FROM TWO CANADIANS TO ANOTHER

KIT FROM TWO CANADIANS TO ANOTHER

Ann Frank Roeper Grandparent & Alumni Parent Jason McIntosh Current Parent &M/US Dean of Admissions

My first encounter with the United States and its citizenry was in 1966 when I was a graduate student at Syracuse University in Syracuse, New York I had just obtained my BA from McGill University in Montreal, Quebec, Canada In order to afford the vastly more expensive tuition at Syracuse, I took a job as a Head Resident in one of the student housing facilities I was immediately made welcome by my fellow HRs, male and female, all Americans Without asking how I might feel about it they quickly dubbed me, “Annie Canada “, which stuck with me throughout my two years there This designation made me feel rather exotic, a description that one doesn’t usually associate with a Canadian I briefly considered tattooing a Maple Leaf on my forehead

I was born and raised, like most Canadians, within a 90-minute drive to the Canada-U S border Syracuse itself was about the same drive time from the border But, the HRs and, subsequently, my classmates in the graduate program (or programme in Canada-speak), seemed to regard me as very foreign Assuming they were being amusing, I would frequently be asked questions like, ”Do you speak French? Had I brought skis with me? Did I know so and so in Winnipeg? Was I related to any Eskimos?“ and so on And, of course, I would get tagged as Canadian whenever I uttered the words “out” and “about” Oh, those crazy Americans

My most immediate, and lasting, impression of Americans is high-energy Americans work hard and play hard They are generous with their hearts, time and resources They readily volunteer They are sports-crazed Don’t go anywhere near Ann Arbor or East Lansing on a game day They eat Coneys, fried calamari and “mess ‘o’ smelts “ They drink Vernor’s and pitchers of lousy beer They love their cars and pickup trucks They watch Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune They love their country, sometimes obnoxiously Oh, those crazy Americans

Everything wonderful that I have come to know and admire about Americans is amplified, many times over by the members of The Roeper School community To me, they represent the best of this amazing, sometimes baffling, country I like Americans They are among the people in my life that I cherish most I hope you will, too

Welcome, Christopher, to the United States of America and the wonderful community of The Roeper School!

Ann Frank

As much as we love them, Christopher, it’s true that most Americans don’t know nearly as much about Canadians as we do about them, and you’ll find that what they think they know is typically limited to cold weather, poutine, maple syrup, ice hockey, and Tim Horton’s Most that I know are surprised when reminded that our Thanksgiving is in October, and that Queen Elizabeth II (may she rest in peace) is on our money All that being said, prepare to hear some pretty good Canadian jokes at your expense You know the kind: about how polite we Canadians are; about our affordable healthcare; and how we go “oot and aboot” carrying Loonies and Toonies in our pockets Just keep in mind that it’s all in good fun I actually think they’re a little bit jealous

Like me, you’ll be just fine, Christopher, if you’re not easily offended by the Canadian jokes you’re sure to hear, they’re really just a way for our American friends and family to show how much they love and care about us Sometimes I feel like the luckiest person — I get to be here at Roeper every day, but I also know that I’m only a few minutes from “home”

In solidarity, Jason

ALAN FRANK

Ann Frank, originally from Breckenridge, Quebec, across the river from Ottawa.

Jason McIntosh, originally from Kitchener, Ontario, about an hour this side of Toronto.F

8

THE ROEPER SCHOOL

41190 WOODWARD AVENUE BLOOMFIELD HILLS • MI 48304-5020

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION U S POSTAGE

PAID

PERMIT NO 16

BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MI 48304

ROEPERFEST

Sunday, October 2, 2022 Sunday, October 2, 2022 Bloomfield Hills Campus Bloomfield Hills Campus Noon – 4:00pm Noon – 4:00pm

DELICIOUS DELICIOUS FOOD & BEVERAGES for sale by Student Groups! Student Groups! TONS OF FREE ACTIVITIES! OPEN! IN-PERSON! STEWARD BUILDING https://bit.ly/theshopsatroeper