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A Meaningful and Memorable Founder's Day
Founder’s Day is an opportunity for alumni to gather on campus and fondly recall their days at Shawnigan. This year, more than 170 alumni and their families came back through the gates for a day of memories and celebrations.
This year’s event focused on years ending in six, with the Class of 1976 inducted into the Gold Club, marking 50 years since graduation. The Classes of 1991 and 2001 celebrated their 35th and 25th reunions as well. The oldest guest to check in was Brian McGavin of the Class of ’56.
A special Founder’s Day Chapel Service had the theme “Seeds of Service,” in which Scott Larsen ’76 (Copeman’s) spoke on behalf of his class about how Shawnigan set him and his classmates up for a life of serving their communities in different ways. The first-ever Shawnigan Alum of the Year Award was presented to Chloe Hunt ’09 (Groves’). And a collection of more than $2,500 was taken up for the Nak Suu Rugby Academy in Thailand, founded by Eddie Evans ’81 (Lake’s), and which a group of Shawnigan students will be visiting in February.
Afternoon activities included a pottery class with former Head of Fine Arts Mr. Don Rolston and current Clayworks instructor Ms. Carol Harvey, boarding house tours led by current students, touch rugby on Canada Field, rowing at the Read Crewhouse, and squash matches. Visitors also got their first look at the Shawnigan Alumni International Honours Board, which was recently installed in the Sportsplex.
The day included a pair of ice hockey games at the Charlie Purdey Arena. The U18 girls’ Prep team opened the Kingstone Invitational Tournament against the Sno-King Junior Thunderbirds in the morning, and the U18 Prep boys’ team took on Pacific Coast Hockey Academy in the afternoon. The girls went on to win the Kingstone Invitational for the third year in a row.
Founder’s Day ended with a reception and dinner in Marion Hall, capping off a day of meaningful reconnection for alumni who travelled back to Shawnigan from around the world, many returning for the first time since graduation.
In addition to the Founder’s Day festivities, the weekend included some formal business, with the Board of Governors’ meeting on Friday followed by the Annual General Meeting on Saturday morning. Two new members were elected to the Board of Governors: alumna and current parent Melissa Smith ’96, and current and past parent Fayaz Manji. Please click here to read their bios.
We acknowledge with respect the Coast Salish Peoples on whose traditional lands and waterways we live, learn and play. We are grateful for the opportunity to share in this beautiful region, and we aspire to healthy and respectful relationships with those who have lived on and cared for these lands for millennia.
Shawnigan Lake School is an independent co-educational boarding school for ages 12 –18 on Canada’s beautiful Pacific Coast. Our diverse, interdisciplinary and innovative programming helps shape the next generation of global leaders.
