Alumni News

Alumni Notebook - September 2020

Carl Asche ‘79 (Lake’s)

Carl on set of the documentary film “Diagnosing Healthcare” being released in October 2020. View the following link to read film synopsis. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12478306/
Carl Asche ‘79 is an outcomes researcher in Illinois who has, in recent months, written editorials on the use of big data to estimate the economic impact of COVID-19. He offers the following words to his fellow alumni:

There’s an old saying – “The more things change, the more they stay the same.” This may face obscurity due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak which has changed many aspects of the personal and professional lives of millions of people throughout the world. The manner in which we used to conduct business five months ago may be replaced altogether by the methods we have had to adapt ourselves to now.

I may never again feel comfortable touching surfaces outside of my home, exchanging greetings with acquaintances, and standing close to strangers. A paradigm shift is also occurring in terms of partaking in public and private events we once enjoyed and took for granted.

On the flip side, COVID-19 has also brought about changes for the good in all of us in the sense that we’re all in this together. This can be our finest hour as we are all seeing people rise to the occasion whether it be through leadership, acts of compassion, and abounding selflessness. We’re seeing our best qualities emerge, just as we saw after 9/11. In the face of uncertainty, we rise to the occasion.

When and if we have to face an outbreak in the future, we are now better prepared. We’ve been able to cope through this trying time, adjust to the changes required, and understand survival against the odds.

If we’ve learned anything from COVID-19, it is that preparedness is essential.

These are challenging times for all of us. Although we can anticipate a “new normal,” that transition does not change our right to maintain our dignity.

Feizal Chatur ‘95 (Lonsdale’s)


Feizal Chatur, Head of Lonsdale’s House in 1994-95, visited the campus with his family early one Saturday morning in August on the way to Tofino. This was his first visit to campus since graduating in June 1995 and it gave him a chance to show the School to his wife Rehana and their two children. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the campus tour was restricted to a walk around the outside of the buildings. Along with Rhodri Samuel, Director of Alumni Relations, they visited the site of the old Lonsdale’s House and then the new Lonsdale’s House.

Feizal’s three years in Lonsdale’s with Mr. Felix are remembered fondly, as are the amazing physics lessons with Mr. Lane in the Craig Block, which was situated by Lake Omar in those days. On leaving, he said that visiting his old school was the highlight of the trip so far!

Feizal and his family operate several businesses in Edmonton and across Canada.

Graeme Housser ‘01 (Duxbury)


 
Graeme Houseer ‘01 and his wife Ana are thrilled with the birth of their first child, Ivy Anne Housser, born on September 1st in Albany, NY. Graeme had good news on another front: Lux Semiconductors, the company he and a fellow PhD colleague founded while studying nanoscale engineering at SUNY Polytechnic Institute, has been awarded a $1-million grant from the US National Science Foundation to commercialize their flexible silicon wafer technology.

Alex Housser ‘08 (Duxbury)


Swimming the Length of the Lake

Not first, nor likely last, but definitely the most recent feat of swimming endurance at Shawnigan Lake as Alex Housser, Shawnigan grad class of 2008, swam the length of the lake on August 31, 2020. It took him 4 hours and 10 minutes. Alex has always challenged himself physically and was determined to conquer the lake before heading back to Barcelona to complete his MBA. With the help of his parents and one of his brothers shepherding in kayaks, Alex swam from the south end of the lake to the entrance of the West Arm. From there, rather than swim to the end at Mason’s Beach, he turned left and swam the slightly longer route to the end of the Arm. In all it was an 8-kilometre swim. He was cold, tired, and sore but recovered quickly, thrilled to have achieved his goal.

Nicholas Minchau ‘09 (Lonsdale’s)




Nick and his partner Sas dropped in to the School in early September during a visit to Vancouver Island. They were excited to be headed to Tofino for one of this summer’s hottest weekends. They were greeted by Hilary Abbott and graciously toured about campus by Jasmine Yang ‘13 (Strathcona). After Shawnigan, Nick attended Queens University where he earned his Mechanical Engineering degree. Both he and Sas work for a firm in Calgary.

Sydney Hamm ‘12 (Strathcona) & Taylor Hamm ‘14 (Strathcona)



Shawnigan sisters return as nurses

Shawnigan graduates Sydney Hamm ’12 (Strathcona) and Taylor Hamm ’14 (Strathcona) have returned to campus in their professional capacity as nurses to join this year’s newly expanded Health Centre care team.

“I was delighted when Sydney and Taylor told me they were interested in joining the team here at Shawnigan. This opportunity will be a win-win for the School and for them professionally,” says Director of Health Heather Craib. “Our medical team is excited to welcome them on board and grateful for the added support and expertise during this very challenging time. Their role will include working with the Quarantine Team to support international students who are completing their 14-day self-isolation on campus, assisting in the Health Centre as we prepare to welcome students back in September, and, most importantly, they will be conducting COVID-19 screening, and testing and monitoring any students who become ill over the course of the year. A big job but our team is ready to work with Sydney and Taylor to ensure a safe and healthy year at Shawnigan.” Read More

Guiseppe du Toit ‘13 (Duxbury)



Shawnigan grad to coach at university level

Shawnigan grad Guiseppe du Toit ’13 (Duxbury) is adding to his already impressive rugby resume. His playing career on the international stage includes 14 caps with Canada – including, most recently, at the 2019 Rugby World Cup – and he currently plays with the Toronto Arrows of Major League Rugby. This fall, Guiseppe has a new challenge: he will join the coaching staff at Trinity Western University as a backs coach for the men’s and women’s rugby programs. He will remain with the Toronto Arrows and will split his time between Toronto and TWU once their season begins. Read More

Oliver Nott ‘13 (Ripley’s), Nicholas Hildebrand ‘13 (Duxbury), James O’Niell ‘15 (Lake’s) & Ciaran Breen ‘19 (Lonsdale’s)


 
Four Shawnigan graduates have been named to the newly rebranded Canadian Development Academy (formerly the Pacific Pride) this September. Due to COVID-19 protocols, all athletes will work in groups of 12 and will concentrate on skills, physical development, speed and game awareness. Congratulations to Ollie Nott, Nik Hildebrand, James O’Neill and Ciaran Breen!

Michelle (Evans) O’Dell ‘14 (Groves’)


 
Craig and I got married on Sunday, August 2 at Arbutus Ridge. We had a small wedding of 50 people due to COVID-19. We won’t soon forget getting married during a global pandemic! Now we are living in Port Coquitlam and both working at Hope Lutheran Christian School – Craig works as the Athletic Director / P.E. Teacher and I work as an EA / Social Media Communications Coordinator.

After graduating from Shawnigan, I earned a Bachelor’s Degree and Diploma in Sport Management along with a Business Management Certification from Camosun College and my Independent Teaching Certification 2019. During that time I worked as the Project and Game Day Manager with the Victoria Shamrocks Lacrosse Association, at the Butchart Gardens, Duncan Christian School and in construction helping to build my cousin’s house!

I am also the proud owner of Michelle Evans Photography.

Currently, I enjoy rock climbing and singing worship music with my husband, sewing, painting signs and decor, baking all sorts of treats, and spending time with my guinea pig, Colin – who was recently featured on Chek News (along with his instagram account @ColinTheGuineaPig).

Tristan Mandur ‘16 (Copeman’s)


 
Tristan Mandur ‘16 (Copeman’s) birdied the last hole in thrilling fashion to win the BC Men’s Amateur Golf Championships played in late July at the Okanagan Golf Club in Kelowna. Needing to get up and down from a nasty, hanging lie above the 18th green to win, Tristan deftly pitched his ball to tap in distance in front of a boisterous (yet physically distanced) crowd. With the win, Tristan joins a small but impressive cohort of players to have won both the BC Junior Boys (U19) and BC Men’s Amateur in their competitive careers.

“This means a lot,” Tristan told British Columbia Golf. “I have been knocking on the door the past couple of years, getting better each year. So this feels great to finally get it. It’s cool to win the BC Amateur after having won the BC Juniors. Not too many people have done that.”

Tristan is beginning his senior year on an athletic scholarship at the University of Utah this fall, where he is a first choice member of the men’s competitive golf team. He is due to complete his degree in Business Studies this year and do all he can to help his team win both the Pac-12 and NCAA titles.

All the best, Tristan!

Maryna Macdonald ‘18 (Groves’)


 
Shawnigan’s first ice hockey player to be recruited by Harvard has returned home during the pandemic, and is using this time to teach other young players at hockey camps in Port Alberni on Vancouver Island. Read the full story and watch some of Maryna’s highlights playing for the Harvard Crimson. We’re proud of you, Maryna! Read More
 
 

Passages

Ian. B. Robertson ‘57 (Groves’) https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/theglobeandmail/obituary.aspx?n=ian-bruce-robertson&pid=196679276

Herbert Mould ‘59 (Lake’s)
https://www.hwwallacecbc.com/obituary/herbert-mould/

Juanita Wheaton Tully (past parent and grandparent)
 


“The Amazing Lady of the Lake”

Juanita Wheaton Tully – February 28, 1914 – July 5, 2020

Many people really, really like Shawnigan Lake. Juanita Wheaton Tully really, really LOVED the lake. Her infatuation with Shawnigan started 72 years ago. It ended in July of this year at the ripe old age of 106.

Juanita and her husband George Wheaton bought property on the lake in 1948. Theirs was one of the first ‘modern’ houses on the lake. George was in construction and was able to build a beautiful summer home that Juanita adored, mostly because she was able to swim every single day. She kept swimming right up until she was 103 years old. Even then she dove off the dock then climbed back up the ladder on her own.

Juanita’s son John Wheaton describes her as, “The original endorphin queen. She exercised every day and forced us to do the same.”

In addition to her swimming connection to the lake, Juanita was closely tied to Shawnigan Lake School where two of her sons graduated, as did three of her grandchildren. She was a fixture at dozens of school musicals, especially when grandson Henry Wheaton was the male lead in the SLS musical The Music Man in 2007. Juanita’s husband George was on the SLS Board of Governors in the ‘60s.

Juanita at the lake, aged 99 years

The Wheaton name is also attached to the Wheaton Memorial Hut high in the Marble Meadows of Strathcona Provincial Park. It was built in 1970 in memory of Billy Wheaton, a Shawnigan Grad from 1967 who died while climbing in the Austrian Alps.

John Wheaton says his mum liked nothing better than to be at the lake in September and even into October for those fine fall days when she would still swim daily, even when the temperature had cooled considerably. “She was tough, charismatic and had boundless energy.”

When the Wheatons came to Shawnigan Lake in the late ‘40s they built a modern house and bought a modern boat. That ‘modern’ boat is now a beautifully cared for antique wooden classic 1948 Peterborough run-about. If you happen to see it on the lake, give a wave and a nod of regard for Juanita Wheaton Tully, “The Amazing Lady of the Lake,” who kept swimming to 103 years old.

By Steve Housser, SLS Grad from 1967

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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.