Alumni News
Alumni Notebook - November 2020
Garth Friesen ‘87 (Ripley’s)
Former Head of School Garth Friesen '87 (Ripley's) was recently in touch with Shawnigan to offer support for upgrades to the Friesen Centre. This winter, following extensive consultation with students, "The Ritz" will see a coffee/snack bar installed and new indoor and outdoor furniture purchased to allow students to gather and socialize safely in these pandemic times. Ever the supportive alumnus, Garth is stepping forward to fund the upgrades after having established the Friesen Centre as part of the Centennial Campaign and the renovation of the Main Building. Thank you for your continuing support, Garth!
Garth now lives in Boca Raton, Florida, with his wife Jeannie and their three children. Following over 25 years in the hedge fund business, Garth is CEO of III Capital Management and in 2017 published Bite the Ass Off a Bear, sharing his knowledge and experience for those aspiring to a career in the industry. Check it out or visit Garth's blog for insights into "Getting in and standing out on a hedge fund trading floor."
Garth now lives in Boca Raton, Florida, with his wife Jeannie and their three children. Following over 25 years in the hedge fund business, Garth is CEO of III Capital Management and in 2017 published Bite the Ass Off a Bear, sharing his knowledge and experience for those aspiring to a career in the industry. Check it out or visit Garth's blog for insights into "Getting in and standing out on a hedge fund trading floor."
Martin MacLachlan ‘74 (Lake’s)
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Martin married Prof. George Thomas Kapelos on September 2, 2020, in a wedding ceremony conducted by the Rt. Rev. Andrew Asbil, Bishop of Toronto, in the Anglican Cathedral Church of St. James, Toronto. The ceremony was attended via Zoom by, among others, Martin’s brothers Charlie ‘75 (Lake’s) and Patrick ‘79 (Lake’s).
The wedding was the subject of an article in the Sunday edition of The New York Times on September 20, 2020.
Ian Hyde-Lay ‘75 (Lake’s)
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Rhodri Samuel caught up with alumnus Ian Hyde-Lay in Victoria the other day. Ian continues to teach at St. Michaels University School. With time on his hands during remote learning last spring, he started spending time leafing through various scrapbooks and notes both he and his dad Derek had collected over the years. The content, and the memories they produced, inspired Ian to start a weekly blog. An excerpt from one of the blog posts is included below, and the entire post can be found by following the link below.
Late October 1974. Only 46 years ago. Yet, various memories from my senior year in high school remain vivid.
The old pavilion has seen better days. The walls are rough and stained, the wood floor uneven. A window in the corner has been smashed, shards of glass held by brown packing tape. The 1st XV gather in a circle, linked tightly. For some, a quiet confidence, others, nerves jangling, less sure. Charlie, our captain, gives final instructions. The excitement builds and the tension grows.
To read more, please click here.
Late October 1974. Only 46 years ago. Yet, various memories from my senior year in high school remain vivid.
The old pavilion has seen better days. The walls are rough and stained, the wood floor uneven. A window in the corner has been smashed, shards of glass held by brown packing tape. The 1st XV gather in a circle, linked tightly. For some, a quiet confidence, others, nerves jangling, less sure. Charlie, our captain, gives final instructions. The excitement builds and the tension grows.
To read more, please click here.
Eddie Evans ‘81 (Lake’s)
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With the arrival of COVID-19, many companies such as ours (Xtreme Sports Gear) were left in a very difficult situation. Organized team sports were being put on hold so therefore no real demand for custom team uniforms. From hockey to basketball to rugby, seasons were being canceled and orders put on hold. In addition, companies were not ordering corporate wear so all aspects of our business grounded to a near halt.
Failure, of course, was not an option, and a quick solution was required. With 40 employees and many mouths to be fed the pressure was definitely on.
Having been in the sportswear industry for some 16 years we have always been on the cutting edge in the development of technical fabrics. Many of these are based on nano-technology and antibacterial properties. Coincidently, we had already been manufacturing masks aimed at filtering PM 2.5 particles which basically provide dust and pollution protection. So, the transition into COVID protective masks was surprisingly straight forward.
The key to our success was the following:
- We already had existing tested fabrics that provided a high level of protection against pollution and bacteria.
- We were able to obtain key corporate partnerships early on with companies such as Starbucks, Chopard, Canadian Tire and FIFA (to name a few).
- We have continued to improve our mask technology and are adding new products all the time. This has kept us relevant in a very saturated market place.
Page Tucker ‘81 (Copeman’s)
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Rhodri Samuel recently caught up with alumnus Page Tucker ‘81 (Copeman’s), who now resides with his family in Grand Junction, Colorado. Page is the CEO and Founder of ProStar, which will begin trading on the TSX-Venture exchange in January. ProStar specializes in the development of underground utility mobile and cloud mapping solutions.
Page fondly remembers his days at Shawnigan and the great life-long friendships that he formed there. Many are heavily integrated into his life 40 years later. Alumni Eddie Evans ‘81 (Lake's), Peter Forster ‘81 (Groves’) and Paul McKenzie ‘81 (Lake's) are all involved with his company.
He shares, “Derek Hyde-Lay was a big influence on me as he placed me on the First XV when I was in Grade 10 as he saw potential in me at a young age that forced me to work hard and to be better. He also placed me as an anchor on the senior 4x4 relay track team in my Grade 10 year. He appointed me captain of the track team in my Grade 12 year. What he instilled in me is to be the best I could be, to work hard, constantly improve, get outside my comfort zone, compete with competition that is bigger and faster, be a leader and how to win. That has carried throughout all aspects of my life and in my professional career. I also recall getting into a lot of trouble. I am still disruptive, but in technology that has become a much more welcomed and embraced quality.”
Page can be contacted on his Linkedin page.
Page fondly remembers his days at Shawnigan and the great life-long friendships that he formed there. Many are heavily integrated into his life 40 years later. Alumni Eddie Evans ‘81 (Lake's), Peter Forster ‘81 (Groves’) and Paul McKenzie ‘81 (Lake's) are all involved with his company.
He shares, “Derek Hyde-Lay was a big influence on me as he placed me on the First XV when I was in Grade 10 as he saw potential in me at a young age that forced me to work hard and to be better. He also placed me as an anchor on the senior 4x4 relay track team in my Grade 10 year. He appointed me captain of the track team in my Grade 12 year. What he instilled in me is to be the best I could be, to work hard, constantly improve, get outside my comfort zone, compete with competition that is bigger and faster, be a leader and how to win. That has carried throughout all aspects of my life and in my professional career. I also recall getting into a lot of trouble. I am still disruptive, but in technology that has become a much more welcomed and embraced quality.”
Page can be contacted on his Linkedin page.
Anton Lecky ‘03 (Lake’s)
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Anton Lecky ‘03 (Lake’s) and his wife, Nicole were thrilled to welcome Logan Rae Caroline Lecky at 12:45am on September 11, 2020, weighing in at a healthy 6 pounds 6 ounces. Mom and baby are both doing extremely well. Logan loves to be swaddled and is a happy little baby!
Jeffrey Ma ‘04 (Lake’s)
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Jeff and Sophia Ma are pleased to announce the arrival of a healthy son, Christopher Weihan Ma, born October 16, 2020. Mom and son are both well.
Eloise Blackwell ‘08 (Groves’)
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Congratulations to Eloise Blackwell ‘08 (Groves’), who was recently named the captain of the New Zealand Black Ferns. What a wonderful testament to the strength of our girls’ rugby program! To read more, please click here.
Oliver (Ollie) Nott ‘13 (Ripley’s)
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I was recently offered a contract to play rugby for a National League 1 club called Chinnor RFC (Oxfordshire). Jamie Cudmore, head coach of the Pacific Pride, helped to organize it after my time playing with the Pride last season. They offered me a nice little living package so I figured why not return home for the season!
I’m also looking at applying for a teaching position in conjunction with playing. The club informed me that a local school was looking for a PE teacher & rugby coach, which would suit me down to the ground!
I’m also looking at applying for a teaching position in conjunction with playing. The club informed me that a local school was looking for a PE teacher & rugby coach, which would suit me down to the ground!
Houston Stevenson ‘13 (Ripley’s)
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Houston Stevenson ‘13 (Ripley’s) was recently featured in Livid Magazine. Please find an excerpt below as well as a link to the article.
Rising star actor Houston Stevenson always had a passion for acting. While growing up what helped influence him to pursue an acting career was his interest in watching twenty movies a day. He would rent movies from his local video store and he would watch every kind of movie from American Pie to the Exorcist. His acting career began while studying at Shawnigan Lake School on Vancouver Island, B.C. where he would act in local theatre productions. To hone his craft he trained in the UK with renowned acting coach Andy Johnson.
Click here to read more.
Rising star actor Houston Stevenson always had a passion for acting. While growing up what helped influence him to pursue an acting career was his interest in watching twenty movies a day. He would rent movies from his local video store and he would watch every kind of movie from American Pie to the Exorcist. His acting career began while studying at Shawnigan Lake School on Vancouver Island, B.C. where he would act in local theatre productions. To hone his craft he trained in the UK with renowned acting coach Andy Johnson.
Click here to read more.
Passages
Michael (Mick) Edmund McGarry (past Shawnigan teacher)
https://www.everdenrust.com/obituaries/Michael-Mick-Edmund-McGarry?obId=17597280#/celebrationWall
https://www.everdenrust.com/obituaries/Michael-Mick-Edmund-McGarry?obId=17597280#/celebrationWall
H.P. Grant Fraser ‘88 (Ripley’s)
https://cmea-agmc.ca/capt-herbert-patrick-grant-fraser-cd-rn-retd
https://cmea-agmc.ca/capt-herbert-patrick-grant-fraser-cd-rn-retd
Doreen Deane (past parent and longtime volunteer)
Doreen Deane (née Argent 1936), former parent of Annabel and Andrew R. Deane ‘85 (Lake’s), and long-time volunteer at the School, passed away peacefully in her sleep at Rest Haven, Sidney, BC, around 11:45 pm on Tuesday, 3 November 2020.
Doreen was a much-loved volunteer at Shawnigan for over two decades, running the “Deane Team,” which did hair and makeup for at least 21 musicals and about 30 plays at the School.
She had a beautiful voice and sang often in Chapel and with the School choir. She absolutely adored the School and its entire community, and she derived much joy and happiness from her time here. In her later years, the direct involvement in the Shawnigan community gave her strength and purpose.
The Performing Arts highest award is named after her – The Doreen Deane Award.
At her retirement in 2016, Doreen received the School’s highest and most coveted award. Doreen was presented with a Stag Award for her contributions to the School.
A memorial service and celebration of life will be held for Doreen at the Shawnigan Lake Chapel, a place she loved so much, at a future date.
https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/timescolonist/obituary.aspx?n=doreen-deane-n-e-argent&pid=197078943
Doreen was a much-loved volunteer at Shawnigan for over two decades, running the “Deane Team,” which did hair and makeup for at least 21 musicals and about 30 plays at the School.
She had a beautiful voice and sang often in Chapel and with the School choir. She absolutely adored the School and its entire community, and she derived much joy and happiness from her time here. In her later years, the direct involvement in the Shawnigan community gave her strength and purpose.
The Performing Arts highest award is named after her – The Doreen Deane Award.
At her retirement in 2016, Doreen received the School’s highest and most coveted award. Doreen was presented with a Stag Award for her contributions to the School.
A memorial service and celebration of life will be held for Doreen at the Shawnigan Lake Chapel, a place she loved so much, at a future date.
https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/timescolonist/obituary.aspx?n=doreen-deane-n-e-argent&pid=197078943
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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.
