As we remember those who fell, so that we might live at peace in this glorious country think also of our forces overseas right now.  Welcome them home with open arms.

“Grace under pressure, courage with compassion, for the benefit of another, at risk of life and limb: This will be their legacy, in [...]]]>

As we remember those who fell, so that we might live at peace in this glorious country think also of our forces overseas right now.  Welcome them home with open arms.

“Grace under pressure, courage with compassion, for the benefit of another, at risk of life and limb: This will be their legacy, in Kandahar and Kabul, as at Ortona, as at Juno Beach. No one can take that away. No one should try.”

Read more: http://www.vancouversun.com/news/canada-in-afghanistan/Whatever+Afghanistan+fate+veterans+deserve+need+hero+welcome/5695341/story.html#ixzz1cNRyZYei

By Michael Den Tandt, Postmedia News November 11, 2011

Thank you, Mac Alumni, for making possible a yearly award to a graduating student, an occasional donation to the school during the year, a web site and a Canada Post box for those without internet connection.

This year’s award winner is a shining model of altruism and the following presentation speech, that Principal Bindner read [...]]]>

Thank you, Mac Alumni, for making possible a yearly award to a graduating student, an occasional donation to the school during the year, a web site and a Canada Post box for those without internet connection.

This year’s award winner is a shining model of altruism and the following presentation speech, that Principal Bindner read on our behalf, sums up Friday night’s presentation:

“There are 134 additions to Macdonald High School’s relatively new alumni association seated before me tonight. We are among only a handful of high schools with an alumni group and are slowly building camaraderie that stretches far beyond the walls of the school.
It is because of the affinity old Mac students have for their school that we have been given several useful gifts and a yearly monetary award for a remarkable student who has a deep-rooted commitment to school and humanity. Leadership comes in many forms and the young lady who was chosen this year leads by example.

“We are proud to receive a plaque from the Alumni Association, which has been inscribed with the winners` names from the past two years of this award and, of course, this year’s recipient. It represents continuity of our Mac Spirit and will be mounted in a prominent place in the school, with the hope that it will be added to each year and will encourage other students to work for the good of the Macdonald High community, the neighbourhood in which they live, our country, and hopefully the world.

“Vice President of your alumni, Mr. Michael Angrove, is with us tonight to present this year’s award and to offer his congratulations to a very remarkable and dedicated young woman: Miss Karry Dinh.

Thank you, Mike Angrove, for always being willing and happy to make the presentations, and Robert Howell, for taking ceremony photographs for the past two years. Thanks to you, Jen Worden, for helping me with the intricacies of posting our photos!

No donation is too small. If you feel inclined to keep this young award tradition alive, please feel free to visit the Canada Gives web site at: http://www.canadahelps.org/ Enter, “Pearson Educational Foundation”, then leave a note in the instruction box saying that you would like your donation to go to Macdonald High School Alumni Association. Donations are tax deductible.

Viv Bruce

Date:                June 5, 2010

Time:                12:00 – 13:00   Burgers from the BBQ (at good rates)

                         13:00-14:00      Annual General Meeting

Place:               Royal Canadian Legion                          Churchill Branch 91 (Que.)                          28 [...]]]> PLEASE NOTE: The MHSAA AGM has been rescheduled from Saturday May 1, 2010 to Saturday June 5, 2010. Time and place remain the same.

Date:                June 5, 2010

Time:                12:00 – 13:00   Burgers from the BBQ (at good rates)

                         13:00-14:00      Annual General Meeting

Place:               Royal Canadian Legion
                         Churchill Branch 91 (Que.)
                         28 Ste -Anne St.

                       Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue (Quebec) H9X 1L3

Object:           Alumni update and financial report

                        New business

Invitation:    A warm welcome to all Macdonald High School grads.

Head Count:       Please e-mail vivian.bruce@gmail.com if you plan to attend.

Submitted by:    Vivian Bruce, Exec. Secretary/Liaison Officer MHSAA

Our very own Stephanie Lilly, who has lived with Multiple Sclerosis for thirty-five years would, I am quite sure, be delighted to walk up any number of stairs.  She faced that dilemma while sitting [...]]]> What?  No elevator?  I have to WALK up three flights?  Some folks would pay a king’s ransom to do just that. 

Our very own Stephanie Lilly, who has lived with Multiple Sclerosis for thirty-five years would, I am quite sure, be delighted to walk up any number of stairs.  She faced that dilemma while sitting in her heavy electric wheelchair at our Centennial Celebrations in 2007. 

The first act of bravery was in deciding to go into uncharted territory, all alone. Once there, would there be anyone to help?  Would classmates recognise her?  How would she get to the basement gym (the old girl’s gym)?

Picture this: the chair was too heavy for the indoor stair lift; there was no ramp at the service door – the only other door leading to the elevator.  A distress call went out; enter several sets of masculine muscles, one piece of 2×4 and the will to make a dream come true. 

Stephanie’s chair was man-handled through the doorway and she was deftly spirited away to the awaiting elevator. 

 Here comes the next brave bit.  Imagine being squeezed and jostled into a tiny elevator that ‘says’ it will take the weight of the chair and being all alone when the door closes on the suspended box.  See yourself inching up between the floors as the elevator groans and creaks.  Imagine the relief when the elevator stops  on command, the door opens and within minutes you are surrounded by old and loving friends. 

Watch as a plan slowly comes together and tears threaten  to give you away.  Rejoice as teacher (Don Barnes) and student reconnect; every bit as moving as watching ‘Mr. Chips’ for the first time.  THIS is the stuff of courage and of making life happen.  Our Stephanie has written a book that promises to be a summer read you’ll always remember. 

Conquering the Mountain: My approach to Staying Positive

http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/todays-paper/Bestsellers/2732557/story.html
http://www.westislandgazette.com/event/13526 

To order:    http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/conquering-the-mountain-my-approach-to-staying-positive/2519130

KRISTA RAE KENNEDY is this year’s recipient of the $500 MHSAA Annual Award for Student Leadership. The Selections Committee was very impressed by the accomplishments of all three candidates and wish to extend a hearty congratulations to the school for encouraging and promoting volunteerism – the foundation of community benevolence.

Biography [...]]]>

Krista Rae Kennedy

KRISTA RAE KENNEDY is this year’s recipient of the $500 MHSAA Annual Award for Student Leadership. The Selections Committee was very impressed by the accomplishments of all three candidates and wish to extend a hearty congratulations to the school for encouraging and promoting volunteerism – the foundation of community benevolence.

Biography submitted by Mac High:

Krista has been a Macdonald High School student for 5 years; she will be graduating this year and will be so missed! Krista has been an integral part of Mac’s extracurricular activities, including Student Council President.

Krista tutors, is a member of the rugby team, does intramurals; she volunteers at the Old Brewery Mission and is one of three students who will attend the CSLC Leadership conference in PEI. All this, while achieving above average grades.

Krista is a member of our Governing Board and is a frequent visitor to Staff Council…requesting approval of her team’s many activities. She has worked extensively on raising money for the Breast Cancer Pink campaign and helped plan our grade 7 day as well as the fashion show! (this year the money raised will go to Kids help Phone). She is an artist and an all around student….as mentioned earlier we will miss her greatly when she graduates this year!

SING IT LOUD – SING IT PROUD!

http://www.pch.gc.ca/pgm/ceem-cced/symbl/MP3/O-Canada-eng.MP3