News
Essential Alumni
A weekly feature from Rhodri Samuel
Mr. Samuel keeps up with alumni all over the globe. In recent weeks, he has been reaching out, in particular, to our graduates who are working in jobs that are deemed essential during the COVID-19 pandemic. What follows is a response from Adam Connolly ’09 (Duxbury) – pictured above on the right.
Back
Adam Connolly is a firefighter on Vancouver Island. He recently made the move from North Vancouver, where he started his firefighting career, to downtown Victoria.
As a first responder, he attends medical emergencies as well as accident scenes and hazardous materials response calls. Though there are as many emergency calls as ever, Adam says the gear has changed through the COVID-19 outbreak. “We now have an extra layer of protective gloves, masks, disposable outerwear, and even face shields.”
Adam feels a great sense of pride in his work. It’s not what he imagined doing as a teenager, but something he felt called to in his early twenties. Looking back though, he sees how his education at Shawnigan prepared him for a life of service to others. From learning how to live in close quarters with all kinds of people, to developing the discipline required to always be prepared in order to be successful.
One person in his life who challenged him and gave him the drive to push himself to his physical limits and to test his mental resolve was basketball coach and mentor Vito Pasquale. “He invested so much in me and without his influence I wouldn't have had anywhere near the number of great opportunities after graduating that I did.”
During the pandemic, when even more is at stake when helping others, Adam says, “It is especially important to maintain human connection and compassion for others — when fear is so rampant, letting people feel heard and cared for is incredibly impactful.”
Adam is set to marry fiancé, Erin, very soon, and the School congratulates them. Though he cannot hear the 7:00 p.m. chapel bell ring at his home down Island, we hope he knows it is being pulled for him!
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 13 –18 on Canada’s beautiful West Coast. Our diverse, interdisciplinary and innovative programming helps shape the next generation of global leaders.
