Tiger THE MAGAZINE OF RIDLEY COLLEGE
SPRING 2018
Headship Extended until 2027
Arctic Expedition: Jack Hilditch ’18
Alumni @Work
Solely for valued members of the Ridley community. The information contained herein may not be published without permission.
Andrea Carisse
CONTRIBUTORS
DIRECTOR, STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS & MARKETING
writing
design
Andrea Carisse Mackenzie Fowler ’11 Angela Osborne Jenna Wallace ’07
Michelle Scrivener
Mackenzie Fowler ’11 NEW MEDIA COORDINATOR
Angela Osborne WRITER & MEDIA RELATIONS COORDINATOR
Michelle Scrivener GRAPHIC DESIGNER & PHOTOGRAPHER
editing Andrea Carisse Angela Osborne
printing Battlefield Press
photography Andrea Carisse Cosmo Condina Mackenzie Fowler ’11 Bryan Groff Susan Hazell Lachlan Macintosh Michelle Scrivener
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P.O. Box 3013 - 2 Ridley Road, St. Catharines Ontario, Canada L2R 7C3 | 905-684-1889
ridleycollege.com
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OUR SCHOOL
LIFE ON CAMPUS
FEATURE STORIES
Headmaster’s Headlines
Academics
2017–18 Board of Governors
First Visible Wellbeing School in North America
Headship Extended until 2027 2017–18 Enrollment
Athletics ™
Academic Ties Awarded Scholarship Recipients Share Experiences Grade 7 & 8 Interpretive Reading MGI Gordon Speakers Series Scientists Advance to Regionals Family Guild Donates $140,000
Tigers Win Gold Honouring Ridley’s Rowing Coaches Recognized by Active For Life Rowers Represent in Boston Ridley Hosts JWHL Tournament 126th Annual Cross-Country Run Tigers Crowned Northwood Champs
Largest Cohort of IB Diploma Candidates to Date
Ridley Hosts Jumpstart for Girls
Arts
Service
Arts Day 2017
24-Hour Race
Speaking Arts Alive & Well
Batteries for Change
Indigenous Arts Enrichment
Diversity at its Best
Encountering the Art World
Community Care Drive
NYC Arts Trip Composer Inspires Artists Lower School Students Shine on Stage Vinegar Tom Debuts in the Mandeville Theatre
New Head of Upper School: Michele A. Bett Arctic Expedition: Jack Hilditch ’18
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ALUMNI STORIES
DONOR SPOTLIGHT
BOOKENDS ALUMNI ANNOUNCEMENTS The Strength Switch
Once a Tiger, Always a Tiger
Decades of Support: Ward Seymour ’74
Alumni @ Work
Class of 1982: Masters Way
Global Events Recaps
Devoted Donor and Mentor: Robin Lampard ’85
Fall Homecoming RCA Golf Tournament RCFG Christmas Market
Class Notes Marriages, Births, Obituaries
76 Getting Grit
78 ARCHIVAL CORNER History Served On a Silver Platter
in this issue
Michelle Scrivener
Headmaster Kidd, Amanda Wark, Celeste Doucet ’07 and Michael Maki with Megan Forrest ’17, as she signs her acceptance to Brown University.
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HEADMASTER’S HEADLINES Welcome to the new and reimagined edition of The Tiger—Ridley’s publication for alumni, parents and friends. Bold, bright and full of inspiration, The Tiger is an apt reflection of our learning community at large and captures the spirit of our unique community. Congratulations to Andrea Carisse, Director of Strategic Communications and Marketing and her team for launching us into a new era. I hope that you enjoy this creative new direction. Given the opportunity to speak or write about Ridley, I rarely leave the stage or put the pen down before I have taken the opportunity to treat our vision and our work towards achieving it. “Inspiring flourishing lives to transform our globe” remains a guiding light as powerful now as it was five years ago when it was conceived. Borrowing from the work of Dr. Martin Seligman, we employ the acronym—PERMA-V—to set down the six essential traits we believe are at the core of a flourishing life. Our goal is to activate and actualize each of these traits throughout the Ridley experience. In a recent Chapel talk, I spoke about the power of meaning—the M in PERMA-V. My ideas were largely guided by a recent read, The Power of Meaning by Canadian journalist and researcher, Emily Esfahani Smith. I highly recommend Smith’s investigation of the central role that meaning and purpose play in our lives. In reviewing this edition of The Tiger, I was struck by the many examples of ‘wayfinding’ that present themselves in the life stories, pursuits and accomplishments of so many diverse members of our community. In the following pages you will be met with examples of Ridleians finding purpose in their lives through academic experiences, through the transcendence of artistic expression, and through the act of giving to others. On the topic of transcendent meaning, the Memorial Chapel restoration project (p. 15) reminds us of the poignant role the Chapel experience plays in the education of past and current Ridleians. “Alumni @ Work” by Jenna Wallace ’07 features three Ridleians who are clearly finding both passion and purpose in their love of cuisine. Chef Nicholas Antunes ’14 took to heart some wise advice from his parents about how to find one’s path: “They suggested I choose something that I would want to wake up to every morning.” (p. 48)
You will also find a wonderful faculty feature introducing our Head of Upper School, Mrs. Michele Bett—a global educator and life-long learner, whose career is founded upon and sustained by a very personal and profound sense of purpose. Our athletics section is filled with stories of student-athletes using sport and physical activity to build meaning in their lives through the thrill of competition and the power of being consumed by something much larger than themselves. Recently we lost two loyal Ridleians, both of whom understood intimately the power of sport. Nat Caters (former faculty) and Rick Chaplin ’78, each in their own exemplary manner, cultivated lives filled with meaning. Nat was a great pioneer of Ridley rugby and mentor to a generation of Ridleians, teaching them the finer aspects of the “game played by gentlemen”. Rick was a legendary oarsman for Ridley and for Canada. He was a loyal supporter of Ridley rowing and even joined me in chaperoning a group of students on a Habitat for Humanity trip in southern China. Both were good men, and I miss them dearly. If you have not heard about our new “Masters Way” monument, be sure to check out the photos, (p. 66). Supported by the Class of 1982, it is a tribute to the many faculty and staff who provided at least 25 years of service—celebrating careers grounded in a deep sense of purpose and meaning. And finally, as you will read in the Board of Governor’s announcement (p. 7), meaning and purpose lie at the heart of my family’s commitment to Ridley for the next decade. Six years on, Hanna and I continue to feel blessed in belonging to the Ridley family. In the happiest and most sustainable of situations, individuals find that their work is their life’s purpose, and sustains them with a strong sense of meaning. Working with students, inspiring them to flourish, preserving Ridley’s past while cocreating the next chapter of our school’s history, these are the profound elements of meaning that I have discovered in my vocation as Headmaster. I am grateful for this period of my career and intend to savour the next 10 years of service to this great Canadian school. Terar Dum Prosim, J. Edward Kidd
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2017–18 BOARD OF GOVERNORS Ridley’s Board of Governors is proudly comprised of passionate leaders from diverse industries who carry a wealth of varied expertise. Each contributing member has a strong connection to our school community and is appointed for their unwavering dedication of our strategic vision. These men and women truly embody the school’s motto ‘Terar Dum Prosim,’ through their promise to help advance Ridley’s mission.
GEORGINA H. BLACK ’85 Board Chair Ex-Officio All Committees
J. EDWARD KIDD Headmaster Invited Guest - All Committees
MARIA MENECHELLA Advancement Committee Governance & Nomination Committee
DAVID K. CARTER ’88 Finance, Audit & Human Resources Committee (Chair)
C. MICHAEL KRAY ’88 Governance & Nomination Committee (Chair)
YANICK PAGÉ ’84 Governor
KELVIN S.M. CHEN ’70 Advancement Committee
SCOTT G.A. LAMPARD ’88 Finance, Audit & Human Resources Committee (Vice-Chair)
JAMES D. PARKE Director of Finance & Operations Board Secretary Invited Guest - All Committees
TIMOTHY J. COFFIN ’81 Advancement Committee (Chair) PHILIP D. COURT ’85 Facilities Management Committee (Chair) Governance & Nomination Committee LEIGH ANN EPPERSON Governor
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ALISON A.C. LOAT ’94 Governance Committee DRAGAN MATOVIC Facilities Management Committee DONALD S. MCMURTRY ’82 Advancement Committee
G. SCOTT PATERSON ’82 Advancement Committee LOUISE TAYLOR GREEN Finance, Audit & Human Resources Committee
HEADSHIP OF
J. Edward Kidd EXTENDED UNTIL 2027 Dear Ridley Community, It is my great privilege to announce that Headmaster Ed Kidd has accepted a ten year contract renewal, which secures his strategic leadership at Ridley College through to 2027. This decade-long extension speaks to my unwavering confidence, and that of the full Board, in his ability to further advance the school’s strategic vision and lead Ridley into an era of even greater prosperity and deeper global connectedness. Since assuming his role in 2012, Headmaster Kidd has enthusiastically and tactically worked with the Board of Governors and countless stakeholders to establish our Strategic Plan: Inspiring Flourishing Lives to Transform Our Globe, in addition to the Campus Master Plan. In doing so, he has made significant strides towards developing a unique student-centred experience that flows from our mission. At a time when many North American boarding schools were experiencing higher attrition rates, Headmaster Kidd contributed to unprecedented global demand for admission to Ridley. Not without the marked efforts of faculty and staff, he has raised the academic tenor of our school by introducing the International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme in all grades, while simultaneously elevating our athletics and arts programmes, and underscoring a commitment to service. The College is being transformed by a galvanizing vision to “inspire flourishing lives,” a journey that has led Ridley to the concept of positive education and its focus on character development and social and emotional well-being. He is a devoted, passionate leader who travels around the world, meeting with members of our community to personally relay how our school is progressing. From day one, Headmaster Kidd has worked to strengthen relationships and honour Ridley’s esteemed history. In 2014, he unified Ridleians through the school’s 125th anniversary with a successful 125 Renaissance Campaign and the 125 Bash. Thanks to all of his efforts and acumen, Ridley is now ready to enter into the planning phases of a capital campaign—with a goal to raise $30 million towards capital projects and $10 million to grow Ridley’s endowment. After only five years, Headmaster Kidd has already demonstrated his capacity to catapult Ridley to long-term sustainability and I, along with the Board of Governors, am excited for the new heights Ridley will reach over the next 10 years under his leadership. Sincerely, Georgina Black ’85, Chair of the Board of Governors TIGER | SPRING 2018
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2017–18 ENROLLMENT
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349
DAY STUDENTS (30%)
BOARDERS (70%)
502
UPPER SCHOOL 329 RETURNING • 173 NEW
700
337
225 RETURNING • 112 NEW
363
223 RETURNING • 140 NEW
STUDENT BODY
198
LOWER SCHOOL 119 RETURNING • 79 NEW
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BOARDERS (16%)
167
DAY STUDENTS (84%)
LIFE ON
campus On any given moment, in any nook of campus, Ridleians can be found engaging, excelling, achieving and serving. With daily student activity and accomplishment, it was challenging to curate only a selection of highlights.
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Michelle Scrivener
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congratulations
CLASS OF 2017
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photos: Michelle Scrivener
Valerie Brown
On September 22, our entire student population, faculty and staff took to the fields for a banner school birthday celebration. Sporting red and white t-shirts to show their Canadian pride, Ridleians participated in a host of games, formed a massive human maple leaf and enjoyed Ridley-themed cupcakes. Not only did 2017 mark Canada 150, but also the 128th anniversary of our amazing school. 12
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128 YEARS proud TIGER | SPRING 2018
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Cosmo Condina
photos: Michelle Scrivener
Chapel Restoration Project
Thanks to our generous benefactors, a great deal of re-pointing and stained glass work was done this past summer, to keep the stone structure and windows at their best. As the centrepiece of Ridley’s campus, the Memorial Chapel has long stood as an iconic example of our school’s beautiful architecture. In recent years, it was determined that some restoration would need to be completed for it to remain safe and aesthetically sound. With various projects being completed over the last two years, the Memorial Chapel is looking as stunning as ever.
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photos: Michelle Scrivener
Progress photos, Summer 2017
photos: Michelle Scrivener
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Williams Hall Restoration Built in 1954 as a part of an expansion project, Williams Hall (H.G. Williams Memorial Hall) has served as the heart of our Lower School for decades. When the original plaster of the dining room’s ceiling began to show its age last year, the decision was made to renovate this significant gathering space. Re-opening in September 2017, Williams Hall has been tastefully restored with traditional finishings and modern enhancements, including air conditioning, recessed lighting, acoustic panels and audio/visual equipment.
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photos: Michelle Scrivener
photos: Michelle Scrivener
Bleacher Project Realized With the support of our generous donors, Ridley was able to realize its Annual Fund goals for 2016–17‌thank you! Our final project was completed in October, with the installation of our new Fieldhouse bleachers, which can seat our student body of 700. Before the first game of the 24th annual Carl Dorland Classic basketball tournament, the entire school took to the stands for an official ribbon cutting ceremony and pep rally.
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academics Over the past six months, our students have been engaged in a number of unique endeavours that have evoked inspiration, growth and personal development. Here are a few that have made a profound impact.
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Ridley Becomes First Visible Wellbeing™ School in North America
Andrea Carisse
Three years following the launch of our Strategic Plan, Ridley is confidently enacting our mission to ‘inspire flourishing lives’ in a novel and intentional way. Recently, our school launched an exciting two-year partnership with Professor Lea Waters (PhD), made possible through the Positive Education Fellowship (2016–17 Annual Fund project). Dr. Waters is a leading researcher and global expert in the field of positive psychology—making Ridley the first Visible Wellbeing™ Foundational School in North America.
Academic Ties Awarded On October 11, Headmaster Kidd and Mrs. Bett, Head of Upper School, distributed the 2017 Academic Ties to 186 students who achieved an average of 85 percent or higher as of last June, won a ‘General Proficiency Prize,’ or received a ‘Major Academic Subject Prize.’ Funding for the ties was generously provided by the Class of 1956.
Scholarship Recipients Share Experiences
Andrea Carisse
The 2016 recipients of the F. Ian Wood ‘53 Global Language Summer Study Scholarship, Anastasia Guzenko ‘18 and Vida Han ‘18, proudly shared their experiences studying in Germany and Ecuador, respectively. The immersive opportunity, donated by Ian Wood ‘53 allowed these two students to spend their summers, gaining first-hand language experience, and cultural and historical knowledge.
Grade 7 & 8 Interpretive Reading The annual intermediate interpretive reading competition took place on November 9, when Grade 7 and 8 students competed in three categories: intermediate, senior and English Language Learner (ELL). All students put forth an excellent effort and showed off their presentation skills in front of fellow students, parents and faculty. The presentations were adjudicated by Mrs. Valerie Parke, Mr. Andrew Hitchcox and Mr. Justin Steepe. Top place finishers in each category were: Abby Ferrante ’23 (intermediate) Jasmine Kennedy ’22 (senior) Luca Ye ’23 (ELL) TIGER | SPRING 2018
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MGI Gordon Speakers Series: The Honourable Bill Graham
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On October 27, students and members of our extended community attended a dynamic presentation of the MGI Gordon Speakers Series with the Honourable Bill Graham (PC CM QC)—who served as Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of National Defence, Leader of the Opposition, interim Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada and is currently a member of the Minister’s Advisory Panel for Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan.
Scientists Advance to Regionals On January 26, 38 Grade 7 students enthusiastically showcased projects in the 11th annual Lower School Science Fair. Each project was based on a selfselected topic with a focus on ‘Science: exploring and learning through experimentation’. The 25 judges ultimately selected eight finalists to represent Ridley at the Niagara Regional Science and Engineering Fair on March 23 at Brock University.
Michelle Scrivener
Science Fair Finalists: Edgar Lai and Joshua Hanna – Biofeedback Simona Peracchia – Which Agent Whitens Teeth Best? Eshan Islam – The Effects of Anti-Coagulants on Blood Clotting Jackson Charlton – Do De-icers Kill Plants? Adela Dunkley – Shore Erosion Areen Iqbal – Can Liquid Be Magnetic? Abby Ferrante – Testing Natural Cleansing Products Alison Leach – Does Chewing Gum Get You Better Test Scores?
Family Guild Donates $140,000
Michelle Scrivener
The Ridley College Family Guild continued its impressive track record of giving generously to the Annual Fund, presenting Director of Development, Susan Hazell with a cheque for $140,000 ($130,000 in support of the Annual Fund and $10,000 in support of scholarships and bursaries). We consider ourselves incredibly fortunate to have such a dedicated and passionate group of parent volunteers.
Largest Cohort of IB Diploma Candidates to Date Only two years after becoming an International Baccalaureate (IB) continuum school and just four years after introducing the optional IB Diploma Programme (DP), Ridley is witnessing unprecedented demand for this world-class offering—with 136 students (Grades 11 and 12) enrolled in the Diploma Programme for the 2017–18 academic year. Beyond increased demand, Ridleians have scored consistently above the world average in the past several years, while two students have impressively scored in the top 9% (40 points or greater) of all IB diploma recipients worldwide.
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Michelle Scrivener
Picture (right) includes the 37 IB Diploma candidates, slated to graduate in May 2018.
athletics Athletics continue to be integral to life at Ridley. Throughout the first half of the year, the Tigers rigorously competed across the province (and beyond) with consistently strong showings. Check out some of the exciting results.
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Tigers Win Gold Members of the Prep Boys basketball team, Jaden Bediako ’18 and Noah Wharton ’18, were among the most talented young basketball players in the province selected to represent Team Ontario at the 2017 Canada Games. The Tigers were instrumental in their team’s gold medal victory (108–65) over Team Alberta on August 4 in Winnipeg.
Michelle Scrivener
Honouring Ridley’s Rowing Coaches On August 12, following the Canadian Henley races, the Ridley Graduate Boat Club honoured two longserving rowing coaches during a shell christening. Retired faculty member and coach, Dave Whitty and coach, mentor and supporter, Nancy Storrs, were honoured with two boats christened in their names. It was great to recognize these two individuals for their commitment and dedication to rowing at Ridley.
Ridley Recognized by Active for Life
Susan Hazell
On September 18, Ridley was featured by Active for Life on a national stage for adopting a later start time (for Upper School students) to allow for physical activity before the academic day. The shift to a 9:15a.m. start time was informed by student data collected through the Passport for Life Programme as well as scientific evidence relating to the impacts of physical activity, sleep and nutrition on the teenage cognitive process. This adjustment is one way our school consciously promotes physical literacy, the Long Term Athlete Development model and positive psychology.
Rowers Represent in Boston Our rowers were out in full force in Boston, Massachusetts in October, with four crews entered in the 53rd annual Head Of The Charles Regatta. Our crews expertly maneuvered the winding Charles River to some excellent results. The Men’s Double, comprised of Seth Moyer ’18 and Ethan Enns ’18, proudly brought home a medal by placing fourth out of 48 teams.
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Ridley Hosts JWHL Tournament From December 8–10, 24 Junior Women’s Hockey League (JWHL) teams descended upon Ridley for the largest single sporting event in the school’s athletic history. A total of 48 games were played by some of the most talented female secondary school athletes.
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Our Prep Girls were also impressive, taking points in three of their five matches.
126th Annual Cross-Country Run On November 6, Upper School students flooded the fields for one of Ridley’s oldest and most cherished traditions, the Upper School Cross-Country Run. Grade 9 to 12 students raced around campus looking to capture a top place finish, earn House points and, above all else, have fun. This year’s overall House winners were Dean’s House and Mandeville House, with the fastest overall times. The 115th Lower School Cross-Country Run took place on September 29. Michelle Scrivener
Tigers Crowned Northwood Champs
Mackenzie Fowler ’11
In a grueling five-game weekend (January 20) in Lake Placid, New York, our Prep Boys hockey team made Ridley hockey history by winning the school’s first Northwood Invitational tournament in the 40-year legacy of the event. The Tigers were unstoppable, racking up 24 goals in an undefeated run to the championship game, where they shutout Le Sommet from Quebec 3–0. Not only was the offense on fire, but the stifling Ridley defense was also fantastic, yielding just four goals and limiting their opponents to under 20 shots on net per game.
Ridley Hosts Jumpstart for Girls On October 27, we were honoured to host the Canadian Tire Jumpstart Games for 300 girls in St. Catharines. Since 2005, Jumpstart has disbursed over $135 million in funding to help more than 1.4 million children across Canada overcome financial barriers to sport and recreation.
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Jumpstart
Jumpstart’s Women and Girls in Sport Initiative encourages girls to get, and stay active in the hopes of creating a new generation of female sport leaders. The participants were inspired by Olympic bronze medalist, Brittany MacLean, and Paralympic-hopeful, Claire Buchanan, who participated alongside the girls as they rotated through six activity stations.
arts From captivating performances to field trips and competitions, the arts and individual creative pursuits are celebrated throughout the Ridley community. Here is a glimpse at artistic excellence from this past term.
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Arts Day 2017 With over 300 students in Grades 9 to 11 involved in hands-on creative activities, Arts Day was a resounding success. Throughout the day, students were engaged with 18 different arts activities that included flamenco dancing, learning guitar, making clay vessels, Chinese calligraphy and learning how to craft their acting skills. Creativity is an essential component in a flourishing life, and the “give it a try” ethos of the Arts Day sessions allowed students to engage with a new experience to extend their range of skills as well as their knowledge of the arts. Andrea Carisse
Speaking Arts Alive & Well It has been a busy start to this year’s Speaking Arts programme. Ridleians participated in the annual International Independent Schools’ Public Speaking Competition in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The five-day tournament brought together some of the best high school debaters and public speakers in the world. Later in November, student-debaters travelled to Oakville for the Fall Fulford Cup debate, while January saw the annual Senior Public Speaking Competition with alumni judges Timothy Rigby ’60, Geoffrey Seymour ’69 and Michael Moulden ’70.
Indigenous Arts Enrichment On October 17, the Grade 9 Visual Arts classes travelled to the Landscape of Nations Memorial in Queenston Heights to participate in an Indigenous Arts enrichment activity. Our visiting experts, Mr. Tim Johnson of the Mohawk, and Ms. Michele-Elise Burnett ’86 of the Métis, discussed the role of art in First Nations culture and shared their experiences through artifacts and stories. Through a guided tour of the Memorial, students examined the development of art symbolism and cultural identity as told through the examples provided by the installation elements.
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photograph by: 30
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(Alex) Youchen Luo ’19
Encountering the Art World On October 27, IB Visual Art students visited Canada’s largest international exhibition of contemporary art, Art Toronto. This exhibition features private galleries from across Canada and around the globe that come together to display and sell their artists’ work. The business of art was clearly on display as collectors negotiated with dealers for works by world-renowned artists and those beginning their careers. Students explored the enormous range of styles and media on display to find work that reflected their own studio investigations. They were inspired and eager to return to the studio to further develop their own artistic explorations.
NYC Arts Trip Students enrolled in IB1 Art, Design and Film spent the November long weekend exploring world-class museums and galleries in New York City. The students had an opportunity to see the collections of the Museum of Modern Art, the Metropolitan Museum, the Guggenheim Museum, the Museum of the Moving Image and the Cooper Hewitt Design Museum. Along with this extraordinary range of museum collections, students also explored the city and encountered one of the world’s best collections of 20th century architecture and landmarks.
Composer Inspires Artists Throughout the first week of the winter term, Ridley welcomed Richard Link, a world-renowned composer who has crafted original scores for our upcoming musical, which is an original adaptation of Marlowe’s The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus. While on campus, Link led a series of workshops and actively engaged with our thespians in their rehearsals.
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Michelle Scrivener
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Lower School Students Shine on Stage On December 14 and 15, our Junior Kindergarten to Grade 6 students eagerly donned their most festive attire and dazzled on stage for the annual Christmas pageant.
photos: Michelle Scrivener
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The performance began with our youngest Ridleians singing a few Christmas classics, before introducing the Grade 4 to 6 students for their performance of Elf Jr. Enhanced by a wonderful set and fantastic costumes, the production had all audience members smiling as they left the theatre.
Vinegar Tom Debuts in the Mandeville Theatre The Upper School Fall play, Vinegar Tom debuted at the beginning of November. Our actors did an outstanding job at breathing life into the Caryl Churchill play, which seeks to expose society’s long history of the subjugation of women through Brechtian humour, song and exaggeration.
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service Ridley’s motto strongly echoes throughout life on campus, and we are proud to share our students’ continued commitment to service.
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24-Hour Race Throughout October, several students went above and beyond to raise awareness and funds for causes near and dear to them. Christian Guillaume ’18 devoted his time before and during breakfast and lunch, to raise more than $400 for the Red Cross hurricane relief. A group of students (led by Brittany Ng ’18) also organized and participated in a 24-Hour Race on campus to raise awareness of human trafficking. The event, which was a part of the students’ IB CAS project, displayed perseverance from students and faculty, who raced day and night for the cause. Some students even contributed up to five hours total by racing on the ergometers.
Batteries for Change After raising $10,000 in 2015 to build a school in Kenya, Xavier West ’20 continues to personify Ridley’s motto through his newest charitable initiative, “Batteries for Change”. Through this campaign, Xavier has been collecting used batteries in an effort to raise $5,000, which will enable him to purchase 100 goats for communities in Kenya. When a Kenyan family receives a goat, they not only gain a source of nutritional milk, but also an important sustainable income.
Diversity at its Best Mackenzie Fowler ’11
On January 27 students, Victoria Kohler ’18 and Mary Bajela ’18, hosted an International Day fair as a part of their Creativity Action Service (CAS) project. Ridleians from 25 of our 54 countries hosted booths, where attendees sampled cultural dishes, learned about customs, national dress and more. Vibrant performances helped liven the celebration of our diverse school community.
Community Care Drive Under the encouragement of Tribe leaders, Lower School students showed commitment to service through their generous donations of non-perishable food items and winter clothing to the Christmas Community Care Drive. Students also organized a bake sale during the evening performance of Elf Jr. in December, to raise funds for local families in need.
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Ridley’s new Head of Upper School Michelle Scrivener
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FEATURE STORY
Michele A. Bett “Ridley’s enduring motto was and still is a big draw for me,” states Michele Bett, Ridley’s new Head of Upper School. She explains that she not only wants to make a difference; she wants to join a cause and lead a movement. She is passionately committed to international education and to student learning, and this dedication led her halfway around the world from London, England to St. Catharines.
Michelle Scrivener
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Michael (Mick) Bett In 2017, Michael became Ridley’s Dean of Boarding, a responsibility he shares with his duties as Head of House (Merritt South), Coach for the Prep Boys basketball team and faculty member. Throughout his accomplished teaching career in England, Michael also played basketball professionally and for England’s national team.
Michelle Scrivener
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The personal journey of a life-long learner and passionate educator. Ridley’s global search for talented educators struck gold in 2016 when Michele applied for the Head of Upper School candidacy. It was quickly clear to everyone involved in the hiring process that Michele was meant to be at Ridley. As a teacher with experience at world-renowned independent schools delivering the International Baccalaureate (IB), Michele exemplified the enthusiasm for curriculum, assessment and programme development that would help Ridley flourish in the highest ranks of Canadian independent schools. Michele’s qualities as an educator intently devoted to service and learning asserted that she was an obvious role model for Ridleians. According to Headmaster Kidd, “In our search for the new Head of Upper School, I was looking for a dynamic educator and a caring, competent leader to inspire our faculty and take teaching and learning to the next level at Ridley. Michele has fulfilled and exceeded expectations in each of these categories and I’m encouraged by how passionately she has embraced our vision.” Michele began her journey to Ridley College at home in Southampton, England, where she developed an early passion for reading and learning. Spending hours as a young girl with classic English authors like Charlotte Bronte, Jane Austin, and Charles Dickens, she dreamed of becoming a
writer or a teacher. Growing up in an English-Italian family, she made annual trips to Naples, Italy, and naturally developed a multi-cultural outlook.
learning environment. More than anything, what Michele embraces is the professional pride of the faculty and the joy of learning in the students.
Michele left Southampton to attend the University of London, where she earned a BA in History and English. Years later, she went on to earn a Master’s degree from Endicott College (Spain). Married to Michael (Mick) Bett and mother of a young child, she accepted her first teaching position in 1987.
Although Michele holds numerous titles, her most cherished are those of daughter, wife, mother (of three) and grandmother, all of which show off her inherently caring nature. Beyond baking and cooking, Michele is often found cheering for the Tigers on the basketball court and being escorted around campus by her beloved Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Pip.
She broadened her teaching experience at two more British schools before going on to TASIS England in 1996. She enjoyed 19 “glorious” years at the distinguished American-international boarding and day school near London, progressing through many roles from the Chair of the History Department, Assistant to the Headmaster, Assistant Academic Dean, Curriculum Coordinator, and finally Academic Dean. In her last years at TASIS England, Michele also taught Theory of Knowledge in the IB Diploma Programme. When she arrived at Ridley with Michael and their youngest son Cameron ’18 in 2016, Michele immediately felt at home. Impressed by the welcoming sense of community, she went straight to work, focusing on faculty collaboration, professional development, and creating a student-centred
“Times change, people change, but values don’t,” Michele says.
“At Ridley, we don’t ask you what you want to be; instead, we ask you what global problems you will fix. This sense of social responsibility, the idea that with great privilege comes greater responsibility, made my choice to relocate to Canada a very easy one.” With the continued goal to diversify, adapt and prepare students for the future, Michele Bett seems destined to ensure that Ridley’s finest days are still ahead.
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RIDLEIAN EXPLORES ARCTIC ON RARE EXPEDITION
Students on Ice
Intrepid advocate for the environment and 2017–18 Ridley Prefect, Jack Hilditch ’18 set out on a unique Arctic expedition with Students on Ice. Selected from a competitive pool of applicants, Jack was invited to embark on a once-ina-lifetime experience, with an opportunity to learn about the culture, environment and effects of climate change in the Polar Regions. Jack’s interest in global sustainability was fostered at a young age by his father, who exposed him to environmental conservation. Jack’s intrigue was ignited upon learning about Students on Ice, a programme founded by social entrepreneur and adventurer Geoff Green. The
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programme allows students from around the world to explore the Polar Regions and learn from leading scientists, politicians and those directly impacted by climate change in the Arctic. With support from his family and his IB Biology teacher, Ms. Kathy Anderson, Jack applied to Students on Ice and was successfully accepted to the programme. Alongside just 100 other students, Jack departed for the Arctic expedition in August 2017. The group’s journey began in Resolute Bay, Nunavut, where the Ontario Minister of the Environment and Climate Change, Chris Ballard, announced the opening of a new National Park. For the next two weeks, Jack and his peers travelled to regions throughout the Canadian Arctic, as well as communities, fjords, and islands throughout Greenland. Each location offered a rare adventure;
whether it was kayaking in the chilly blue waters, trekking a glacier, cruising through narrow channels or observing wildlife. Jack shared that, “In between each stop, our time on the ship was filled with so many workshops led by leading scientists, Inuit elders, politicians and so many different people. Some of the workshops included studying Arctic life under a microscope, throat singing, writing songs, absorbing lectures by leading scientists and engaging in talks about mental health. These activities changed every day, allowing us to explore a diversity of interests.” Aside from the transformative learning experiences, Jack shared that his favourite part of the trip was getting to know his peers as well as having the unique opportunity to engage with experts. Jack’s Students
on Ice cohort included students from Micronesia, Malaysia, India, Mexico and Monaco, to name a few. Coming from an international community at Ridley, Jack was naturally interested in the diverse cultures, stories and experiences that each member of the global group was able to share. “Not many people get to experience and observe the climate crisis in the Arctic first hand… After meeting many Inuit families on this expedition that were directly impacted by climate change, I have realized the importance and urgency of tackling such a significant global issue… This isn’t something that will only threaten this generation and the next, but it will pose many challenges for generations to come. It is our responsibility to act as a unified people to combat climate change as it is something that doesn’t affect one group of people, but all of us. Not only did we hear about climate change within the Arctic, but we also heard from students in Palau, Micronesia who are also experiencing climate change. They talked about how flooding has become very prevalent within many of their communities. Being able to experience this very evident crisis first hand was enlightening and inspiring. While we may think, we are not directly impacted, we all are,” urges Jack. The Students on Ice mandate is built upon the belief that there is power in connecting youth to nature, while fostering an appreciation for the planet. Jack’s experience during the expedition reflected this spirit, and his journey as an ambassador for change continues. The devastating effects of climate change and the importance of cultural awareness permeated with the entire group, leaving the students feeling inspired and resolute to work on a solution.
“ I have learned so much about myself and the world around me throughout my journey at Ridley.” — Jack Hilditch ’18
Jack plans to share his story and the stories of those he met along the way in order to instill awareness of the effects of climate change and inspire others to take action.
In January, Geoff Green, Founder and President of the Students on Ice Foundation (SOI) was a guest speaker in the MGI Gordon Speakers Series at Ridley. TIGER | SPRING 2018
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ONCE A TIGER, ALWAYS A TIGER When Tigers graduate, their relationships with Ridley don’t end; our alumni continue on as proud members of the community. For some, the connection to Ridley is so great, that they find themselves returning to campus, as faculty and staff members. You know what they say: ‘once a Tiger, always a Tiger‘. Here are our Old Ridleians who are contributing to future generations of students: Michelle Scrivener
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Upper School Faculty GEOFF PARK ’80 Years attended: 1976–1980 Position: Teacher, Department Head, Soccer & Squash Coach, former Head of House Years of service: 30 Favourite thing about Ridley: “The relationship between faculty and students. Because we do so much together, we know each other better and form stronger bonds that last forever.”
CHARLENE (EBERT) HUTTON ’83 Years attended: 1981–1983 Position: Guidance & Academics Administrative Assistant Years of service: 18 Favourite thing about Ridley: “The community feeling among faculty and students.”
DEREK DUNKLEY ’87
JAY TREDWAY ’96
Years attended: 1980–1987 Position: History & Economics Teacher, Coach Years of service: 26 Favourite thing about Ridley: “The cultural mosaic that is our community.”
Years attended: 1992–1996 Position: Director of Athletics & Department Head - Health and Physical Education Years of service: 17 Favourite thing about Ridley: “The opportunity for students from all over the world to come to Canada and find their niche, their special place to thrive and grow in this amazingly diverse community.”
Advancement Office MIKE MOULDEN ’70
ALEXANDRA LITTLE ’03
Years attended: 1967–1970 Position: Senior Development Officer & Manager of Planned Giving Years of service: 11 Favourite thing about Ridley: “I have been so fortunate having entered Ridley as a student 50 years ago this past September, and to have remained involved ever since. My roles as Associate Class Agent, President of RCA, former member of the Board of Governors and employee have truly defined my life.”
Years attended: 1998–2003 Position: Admissions Officer (International Markets) Years of service: 3 Favourite thing about Ridley: “The connections. Over the years, I have met so many people, from all over the world, who are strongly connected to and passionate about Ridley and their experiences here. The network of Ridleians is wide, but surprisingly closely knit.”
Lower School Faculty PAUL FILION ’86
MARCIE LEWIS ’03
CELESTE DOUCET ’07
Years attended: 1981–1986 Position: Teacher & Commanding Officer Ridley College Cadet Corps No. 162 RC(A)CC, Rugby Coach Years of service: 16 Favourite thing about Ridley: “Being in the classroom with students and watching them absorb new material and watching their eyes light up is a wonderful experience.”
Years attended: 2000–2003 Position: Grade 6 Teacher & PYP Coordinator Years of service: 9 Favourite thing about Ridley: “My favourite thing about Ridley is the wide variety of options that we provide all students. This allows students to explore and discover their strengths, interests, and passions in academics, athletics, the arts and service.”
Years attended: 2004–2007 Position: Primary/Junior French Teacher, & Hockey Coach Years of service: 5 Favourite thing about Ridley: “The wonderful group of colleagues I get to work with every day.”
Facilities & Maintenance WENDY (CROSSINGHAM) DARBY ’99 Years attended: 1990–1999 Position: Librarian, Archivist & Extended Essay Coordinator, Field Hockey Coach Years of service: 10 Favourite thing about Ridley: “The connections. I love that I can sit down with an alum from the 40s or the 80s and we can speak the same language and have a common understanding about life.”
KENN CORFIELD ’03
JACOB TOMSBOUDREAU ’13
Years attended: 1997–2001 Position: Sports Attendant Years of service: 16 Favourite thing about Ridley: “The wide selection of programs available from sports to academics to extracurricular clubs for students— there’s never a boring day here.”
Years attended: 2008–2013 Position: General Maintenance Assistant Years of service: 2 Favourite thing about Ridley: “Seeing students excited about playing with and using something I helped to set up or install.”
Health Centre MACKENZIE FOWLER ’11
NICK BLAIKIE-PUK ’12
ANJALI KUNDI ’97
Years attended: 2003–2011 Position: New Media Coordinator & TigerPost Supervisor Years of service: 2 Favourite thing about Ridley: “The nostalgia. In my position, I am tasked with capturing all of Ridley’s biggest moments and brightest achievements and because of that, I get to relive some of my favourite Ridley experiences and revisit my home away from home every day of the week.”
Years attended: 2010–2012 Position: Admissions Officer Years of service: 1 Favourite thing about Ridley: “The connections! Thanks to Ridley, I’ve been fortunate enough to have more global experiences throughout my life. I’ve made friends from around the world, both as a student and as a staff member. I continue to learn through being in such a uniquely diverse environment, sharing my stories, and creating worldly opportunities for others.”
Years attended: 1993–1997 Position: Physician Years of service: 1 Favourite thing about Ridley: “The great memories and friends I made.”
ADDITIONAL FACULTY & STAFF: Robert Poe ’90 Upper School Faculty; 8 years of service Alyssa Toffolo ’14 Residential Don (Mandeville House); 2 years of service TIGER | SPRING 2018
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alumni work @ BY JENNA WALLACE ’07
Success in the ultra-competitive culinary arts is often characterized by a rare blend of perseverance, creativity, experimentation and dedication—all of which are integral qualities instilled in every student who has come to call Ridley home. It’s perhaps fitting, then, that so many of our alumni have experienced such a high level of success in the food and drink industry to date.
In the first edition of our Alumni at Work, we’re focusing on some of our most flavourful alumni—those who have truly embraced what it means to be a Ridleian and who have translated these core characteristics into a myriad of undeniably tasty triumphs. At the core of each of their stories lies one simple ingredient—hands-on experience. In each of their own ways, these kitchen connoisseurs have embraced the unique perspective that a Ridley education has offered them: they understand the inherent value in adapting to and overcoming challenges, identifying and pursuing passions and embracing the opportunities that our diverse world offers. They exemplify all that it means to lead flourishing lives that can invigorate and inspire us all. Read on to learn more about their endeavours, their insight and their advice as they continue to forge ahead on the foodie scene. Once your appetite is whetted, be sure to stop by campus and scout out some of the impressive food and drink options available right here in Ridley’s own backyard. The Niagara region is home to dozens of award-winning restaurants and wineries that are sure to impress you.
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FOODIE FEATURE
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alumni work @
Whether it was learning to barbecue with his grandfather by his side, sitting around the dinner table enjoying his dad’s tomato seafood stew, or sneaking a peek through the Great Hall’s kitchen doors as he accompanied his friends to a table, most of Nicholas Antunes ’14 fondest memories are defined by two things: food and family.
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It came as no surprise that, when his parents encouraged him to pursue a career that was rooted in passion, Nicholas knew what to do. “They suggested I choose something that I would want to wake up to every morning,” he recalls. For him, that was exploring the culinary arts.
But it wasn’t just the food that stood out for Nicholas throughout his two-year stay in NYC. It was the friendship, too. He remembers developing a deep appreciation for the sense of community that is so integral to culinary success. Nicholas describes it as a “family-feel.”
After graduating from Ridley in 2014, Nicholas completed a oneyear Chef Training programme at Niagara College while he worked part-time in the kitchen at a local restaurant. His hands-on experience only further solidified his interest in the culinary arts and, eager to learn more, he enrolled in the Culinary Institute of America’s ultra-competitive two-year programme in New York City. “It was nerve-wracking,” he admits, “but I loved every minute of it. From the moment you start until the moment you end, your whole life is food, and it’s cooking. It’s all you think about.”
“You will be working 12 to 13 hours a day in a kitchen with the same people and you need to get along,” he goes on to explain, “You need to understand how each person works, and what their strengths are, and you need to know that do not want to let these people down.” Working together, relating to others, and learning to rely on each other’s strengths to achieve a common goal are all crucial qualities that Nicholas can connect back to his time spent at Ridley. Living alongside his fellow housemates in residence,
competing in team sports, and collaborating in the classroom all helped to instill in him the importance of integrity, inclusivity, and teamwork: “This is where it started,” he insists, “this idea in the back of my mind that you don’t want to let someone down, no matter what it is you’re doing.” Nicholas hopes to carry forward this link between cooking and community in his future endeavours. When asked what the future might hold for him, he is quick to admit that he would like to open his own restaurant one day, right here in the heart of Niagara, albeit with a bit of a twist.
“ I want to open a place where everybody can come together,” he says, “a place where people want to come work, and a place where people can share their ideas and we can try new things.”
With his propensity for reinventing traditional dishes, his passion for innovative mixology techniques, and his fearless pursuit of what he is passionate about, it comes as no surprise that Nicholas’ best advice for those entering a new phase is to continue to try different things. At Ridley, the day-to-day is defined by an ability to welcome new experiences, and, for Nicholas, it is these new experiences, no matter how seemingly insignificant, that are the key to uncovering true interests. “Even if you’re just carrying boxes from a catering truck into the facility, you’re getting your hands in there, and getting to see if this is really what you want.”
Michelle Scrivener
One new thing on the culinary scene that has caught his eye is the growing trend toward merging the art of chemistry and cocktail making. It started with gastronomy, he says, and now it’s moving to mixology as more and more bartenders experiment with things like liquid nitrogen. He applies this same forwardthinking to his own favourite dish. Fish is his favourite, he admits, not only because it’s tied to his family traditions and his Portuguese roots, but also because it’s refreshingly adaptable, too. “Fish is a fun dish to play around with,” he says, “you can change how it looks and how it tastes so quickly.” TIGER | SPRING 2018
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steamed dumplings (SHAO MAI) WITH GINGER-SOY DIPPING SAUCE Yield: 10 portions – 2 pieces/portion for dim sum • Beef, ground, very cold 1 lb. • Ginger, minced 2 tsp. • Scallion, finely sliced 2 ea. • Oyster sauce 4 tbsp. • Soy sauce, light 2 tbsp. • Sesame oil, dark 1 tsp. • Cornstarch 1/4 c. • Eggs, large 1/2 ea. • Rice wine, Shao Xing 1 tbsp. • Salt, sea or kosher 1/2 tsp. • Black pepper, ground ¼ tsp. • Shrimp, peeled, de-veined, chopped ¼ lb. (pieces no larger than ¼”) • Water chestnuts, fresh, finely chopped 2 tbsp. • Carrot, brunoise 2 tbsp. • Cilantro (with stem), chopped ¼” 1 tbsp. • Shao mai wrappers 20 ea. (Parchment paper as needed) MISE EN PLACE NOTE:
Before beginning all ingredients and equipment should be well chilled to ensure proper consistency and avoid fat from melting during processing. 1. Place pork, ginger, scallion, oyster sauce, soy sauce, sesame oil, cornstarch, eggs, wine, salt and pepper into a CHILLED food processor. Pulse mixture until well combined. Mixture will begin to pull together into one mass. Transfer to chilled mixing bowl. 2. Add chilled shrimp, water chestnuts, carrots and cilantro. Mix until incorporated, chill. The dumplings will be easier to shape if filling is VERY cold. 3. Using a teaspoon, place a mound of mixture in centre of wrapper. Gather outer edges to form cylinder so filling is exposed at the top. Wrap pointer finger and thumb around the centre “waist.” Dip thumb from opposite hand in water (to prevent sticking) and use to compact filling in dumpling. Gently press bottom of dumpling on table to ensure it stays upright in the steamer. AT SERVICE 1. Bring water in steamer to vigorous boil. Oil steamer with sesame oil or line steamer with cabbage leaves or parchment paper to prevent dumplings from sticking. 2. Add dumplings to steamer. Cover, steam for approximately 8–10 minutes until cooked through and firm. Dumpling wrappers should be tender. 3. Turn off heat and let dumplings rest for a few minutes before removing.
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GINGER-SOY DIPPING SAUCE
Yield: 1 c. for dim sum
Ginger, minced ¼ c. Soy sauce, light ¼ c. Vinegar, rice, light ½ c. Water or stock ¼ c. Sesame oil, dark 1 tbsp. Sugar 2 tbsp.
METHOD 1. Whisk together all ingredients until sugar is dissolved. 2. Transfer into 2 oz. ramekins.
A GALA TO BENEFIT RIDLEY COLLEGE
JOIN US Saturday, the 5th of May Two Thousand and Eighteen TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW ridleycollege.com/gala
Arcadian Court
ARCADIAN COURT
401 Bay Street, 8th Floor, Toronto, Ontario M5H 2Y4 $425 per person | Tables of 10 | Black Tie Optional Cocktail Reception • Silent Auction • Gourmet Dinner • Live Auction • • Live Entertainment by Parkside Drive • Dancing • TIGER | SPRING 2018
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alumni @work
Margaret was in search of a part-time job in London, Ontario when she began work at the popular vegan restaurant Veg Out where she quickly worked her way through the ranks, eventually landing herself a role as chef and restaurant manager. Inspired by the restaurant’s vegan roots, she began to study the art of fromology and quickly turned her attention to creating vegan alternatives to traditional dairy cheeses, which she began to incorporate into the Veg Out menu.
photos: Margaret Coons
As a long-time vegetarian with a keen interest in cooking, Margaret Coons’ ’08 decision to pursue a career in the culinary arts may not have come as a surprise to many, except herself. In fact, The University of Western Ontario alumna, who holds an Honours Bachelor degree in English Language and Literature, often describes her role as founder of an artisan dairy-free cheese company, as happening “almost by accident.”
requests from independent retailers asking to stock her products and, not long after, she was unable to keep up with the steadily-increasing demand. Nuts For Cheese was born.
Today, the business has grown to include its own manufacturing plant, where all five varieties of Nuts For Cheese are produced and packaged before they are shipped to nearly fifty retail locations across the country including cities in Ontario, Quebec and the Maritime provinces. Despite its success, Margaret has her When the restaurant sights set on more: “I hope closed its doors in 2016, to grow the Nuts For Cheese Margaret was faced with brand into a company that an opportunity to decide is available nationwide what came next. Daunted in specialty food shops,” by her long-time dream of opening her own restaurant, she says, “Making cheese products available to people she thought she would who can’t or don’t eat dairy start small, opting to open for whatever reason is very a booth at a local farmer’s market instead. But her small exciting for us.” booth didn’t stay so for very For Margaret, her motivation long. Shortly after opening, stems from her genuine love she began to receive 52
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for great vegan substitutes. “Consumers of products like ours have long been faced with the decision to purchase low quality alternatives,” she says, which oftentimes discourages those who would like to forego a certain food group for a variety of cultural reasons. Nuts For Cheese bridges that gap by showing everyone just how delicious vegan cheeses can be. “I wanted to provide a viable alternative for Canadian consumers,” she says. It comes as no surprise, then, that she is especially inspired by the growing trend toward vegetariancentric cuisine: “I love the shifting focus to unique and creative vegetable preparation as a gourmet category in its own right,” she says, “Many talented chefs are showcasing vegetables and skilled vegetable preparation in dishes now.”
She attributes her own success, in part, to the discipline and focus that she developed during her time at Ridley. “The skills that running my own business requires are backed up by an ability to be dedicated to my work and passionate about what I put my time into,” she notes. “Working with food and creating new recipes are some of my biggest passions…I feel very lucky to be able to do both of those things on a daily basis.” So, what is Margaret’s best advice to Ridleians entering the next phase of their academic or professional careers? Much like Nick Antunes, she is also quick to praise the value of hands-on experience.
“ Throw yourself at whatever you’re doing with everything you’ve got,” she says. “Don’t overthink it.”
cheesiest
EASIEST SPINACH AND ARTICHOKE DIP • 1 wedge Nuts for Cheese Un-"Brie”-Lievable • 1 bulb roasted garlic • 3 charred leeks or 5 green onions • ½ package silken soft tofu (150–200 grams) • Juice of 1 large lemon • 8 c. spinach • 1 c. artichoke hearts in oil • ¼ c. tahini • 1 c. unsweetened soy milk • 1½ tbsp. Earth Balance butter (or any other vegan butter of your choice) • 1 tsp. cracked black pepper • 1 tsp. salt INSTRUCTIONS Bring a large skillet to medium heat and add the Earth Balance butter. Add the spinach, roasted garlic, artichoke hearts, salt and pepper and cook for 3–5 minutes (or until spinach is just wilted). Bring a medium saucepan to medium heat. Add the soy milk, brie, tahini, and tofu and cook for 7–9 minutes, stirring frequently. In a blender or large food processor combine the cooked spinach mixture with the lemon juice. Blend on high for 20 second intervals until spinach is roughly chopped. Add this mixture to a large bowl. Add the soy milk, brie and tofu mixture to a blender or food processor. Blend on high for 3–4 minutes, until smooth. Add this mixture to the spinach mixture in the bowl and stir thoroughly. Taste for seasoning. Serve with your favourite chips, crackers or bread!
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alumni @work
After graduating from Ridley in 2006, Cait completed an intensive hands-on culinary programme through nearby Niagara College before deciding she would head west to explore new horizons. But when she found herself struggling to make ends meet, she decided to head back home and save up to travel abroad instead. “I called around to all of the top restaurants in Niagara,” she remembers, “and then, one morning, former Ridley-parent Erik Peacock called to see if I was interested in running the Coach House Café at Henry of Pelham Winery in St. Catharines. It was my first time being the only chef in the kitchen, so it was a really exciting opportunity for me at that age.” Flash forward almost eight years, and Cait has achieved all that she had set out to accomplish when she moved back to the Niagara 54
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region. She travelled for several years, exploring the culinary scenes of Australia, England and New Zealand before returning to St. Catharines in 2015, when she accepted the job of Chef de Cuisine at Erik Peacock’s prestigious Wellington Court restaurant. There is never a dull moment for Cait these days. She begins each morning by chatting with suppliers, wandering the market, and compiling the night’s dinner menu. She also touches base with Erik about the often jam-packed catering and special events schedule for the week before heading into the kitchen to prepare for service. When not needed on the line, she is managing the ordering, creating special menus, tending to the restaurant’s rooftop garden and experimenting with new dishes.
photos: Cait Bermhuler
From the moment Cait Bermuhler ’06 began her first part-time job washing dishes during the summer following her Grade nine year at Ridley, she knew that a career in the culinary arts was the right fit for her. “The chefs who worked in the restaurant were just so passionate,” she recalls, “and it didn’t take long before I had decided that I wanted to go to culinary school.”
She attributes her success to the time management skills she developed during her eight-year stint at Ridley. “Looking back there were a few times where I remember being stressed, or struggling to find time to get my homework done after sports and activities. But that’s life,” she shares. “There’s never enough time in the day, especially in the kitchen, but it all has to happen.” When she does have a minute to spare, Cait loves making fresh pasta. “It’s incredibly therapeutic,” she admits, “shaping each individual piece by hand, and trying to make sure each one is identical to the last. It’s really fun to take such simple ingredients and turn them into something really special.”
work as a chef. For her, the recent trend toward “Farm to Table” cuisine is so much more than a temporary movement—it’s a way of life. “We are surrounded by this insanely vibrant farming community where you can get everything from eggs to fruit to a whole pig just a short drive away” she gushes, “Why would you ever want to look anywhere else?” So, what will Cait take on next? “I’m really interested in opening a restaurant,” she admits, “not necessarily on my own, but just to experience the actual set-up and to obsess over every little detail. I think that would be an amazing learning experience for me.”
It’s learning experiences like these that are so very valuable to Cait, and, in many ways, it’s another That idea of taking simple ingredients and turning them thing for which she has Ridley to thank. into something everyone loves is integral to Cait’s
“What I appreciate most is the way that Ridley opened my mind from a very young age,” she shared, “without it, my world would have been smaller, I might never have thought to travel, and I might never have known that a lot of the world existed.” So, what’s her best piece of advice for Ridleians looking to take their next steps outside Ridley’s gates? Travel, she says.
“ Meet different types of people, see strange and wonderful places, and get out of your comfort zone. As a Ridleian, you have this massive opportunity to seize—to be able to keep learning and growing and experiencing everything this big world has to offer.”
CHARGRILLED CAULIFLOWER WITH
romesco and dukkah
ROMESCO SAUCE • 6 red bell peppers, grilled • 1/4 c. almonds • 1 clove garlic • 1 red finger chili • 1/4 c. olive oil • 3 tbsp. red wine vinegar • 1 tbsp. smoked paprika • Big pinch of salt Gather all ingredients, place in a blender with just the flesh of the grilled peppers and emulsify until smooth. Taste for seasoning. GRILLED CAULIFLOWER MARINADE (or steak, or lamb, or…) • garlic • chili • parsley • lemon • olive oil Cut a head of cauliflower into rough steaks and grill until tender. DUKKAH • 1 c. pistachios • 1/2 c. hazelnuts • 1/4 c. black sesame seeds • 1/4 c. white sesame seeds • Big pinch of salt • Big pinch garlic powder • Big pinch dry chili Toast all nuts and seeds together for approximately 5–10 minutes in a 300ºF degree oven, or until just golden. Season immediately with remaining ingredients; the heat will release natural oils, which will aid in adhering the seasoning. Let cool completely, then pulse in a food processor or hand chop until the mix looks like it’s somewhere between breadcrumbs and granola. Sprinkle on everything, forever.
Lee (Embree) ’90 and Mike Stanfield’s advice for the next generation of Ridleians is simple: “Just engage in whatever gets you excited and invigorated,” Mike says simply, as he thinks back to a recent speech given by Headmaster Ed Kidd during a Calgary event. “The answer won’t be the same for any two people—but don’t chase money and don’t chase titles, find out what makes you flourish and pursue that.”
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As a long-time cocktail enthusiast, Mike had been mixing up creative concoctions in the basement of their family home for quite some time. First inspired by Lee’s own father, Norm Embree ’62, he started taking fresh fruit and infusing it in vodka to impart the flavour. So, when he realized he had finally had enough of his corporate nine-tofive, he jumped at the opportunity to turn his fascination with drinkmaking into a full-time job. The couple created Starr Distilling—a premium, smallbatch distilling company dedicated to bottling the best that Canadian summers have to offer. “We kind of have a love affair with summer, as I think a lot of Canadians do,” says Lee. “So, we started experimenting with different types of flavours or infused drinks with the aim of having that feeling of summer last a little bit longer than just July
and August,” she laughs, before adding: “We often suggest our vodka pairs well with flip-flops.” When asked about whether they keep up with the latest food and drink trends, both Lee and Mike pointed to the emerging trend of prioritizing local first. Their first concoction, Starr Distilling’s Raspberry Summer Love Vodka, and their soon to be released Spiced Pear edition have both been crafted to honour the real Canadian fruit flavours inherent to local, Canadian roots and the couple hopes to expand their repertoire to include flavours like strawberry, peach, blackberry and plum. “We want to play on that truly Canadian experience of picking fruit out in a field or off of a tree,” Mike adds, “when you know exactly what the real flavour is, and you know when you taste it.”
So, what’s the secret to their success so far? “It’s the quality of the ingredients,” Mike insists. “It really is. Real berries, picked at the height of the season, make the biggest difference.” He adds, “It’s not really rocket science at the end of the day, but the berries that you can get at the grocery store in February that have been trucked in from Mexico—they’re not a substitute.”
photos: Summer Love Vodka
Even after they’ve sourced the freshest ingredients, the process itself isn’t as simple as many might think. Each concoction also comes with its fair share of research. In fact, Mike has completed several educational courses and has spent time with Alberta distillers to learn more about the craft. At times, he has even engaged with food scientists when they get stuck. “It’s not all magic in a mason jar,” Lee insists. In fact, one of the most challenging parts, the couple admits, is often not the drink-making itself, but rather the process of developing the brand and gaining new customers, one at a time: “There are some pretty big brands in this business that are pretty good at what they do,” Mike admits, “so, it takes a while to get your name out there.” But Starr Distilling continues to do just that. Lee admits that her favourite moments are often ones in which she sees the brand gain genuine reviews and authentic recognition from the community: “I love those little connections that seem to happen again and again for us,” she says, “Those moments when somebody tries it or is referred to it and then they put it back together to share with us.” Lee is also quick to praise the value of Ridley’s community and the connections that it yields. “It seems like everywhere we go I either manufacture an OR meet up or we happen to have one that just sort of happens,” she explains, “so Mike has seen the far-reaching scope of the Ridley network.” Not only has the couple dined with Ridleians in Bangkok, they also recently met up with a few in Mexico City and even ran into a few by accident while on a tour bus in Costa Rica years ago. “We’ve had some restaurant connections that proved invaluable, too,” says Lee, “so, for me, it all comes back to the Ridley network and knowing what’s possible.”
HANK’S SUMMER CUP 1.5 oz. Summer Love Raspberry Vodka 2 oz. lemonade 1.5 oz. champagne (or bubbly of choice) Ice (optional) Garnish with lemon wheel TIGER | SPRING 2018
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GLOBAL EVENTS RECAPS With more than 8,000 alumni, and even more extended members of our school community scattered around the world, Ridley is honoured to host receptions and events—both at home and abroad—which serve to strengthen the Ridley bond. Since summer 2017, Headmaster Kidd and members of the Advancement Office have enjoyed connecting with many of you in the following locations.
MUSKOKA: Headmaster Kidd and members of the Leadership Team joined over 120 members of the Ridley community—including Old Ridleians from the 1950s to future graduates of the 2020s—at the Muskoka Golf & Country Club. It was an enjoyable evening filled with wonderful stories and exciting updates. We are grateful to Tim Witzel ’76 and Don McFarlane ’76 for personally reaching out to so many alumni in the Muskoka area.
U.K. BRANCH DINNER & AGM: On October 5, members of the Ridley community—spanning multiple generations— came together to celebrate the school. Headmaster Kidd and Board Chair, Georgina Black ’85 were honoured to host the dinner and a screening of the documentary, Ridley Carries On for our British Ridleians.
BOSTON RECEPTION: From October 20 to 21, our rowers were out in full force in Boston, MA, with four crews entered in the 53rd annual Head Of The Charles Regatta. While in Boston, Development Officer, Lachlan Macintosh also met with members of the Ridley community for a reception. It was a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with alumni, parents and coaches.
MUSKOKA
BEIJING
UK BRANCH 58
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LONDON: On October 25, Headmaster Kidd, Admissions
BARBADOS & GRAND CAYMAN: On November 16,
Officer, Sarah Whitty and Senior Development Officer, Mike Moulden ’70 travelled to the beautiful Windemere Manor— adjacent to the University of Western—to host the London, Ontario reception. Alumni from the Class of 1954 through to 2009 contributed to a very diverse crowd. Headmaster Kidd delivered an informative presentation focused on Ridley’s healthy enrollment, along with an update on Ridley’s exciting Visible Wellbeing™ initiative.
members of the Ridley community attended a Barbados reception, hosted by alumni parents, Sarah and Jimmy Clarke. It was a wonderful event to share the vision for the future. A few days later, current parents, Edouard and Patricia Kohler hosted a reception in their Grand Cayman home.
CHINA & KOREA: At the beginning of November, members of the Development Office travelled to Shenzhen, Beijing and Shanghai, China, as well as Seoul, Korea, to visit with parents and alumni. It was outstanding to meet with so many Old Ridleians and share stories about Ridley.
BUFFALO: Members of the Ridley community gathered in Buffalo on December 5 to cheer on the Prep Boys hockey team against long-standing rival, Nichols, and attend our annual reception. We thank Bill ’81 and John ’84 Cleary for their support and help to secure the Buffalo Club for our event. OTTAWA SENATORS EVENT: A group of Ridley
NEW YORK CITY: It was a pleasure visiting New York City for an evening reception at the Princeton Club in Manhattan. Alumni, past and current parents, and former staff came together with the Kidd family and members of the Development Office to share stories and hear an update on our school.
supporters braved the frigid conditions to join us at the Ottawa Senators game on January 6. It was a wonderful evening of conversation and connection—not to mention an outstanding showing by the Sens in their 6–3 win over Tampa! Ridley is grateful for our partnership with the Ottawa Senators organization and the loyal support of President and Owner, Mr. Eugene Melnyk, who is an alumni parent.
SHENZHEN
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BUFFALO KOREA
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Ridley was thrilled to welcome back over 500 alumni spanning from the Class of 1937 to last year’s graduating class for our annual Homecoming Weekend. Travelling from around the globe, Old Ridleians returned to campus to celebrate the legacy and future of our school. The weekend’s lineup of events kicked off with a special luncheon at Kenyon Lett House, honouring the Class of 1967 who celebrated their 50th anniversary, instating them into the ranks as Ridley’s newest ‘Golden Tigers’.
This year, Ridley launched a number of new and special events at Homecoming, which included exciting inductions into The Ridleians of Distinction and Athletic Lives of Distinction. The dedication of the Masters Way (p. 64) and Tiger Talks, a mentorship-based series of speeches given by 14 alumni were additional initiatives that took place. Ridley also proudly debuted the original documentary Ridley Carries On: Our School During WWII, which prolifically recounts the stories of eight ORs during the Second World War.
’02
Bryan Groff
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Michelle Scrivener
To honour the past, the weekend included traditional events that have endured as cornerstones of Ridley’s history, including alumni rowing at Henley Island and the Governors’ Dinner held in the Great Hall. A particularly poignant moment at this dinner was recognizing father and son, Bob Dunsmore ’37 and Ross Dunsmore ’67, who were celebrating their 80th and 50th reunions, respectively. (see photo, lower left.)
Michelle Scrivener
It is clear that the black and orange spirit remains alive and well, and we are grateful for the following classes and individuals for their efforts in supporting our school: Sam Heaman ’39 Trophy for class participation: Class of 1977 George Hendrie ’49 Trophy for total dollars contributed towards the Annual Fund: Class of 1982 Crawford Gordon ’56 Trophy for class participation among young alumni: Class of 2002
Bryan Groff
The David A. MacLachlan ’45 Volunteer Award: Janet Lewis and Trish Loat
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photos: Lachlan Macintosh
RCA GOLF TOURNAMENT 2017 On June 8, Ridley hosted the 28th annual RCA Golf Tournament at Piper’s Heath in Milton, Ontario. The tournament saw nearly 90 golfers hit the links; raising over $27,000 for our school’s scholarships and bursaries. This impressive sum would not have been achieved without our dedicated event sponsors and supportive participants, for whom we are grateful. Following a meal at the clubhouse restaurant, our participants learned how they stacked up against the competition when the following awards were distributed: Low Gross: James Seymour ’07 Low Net: Patrick Steier Top Foursome: Radley Mackenzie ’03, Adam Hawley ’03, Andrew Ratkovsky ’04 & Charlie Stratton ’04
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CHRISTMAS MARKET Once again, the Fieldhouse was transformed into a magical holiday marketplace for the annual Family Guild Christmas Market, which raised nearly $30,000 for our school. The three-day event began with a VIP reception on the Thursday evening, hosted by the Family Guild so that parents, faculty and staff had first selection of products from over 60 vendors. On the Friday and Saturday, the doors of the Fieldhouse were open to hundreds of shoppers from the Niagara community, who consistently voiced how impressed they were with the quality and atmosphere of the market. Thank you to the Christmas Market co-chairs, April Mitchell-Boudreau and Cathy Hanna.
photos: Andrea Carisse
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DONOR SPOTLIGHT As a non-profit, Ridley depends on donations from our loyal community. Each gift, no matter the size, is deeply appreciated for its ability to unlock the potential of current and future generations of students. This new section of The Tiger is dedicated to profiling notable donors from the past six months, as well as those who have faithfully supported Ridley over the years.
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Ward Seymour ’74 – Decades of Support The years Ward Seymour ’74 spent as a Lower School student, coupled with his time as a proud Ridley parent (Michael ’09 and James ’05), were so memorable that he has steadfastly supported our school throughout multiple fundraising campaigns. As a former member of the Board of Governors’ Facilities Committee, Ward recognizes the importance of supporting the 21st century needs of our students. For decades, he has been a major donor across multiple initiatives, including the 125 Campaign, past galas, the Lower School Playscape and Fieldhouse Bleacher projects. We also honour and celebrate Ward’s on-going support of his class bursary and recent commitment as the lead sponsor for the Flourish: A Gala to Benefit Ridley College to be held on May 5, 2018.
Class of 1982 – Masters Way A significant new addition to our campus was realized in recent months thanks to the passionate leadership of Lyle Himebaugh ’82, who was instrumental in securing gifts from more than 50 donors around the globe. The Class of 1982 collectively raised an impressive $200,000 to fund an outdoor seating area opposite the Second Century Building, known as Masters Way. The stately, concrete bench, dedication plaques, stone walkway and copper armillary were established in tribute to long-standing faculty and staff. Significant support was also shown by Graham Stanley ’85, who pledged a sizable gift in honour of his father, Robert E. Stanley ’47, who was a former teacher, Housemaster, coach and Director of Development during his 37 years of service. The Masters Way was officially unveiled at Fall Homecoming 2017, with many key donors and honoured guests in attendance.
Robin Lampard ’85 – Devoted Donor and Mentor Since the time she crossed the stage on Prize Day, Robin Lampard ’85 has been committed to giving back to Ridley through her ‘time, talent and treasure’. As a former Governor and member of the Finance Committee, Robin has invested in multiple funds and projects, including the W. Darcy McKeough ’51 Speaking Arts Fund, the Arena and Fieldhouse project, as well as scholarships and bursaries. Despite a demanding career as the Chief Financial Officer for Nordbord Inc., Robin is an active participant in our MentORship Programme, which offers Old Ridleians an opportunity to provide career advice to young alumni who have graduated within the last ten years.
We are grateful to all of our donors for helping to, “inspire flourishing lives to transform our globe”. By giving to Ridley you help to guarantee the prosperity of Ridley and generations of students to come. To discover how you can make a difference, visit ridleycollege.com/give TIGER | SPRING 2018
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CLASS OF 1982
THE MASTERS WAY
photos: Michelle Scrivener
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GIVE SCHOLARSHIPS & BURSARIES An independent school education is a significant investment in a child’s future. Although some families are able to make the investment, we understand that others may need help. In fact, over 30% of our student body receives financial assistance each year. Ridley has always prided itself on the ability to provide talented, promising and deserving students with the legacy of a Ridley education through a ‘best in class’ bursary and scholarship programme.
Cosmo Condina
By contributing to Ridley’s endowment, you will be providing the brightest minds with an opportunity—one they may not have had—to flourish on campus and beyond.
GIVE resources LOWER SCHOOL LIBRARY (PHASE 2) Our Lower School library has served its growing community well. However, with new learning demands, our younger students require a space that encourages collaborative learning and independent study. Thanks to your previous support, we have completed Phase 1 of the library renovation. We must now raise funds to add dedicated learning spaces with the appropriate technology to serve our Lower School students. Exciting naming opportunities are available. Please consider leaving a lasting mark in this vital learning space.
Mackenzie Fowler ’11
GIVE learning SUPPORTING THE BEST EDUCATORS In order to provide the best learning experience for Ridleians, we must cultivate our world-class faculty. By equipping our educators with the best tools, resources and training, these professionals can better foster student success inside and outside the classroom. Exposing faculty members to global thought leaders and innovative pedagogy will optimize the student experience, while also attracting the finest professionals to our school.
Andrea Carisse
By giving to this project, you will be nurturing Ridley’s professional learning programmes and reinforcing the value of lifelong learning for every member of our community.
ridleycollege.com/give
ALUMNI With more than 8,000 Old Ridleians dispersed around the world, there is no shortage of ongoing accomplishment. Here are some notable alumni milestones. Please see Class Notes for additional news.
All-Alumni Produced Documentary Wendy Darby ’99, Ridley’s Librarian and Archivist, travelled to the U.K. in July, where she and Rob Black ’99 interviewed eight ORs who were evacuees to Ridley during WWII. Our New Media Coordinator, Mackenzie Fowler ’11 then expertly edited over 20-hours of raw footage to produce Ridley Carries On: Our School During WWII. The 45-minute, moving documentary debuted at the U.K. Branch Dinner and was shown at Fall Homecoming. Copies of this documentary can be purchased for a donation, by contacting development@ridleycollege.com or 905-684 1889 x2244. All proceeds go towards supporting the Digital Archives effort.
Ridleians of Distinction Each year, our school honours alumni for their exceptional efforts in upholding our school’s mission. We are pleased to announce that the four 2017 inductees to the Ridleians of Distinction were; Peter J. Cobb ’47, Robert (Bob) W. Hutcheson ’44, William (Bill) Redelmeier ’71, and Aldham (Aldie) Robarts ’47. In January, Ridley announced the 2018 inductees, who include; David A. MacLachlan ’45, Norris W. Walker ’52, F. Ian Wood ’53, John G. Walker ’58, Roger S. Mitchell ’67, Ted Chui-Hao Chen ’08 and Winston Godwin ’08. These individuals will be honoured for their professional and personal endeavours during Fall Homecoming 2018.
Bruce Mitchell ’64 Begins Tenure as Captain Bruce Mitchell ’64, the first Canadian Captain of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews, participated in the traditional ‘driving-in’ on September 22. He begins his tenure as Captain of the renowned Scottish golf club as well as “an ambassadorial role for the R&A to support its work in developing golf around the world”.
First Boys Meet Actor Colm Feore ’77 October marked the beginning of the CAIS National Tournament season, with athletes travelling across the country to compete in major annual independent school events. While en route, our First Boys soccer team ran into a notable Ridleian, Colm Feore ’77 at Pearson International Airport and stopped for a photo.
OR Helps Set Guinness World Record Mike Hazell ’73 participated in Rocket Ride 4 Rehab to help raise money for the Toronto Rehab Foundation. After suffering a stroke last year, Mike has not only recovered very well but seized the opportunity to be a part of the cure. The event raised nearly $300,000 and set a new Guinness World Record for most money raised in a stationary bike fundraising event. 70
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ANNOUNCEMENTS Write Soon and Often Author, Andy Thomson published a book, Write Soon and Often, sharing the story of his uncle and Ridleian, Donald Plaunt ’41. Plaunt served as an Avro Lancaster bomber pilot in WWII.
Former Faculty Publishes First Book Former faculty member, Colin Brezicki recently published his first novel, A Case for Dr. Palindrome. This fiction novel follows the story of Paul Thorne, who, 10 years after committing a crime, is forced to face his past in order to move forward.
Row Blacks Row! Ridley rowers continues to make their mark with a number of noteworthy achievements over the year. In July, Luc Brodeur ’14 and Laura Court ’14 represented Canada at the U23 World Championships in Plovdiv, Bulgaria. Luc competed in the men’s quadruple sculls race, placing seventh overall, while Laura competed in the women’s eight crew and triumphantly coxed the team to a gold medal victory. Additionally, Mackenzie Copp ’12 demonstrated great promise as he competed in the Senior World Rowing Championships in Sarasota, Florida last September.
Business Class Welcomes Ted Meighen ’99 Current Grade 11 Business students eagerly welcomed guest speaker, Ted Meighen ’99 to class in November. While working on a case study competition on Porter Airlines, students had the chance to discuss differentiation strategies with this alumnus, who is the Director of Regional Airline Operations at Porter.
From Green Tigers to United Nations In November, Cassandra Mitchell ’17 was honoured to attend the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP23) in Bonn, Germany. The former Green Tiger is currently studying at New York University Abu Dhabi and had the opportunity to represent the United Arab Emirates as a student delegate.
OR Recognized for Volunteerism Jennifer Olchowy ’95 was recently recognized for her volunteer efforts with Crime Stoppers Halton. She recently served on the organization’s Board as a Director and the Board Chair. Another fine example of living out Ridley’s school motto —Terar Dum Prosim.
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CLASS NOTES We want to hear from you! Share a few short words with your fellow Old Ridleians about important milestones, career moves, or philanthropic endeavours. High resolution images (300dpi, 2MB minimum) are welcome to accompany your Class Note. Please include your full name and the year you graduated from Ridley. Send to: development@ridleycollege.com.
1950s Ian Wood ’53 and his wife celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in Mexico, alongside 39 family members. John Garrett ’55, at the age of 80, is now working at Lowes in Belleville. He and his wife, Nancy live on a small farm near Roslin, known as The Sanctuary.
Professor E. Sharon Brintnell, former Ridley Board of Governors and Advisory Board member, received the University of Toronto Physical and Occupational Therapy Alumni Achievement Award on June 2, 2017 for outstanding career contributions to the advancement of occupational therapy.
Wood Family 1960s Rick Pariser ’63 is currently travelling across North America, with plans to be on the road for the next few years. He encourages old friends and classmates to contact him so that they may reconnect. Robert Waind ’63 was awarded Senior of the Year in 2017 for his 35 years of service to his community. Gord Durnan ’64 was elected as Chair of the Nipissing University Board of Governors, as well as the Vice-Chair of the Muskoka Community Foundation.
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Bruce Williamson ’66 sold his insurance business in January of 2016, before driving across the country from Paris, Ontario to Burnaby, B.C. He and his wife now live close to his daughter and her family. Bruce would love to reconnect with any classmates travelling through British Columbia. Arthur Parks ’67 recently opened the Peterborough and Kawartha’s Chestnut Park Real Estate office in Lakefield, Ontario. He is now servicing both Toronto and the Kawartha markets and hopes to eventually relocate to Peterborough with his wife.
1970s Paul Kraus ’74 has embarked upon a new career as a realtor with Royal LePage in St. Catharines.
’77 Steven “Skip” Walters ’74 was elected as the Director of the Canadian Mortgage Brokers Association in April of 2017.
1980s
2000s Brennan Wood ’01 in partnership with Me to We and imagine1day, launched the Toronto Real Estate Rumble; a fundraiser in support of Ethiopian schools.
’82 David Toye ’82 opened a gourmet pizza bar in Ottawa called Industria. Brad Ferguson ’87 recently concluded his five-year tenure as the President and CEO of the Edmonton Economic Development Corporation. Brad brought a marketing focus to this position that involved listening to what the people of Edmonton thought defined them and formulating a strategy around promoting the city from within city limits and around the world. An unmitigated success according to the Edmonton Sun, all future “plans and priorities now sit on a strong, assured, self-confident foundation.”
Gavin Hamilton ’03 was awarded the CAS Residents’ Research Grant by Ontario’s Anesthesiologists. Gavin is currently doing his residency at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute. Sean Moir ’03 was featured by the publication, Wealth Professional, as one of Canada’s Young Guns in the investment industry. Santiago CastanedoTardan ’06 is now working for GE Renewable Energy
in Paris, as the Senior Marketing Communications Leader. Julia Chapman ’09 was in Russia, completing a professional development programme known as the Alfa Fellowship when she visited the remote island of Valaam.
There, she bumped into former Headmaster, Jonathan Leigh and his wife, Emma. A perfect example of the global connection that all Ridleians share.
Jason Dorland ’83 published his book, Pulling Together—a collection of stories and lessons based around his time spent as a Ridley rowing coach. Brett Walker ’84 graduated from the University of Toronto with a Master of Laws LLM.
1990s
’12 2010s Mackenzie Copp ’14 rowed for Team Canada during the 2017 World Rowing Championships in Sarasota, Florida.
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MARRIAGES
BIRTHS Mike Allen ’03 and wife welcomed a daughter, Devon Clara, on July 26, 2017. Ransom Hawley ’04 and wife, Whitney welcomed a son, Easton Ransom Hawley, on May 16, 2017. Sacha Kessaram ’06 and Ross Mancell welcomed a daughter, Georgia Eleanor, on April 29, 2017. Anne McIntosh ’92 and husband, Tyler adopted a son, Leonardo Francis McIntosh Schinkinger on March 24, 2017.
Darren Bleau ’04 to Sarah Milligan ’04 on June 24, 2017 in the Memorial Chapel. Ashley Carney ’03 to Andrew Jones on May 27, 2017. Christy Hanna ’05 to Cory Guttin on September 15, 2017.
Siobhan McLaughlin ’96 and Cesar Duran welcomed a son, Domenic, on October 10, 2017. Chris Ricci ’93 and Lisa Larozen welcomed Quinton Livio Ricci on February 17, 2017. Sacha Kessaram ’06 to Ross Mancell on April 30, 2016 in Bermuda. Dan Kirkpatrick ’08 to Gillian Freeman on June 3, 2017 in St. Davids, ON.
Sean Moir ’03 to Mubeen Ladhani during the summer of 2017. Christopher Ratkovsky ’03 to Bernice Wong on July 2, 2017.
Brennan ’01 and Andrea Wood welcomed a son, George Alfred Wood, on November 14, 2017.
OBITUARIES Caroline Heather Aurora Birkenshaw ’14 on August 3, 2017.
Renée Suzanne Hicks, former Ridley staff, on October 22, 2017.
Geoffrey David Birkenshaw ’07 on December 6, 2017.
Stephen Hooper ’49 in September of 2017.
John Burns ’60 on December 3, 2016.
Joan Hamilton Larkin ’76 on March 13, 2017 at the age of 60.
Richard Robert Gordon Chaplin ’78 on September 13, 2017 at the age of 58.
Kenneth W.D. Loach ’64 on October 24, 2017.
Richard was a graduate of Ridley College and Bath University; a former director of the Chaplin Family YMCA, and dedicated his life to the service to his family, friends and motto: Orna Verum.
Bob Malone ’55 on June 21, 2017. Robert John “Bob” Peel ’54 on December 31, 2017 in Bobcaygeon, ON. Robert Riddolls ’58 on December 24, 2016.
Rick leaves behind his mother Janet Rough Chaplin and his sisters: Jan, Diana, and Elizabeth Chaplin ’76, nephew: Garnet Shuker, and nieces: Alexandra Shuker, Sophia Leitl, Hinson, Wilks and Brechin Chaplin.
William (Billy) John Simich ’68 on December 19, 2017 in St. Catharines, ON.
Peter Cobb ’47 on June 24, 2017 at the age of 87.
Michael Stephen Venn Turner ’51 passed away on September 7, 2017.
Richard R.P. Court ’50 on February 5, 2018.
Keith Wood ’46 on February 2, 2018 in Atlanta, GA.
Peter Davidson Smith ’57, former Secretary of the U.K. Branch, on September 24, 2017.
William (Bill) Woodside, former faculty, on May 14, 2017 at age 85.
Jon G. Stahl ’53 on December 9, 2017. David Takacs ’81 on April 26, 2017.
Michael Eden-Walker ’68 in Florida on January 10, 2017. Dr. John Martin Ellison, past parent, on September 13, 2017. Mark Etzel ’90 on July 6, 2017. Macquorn Forrester ’51 on April 20, 2016 at the age of 82. John F. Gale ’52 on April 23, 2017. Hugh Edward Garrett ’50 in December of 2016. Michael Granger ’60 on April 15, 2017. Syd Hamber ’61 on September 12, 2017. Rory Hanna ’18 on November 30, 2017. Rodger Henderson ’63 on July 7, 2017.
W. Nathaniel Caters on November 15, 2017 at the age of 82. Nat served the Ridley community for 32 years as a beloved teacher, Head of House, mentor and coach from 1968 to 2000. In recent years, Nat was a familiar face on campus, in the Great Hall, at school events and sports fixtures. Ever the loyal Ridleian, Nat will be missed by many current and former faculty and by generations of students.
Professional and personal development opportunities for faculty and staff is of utmost importance at Ridley College. One simple way the school encourages life-long learning amongst its employees is through suggested reading. Recently, Headmaster Kidd recommended two books grounded in the research of positive psychology and grit.
BOOK
THE STRENGTH SWITCH by Dr. Lea Waters With mental well-being at the forefront of societal concern, research suggests that it is increasingly imperative that children grow up in supportive and empathetic environments. With this in mind, Headmaster Kidd and our school counsellors selected The Strength Switch by positive psychology expert Professor Lea Waters (PhD) as one of the reading recommendations. Dr. Waters, the Founding Director of the Positive Psychology Centre at the University of Melbourne, has carefully designed and developed an approach to learning known as Visible WellbeingTM, which combines the science of well-being with the science of learning and teaching. The Strength Switch is a glimpse into Dr. Waters’ method, where she introduces parents and educators to the concepts of strength-based nurturing and teaching skills. This groundbreaking book demonstrates how to build resilience, optimism and confidence in youth in order to help them flourish. Waters dissects topics, such as interacting with children, how to discover their strengths and talents, and how to openly discuss mental health and well-being at an early age. These are important issues for both parents and faculty to grasp, to ensure students receive the best toolkit possible to meet the unique challenges of the 21st century. Recently, our school launched an exciting two-year partnership with Professor Lea Waters, making Ridley the first Visible WellbeingTM Foundational School in North America. Through this partnership, Ridley is confidently enacting our mission to inspire flourishing lives in a novel and intentional way.
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GETTING GRIT by Caroline Adams Miller One of Ridley’s nine strategic goals is to provide students with opportunities to develop grit and resilience. In addition to best-seller Grit, by Dr. Angela Duckworth, Headmaster Kidd selected Getting Grit by Caroline Adams Miller for Ridley’s list of mustreads. Grit is defined as perseverance and passion for long-term goals and is paramount to a successful life. Getting Grit aims to enhance the readers’ understanding of grit and provides tools to apply it in one’s own life. Miller guides her readers through the stages of achieving grit and provides insights on major topics, including a comprehensive understanding of grit, key traits of individuals with grit, gaining courage, taking risks and self-compassion.
ENDS
At Ridley, students are challenged to discover their passions at a young age and are encouraged to pursue them throughout their academic careers. Students have the chance to practice grit through opportunities such as the Primary Years Programme Exhibition, Middle Years Programme Personal Project, International Baccalaureate Extended Essay, as well as other academic, athletic and artistic pursuits. Getting Grit hones in on this inspiring approach, which in turn has propelled the book to Live Happy’s top 10 list of books that will enhance your life. TIGER | SPRING 2018
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ARCHIVES CORNER The eBay description read, “Turn of the 20th century silver serving tray. Barbour Silver Company—quadruple plated. Ornate trim with the inscription, ‘Presented by the Old Boys of Ridley to Miss Cleghorn–June 1903.’ Rare find.” It was unmistakably the sterling silver tray that belonged to Miss Anna M. Cleghorn, the first House Mother of Ridley College. It’s whereabouts over the past 100 years has been shrouded in mystery. That was, until a happenstance search through eBay brought Miss Cleghorn’s silver tray back home to Ridley. In September 2016, Old Ridleian Robert Lee ’58 was casually combing through the e-commerce website from his home in Bermuda. Surprisingly, a filtered search for Ridley memorabilia turned up successful, bringing him to a seller’s page from New England, which showcased
the vintage silver tray. Robert immediately reached out to Ridley with his discovery and, without hesitation, the school’s Archivist, Wendy Darby ’99, purchased the mystifying heirloom.
showcased how much her service meant to the school: “For nearly 19 years, upon her heart, upon her life, were deeply graved the words of the College motto Terar Dum Prosim.”
Miss Cleghorn, affectionately referred to by the boys as “Mammy Cleghorn,” was an integral part of the school in the role of Ridley’s original House Mother since establishment in 1889. When describing her presence, Headmaster J.O. Miller compared her to “a brick,” while others regarded her as “inherently patient and kindly, adding a valuable touch of home and family life to the school.” Her contributions to the school and life on campus for the boys were so well appreciated that in 1903, Miss Cleghorn was gifted a silver tray embellished with a flourish of personalized engraving.
The return of Miss Cleghorn’s tray to Ridley’s collection brings a direct connection to the plaque that is prominently displayed in her honour, showcased in the hallway leading to the Memorial Chapel. Her legacy has been preserved in a manner befitting her impact on the early years of the school.
Sadly, on November 7, 1907, Miss Cleghorn’s tenure at Ridley was tragically cut short when she passed away from pneumonia after a short illness. Old Ridleians felt a deep sense of personal loss at the news. A memorial published in the Acta Ridleiana in Christmas, 1907
Not only will the silver tray be available for students and staff to view in the Archives, but soon special items from Ridley’s collection will be available for online browsing as well. Wendy Darby has begun the process of cataloguing physical items—from the Actas to film reels to vintage uniform items—into an online database. Soon, members of our community will be granted access to the site to explore mementos from Ridley’s rich history, including powerful stories such as the return of Miss Cleghorn’s silver tray.
Friends of Ridley Archives Ridley has always placed emphasis on its traditions and we’ve made it a priority to collect and preserve artifacts that commemorate our rich history. Please consider joining this important effort by becoming a member of the Friends of Ridley Archives. By giving to the Digital Archives Project, or by donating meaningful items to the school, you will become a member of this essential guild. Please contact the Development Office at 905-684-1889 x2244 or development@ridleycollege.com.
ridleycollege.com/give
Ridley history served on a silver platter
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P.O. Box 3013 - St. Catharines Ontario, Canada L2R 7C3
ridleycollege ridleycollege Ridley_College
community events MARCH 29
Hong Kong Branch Reception
APRIL 29
Ridley Cadet Day (Parade & Inspection)
MAY 05
FLOURISH: A Gala to Benefit Ridley College
JUNE 09 25
TigerFest Carnival RCA Golf Tournament
SEPTEMBER 21–23 80
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Fall Homecoming (3s and 8s)
ridleycollege.com
DISCOVER the perfect place to flourish THIS SUMMER INFORMATION, DATES AND FEES: ridleycollege.com/summerprogrammes
Join us for enriching, innovative day and boarding programmes (ages 4–17): • Summer Academy and Enrichment Programmes
• Advanced Performance Hockey Camp & Advanced Performance Basketball Camp
• Discover Canada Experience
• Rowing, multi-sport, dance, tennis, and art camps
• Experience Niagara
• Robotics and coding, science and engineering camps
• Summer Symphony Boarding Experience
905-684-1889 x2350 St. Catharines, Ontario
• ESL Camp and ESL Credit Programme
JOIN US Saturday, the 5th of May Two Thousand and Eighteen
TICKETS ON SALE NOW ridleycollege.com/gala
A GALA TO BENEFIT RIDLEY COLLEGE ARCADIAN COURT 401 Bay Street, 8th Floor, Toronto, Ontario M5H 2Y4 $425 per person | Tables of 10 | Black Tie Optional • Cocktail Reception • Silent Auction • Gourmet Dinner • Live Auction • • Live Entertainment by Parkside Drive • Dancing •