspiring LFA students today?
I would say, trying to choose a career path at 17 is insane. For me, at that age, I was less
successful trying to pick who I wanted to be than just trying to focus on who I was now. I feel like when you’re always trying to chase who you want to be you’re always going to fall short cause you’re always going to change and grow.
I would tell them to take some pressure off themselves, find things you enjoy and are passionate about. There was a period in my schooling where I had to take a break because I didn’t know what I wanted to do, and during that time I worked retail part-time, and honestly, I was kind of thriving in this part-time job, it helped me learn who I am now. So, nothing you choose in the moment is going to be a waste, it’s all part of who you are and your learning journey.
What’s the most challenging aspect of being a production coordinator?
I like to describe it as you’re on a road trip and you have a map and are navigating, but you can’t touch the steering wheel. Being a Production Coordinator you’re not quite management, you don’t have the same authority to make calls, but you have to know enough to make insightful decisions, because VFX is so fast paced and decision making has to happen quickly, and everyone has to pull their own weight.
How do you deal with having so much responsibility, but not having control?
It took me a while to understand what I can control and to focus on that. As a Production Coordinator I have a better sense of what the artists are doing than production managers and producers. So, none of them have the same kind of contact and relationship with artists, and that’s the realm I try to occupy and move in, and confidently help artists on a personal level. It’s very much people management, getting to know them helps a lot and being able to manage expectations between all parties are things I can control and help contribute to the progress of the whole team.
Do you have a dream project or collaborator you’d love to work on/with?
Well, I love Wes Anderson so much, so if he ever works in animation or stop motion again, I would love to be involved with that. Really anything stop motion from a production standpoint, working with Laika Studios who specialize in stop motion would be a dream.
Plenty of us are curious, what does an Emmy actually feel like?
It’s really heavy, it’s really really heavy. When I went back to my studio to celebrate my supervisor immediately shoved the Emmy in my hands and it was so heavy, I almost dropped it. It really holds its weight.
* If we're honest, probably not all "top" hits.
Elton John
Want to listen to some of these songs? You can! We've put them together for you in a Spotify playlist (which includes bonus songs from LFA staff who work with the Alumnae Executive!) Scan the QR code and start listening!
Guns N' Roses
Shanice
Alumnae Memories Playlist
AUTHOR: ALLISON MCGILLIVRAY
Sometimes it's when I hear the song in my car. Or maybe playing in a store. Immediately, I am once again sitting on the grass outside University Hill Secondary in my grad year, listening to Elton John's 1973 hit "Crocodile Rock." Research has shown that the music that a person hears as a teenager has a stronger connection to the music that they listen to as an adult. A bond that doesn't fade with time, which explains why I can still sing the lyrics (admittedly out of tune) to a song from 50 years ago. These are the songs that connected some of our Alumnae Executive to their time at LFA.
Corilee Cotter '70
LFA Alumnae Association Executive I totally loved the Monkees - "I’m a Believer" and "Daydream Believer" were favourites.
Jo-Ann Tait '92
LFA Alumnae Association Executive
My younger brother (VC grad, 1994) and I would belt out the Guns N' Roses hit “November Rain” any time it played on the radio. We travelled a long distance from Deep Cove to LFA and VC everyday and it was our love of music that would make the time pass.
Diane Little '88 Head of School
Every time I hear the U2 song “Where the Streets have No Name” I remember the good times I had singing it at the top of my lungs with fellow LFA graduates Noreen Brown, Stephanie Dumaresq and Cathy Smyth.
Carolyn Grace Sussey '94
LFA Alumnae Association Executive
For Grade 10 gym class, we had to do a dance routine using all the steps we were taught. I did a routine with Jill Anne Arias and Charina Aratan to “I Love Your Smile” by Shanice. It was very popular at the time.
Terena Maguire '95
LFA Alumnae Association Executive
The first song that popped into my head was “Jump” by Kriss Kross. The thought of this took me back to my first dance at LFA, which was probably in Grade 9. The gym was packed, it was dark, and of course there was a smoke machine! And boys! Best of all, it went to midnight!
Bettina Sy '97
LFA Alumnae Association Executive I remember Toresa Thibault used “Ironic” by Alanis Morissette to remember chemistry. Think of the chorus. But instead of “it’s like rain on your wedding day” use the same tune for “it’s like polar and covalent bonds”. [Editor's note: that is so LFA.]
Karen Teufel '02
Alumnae Association Executive and LFA Advancement Services Officer
I remember any song by the Moffatts, but if I have to be specific, probably "I'll Be There for You" or "Girl of my Dreams". A group of girls in my grad year were OBSESSED with this group.
Carlie Paxton '97
LFA teacher & Alumnae Executive “I Think We’re Alone Now” by Tiffany was our volleyball (and basketball, if I remember correctly) anthem. Every time we heard the song we would go crazy and belt it out. We also had a very dramatic dance that accompanied the song.
Megan Canil '00
LFA Teacher
The moment that stands out was during a field hockey pep rally. Everyone in the auditorium was cheering us on with the song “Wannabe” playing while we ran around the with our hockey sticks taking shots on our goalie.
Katelyn Moore '04
LFA Principal
The song I best remember is probably an odd one. When I was in Grade 8, Mrs. Graham had an assignment to create our own lyrics to a popular song. We chose "All Star" by Smash Mouth and made up lyrics about having to wake up for school in the morning.
Distinguished Alumnae
Little Flower Academy is very excited to celebrate our 2024 Distinguished Alumnae Inductee, Janina Freyman ’55. Janina is being recognized for her dedicated volunteer work and philanthropy.
Janina Freyman '55
Distinguished Alumnae serve as a reminder and a beacon for our students of all that can be accomplished and achieved through great spirit, generosity, and character. This year’s inductee, Janina Freyman '55 was honoured and inducted on April 19th in a mass and reception held at LFA.
Janina Freyman ’55 has been a lifelong philanthropist, devoting her time, effort, and resources to innumerable causes.
Janina’s journey with LFA began when she was just 12 years old. Determined to one day go to university and craving a proper education, a young Janina marched up the big convent stairs to knock at the door of Little Flower Academy. She was met by Sister Mary Terrance who was immediately captivated by Janina’s passion to learn. Sadly, once Janina learned that tuition for LFA was $20/month, she realized her savings from berry picking in the summer wouldn’t be enough to send both her and her younger sister Anne to LFA. Moved by Janina’s determination and initiative, Sr. Terrance offered Janina and her sister a two for one deal that would allow them both to attend for the $20. Sr. Terrance even found some used uniforms that were left behind for Janina and Anne to use, and the next fall they began attending LFA.
By all accounts Janina’s time at LFA was as marvelous as she could’ve ever hoped and dreamed it would be. Looking back, Janina remembers fondly the incredible lifelong friendships she made, and the deep impression all the sisters made on her. In her
own words, “Being accepted into LFA was one of the best things that happened to my sister and I.”
After graduating from LFA Janina went on to UBC to study pharmacy. She graduated with a BSc in pharmacy, but her thirst for knowledge led her to pursue further education at the University of Southern California, where she graduated with a doctorate in pharmacy.
It was at UBC that Janina met her husband Stan Freyman, who studied plant science in hopes that he could one day help eradicate world hunger. Together the couple moved to India for two years to bring dry-land farming techniques to local farmers there. Upon returning, Janina joined the Medical Unit of the Canadian Reserves stationed out of Jericho; Janina saw this as her way of giving back to Canada for all the opportunities it afforded her.
Janina had a strong sense of dedication to and belonging with the Polish immigrant community in Vancouver. She was deeply involved in helping establish the Copernicus Home for Seniors, spending a decade on the Board helping the home modernize and grow. It now serves nearly 100 seniors. Through this work within the healthcare system, and being a pharmacist, Janina also served on the Board of the Catholic Health Association of BC and the Vancouver Council of Women.
Most notably, Janina served as the President of the Polish Women’s Federation for over a dozen years and has been involved with the organization for over 65 years. For her
dedicated service over the years Janina has received no shortage of accolades, some of which include: a gold medal from KPK (Polish Canadian Congress) in 2014, a Certificate of Recognition from the Polish Consulate in both 2015 and 2018, and the Order of The Knight’s Cross from the Polish Government in 2016.
Her highlights with the Federation include leading it for 13 years as President, organizing the 60th anniversary celebration, supporting and fundraising for the Pope John II statue at the Archdiocese of Vancouver, and being on the Board of the Kopernik Foundation for nine years and serving as Vice Chair for three.
Most recently, Janina has been involved in organizing the annual celebration for the World Day of Migrants and Refugees. The event brings together refugee and immigrant communities across the Greater Vancouver area to connect, share their cultures, and rejoice over their common humanity.
For Janina, philanthropy and service have kept her young. As she puts it “thinking about others has kept me young and has made me not as concerned about my own troubles and truly given me so much joy.” Janina is a shining example of the virtues of service and gratitude. Janina embodies and has lived the idea that wealth and success need not be measured by what you’ve earned or spent, but rather by the lives you touched, the communities you built, and the humanity you got to experience.
SCHOOL SPIRIT
GRADUATION 2024
Celebrating the Class of 2024
This year's Grad Liturgy and Ceremony were truly joyous. The Auditorium was filled with parents, family, and friends, all beaming with pride, as our grads processed in. The atmosphere was that of a grand and happy family gathering as what felt like our entire school community came together to celebrate the accomplishments of the Class of 2024.
The Class of 2024 will be remembered for their tremendous resilience and their deep strength of character that saw them spread joy and cheer throughout the school. We will miss their bright smiles as they set forth on the next exciting chapter of their lives.
Congratulations Class of 2024!
Valedictory Address
We are pleased to share Brittney’s Class of 2024 valedictory address.
Good afternoon! Welcome family, friends, faculty, Members of the Jane Rowan Society, Sisters of St. Ann, beloved guests, and of course, the Little Flower Academy Graduating Class of 2024. Just like that, after four years, nine months and six days, the final bell has rung and one of the greatest chapters of our lives is over. The high school chapter. The LFA chapter. In one swift blink we went from struggling to adapt to a pandemic to struggling to hold back the tears over all of our lasts. In one swift blink, the place that we once were afraid of is now the place we will be leaving behind our legacies, because fellow graduates, we have made it.
With the privilege of going to a school which values academic excellence, commitment to faith, and a thirst for knowledge, each of us has been provided our own unique high school experience united by one common goal: to grow as we learn. Luckily, we weren’t alone in our pursuit of that.
As the Class of ‘24, we have the honour of being countless teachers’ first graduating class, and of watching the different ways in which they teach with inspiration and care. How each of them have crafted their classrooms into a place beyond learning about who won which war, or what e=mc^2 even means, but also a place to grow. To grow from eighth graders stuck behind a computer screen, to ninth graders confined within cohorts, to tenth and eleventh graders who could finally connect without barriers, and finally to seniors, wearing our white caps and gowns awaiting what is next.
Thank you to the teachers, coaches, and mentors here at LFA who never failed to instill within us the courage we needed to overcome the trials and tribulations of high school. Thank you to friends, those who are relief personified, for being there through it all. And to our parents and siblings - the people with unwavering faith and unconditional love for us - we could spend the rest of our lives thanking you, and it would never be enough. We are all a patchwork of the people who have touched our lives, and it is because of all of you that we can step out of childhood into adulthood as compassionate young women.
If there’s anything the past four years, especially our freshman year, has taught me, it is that life can be chaotic and messy. But all it takes is a shift in perspective, much like a kaleidoscope, to begin to see the beauty that was the chaos. Translated from Ancient Greek, kaleidoscope literally means “observation of beautiful forms”, which only exposes its truth. When light reflects through a kaleidoscope, an intricate, unique, and beautiful image is created out of fragments of glass.
Within this instrument of vibrant and complex colours, beauty is literally made out of a mess. In a similar way, the Class of ‘24 has come together and turned our chaotic high school journey into a breathtaking array of memories filled with love, laughter, and light. And as I look into the eyes of each graduate on this stage, I can see the aura of radiating colours within them. Simply put, the light which illuminated our one-of-a-kind journey and the liveliness of our finite time here is found within each one of you.
AUTHOR: BRITTNEY NGUYEN '24
Within your overflowing love for your biggest supporters, your indescribable gratitude for the opportunities you had and will have, your undeniable spirits filled with God’s blessings, and the unquestionable appreciation for the warmhearted, unique, and a little odd, family that we are. I am proud to be a part of this multifaceted kaleidoscope that is made by the 96 reflections of pure light I see. Your eager smiles and fearless souls are what makes me confident to know each of you will share a glimpse of this beauty with everyone you encounter. But as beautiful as our kaleidoscope image is, the time has come to admire it, and then make it shift.
This shift will be scary. It will come with struggles and overwhelming tears, but I know that LFA has equipped you with the skills you need to come out on top. As you walk through this next chapter of your lives, search for that light within yourself. Feel it, know it, and accept it, for it will be your saving grace. It will be a familiar shoulder to lean on through the dark times, and your source of genuinity in times of joy. Allow it to reassure you of the sacredness of God’s gifts of compassion, resilience, humility, and honesty you have within, in order to share the Light of Christ with others. Allow it to guide you in embracing all the weird and unique angles of the kaleidoscope that are you. Thank you LFA for helping us grow as we learn, for being a guiding hand as we find our light, and for encouraging us all to live a life full of colour and spontaneity.
Congratulations Angels of 2024 and AD LUCEM… to the light!
Graduation 2024
WE ANSWER THE CALL TO BE WITNESSES OF THE LIGHT
Sing the World Better:
An LFA Choral Choir Concert
On Friday, May 3rd, 2024, LFA's Choral Choir performed their year-end show "Sing the World Better" at UBC's Chan Shun Concert Hall.
The culminating choir event of the year, LFA's Choral Concert at UBC was a smashing success as our talented singers took to the stage for a show-stopping performance. In front of a packed crowd of family, friends, and alumnae, led by our Music Director, Marizza Mislang, all of LFA's talented choirs put on an unforgettable show.
Musical accompaniments from acclaimed pianist Miri Lee, and percussionist Bruce Henczel helped bring the whole show together.
LFA's Choral Choir is a shining example of the sheer talent and potential each of our students possess. A very special thank you and congratulations goes out to all senior choir members who were beyond commendable in their final performances for LFA.
If you missed supporting our choir this year, be sure to get your tickets early for next year, as it is a truly one-of-a-kind LFA event.
On Friday, May 3rd, 2024, LFA's Choral Choir performed their year-end show "Sing the World Better" at UBC's Chan Shun Concert Hall.
MARY POPPINS
AUTHOR: TERENA MAGUIRE '95
This year LFA and VC artistically combined forces to create a “supercalifragilistic” version of Mary Poppins! It was filled with outstanding talent, colourful costumes, and of course all the catchy music that was familiar to all generations. The non-stop efforts of the production began early, with auditions taking place even before school was back in session in September.
From that point on, rehearsals, set design and costume planning tirelessly rolled on until show time at the end of January. This was a special production as show dates ran for two weekends, covering a total of nine shows, including a production in the afternoon for some of the students of both schools to enjoy.
We were lucky enough to catch a post production moment with Mary Poppins herself, LFA's very own Charlotte Moxon '24, to ask a few questions!
What was your favourite part of the production?
My favourite part of the production was getting to know everyone in the cast. When you work on a play, there is a level of respect that everyone has to have for each other, including the directors, crew, and actors. It was so much fun working together with everyone to make the show the best that it could be, and I was able to get to know so many people in different grades and at both of our schools.
For the most part it is the same group of people that do the productions every year, and I feel so grateful to have been able to get closer with everyone, and grow alongside them.
What did you do to channel your inner Mary Poppins?
I think that the hardest part about this character was balancing both her fun and strict side, but I learned a lot about her personality from taking a closer look at the script. Every sentence and song in the show has a purpose, and as soon as your lines are memorized you are able to see the plot more clearly, and get a better sense of your character.
I was also able to use her posture - hands together, feet apart - to ground myself. After so many months of practice you get to know your character so well, and once you have your costume on, put on an accent, and walk on stage, you automatically turn off your own personality.
What overall theme would you want the audience to take from the show?
The reason I love this show so much is because there are so many different themes that the audience could take away from it, no matter what stage of life they are in. I do think the biggest one is to not take life so seriously, and to look for the fun in everything you do.
Were there any stage blunders that were not anticipated?
So many. Shoes breaking halfway into a dance, offstage mic’s turning on, props shattering, running out with your costume not fully on after a quick change, etc. I don’t think that there was one show where the lines were perfect. The thing about making mistakes on stage is that a lot of the time it is only the actors and crew that notice, and you have no choice but to carry on like nothing happened. It can be embarrassing in the moment, but at the end of the show you just move on and laugh about it.
If you hadn’t been Mary Poppins, what other character would you have wanted to be?
I think that I would have wanted to be either Winifred Banks or Ms. Andrew. The songs that Winifred sang were so beautiful, and I love the way that her character grew throughout the show. It also would have been really fun to play the part of the evil nanny, and try to act out Ms. Andrew’s drama and power. But I do think that both of those roles were casted perfectly, and I couldn’t have pictured anyone other than Katherine and Giselle playing them.
Soon, the directors and staff will be beginning the prep work for the next production. We can’t wait to see what magical show they’ll bring us for the spring of 2025!
Great Gatsby Party 2024
The Great Gatsby Party has become an annual tradition at LFA. Every year, Grade 12 students in Mrs. Mills' English class adorn their glitziest and glammest outfits and party like it's 1922! Our school's auditorium is transformed into a ritzy banquet hall, and the esteemed guests get the full red carpet experience as they make their grand entrances. The event unfolds with a lovely spread of nibbles and treats along with the finest apple juice available, all served by Mr. St. Cyr. Students win prizes for best and most accurate outfits, and the entertainment for the evening is provided by the students themselves as they all take the stage in groups to showcase elaborate dance numbers!
ATHLETICS
FIELD HOCKEY
The Field hockey season at LFA was once again a huge success. The Bantam Field Hockey team had many new players join the sport this year, and had a memorable season! The Bantams had many close games against the other teams in the league. Overall, the team learned a lot and developed well.
The Junior Field Hockey team had a great season this year, showcasing their exceptional work ethic in every game. Everyone on the team gave it their all on and off the field. The highlight of the season came when the team forced a hard-fought draw against Crofton House. The players worked incredibly well together to make sure the season was a memorable one. To read about the Senior A Field Hockey team's amazing season, please see page 71.
VOLLEYBALL
The Bantam Volleyball team had a very enjoyable season this year. At the BC Catholic Championships, the team upset the Notre Dame Jugglers in two straight sets to reach the semi-finals, where they eventually succumbed to league champions St. Pat's. The girls saved their best performance for the Sir Winston Churchill Tournament where they knocked off the top two pool seeds, Kitsilano and Lord Byng, to claim the championship trophy at the second annual Bulldogs Volleyfest.
The Junior team had a great season of their own. Every set of every game was played with determination and passion. The players demonstrated resilience and dedication, showcasing their commitment to the sport. The season became a valuable learning experience for the team, fostering growth and camaraderie among the players.
Our Sr. Volleyball team had a very successful season that was capped off with a 4th place finish at the Provincial Championships. The team faced many challenges throughout the season with numerous injuries along the way. The season was highlighted by a super performance at the Mouat Firehawks Tournament, where the team competed with a roster of just seven players. Some individual high points were Isa Ubeda '24 and Georgia Liaskas '25 being selected as 1st Team Provincial All-Stars. Many thanks to all the Coaches that supported the LFA Volleyball program.
YEAR IN REVIEW
SWIMMING
Our Swim Team had a tremendous season this year! The entire team did a great job competing at Regionals and ISA meets, and their perseverance was reflected in the improvement of their skills and strokes. The team was blessed to send eight swimmers to Nanaimo to compete in Provincials. The athletes all competed admirably, and our Medley Relay team managed to place 4th overall.
CROSS COUNTRY
This year a small but committed cross country team participated in three competitions against various Vancouver-area independent schools. Each race was run under gorgeous blue skies on warm autumn days, making it an enjoyable experience for all. Students were led by senior runner, Janelle Lo '25, and we welcomed a lot of new Grade 8 students to the program.
After competing in one or more of the three races, the runners challenged themselves to compete in Zone Finals. Once again, on a beautiful sunny day, team members ran 5km along Jericho Beach. They each ran a fantastic race and should be proud of their effort and improvement this season.
BASKETBALL
The Bantam basketball team had an amazing season this year. From the first game, the team surprised themselves, and everyone else, with their raw tenacity which propelled them to seven wins and only two losses in league play. The team eventually met York House for an exciting Independent School League Championship game where the Angels emerged victorious as League Champions! The team finished the season by representing LFA at the Coach Goulet Tournament.
The Junior Basketball team had a fun season this year. The team started the season with lots of enthusiasm and hard work in practices, which paid off when they played their first league game against WPGA and successfully defeated them with a score of 47-13. As the season continued, the team faced some challenging competition, however, they managed to secure five wins as they competed in league matches, the Notre Dame Jugglers Tournament, and Tessa's Tournament.
The Senior Girls Basketball team showed unwavering dedication and passion on their way to an amazing season. The team showed grit and resilience in all of their tournaments and ended the regular season with a 6-2 record. After a 60-44 victory over Crofton House, the Angels were crowned League Champs as they headed into the Sea to Sky Championships. The Angels defeated Sentinel and Sir Charles Tupper to bring home yet another Sea to Sky Banner, punching their ticket to the big stage: AAA Provincials. Coming in as the #15 seed, the Angels proved that they belonged as one of the top teams in the province through two major upsets against the #6 and #7 seeds. The team met many challenging situations and ended their season with nothing but love and gratitude for the big family that they are.
ATHLETICS
ICE HOCKEY
The LFA Ice Hockey team had a memorable journey this year thanks to coaches Sue Bryde '92, Mel Jue '06 and Ben Fitch. Without a league to play in, the team played several inter-squad and exhibition games throughout their season. The team was made up of an array of beginners, ringette players, and rep-level hockey players. The players showed tremendous dedication to the game and to each other, showing up each week for their 6:30AM practice and always challenging for the top Superwoman Slide. The team is especially grateful to alum Mel Jue '06 for coming back to LFA and sharing her tremendous knowledge of the game with them.
SOCCER
The 2024 Junior Soccer team was comprised of players coming from the eighth, ninth, and tenth grade. It was a mix of experienced players and a few brave souls who, despite never having played soccer, dedicated themselves to learning the basics and intricacies of the sport with great devotion. All the athletes benefitted from the invaluable experience of new coach, Rob Kozikowski, who guided the players step-by-step with joy and good humour. The team was full of great promise and approached each practice and game with full spirit; the athletes moving on to the Senior Team next year will no doubt continue to flourish.
The Senior Soccer team had an amazing start to the 2024 season. After a win against Crofton House in the league opener, the Angels went undefeated at the BC Catholics. Starting the tournament slowly, the team continued to improve with each match, demonstrating tremendous skill and determination. Meeting their cross-town rivals, Notre Dame, in the gold medal game, the Angels clinched the banner with a 2-1 win over the Jugglers! Their early success earned the Angels a berth in this years BC Provincial Championships, where they battled hard and emerged with a 13th place finish in the province. Graduating Senior, Lauren Ambrose '24, was recognized at BC Provincials as she was listed as one of the tournaments "Super Sixteen" players. This year's Senior Soccer team was led gracefully by graduating seniors Lauren Ambrose '24, Maria Drazenovic '24, Mia Garcia '24, Orla Heather '24, Bella Heffring '24, Kat Mackey '24, and Shannon Stelling '24. Special thanks is also owed to Coach Sue Bryde '92 for her support and enthusiasm.
TRACK AND FIELD
The 2024 Track and Field team had a fabulous year. Hard work and determination paid off for this year's group as they put together several impressive showings across their meets. We had a very strong group of athletes who qualified for and competed at the BC Provincials including Charlotte Clark '27 in 1500m Race Walk, Mairead Owen '27 in 100m Dash and Long Jump, Ana Montesorri '26 in 80m and 300m Hurdles, Isla O'Flaherty Wills '26 in 1500m Steeplechase, Ella Estoque '27 and Kristina Bedford '25 in Discus, and Ana Montesorri '26, Jade Mirano '26, Kailey Clark '26, and Mairead Owen '27 in 4x100m Relay.
YEAR IN REVIEW
ULTIMATE
This season of Ultimate was filled with new friendships and shared laughter. Coming into the season with a new roster, everyone played with great enthusiasm, creating a tight-knit team built through spirited competition. Looking back on the season, the team is very proud of their efforts. Nailbiting matches and post-game celebrations characterize the bulk of the Ultimate season this year. The team would like to extend a special thank you to captains, Joanne Chan '24, Priscilla Mark '24, Adeline Hui '25, Keanan Grant, Matthew Ng, and Dale Capistrano for leading the team through practices and games.
BADMINTON
To read about the LFA/VC Badminton team's incredible season, please see page 76
TENNIS
To read about the LFA/VC Tennis team's incredible season, please see page 77.
LFA/VC Badminton: Chasing History
After winning back-to-back provincial titles, the LFA/VC Badminton team set their sights on a "three-peat".
It was another incredible season for the Little Flower and Vancouver College Badminton Team. Coming off back-to-back provincial gold medals, the team had their sights set on a third consecutive banner.
The first test of the season came at the Sea to Sky Championships. Making it to the finals against Saints/Crofton, the team was ultimately bested, but didn’t lose their resolve, as the bigger goal of BC Provincials was still intact.
On Day 1 of the Provincial Championships the Fighting Angels finished 1-2 in pool play, suffering two tough losses to teams from Richmond High School and Fraser Heights. This set the team up for a tough bracket draw, but they were unfazed. In tournament play the team stormed by Moscrop and Semiahmoo, to set up a rematch with Fraser Heights in the semi-final game. This time, the team was ready to seize the moment as they rallied to a 7-4 victory to set the stage for
their third gold medal game in three years. Facing a talented team from Steveston-London, the Fighting Angels left their all out on the court, but ultimately came just short of the provincial title. However, this year’s silver medal finish was no consolation prize. The podium finish was the result of a remarkable provincial tournament run that saw the team actively overcome hurdles and show immense character in the face of adversity.
Congratulations and thanks to all of the athletes, coaches, parents, and managers for such an enjoyable and exciting season. A special congratulations is also owed to team captain Breanne Chan '24 for her incredible leadership throughout the season.
LFA/VC Tennis: Two Silvers in Two Years
The LFA/VC Tennis team claims back-to-back silver medals at Provincials.
The LFA/VC Tennis team had a great season. Players gave their best effort and worked tremendously hard, maintaining excellent sportsmanship and fostering team spirit throughout the season.
The team competed at the BC Provincial Championships held from May 23rd – May 25th. They faced tough teams and won many welldeserved matches. Through their outstanding effort the team rallied to a second place finish, winning silver for the second consecutive year! This is a truly incredible achievement as no high school team in the province has reached the provincial finals two years in a row, in 26 years! A special congratulations is owed to Melissa Wang '27 who remained undefeated throughout the tournament.
The student coaches of Lara Linde '25, Melissa Wang '27, and Carling Allaye-Chan '25 made this year special, demonstrating excellent teamwork as they helped improve the team. Everyone contributed to make the season fun and memorable, and the players were all exceedingly proud of their efforts.
Provincial Silver
After a "Cinderella" run, LFA settles for silver.
The journey started back on the first day of school. With 14 athletes departing from last year's team, there were all sorts of new faces at tryouts. Half a dozen players didn't own their own field hockey stick and had only really been introduced to field hockey through LFA's bantam and junior programs. The group showed an immediate joy in coming together to train and play as they got to work learning a fairly ambitious system of play.
While dropping their first league game to York House, the team built early success and confidence during their opening tournament in Oliver, BC. Strong league play and an impressive fifth place finish at the Bridgman tournament in Victoria followed. A third-place finish at Zones saw LFA learn valuable lessons that would propel the team to greater heights. The bronze medal was also enough to secure a favourable pool draw for Provincials.
This year’s Provincial Championships had a level of league parity that hasn’t been seen in decades. While it meant the path through Provincials was fraught with nearly every game in question, it also meant that any team that remained focused, had a plan, and stayed in the moment, could advance.
The team started off incredibly strong with three successive wins in pool games against Byrne Creek, Southern Okanagan Secondary School, and Glenlyon Norfolk School. In the quarter-finals our Angels were dealt a tough draw having to face off against St. Michael’s University School in a rematch of last year’s gold medal game. Just as it had last year, the game came down to a shoot-out with
the Angels taking the edge this time! In the semi-finals the team faced off against the juggernaut that was Collingwood. An incredible back-and-forth affair saw the score tied as the whistle blew for regulation time. Yet again, the Angels headed to a shoot-out which proved to be just as dramatic as the game preceding it, ending in a glorious victory for LFA. In a tournament full of many upsets, knocking off Collingwood in the semis was one of the most shocking. The gold medal game took place against Seycove, it was a spirited battle from the jump and the Angels showed incredible grit and determination, but alas they were bested 2-1 as time ran out on the clock.
While in the moment it was hard to swallow a second silver in two years, it can only be regarded as an extraordinary accomplishment. More than just a medal won, the final result reflects a very special team. One that came together and worked relentlessly for one another. A team that was committed to training and putting in the extra hours. A team that was kind to each other and built one another up. A team that won and lost with grace.
WALKATHON WALKATHON
STUDENTS RAISED MORE THAN $50,000! 2023
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 $50,000! A big thank you to all our generous Walkathon supporters. Beyond the money raised, 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.
Welcome Back BBQ
AUTHOR:
JO-ANN TAIT '92
On Friday, September 8th at 5pm, our Welcome Back BBQ officially kicked off. As ever there was a buzz of excitement and joy as parents, friends, alumnae, and staff rejoiced at seeing each other’s faces again while soaking up what remained of the summer sun.
Attendees were treated to a fine selection of burgers and hot dogs; over the course of the evening, our hard-working parent volunteers, supported by the Parent’s Auxiliary, successfully fed the approximately 1500 guests that attended!
The Alumnae Beer and Wine tent was bustling with activity throughout the event as our Alumnae Exec were mingling and reminiscing with old friends and teachers while making sure no glass stayed empty! The event carried over well into the evening as the sun slowly set on our beautiful courtyard. The live music and entertainment made for a great atmosphere, as the energy stayed buzzing right up until the last few people trickled out.
As always, the Welcome Back BBQ is an event that not only celebrates the beginning of another school year, but our incredible community. The Welcome Back BBQ is usually the most well-attended LFA event in the school year. It’s the most opportune time to come and behold the full majesty of the many people that make our school special. From parents,
alumnae, parents of alumnae, friends, past staff, current staff, all those who come out to celebrate are such a cherished part of what makes this school endure.
As LFA looks forward to celebrating its centenary in a few years, it’s events like the Welcome Back BBQ that give insight into how the school has been able to blossom into the institution it is today. Though the buildings and technology that make LFA run may have overgone some drastic transformations over the years, the enduring spirit and dedication of our LFA community has remained steadfast. The joy and love that emanate from the people at these events is such a blessing to behold. LFA is so grateful for everyone who attended the 2023 Welcome Back BBQ and made it such a success, and we can’t wait to host you all again and more, for this year’s upcoming instalment.
In anticipation of visionary campus renewal, this year’s Welcome Back BBQ will be bigger and better than ever as we look forward to providing you with exciting updates about LFA’s future. We can’t wait to see you there, Friday, September 6th, please RSVP in advance at www.lfabc.org/bbq.
The entire LFA family is invited to our biggest welcome back yet, you won’t want to miss it!
Mother Daughter Brunch
AUTHOR: CAROLYN SUSSEY '94
On November 25th, 2023, my daughter Allison and I attended the LFA Mother Daughter Brunch. Every year, I make a point of setting my alarm for 7AM on the day the tickets are released to ensure we get our tickets as this popular event sells out each year. It’s a frenzy watching as the online ticket availability count decreases. This year's event was held at the Pinnacle Hotel in downtown. A beautiful setting for a memorable event. The hotel is adorned with Christmas decorations so it’s also great to kick off the Christmas season with the brunch.
I have been blessed to attend the Mother Daughter Brunch each year since 2018. First with my eldest daughter, Katelyn who graduated last year, and now with my youngest daughter. It’s such a wonderful time to slow down and spend time with our daughters and also to see them interact with their friends, enjoying taking pictures, picking candy, and hoping to win a door prize. It’s also a great opportunity to meet other LFA moms and catch up with friends. Nothing more inviting than sharing a meal together.
There is a wonderful buffet of breakfast items from pastries, to eggs and bacon. New this year was the addition of mimosas, for those moms wanting an extra kick-start to their brunch!
Looking around the ballroom you see so many smiling faces and hear lots of laughter. This event brings together moms and daughters in a such a beautiful way. It’s always so lovely to be a part of it and to take away such delightful memories with my daughter as she continues her LFA journey.
Father Daughter Dinner Dance
The most fun night of the year!
As always, the LFA Parents' Auxiliary did a fantastic job of putting together this year's Father Daughter Dinner Dance. One of the hottest tickets of the school year, the event was sold out in mere hours.
With such buzz and excitement in the air, the event itself did not disappoint. Fathers and daughters came dressed to impress as they were greeted by a beautifully decorated auditorium, and a delicious assortment of foods prepared by Dana Hospitality.
DJ Jordan Zwicker provided the music for the evening as the entire auditorium slowly morphed into a dance floor over the course of the night. The room pulsed with energy well into the night as fathers and daughters alike had an unforgettable time.
ENDOWMENT FUNDS
We want to celebrate the named endowment funds, which will serve and enrich Catholic girls’ education in Vancouver in perpetuity.
Burns MacPhail Family Endowment Fund ATHLETICS
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
Hip-Zelaya 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
Josefina and Melecio Estoque Memorial 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 Freitas Endowment Fund
FINANCIAL AID
McKee Family Endowment Fund
AREA OF GREATEST NEED
Mowat Family Endowment Fund
AREA OF GREATEST NEED
Sandra (Gougeon) Gallacher '63 Endowment Fund
AREA OF GREATEST NEED
Sr Josephine Carney SSA ‘38 Endowment Fund
FINANCIAL AID
Sully Mok Lui Family Endowment Fund
AREA OF GREATEST NEED
Westbury Family Endowment Fund
AREA OF GREATEST NEED
How can I make an extraordinary gift?
Consider
FOUNDERS' CIRCLE RECEPTION
The Founders' Circle Reception is our annual opportunity to recognize those in our community who have made LFA a philanthropic priority by giving at a leadership level over the past year. This year was particularly special as it marked the 16th anniversary of our Founders' Circle.
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, ten, and fifteen year members of the Founders' Circle.
The reception took place at the beautiful residence of Mike and Monique McKee '91. Their lovely home provided the perfect setting for a delightful evening of food, friends, and gratitude. On the following pages you can see images of the wonderful event and some of the amazing people we had the privilege of celebrating.
Founders' Circle Reception 2024
A joyous evening of community and gratitude
LFA ENDOWMENT FUND
The LFA Foundation stewards the Little Flower Academy Endowment Fund — a permanent trust that provides financial resources to Little Flower in perpetuity.
NAMED ENDOWMENTS
A large part of the LFA endowment fund is made up from those who have committed named endowments ($25,000+). The resources generated from these funds enrich LFA students today and for years to come. Each named endowment is its own unique story of connection to the school.
BURNS MACPHAIL FAMILY ENDOWMENT
DANA HOSPITALITY ENDOWMENT
FITCH AND DUDEK FAMILY ENDOWMENT
JACK AND BETTYE MILLS FAMILY ENDOWMENT
JEANNE (GAGNON) COMESOTTI '55 ENDOWMENT
JOSEFINA AND MELECIO ESTOQUE MEMORIAL ENDOWMENT
HENSEL FAMILY ENDOWMENT
HIP-ZELAYA FAMILY ENDOWMENT
LE BILLON FAMILY ENDOWMENT
MAN FAMILY ATHLETIC ENDOWMENT
MARCELLE DE FREITAS BURSARY ENDOWMENT
MCKEE FAMILY ENDOWMENT
MOWAT FAMILY ENDOWMENT
LLOYD & MARY ROGERS MEMORIAL BURSARY ENDOWMENT
SANDRA (GOUGEON) GALLACHER '63 ENDOWMENT
SR JOSEPHINE CARNEY SSA ‘38 ENDOWMENT
SULLY MOK LUI FAMILY ENDOWMENT
WESTBURY FAMILY ENDOWMENT
SCHOLARSHIPS & BURSARIES
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.
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
VINCENT T. WONG MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
WASIELA FAMILY BURSARY
BY THE NUMBERS
A generous community sets a pathway for a uniquely accessible all-girls education into the future.
FOUNDERS’ CIRCLE
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
*** 15+ years as members of the Founders’ Circle
Anonymous x 20
Mary Alexander
Arantxa Alikhani-Nunez ‘25
Gerald Allaye-Chan and Sau Sau Liu *
Audrey Alscher '85 *
Robert Ambardar and Jane Arthurs
Philippe Arrata and Bernadette Alejandrino
Cherie Au '01
Karen Au Yeung ‘02 *
Joanna and Wensley Ban
Aaron and Teta Brind
Robert Britch and Brooke Wozny
Ryan and Susan Bryde ‘92 **
Ken Burns and Lori Mathison
Matt Burns and Barbara MacPhail Burns
Chris and Shana Bystrom *
Truc Cao and Thi Huyen Tran
Carraresi Foundation in Memory of Augusto Carraresi ***
Pino and Karen Carteri
Suzanne Cassinos ***
The Chak Family
Andrew Chan and Helen Cheung
Francis Chan and Connie Yu *
Goretti Chan and Edwin Kong
John and Silvia Chan *
Leonard Chan and Keryl Leung
Patrick and Yong Yong Chan *
Roger and Ming-Ming Chan *
Andy and Lily Cheng *
Jason Cheng and Winnie Lai
John Cheng and Joyce Tsang-Cheng
Herman and Crsytal Cheung
Ryan and Tanya Cheung '02
Thomas Cheung and Lu Tang
Christopher Chiu and Joyee Ng
Edward Choice and Selina Leung *
Jin Chong and Nellie Cheung
Cecilia Chow
Dan and Maria Chow
Howard Chow and Cecilia Ting *
Jeff and Melanie Chow
Phillip Chow and Cindy Mak
We recognize all those donors who have supported us through the year.
Ian Choy and Irene Tai
Kostas and Sylvia Christopoulos *
Jim and Kathy Clarke **
Corilee Cotter ‘70 ***
The Cullen Family ***
Dana Hospitality **
Felicia de la Paz '05
Sean and Shannon De Vries
Stanley and Rani Dee *
Paul Dmytriw and Karen Rendek
Kristian Domingo Foundation *
Helena Dong and William Wang
Jose Dos Santos and Christine Yap *
Michael Duente and Yue Tang *
Aaron Dunn and Gabriela Oteiza ‘97 *
Niki and Erik Eberhardt
Oguz and Funda Erel
Jay Estoque and Corinna Kwong-Estoque '91
Andy Fan and Monica Chen
Neil Farlette and Wendy Christie '79 *
Bret and Cat Ferguson
Ben Fitch and Angela Dudek ***
Janina Runcewicz Freyman ‘55 ** and Family
David and Sabine Frost *
Andy and Esther Fung
Anson Fung and Mandy Chan
Ewen Fung and Elsa Tam
Steve Gallagher and Laura De Munain Gallagher
Damian Gasparetto and Diane Gasparetto Secord
Rusty and Lindy Goepel '63
Patrick Guan and Grace Zhu
The Guglielmin Family *
Sarah and Remo Guizzo
Vicky Guo and Morning Li
Tracey Gurton *
Brent and Angela Harvey
Alexis Hawker and Darryck Maurer
Ricardo and Candace Hernandez
The Hip-Zelaya Family in Memory of Fernando Hip
Melissa Holland and Bruce Clark
Richard and Kate Hoos
Chunyu Hou and Di Chen
Steven and Frances Huang '92 *
Bob and Lesley Jackson ‘90 *
Adam and Stephanie James
Marcus and Eva Juca
Paul and Amy Kam
Susie Kang Algard '92
Gladys Khoo
Tom Kin and Jeannie Leung
Damien and Vickie King '94
Robert and Kari Kozikowski
Steve and Sophia Kozikowski
Sarah Kwong '06
Kenneth Lai and Bronche Cheng *
Sandy Lai and Andy Yuen
Maya Lakhanpal '27
Irene and Terence Lau
Vincent Lau and Agnes Yu
Philippe Le Billon and Karen Bakker *
Fred and Christine Lee '88
Theresia Lee '99
Alick Lei and Michelle Zhang
Marcus Lem and Jill Bowerman
Leong-Chung Family *
Bethany Leung '26
The Li and Lew Family *
Bosco Li and Miranda Choi
Eric Li and Teresa Yang
Jason Li and Maggie Yang
Thomas Liaskas and Dikaia Vakakis '88 *
Eric Ling and Lorraine Lowe ‘93
Jon and Diane Little ‘88 ***
Michael Liu and Anne Lau
Bill and Jennifer Liutkus
Dave Lodewyk and Ingrid Wang Lodewyk '90
Andrew Loo and Jobina Tsang ‘93
Sunny Luc and Thuy Tran
Siegfried and Lisa Luft *
Alan and Clara Lui
Nelson Lui and Ingrid Chan ‘85 *
Albert Lum and Ayako Tan-Lum *
Kevin and Geraldine Ma
Lin Ma and Weining Tang
Vincent and Chevy Mabasa
Andrew MacNeil and Joanne Kent
Nicholas and Claudine Maile *
Brandon Mak and Sally Cheng
The Man Family **
Matt and Kerri Marano
Jason and Laura Marriott '92
Perry McDougall and Krista Cook
Ali and John McGillivray *
Michael and Monique McKee ‘91
Michael and Leanne Moretto ‘90 *
John Morrison and Jane Adams *
Ingo and Carmen Moxon
Amir and Gina Nasrabadi
Alberto and Alma Nisperos and Family *
Angely Ng and Icarus Chau
Amir and Marina Noorpour *
Dan Nosyk and Caroline Cannon '04
Michael Omae and Catherine Lee
Ovsenek Family | Jacqueline Ovsenek ‘17 and Julia Ovsenek ‘17 **
Thomas Pang and Michelle Leung *
Geoff Pedlow and Samantha Chang '05
Khai Phan and Lisa Tran *
Tamsin Plaxton and Gabrielle Plaxton-Collingwood '24 *
Anna Preis
Dan and Johanna Roberts *
Jim and Penny Rogers *
Katherine Rushka '68
Connie and Greg Sabo
Robert and Allison Sapiecha
Derek Schick and Stephanie Von Dehn '91
Steven and Pilar Seewald
The Shumka Family
Norman and Wai-ling So
Linda Song
Somasundaram and Thamayanthy Sriskandakumar
Roland and Sandy St. Cyr **
Michael and Marina Stein
Todd Stewardson and Jennifer Halfhide
John and Mary Street
The Sully and Mok Family
Mauvorneen Suttie ‘67 **
Alex and Diana Sy ***
Bettina Sy ‘97 **
Jose and Catherine Tai *
George and Lilani Tan *
Steve and Ruth Tatone ‘92
Theresa Teufel and Karen Teufel ‘02 *
Tommy Tian and Wendy Wang
Ivor Ting and Ivy Chow
Eric and Vivian Tong
Geoffrey and Karen Trotter
Jim Tsui and Jackie Fan *
Dierk and Erika Ullrich **
Harold and Mary Jane Uy *
Vincent Uy and Grace Uy
Sergius Wai and Bertha Wong *
Dong Wang and Angela Jiang *
Melissa Wang '27
Teresa and Joseph Wang
Izabela Wasiela ‘99 | Wasiela Family Bursary Fund *
Mark Werner and Anna Kang
Kathi Wilson
William and Jacy Wingson ***
The Wong Family in Memory of Vincent T. Wong and in Memory of Samantha M. Wong ‘96 **
Alex Wong and Cindy Chow *
Chung Wong and Adrienne Cheng *
Donald Wong
Raymond and Vivian Wong
Samantha Wong '02
Vincent Wong and Joyce Lee **
Wai and Jennifer Wong
Raymond Woo and Catherine Sales
Raymond and Catherine Woo
Vivienne Wu and Nelson Wang *
Rui Xia and Lei Liu
Da Qun Xu and Jun Yang
Tom Yang and Grace Zhou
Darren and Lisa Yanko
Seongjim Yim and Junghee Ahn
Adrian Yu and Pamela Foo
Richard Yu and Jennifer Chan
Wei Jie Zhong and Joann Chen
Special thanks to those members of our Founders’ Circle at Little Flower Academy, where we recognize leadership giving to the school. MISTAKE? Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this list (donations made between July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2024). If, however, any errors or omissions have occurred, please accept our apologies, and advise the Advancement Office at 604.738.9016 ext.106 so that corrections can be made.
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 x 9
Kathleen Adams '63 *
Suraj and Kiran Ahuja
Ryan Akhurst and Jen Murtagh
Rosemarie Alvaro ‘69 **
Dale and Teresa Ambrose
Mark and Rose Angeles
Hardy Antolis and Dewi Ratna
Mary Grace Aranda
Artuso Family | Alex Artuso '22
Ross Ballard **
Kurt and Elzmari Bedford
Theresa Belton ‘79 *
Bianca Bravo '23 and Matti Bravo '26
Sr. Nancy Brown
Susan Bullock ‘68
Nelson Cabrera and Luisa Rocha
Jonathan Cannon
Richard and Barbara Cannon **
ALUMNAE
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
***: 15+ years giving to the Annual Fund
1940s
Fay Guns ‘46 **
Marie MacNeil '49 *
1950s
Janina Runcewicz Freyman ‘55 **
1960s
Janice Feld ‘62 *
Yvonne Kolstee '62
Kathleen Adams '63
Lindy Goepel '63
Jacqueline Gresko ‘65 *
Catherine L'Heureux '67
Mauvorneen Suttie ‘67 **
Susan Bullock '68
LFA SUPPORTERS: FRIENDS & ALUMNAE
Catherine Carr '89 *
Michael Chan and Mabel Lee
Sally Chan
Wen Chan
Bergan Cheng '00
Gary and Rachel Cheung
Dina Chies
Michele Chiu '96
Jae Chong and Anna Choi
Vivki Clark
Matt Collingwood
Chantal Coschizza-Clark ‘10
Louella Cruz ‘97 *
Federico De Castro
Charmaine de Silva ‘00 **
Gerald and Anna Des Roches
Monika Durose '92
Mariana Falbo ‘17 *
Janice Feld ‘62 *
Lynda Fellows ‘79 *
Joanna Fitch '23
The Forward Family *
Ross and Elizabeth Gray
Jacqueline Gresko ‘65 *
Fay Guns ‘46 **
Diane and Hector Habans
Emma Hatfield ‘95 **
Sean and Erin Heather '89
Jojo Hernandez and Leah Pangilinan
Andy Hoang
Katherine Rushka '68
Rosemarie Alvaro '69 **
1970s
Corilee Cotter ‘70 ***
Theresa Belton '79 *
Wendy Christie '79 *
Lynda Fellows ‘79 *
1980s
Audrey Alscher '85 *
Ingrid Chan ‘85 *
Janet Zadra '87
Tracy Kerins '88 *
Christine Lee '88
Diane Little ‘88 ***
Dikaia Vakakis '88 *
Catherine Carr '89 *
Erin Heather '89
1990s
Lesley Jackson ‘90 *
Teresa Lacuna '90
Ingrid Wang Lodewyk '90
Leanne Moretto ‘90 *
Corinna Kwong-Estoque '91
Peter and Sanda Homenuk
Albert Hui and May Cheung
Myung Ja Kim
Yvonne Kolstee '62
Tracy Kerins '88 *
Catherine L'Heureux '67
Amy Lam and Daniel Chao
Matthew and Jacqueline Lam | Katherine Lam '16 *
John, Yvonne and Joelle Lee '13
Jorge and MJ Lee
Eddie Leung and Hedwig Lee
Henry Leung and Frances Lam
Louisa Leung
Artur Luebkemann **
Marie MacNeil '49 *
Terena Maguire '95 *
Ana Mak
Aleksandar and Flavia Mandic
Richard and Dianne McDiarmid
Edward Monteiro
Elizabeth Nardowski
Shannon and Brad Newman-Bennett
Patricia Ng '01
Ken Ngan and Margaret Yeung
Dennis Ostler
Georges Pahud
Dean Pietrantonio |
Francesca Pietrantonio '13 *
Sheila Randall
Monique McKee ‘91
Stephanie Von Dehn '91
Susan Bryde ‘92 *
Monika Durose '92
Frances Huang '92
Susie Kang Algard '92
Laura Marriott '92
Ruth Tatone ‘92
Lorraine Lowe ‘93
Jobina Tsang ‘93
Vickie King '94
Emma Hatfield ‘95 **
Terena Maguire '95 *
Michelle Chiu '96 **
Louella Cruz ‘97 *
Gabriela Oteiza ‘97 *
Bettina Sy ‘97 **
Theresia Lee '99
Izabela Wasiela ‘99 *
2000s
Bergan Cheng '00
Charmaine de Silva '00 **
Cherie Au '01
Patricia Ng '01
Karen Au Yeung ‘02
Stephanie Reyes '02
Uwe Rieger and Monica Torres *
Margaret and Philip Robles
Michelle Rodrigues ‘18
Sean Rosas
Don and Eileen Sherwood
Sid and Janice Sigfusson
Ryan and Kathleen Spratt
Natalia Subroto and Yandi Thio
Steve Subroto and Ekopuspajati Untoro
Jill Swanston
Alyson Tan '10
Stanley and Belinda Tanzil
Romeo and Jannet Taruc
Wil and Kim Tjoe *
Sandra Trujillo and Javier Herrera
Stephanie Wan '03 *
Stephen Ward and Teresa Lacuna '90
Pak Mei Wong
Max Xiao and Ivy Chan
Peter and Rosalinda Yong
Janet Zadra '87
Demetri Zambus and Helen Taraviras Zambus
John Zheng and Flora Li
Tanya Cheung '02
Stephanie Reyes '02
Karen Teufel ‘02 *
Samantha Wong '02
Stephanie Wan Min Kee '03 *
Caroline Cannon ‘04 *
Samantha Chang '05
Felicia de la Paz '05
Sarah Kwong '06
2010s
Chantal Coschizza-Clark '10
Alyson Tan '10
Joelle Lee '13
Francesca Pietrantonio '13
Katherine Lam '16
Mariana Falbo ‘17
Jacqueline Ovsenek ‘17 **
Julia Ovsenek ‘17 **
Michelle Rodrigues ‘18
2020s
Alex Artuso '22
Bianca Bravo '23
Joanna Fitch '23
MISTAKE? Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this list (donations made between July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2024). If, however, any errors or omissions have occurred, please accept our apologies, and advise the Advancement Office at 604.738.9016 ext.106 so that corrections can be made.
notes from the grotto
UPDATES & ANNOUNCEMENTS
ELIZABETH (MAH) WONG '97
Elizabeth Mah '97 recently published her first book, "Own Your Menopause". The book goes on sale July 15th.
CHERYL DE SILVA '03
Cheryl de Silva '03 and her husband Mark Bouchard welcomed Joseph Charles de SilvaBouchard into the world on August 30th, 2023. Joe loves going on adventures with his parents in Washington, where they are both pediatricians. But not to worry! He makes frequent trips to Vancouver to get spoiled by his many aunts and uncles, including Charmaine de Silva ‘00.
MARIELLE ALVIZ '09
Marielle Alviz ’09 and Daniel Lung are thrilled to announce the arrival of their little angel, Mia Alviz Lung, born on April 12th, 2024 with a full head of hair and spirit. She is almost 4 months now and growing everyday.
CHANTAL COSCHIZZA-CLARK '10
Happy belated wedding to Chantal CoschizzaClark '10. Chantal was wedded to Ty Clark (VC Grad '07) in a small intimate wedding on October 22, 2022 in Tofino, BC.
OH BABY!
MOM: Marielle Alviz '09
BABY: Mia
MOM: Cheryl de Silva '03
BABY: Joe
SUZANNE LATTA '58
Suzanne Mariette Latta, nee Boisvert, passed away peacefully in her home with family by her side on May 24, 2024. Suzanne was born on October 27, 1940 in Montreal, Quebec to parents Pauline and Marcel Boisvert. She grew up the eldest of seven children and graduated from Little Flower Academy with a strong interest in theatre, going on to perform in a number of plays throughout her rich life. A devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend, Suzanne was pre-deceased by her husband Roger and daughter Jacqueline, as well as her siblings Louise and Roland. She is survived by her sons Marc (Tara), Eric, Brian (Jessica), son-in-law Jim, grandchildren including Brendan, Josh, Sophie, Alexandra, Georgia, Jessica, Ethan and Lucas, and her brothers Claude, Maurice, Raymond and Denis.
Note: LFA is particularly grateful to Suzanne for her committed dedication to the school as she frequently returned to LFA to work with students and peer mediators.
Edited from the Vancouver Sun
MARY CATHERINE DOYLE '63
Mary Catherine Doyle, 77, of Victoria, BC, passed away peacefully on February 7th, 2023. She was born in New Westminster on October 10, 1945, the daughter of Mary (Mimi) nee Keary, and John Doyle. She is survived by her sister, Virginia
(Ginny) Rainer of Toronto, Ontario, and Ginny’s son, Matthew Terry. She is survived by Kevin Parsons, her (deceased) cousin Patsy’s son, and by relatives throughout the lower mainland and Victoria, BC. Catherine attended and graduated from St. Ann’s Academy in New Westminster. Upon graduation she studied to become a Licensed Practical Nurse. She subsequently worked at St. Vincents Hospital in Vancouver and later enrolled in the RN program at the Royal Jubilee Hospital in Victoria. Following her graduation as an RN, Catherine stayed at RJH and worked the entirety of her illustrious nursing career there.
Edited from the Vancouver Sun
SANDRA GALLACHER '63
Sandra Patricia Gallacher suddenly passed away on April 25 at Vancouver General from a stroke at the young age of 78. Born in 1945 in Victoria, BC to a military family, Sandra settled in Vancouver where she became a lifelong resident. Sandra devoted her life to her family and community including volunteering in the Downtown Eastside. Sandy always lived with a giver's-heart. That was her to the core. She cherished her family, nieces, and friends throughout her life, cultivating their friendships as a gardener tends to the garden. Nana was known as the 'Good Shepherd' guiding her children Shawn and Drew and their wives Roberta and Susan, as well as her four grandchildren Cameron, Jacob, Caleb, and Grace through their spiritual journey. In 1962 Sandy met Robert at a Liberal Party dance at UBC and they were married two years later. Their marriage was a whirlwind of travel and adventure, which included visits to 74 countries. Their love affair lasted 60 years and was a living example on how to treat people with love, respect, kindness, and dignity. To our supportive confidant, doting grandmother, 5-Star Mariner Cruise member and willing exercise partner, we toast a life well lived. Edited from the Vancouver Sun
JOANNA INMAN '78
Joanna Mary Inman, nee Smart was born on May 6, 1960 in Hitchin, England to John and Ann Smart. She passed away peacefully on December 29, 2022 after a short stay at St. George's Hospital, London. Joanna was diagnosed with cancer in August 2020. Joanna graduated from LFA in the class of '78. She moved to England in 1981 to study nursing at the University College Hospital London. In 1988, Joanna married her husband David (Inman) and is survived by him, their children, Damon, Chloe, and Hayden, her sisters, Caroline Smart who graduated from LFA in 1981 and Clare Smart in 1991, and her parents. Edited from muchloved.com
MALINA KORDIC '87
Malina Kordic passed away on August 18, 2022, following a short illness. Born in Zagreb, Croatia, Malina lived most of her life in Vancouver. She is remembered by her many close family members and friends as a gifted writer, storyteller, and teacher - as well as a loving mother, daughter, sister, friend, and partner. Her laughter, creativity, optimism, sweet nature, and genuine love of life are greatly missed by all who knew her. Edited from the UBC Magazine
AD LUCEM
4195 Alexandra Street
www.lfabc.org/alumnae
