Tribute to the Lanes

 

A grateful community bid farewell to a Shawnigan institution, as the School's Thursday chapel service paid tribute to Stephen and Judy Lane.

Grade 12 student Victoria S., who largely organized Thursday's gathering, began the proceedings by characterizing the Lanes as "Two individuals who have left an immeasurable mark on the Shawnigan community."

Mr. and Mrs. Lane are set to retire at the end of the year, after a career that saw Mr. Lane teach at the School for more than four decades.  He began his tenure as a student, and soon returned to become one of the Shawnigan's most legendary instructors and a Prime Minister's Award for Teaching Excellence winner.

"He manages to boil down even the most difficult concepts into a clear and simple explanation which, most of the time, becomes so understandable that it verges on common sense," Victoria said, adding that "He embodies the most aspired traits of an educator."

Victoria also said that Mr. Lane's inspiration has guided her towards a career in engineering, as it has done for many others.  In that vein, she coined a new rule, which she called the Law of Conservation of Passion: "The passion and love for physics that Mr. Lane constantly demonstrates during his classes have translated into passion and potential passion that all of his students will carry with them for the rest of their lives."

Victoria was also effusive in her praise for Mrs. Lane, calling her "One of the most patient, caring and helpful people I've ever met."

Another graduating student, Reid I., also took time to pay tribute to Mrs. Lane, who served as his advisor while at Shawnigan.  Reid told the story of the first time he met Mrs. Lane, on his first visit to the School, when he emitted a "huge, open-mouthed yawn" in front of her.  Reid laughed about the interaction, knowing that Mrs. Lane had wanted to help him improve in every facet of his life.  "She saw potential in me, and pushed me to achieve the goals I'd set out for myself."

For a musical presentation, Ms. Sarah Lane, also now a teacher at Shawnigan, was joined on the stage by Grade 10 student Kamryn M. for a performance of For Good from the musical Wicked.  Victoria also presented the Lanes with a book full of letters and tributes from former students.

For his part, Mr. Lane said that he was "blown away" by the tribute.  He told a few stories from the past and thanked a multitude of colleagues who had helped and inspired him along the way.  He also thanked his own family and his son's family, who had come to Shawnigan for the service, as well as the students he taught.  "You don't know how much you've inspired me," he said, assuring the School that "Physics is going to be taught by some very, very fine teachers in the years to come."

On Wednesday, students and staff lined the path from the Shaw Centre for Science to Marion Hall, cheering him on as he departed from his final class.