Alumni News/Profiles

List of 3 news stories.

• Alumni Notebook - March 2025

  3/14/2025
  Kelly Quinn ’06 (Kaye’s)
  
  

  

  
  In celebration of International Women’s Day 2025, we are featuring Kelly Quinn ’06 (Kaye’s), who was recently named to the Business in Vancouver Forty under 40. Kelly shares what excites her about her career and why friendships forged at Shawnigan are still her closest ones today. Kelly was Head of Kaye’s House and a School Prefect.
  
  

  Kelly has spent the last 13 years building her human resources career at Nurse Next Door, where she is currently the Director of People & Culture.
  
  Read Kelly's full profile here.

  
  

  Yonden Sherpa ’14 (Ripley’s)
  
  

  

   
  Yonden Sherpa ’14 (Ripley’s) is currently completing his Master of Business Administration at the University of New Brunswick (UNB). He is also fullback for UNB Reds men’s soccer team.
  
  

  When Yonden was at Shawnigan, he was Cross-Country Captain, a member of the senior boys' soccer team, and a Senior House Prefect. Yonden is also the Co-Founder of Latched, a cannabis digital marketing and SEO agency.

  
  Read Yonden's full profile here.
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• 

  Alumni Notebook - December 2024

  12/3/2024
  Founder’s Day 2024

   

  Barbra Streisand’s "The Way We Were" was Billboard's No. 1 song of the year in 1974. Fifty years later, Shawnigan’s Class of 1974 joined counterparts from other years ending in four for Founder's Day 2024 to remember the way they were.
  
  

  Members of the Class of 1974 were inducted into the Gold Club at the Gold Club Luncheon, and alumni from 1964 and 1954 were celebrated as members of the Diamond and Platinum clubs, respectively. The Class of 1984 marked their Silver Reunion with a special reception at the Head's House.
  
  

  All alumni are welcome back every Founder’s Day, but those from 1954, 1964, 1974, 1984, 1994, 2004 and 2014 were particularly encouraged to attend to mark the decades since graduation, and the Classes of 1999 and 1989 also marked their 25- and 35-year reunions. The day was celebrated with reconnections, shared memories and many attendees enjoyed a variety of activities on campus, including touch rugby, rowing, a pottery class, and house tours led by current students.
  
  

  Thank you to all the alumni who attended and to all the staff, students, and volunteers who put in many hours to make this special event happen.

   

  Visit Shawnigan Connect for the full album of photos

   
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• 

  Alumni Notebook - October 2024

  10/18/2024
  Gigi Yeung ’19 (Renfrew)
  
  

  Shawnigan teachers, coaches, advisors and guidance counsellors often have a long-lasting effect on students and alumni. One such influencer is Mike Johnson, Shawnigan Lake School’s Squash Director. The lasting impact he has had on Shawnigan is immeasurable, and is the inspiration for the Mike Johnson Classic tournament. 
  
  

  Gigi Yeung ’19 (Renfrew) recently shared her Shawnigan experience and the impact Mike Johnson had on her squash career. Read her story below.

   

  "After struggling in my Grade 10 English class in Macau, I knew I needed a change. This led me to consider attending a boarding school in Canada, hoping that a different academic environment would help me improve my English skills and reach my goal of getting into a top university. 

  
  

  Among the schools I considered, Shawnigan stood out for its balance between athletics, fine arts, and academics, along with its close-knit community. After speaking with a few students on the squash team, I felt Shawnigan was the perfect fit, especially since it would allow me to continue playing squash at a competitive level alongside some of the top junior players in Canada. 

  
  

  The support I received at Shawnigan was unlike anything I could find elsewhere – whether in academics, sports, or personal growth, there was always help available. Mike Johnson, Shawnigan’s squash coach, had a significant impact on my experience at Shawnigan. His dedication and passion for the sport inspired me to work hard and push myself. 

  
  

  From the first day, he pushed us hard in practice. Although the training was tough, he was always able to make the sessions enjoyable, and I had fun every time. Whether it was 6:00 a.m. or 7:00 p.m., he was always willing to offer extra sessions, allowing me to practice outside of the regular practice times. 

  
  

  Even off the court, Mike was always willing to help and give me advice in any way he could, and he became like a father figure to me. His constant support and genuine care, and his belief in my potential, both on and off the court, helped me grow a lot. As a result, I was able to improve my squash game significantly, and I was recruited by Yale to play for their varsity squash team – an opportunity I never thought possible before coming to Shawnigan. Mike’s influence continues to motivate me today, as I still work hard and push myself, remembering the lessons I learned from his coaching. Along with Mike, the teachers, advisors, and university guidance counsellors at Shawnigan also played a big role in shaping my journey. Their support helped me thrive in both academics and squash, which led to being accepted into an Ivy League university, something that likely wouldn’t have been possible without the unique support I found at Shawnigan."

  
  

  Before attending Yale University, Gigi was the top female squash player in Macau and a multiple-time National Junior Champion. Gigi is the first player from her country to play for Yale and she is ranked #252 in the world for squash. Read more about Gigi’s accomplishments here.

   
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