Red & White Fall 2012 - Stanstead College

MESSAGE FROM THE HEADMASTERSTANSTEAD IN THEIR HEARTSJohn Mackay has reason to beproud.As he noted at the official ribboncutting for the gym that will bear hisname, he finds himself in goodcompany. Webster, Colby, Amaron,LeBaron… and now Mackay – familiesand individuals who have supportedStanstead College in differentways: well-known benefactors ofthe school and community; a formerheadmaster who left an indeliblemark on an entire generation ofschoolchildren; a long-servingboard member, generous in timeand spirit; and with Mr. Mackay, analumnus of the school.What they have in common isthat they always kept StansteadCollege in their hearts and minds. InMr. Mackay’s case, he came to theschool as a young man from theTown of Mount Royal and madethis place his home for the next fouryears, graduating from Grade 11 in1952. If there was ever an exampleof someone making the most of histime at Stanstead, it’s Mr. Mackay. IfMike Wolfe with Kuan-Ying ‘Rita’ Chen2008 at an alumni gathering in Taipei.you look at the yearbooksfrom that period, his fingerprintsare all over theschool, from drama andclass president duties andserving as head boy toactually editing the yearbookitself!As Mr. Mackay has alsonoted, Stanstead instilledin him the importance ofgiving back, something heepitomized long before hismost recent act of generosity thatwill result in a new gym. Mr. Mackayhas been an active alumnus, atrustee and a member of the boardof directors and is now an honorarytrustee. He has also been a soundingboard for people like me who lookto him for his advice and opinions.In short, John Mackay is a trueSpartan.Besides our story aboutHomecoming and Mr. Mackay, thisissue of the Red & White includesseveral instances of former studentskeeping Stanstead in their heart. Wewere thrilled, for example, to haveDr. Akiko (Fujimoto) Watanabe(Class of 1993) speak to the studentat this year’s Baccalaureate. It wassuch a pleasure to have her back oncampus. With her strong family tieswith the College and the path shehas led since her departure, it wasfascinating for the students andguests to hear about the Collegeexperience from an internationalperspective.We also have a first-personaccount from Sarah Birge (2002)who is using what she learned atDirector of Advancement Dugie Ross and HeadmasterMichael Wolfe met up with Dale Cooper (2008) at theopening of the Cree Cultural Centre & Museum inOuje-Bougoumou where he is acting as a guide.Stanstead to teach teachers in India.In addition, you’ll find a storyabout the people behind some ofour athletic trophies. In most cases,these trophies are named after studentswho gave their all while theyattended Stanstead College. Likenaming the gym after John Mackay,it’s one of the many ways we thankthose who are true to their school.And how can we forget GeorgesBeaubien, our outgoing chairman ofthe board ("outgoing" in both sensesof the word)? An alumnus(1968), a trustee going on fourdecades, and a champion of everythingStanstead, we owe him a greatdeal of thanks for all he has doneand continues to do for our school.I hope you enjoy this issue of theRed & White and keep Stanstead inyour heart.• Mission Statement •Our mission is to provide students from Canada and around the world with a highly structured andsupportive educational program in a small, secure environment.The Stanstead experience helps all studentsreach their full academic potential in preparation for university, develop healthy and active lifestyles,and understand the importance of respect, responsibility and self-discipline.