Alumni
Alumni Notebook - February 2020
Oliver (Ollie) McMillan ‘95 (Lake’s)
Rhod Samuel caught up with Oliver (Ollie) McMillan recently. He resides with his partner in Edmonds (north of Seattle) and has been with Microsoft for 8 years, over two periods. He has also found time to organise the transportation and event logistics for Hilary Clinton, President Obama, Michelle Obama and Joe Biden domestically and overseas since 2010. He was an official Advance Associate for the White House and remains a member of the active roster for former President Obama and Mrs. Obama, having also advanced a number of times for Biden this past year as well as being asked to be on the debate advance team for Kamala Harris in Utah. He is pictured above in 2016 with then Vice President, Joe Biden.
He is friendly with Darren Norman (Ripley’s) ‘94 and they attend football and rugby games often.
He fondly remembers his days in Lake's House and Mr. Anderson's Western Civ classes, and also recalls barely passing one computer science class at school.
He is friendly with Darren Norman (Ripley’s) ‘94 and they attend football and rugby games often.
He fondly remembers his days in Lake's House and Mr. Anderson's Western Civ classes, and also recalls barely passing one computer science class at school.
Community Feature: Joanne Yates
Harriet Klumper caught up with past parent and dedicated volunteer Joanne Yates, wife of the late Peter Yates who was a much - loved member of staff and mother of Aly ‘09 (Groves’) and Lizzie ‘12 (Groves’), about her recent work in helping the fight against COVID-19.
Joanne came out of retirement in April to help with COVID-19 contact tracing and follow-up for a few months. Then on December 22nd she was part of the team that started providing vaccines at the first Island clinic at Victoria General Hospital. Between December 22nd and January 27th, 24,065 vaccines have been administered on the Island. Joanne has done vaccination clinics in Victoria, Duncan, and with Cowichan Tribes and Penelakut First Nations communities.
Of her recent work she says: “I am so happy that I have the skills that are needed to help with this pandemic.”
Pictured above is a photo of Joanne administering the COVID-19 vaccine to Dr. Richard Stanwick, the Island’s chief medical health officer.
Joanne came out of retirement in April to help with COVID-19 contact tracing and follow-up for a few months. Then on December 22nd she was part of the team that started providing vaccines at the first Island clinic at Victoria General Hospital. Between December 22nd and January 27th, 24,065 vaccines have been administered on the Island. Joanne has done vaccination clinics in Victoria, Duncan, and with Cowichan Tribes and Penelakut First Nations communities.
Of her recent work she says: “I am so happy that I have the skills that are needed to help with this pandemic.”
Pictured above is a photo of Joanne administering the COVID-19 vaccine to Dr. Richard Stanwick, the Island’s chief medical health officer.
Gaither Zinkan ‘67 (Groves’)
Current parents Gaither Zinkan and Shannon Jobbit recently shared an article with the School community about the Zinkan family’s summer camp on Lake Windermere. We thought some of our alumni might have fond recollections of the Rocky Mountain Boys Camp.
Read more here: https://www.columbiavalleypioneer.com/adventures-at-rocky-mountain-boys-camp/
Read more here: https://www.columbiavalleypioneer.com/adventures-at-rocky-mountain-boys-camp/
Hamish McIntosh ‘72 (Groves’)
Class of ’72 Keeps in Touch the 21st Century Way.
For the class of ’72, the COVID pandemic has been a chance to use new technologies to reconnect with old friends. A Sunday morning Zoom group began last spring with a few classmates getting together to help each other master this software. They were having so much fun they started inviting other class members to join in, and expanded the group one person at a time. Then, with the help of the School, they began tracking down and reaching out to others they had lost touch with years ago.
Now, every Sunday morning at 9am, class members from across North America zoom together for an hour to an hour and a half. They tell stories, look at old photos, talk about their lives and current events, and share general laughter, insults, and rudeness. There are usually 10-12 of a rotating group online together each week. The highwater mark has been 18, with three or four others aware but unable to attend at that time. Out of a class of 40, almost 50 years later, it’s proof of the enduring friendships that time at Shawnigan can create.
For the class of ’72, the COVID pandemic has been a chance to use new technologies to reconnect with old friends. A Sunday morning Zoom group began last spring with a few classmates getting together to help each other master this software. They were having so much fun they started inviting other class members to join in, and expanded the group one person at a time. Then, with the help of the School, they began tracking down and reaching out to others they had lost touch with years ago.
Now, every Sunday morning at 9am, class members from across North America zoom together for an hour to an hour and a half. They tell stories, look at old photos, talk about their lives and current events, and share general laughter, insults, and rudeness. There are usually 10-12 of a rotating group online together each week. The highwater mark has been 18, with three or four others aware but unable to attend at that time. Out of a class of 40, almost 50 years later, it’s proof of the enduring friendships that time at Shawnigan can create.
George Bryan-Orr ‘88 (Ripley’s)
Rhodri Samuel recently caught up with George Bryan-Orr, who shared the following news: “I competed in the British Indoor Rowing Championships last weekend. It was the European qualifying event for the world championships, which are also online next year. So many of the competitors were from around Europe, trying to qualify for the worlds. This lifted the bar considerably. I competed in both the 2000m and 500m events in the +50 age category, as a lightweight, which I lost over 20 pounds to do. My goal of not coming last was achieved, coming 13th out of 19 in the 2000m and 6th out of 9 in the 500m.”
Trevor Harrison ‘95 (Lonsdale’s)
Trevor Harrison was recently featured for his work with his company Athlete Health First. These days, Trevor is currently living in Atlanta with his wife Ann and kids Ben (13), Luke (4) and Jane (2).
Shawn M. Kent MM ‘96 (Ripley’s)
Chief Petty Officer 1st Class (CPO 1) Shawn M. Kent MM, CD shared with the School that he was inducted as a Member of the 71st list of the Order of Military Merit on 11 December 2020. The Order of Military Merit is a military honour that is, within the Canadian system of honours, the second-highest order administered by the Governor General, on behalf of the Queen of Canada. Founded on July 1, 1972, the Order of Military Merit is awarded to men and women of the Canadian Armed Forces, both Regular and Reserve. The honour recognizes their sustained devotion and commitment to Canada and service above and beyond the call of duty. The three tiers of the order are Commander, Officer, and Member.
Appointments take place annually and are limited to 0.1% of the previous year's total population of the CAF, including reserves. Submissions for appointments must be representative of the whole of the CAF. Members are nominated based on exceptional service over the members’ entire career. The Order of Military Merit will be presented by the Governor General at a ceremony at Rideau Hall in the future pending COVID restrictions.
CPO 1 Kent has served with the Royal Canadian Air Force, Canadian Special Operations Forces, and Royal Canadian Navy during his 22-year career as an Imagery Technician. During that time, he has deployed on multiple tours in Afghanistan and aboard Royal Canadian Naval ships. He currently serves as the Divisional Chief Warrant Officer at the Director General Major Project Delivery in the NCR and works with a team of military and civilian staff to bring critical large scale CAF procurement projects to fruition, including the Future Fighter Capability Project, the Canadian Navy Surface Combatant, and the Arctic Offshore Patrol Ship. Joining him in celebrating this honour is his very patient wife, Lisette, and their two children: Annabelle (9) and Max (13).
Appointments take place annually and are limited to 0.1% of the previous year's total population of the CAF, including reserves. Submissions for appointments must be representative of the whole of the CAF. Members are nominated based on exceptional service over the members’ entire career. The Order of Military Merit will be presented by the Governor General at a ceremony at Rideau Hall in the future pending COVID restrictions.
CPO 1 Kent has served with the Royal Canadian Air Force, Canadian Special Operations Forces, and Royal Canadian Navy during his 22-year career as an Imagery Technician. During that time, he has deployed on multiple tours in Afghanistan and aboard Royal Canadian Naval ships. He currently serves as the Divisional Chief Warrant Officer at the Director General Major Project Delivery in the NCR and works with a team of military and civilian staff to bring critical large scale CAF procurement projects to fruition, including the Future Fighter Capability Project, the Canadian Navy Surface Combatant, and the Arctic Offshore Patrol Ship. Joining him in celebrating this honour is his very patient wife, Lisette, and their two children: Annabelle (9) and Max (13).
Molly (Duignan) Middleton ‘98 (Groves)
Rhodri Samuel recently caught up with Molly (Duignan) Middleton about her work as a Senior Producer with CBC. She shared the following:
“I am living in Toronto, Ontario with my husband Ed and two kids Max (4) and Riley (7). Thanks to COVID and the current lockdown we're all crammed together, working from home and doing virtual school .... save me!
I work as Senior Producer of Dragons' Den and Family Feud Canada, CBC. 2020 was a whirlwind year in TV despite the pandemic: this year we filmed 104 episodes of Family Feud in seven weeks due to a condensed schedule (thanks COVID) – and Dragons Den was also filmed under tight COVID restrictions.
I've been with Dragons’ Den for 15 years now, which is unheard of in TV land. I've literally seen it all when it comes to small business and inventions; and I'm proud the show has become a staple in Canadian households. But in the past year especially, it's been incredible to see how entrepreneurs and small businesses have pivoted and thrived in a global pandemic.
Highlights with both Family Feud and Dragons' Den have been the amazing opportunities to travel to every small town, big city and corner of Canada finding the quirky families for Feud and the innovative entrepreneurs for the Den. It also allows me to go ‘home’ to BC a few times a year thankfully!
The friends I made at SLS are still my best friends in life! No matter the time passed or geographic divide we stay in close contact and I use my work trips well to fit in drinks with old friends. And I haven't missed a SLS reunion yet!
Probably my greatest SLS influences were the ones who gave me tough love, like Jay Connolly and Mark Hall. I remember during my undergrad at UWO I wrote to Jay basically asking him to help me decide what to do… and he was NO help telling me to figure it out myself… which I now realize is the best kind of 'help' in those critical years.
I loved that we were ‘forced’ to be well rounded by having to rotate sports and fine arts; but I'm also very thankful social media didn't exist when I was there! Being a rugby pioneer at Shawnigan and the opportunities the sport gave me are lifetime achievements for me!”
“I am living in Toronto, Ontario with my husband Ed and two kids Max (4) and Riley (7). Thanks to COVID and the current lockdown we're all crammed together, working from home and doing virtual school .... save me!
I work as Senior Producer of Dragons' Den and Family Feud Canada, CBC. 2020 was a whirlwind year in TV despite the pandemic: this year we filmed 104 episodes of Family Feud in seven weeks due to a condensed schedule (thanks COVID) – and Dragons Den was also filmed under tight COVID restrictions.
I've been with Dragons’ Den for 15 years now, which is unheard of in TV land. I've literally seen it all when it comes to small business and inventions; and I'm proud the show has become a staple in Canadian households. But in the past year especially, it's been incredible to see how entrepreneurs and small businesses have pivoted and thrived in a global pandemic.
Highlights with both Family Feud and Dragons' Den have been the amazing opportunities to travel to every small town, big city and corner of Canada finding the quirky families for Feud and the innovative entrepreneurs for the Den. It also allows me to go ‘home’ to BC a few times a year thankfully!
The friends I made at SLS are still my best friends in life! No matter the time passed or geographic divide we stay in close contact and I use my work trips well to fit in drinks with old friends. And I haven't missed a SLS reunion yet!
Probably my greatest SLS influences were the ones who gave me tough love, like Jay Connolly and Mark Hall. I remember during my undergrad at UWO I wrote to Jay basically asking him to help me decide what to do… and he was NO help telling me to figure it out myself… which I now realize is the best kind of 'help' in those critical years.
I loved that we were ‘forced’ to be well rounded by having to rotate sports and fine arts; but I'm also very thankful social media didn't exist when I was there! Being a rugby pioneer at Shawnigan and the opportunities the sport gave me are lifetime achievements for me!”
Andrew Buchanan ‘01 (Copeman’s)
Andrew Buchanan recently shared with the School that he is participating in the World’s Longest Hockey Game in an effort to raise money for a brand new cancer drug to go into a clinical trial. They will be playing 252 consecutive hours in the cold winter weather in Strathcona County, Alberta from February 4-14.
Andrew shared the following video with us about his involvement in the World’s Longest Hockey Game. Click here for the video.
If you are interested in supporting Andrew’s efforts, please see his donation page here.
Andrew shared the following video with us about his involvement in the World’s Longest Hockey Game. Click here for the video.
If you are interested in supporting Andrew’s efforts, please see his donation page here.
Jodi Bloomer-Kaput ‘04 (Renfrew)
Rhodri Samuel caught up with Jodi Bloomer-Kaput who lives with her husband in Calgary, Alberta. After a decade of ultramarathon running, global business opportunities and many life lessons, Jodi co-founded Canadian Fiber Optics with her husband, her father and another NW Albertan businessman. Canadian Fiber Optics is a builder, owner and operator of fiber optic networks, purpose built to provide internet service to rural Western Canadian industry, homes, businesses and First Nations.
Having grown up and gone to school in rural Alberta where classrooms were full and teachers were too few, Shawnigan was eye-opening and inspiring but it also felt like home for Jodi. It was refreshing to attend a school that aligned with the values with which she was raised – celebrating hard work and “doing the right thing.” To this day, Jodi hears former Headmaster David Robertson’s voice reminding students that if they cut corners in the quad, they will cut corners in life, and has fond memories of Mr. Dorland pushing the boys’ rowing team to pull harder and go faster than they imagined possible.
The entrepreneurial journey is not so different. It is one of hard work, doing the right thing day after day and not cutting corners; with time, a little luck, great people and more hard work, an idea or opportunity can evolve into something far bigger and greater than one imagined possible. I’m sure the students of today are dreaming big dreams and will stumble upon ideas and opportunities that beg to be pursued. When you do, I encourage you to follow them; now is the time to find solutions, to be creative and to be bold.
Visit Canadian Fiber Optics website
Having grown up and gone to school in rural Alberta where classrooms were full and teachers were too few, Shawnigan was eye-opening and inspiring but it also felt like home for Jodi. It was refreshing to attend a school that aligned with the values with which she was raised – celebrating hard work and “doing the right thing.” To this day, Jodi hears former Headmaster David Robertson’s voice reminding students that if they cut corners in the quad, they will cut corners in life, and has fond memories of Mr. Dorland pushing the boys’ rowing team to pull harder and go faster than they imagined possible.
The entrepreneurial journey is not so different. It is one of hard work, doing the right thing day after day and not cutting corners; with time, a little luck, great people and more hard work, an idea or opportunity can evolve into something far bigger and greater than one imagined possible. I’m sure the students of today are dreaming big dreams and will stumble upon ideas and opportunities that beg to be pursued. When you do, I encourage you to follow them; now is the time to find solutions, to be creative and to be bold.
Visit Canadian Fiber Optics website
Kristina ‘08 (Kaye’s) Ali ‘10 (Kaye’s) and Julianne ‘12 (Kaye’s) Hennig
Kristina, Ali, and Julianne Hennig recently shared with the School their plan to run a combined 100km over the course of three days in support of Outward Bound, an organization that played a significant role in the sisters’ lives.
Kristina has just finished her MBA in London, Ali is working in Copenhagen for Carlsberg and Julianne is working at a startup in Hong Kong.
More information on why they are running as well as how to support their efforts can be found here.
Kristina has just finished her MBA in London, Ali is working in Copenhagen for Carlsberg and Julianne is working at a startup in Hong Kong.
More information on why they are running as well as how to support their efforts can be found here.
Announcements
Birth AnnouncementsErik Groot ‘00 (Copeman’s)
Erik and Catherine Groot welcomed their daughter, and second child, on December 2, 2020.
Tanis (Avery) Dickey ‘12 (Strathcona)
Tanis (nee Avery) and Daniel Dickey are pleased to announce the arrival of their third child. Gabriel was born November 2, 2020.
Passages
Patrick (Pat) J. Goodenough ‘46 (Ripley’s)
Peter G. R. Relton ‘48 (Ripley’s)
Peter Gordon Rudge Relton
January 21, 1931 – January 8, 2021
(Photo: Peter Relton third from the left standing on the Inca Trail near the summit of Machu Picchu in the mid 1990’s) View memorial program
Peter Gordon Rudge Relton
January 21, 1931 – January 8, 2021
(Photo: Peter Relton third from the left standing on the Inca Trail near the summit of Machu Picchu in the mid 1990’s) View memorial program
Todd Knight ‘84 (Lake’s)
Todd David Pearce Knight
March 16, 1966 – December 30, 2020
https://www.beckchapels.com/obituary/todd-knight
The Todd Knight Memorial Scholarship has been set up in Texas where Todd was coaching. Details to follow on how to donate.
Todd David Pearce Knight
March 16, 1966 – December 30, 2020
https://www.beckchapels.com/obituary/todd-knight
The Todd Knight Memorial Scholarship has been set up in Texas where Todd was coaching. Details to follow on how to donate.
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.
