Collegian Winter 2018

COLLEGIAN
the
WINTER 2018

Greetings NCC Family,
The Collegian is published twice each year
for alumni, family, and friends of Niagara
Christian Collegiate.
NCC BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Doug Sider Jr., Chair
Don McNiven
Vivian Pengelly
Ron Rienas
Filomena Savoia
Bill Daley
President/CEO: Scott Herron
Principal: Clare Lebold
Chief Operating Officer: Lynn Schmidt
Marketing & Communications:
Sue Grierson
Contributing Writers
Sue Grierson
Photographers:
Sue Grierson
Rachel Meissner
Alexander Robertson
Niagara Christian Collegiate
2619 Niagara Parkway
Fort Erie, ON L2A 5M4
Phone: 905.871.6980
Fax: 905.871.9260
Email: LoveNCC@niagaracc.com
Website: www.niagaracc.com
The Mission of NCC:
In an international community of schools,
to educate students with excellence in a
family-like environment, equipping them
to grow God's Kingdom, and empowering
them to make a difference in the world.
A big part of my job is meeting
with prospective students and their
parents from around the world, answering
questions about NCC, and
assuring parents and students of
our ability to educate with excellence
the next generation of leaders.
As we’ve been doing this successfully
for over 85 years, we’re
always improving, always striving
for better service and better experiences
for our students, and
always pursuing enhancements in
our academic disciplines.
One question perspective parents
ask me universally is this: Will
my child excel at NCC? I tell every
parent with confidence that if
their child is committed to doing
the work and has the underlying
aptitude, we will stop at nothing
to help them achieve their goals,
providing resources as needed to
ensure their success. Indeed, education
is a two-way partnership,
and certainly the attitude and commitment
of both the student and
our staff must work in tandem with
each other.
In this Collegian, I am happy to
show you some of the ways that
NCC partners with students in our
wonderful new Student Services
Centre. You’ll read about the great
commitment of our staff and also
get to know a couple of students
who are totally inspirational in their
contribution to life on our campus.
Every student God sends to us at
NCC is a gift, and we take our responsibility
to educate, nurture,
and provide creative learning strategies
for each one very seriously. I
hope you are encouraged as you
read this information and please
stop by the NCC campus any time
to see our Student Services Centre
in action!
I hope you are also encouraged
to read about the contributions
made to our community at large by
one of our valued alumni. Being
equipped to go into the world and
make a positive impact is exactly
what we strive for in each student,
and it is always a pleasure to see
God’s hand at work in the lives of
our alumni.
Several upcoming events are mentioned
in this Collegian - April 28th
for our Homecoming Spring Banquet
and May 26th for golf, and I
sure hope you get these dates on
your calendars and plan to attend
so that we may spend some time
together. We would love to see
you at both of these worthy events.
Thank you for prayerfully supporting
NCC—we appreciate you!
Sincerely,
Scott T. Herron
President and CEO

GRADUATE REPORT 2017
100% of NCC
graduates were given
offers to
post-secondary
institutions
98% of our
2017 graduates
are moving on to
Canadian
Institutions
Close to 50% of
NCC graduates
will attend
University of Toronto
and
McMaster University
EXCEPTIONAL 2017 GRADUATES
CORRINE DUAN
Corrine was awarded the Governor General’s
Medal this year in recognition of her
outstanding scholastic achievements. She
also received the Ron Craven Memorial
Scholarship which is presented to a graduate
who is pursuing sciences, and who supports
the mission and ideals of NCC. Corrine
was also given the Bishop Bert Sherk
Scholarship, awarded to a graduate who
plans to enrol in a course of study related
to alleviating world suffering. Corrine has
been accepted to McGill University and will
pursue a degree in Biological, Biomedical,
and Life Sciences.
MICHAEL SUTHERLAND
Michael was presented with the Speaker-Mabee
award for a student who has
demonstrated school spirit in the activities
at NCC. Michael has also received
the Order of Canada 50th Anniversary
Award that celebrates Canadian individuals
who are a force for good in our country
and is given to a student that shows a
significant interest in Canadian Studies.
Mike has chosen to attend the University
of Ontario Institute of Technology and will
major in Forensic Psychology.
KIMBERLY MAK
In addition to being this year’s Salutatorian,
Kimberly has been awarded the
Kent D. Warkentin Scholarship which is
awarded to a student who is committed
to making a difference in local and global
communities and who values leadership
and positive relationships, as well as academic
excellence. Kimberly committed
significant amounts of time to help faculty,
staff, and students with countless projects
and initiatives. She is moving on to study
Life Sciences at the University of Toronto.
CHINA
CANADA
CANADA

SIGNING IN
by Sue Grierson
the art room, swung open the door. Mrs. Barlow was introducing
Natsuki to Mrs. Blue at that moment. Josiah ran up and tapped
Natsuki on the shoulder. She turned around and Josiah signed to
Natsuki: “You’re deaf - that’s amazing!”
“And that was my first mistake! You don’t say that! She started
laughing, and I started laughing. I was so sorry because I said that
out loud - and in sign language!”
Natsuki signed back to Josiah, “Yes, I know a little sign language.”
Josiah was thrilled. “I was so happy because there’s someone
here that I can actually talk to in sign language.”
L-R: Michele Barlow, Josiah, Natsuki
Josiah is not your typical NCC student - and neither is Natsuki.
Natsuki’s resource teacher, Michele Barlow, could never have
imagined how great it was going to be for the paths of these two
students to cross!
When he was a child, Josiah’s family often moved, and he had to
change schools a number of times. Upon entering a new classroom
for the first time, he saw some people with special needs
and some who were deaf. To Josiah, it looked like they were “...
throwing their hands around.”
When asked what they were doing, they responded, “It’s sign language
- you talk with your hands.”
Josiah was hooked immediately. He stayed in during recesses to
learn more. He quickly progressed in his efforts to learn American
Sign Language (ASL). Unfortunately, Josiah’s family had to move
once again, and the next school he attended didn’t have ASL.
“I still really felt a connection to it, so I started buying books about
sign language and watching videos - anything I could do.”
Then, Josiah met a deaf person at his church who became a close
family friend. Together, they attended events like “Deaf Fest” and
she shared about the history and importance of sign language.
With her help, Josiah was becoming fluent in ASL.
Resource teacher Michele Barlow supports students who have
learning challenges. To the best of her knowledge, NCC had never
enrolled a deaf student before. She wondered if the team at
NCC could effectively accommodate Natsuki’s needs and help
her to succeed in her studies. Everyone could see that Natsuki
was an incredibly intelligent and highly motivated young lady, so
faculty and staff decided to go for it.
Mrs. Barlow knew that it would be a big learning curve for Natsuki
and the entire NCC community. She talked about the challenges
that Natuski faces in moving forward.
“Natsuki fits in really nicely here. She came to us as a low-level
English student. We put her in ESLAO, she’s progressed to level
ESLBO and is flying through it - above 80%, so doing really well
as an English learner. Her challenge is to continue learning English,
but at the same time, she needs to learn American Sign Language.
Natsuki has a little bit of Japanese sign language behind
her, but she needs to have ASL in order to progress into university.
So it’ll have to be a balance for her - learning English and ASL at
the same time.”
Mrs. Barlow is not only learning ASL to help support Natsuki, but
is also is reaching out to find programs in the local deaf community
that Natsuki can participate in.
Little did Josiah know that yet another switch in schools would
give him an even greater opportunity to communicate in ASL. Josiah’s
sister had attended NCC, and convinced him that this would
be a great school for him. He decided to give it a try.
“I visited the school, and
I felt like something was
calling me here. I know I
made the right decision.”
When the new 2017-18
school year began in September,
a fellow student
told Josiah that there was
a deaf student at NCC.
“My mouth dropped! I
was excited because I
heard that she was in my
art class.”
Excited, Josiah flew to
“That immersion is important for Natsuki. As much as a hearing
person can communicate with ASL, it isn’t the same as a deaf person
communicating with her in ASL.”
Mrs. Barlow addressed some challenges the faculty face. “It’s the
little things…like when you teach, and turn around and write on
the blackboard…you have to remember that Natsuki is not hearing
any of that. It’s a constant retraining of some habits. A lot of
tricky little things that go into it - but nothing that can’t be taken
on.
“Natsuki has had a wonderful semester. We gave her some really
good classes…art, math, ESLBO - she’s excelling. She has a spare
class with myself, so that works out really well. Next semester is

going to be the tricky one. It’s going to be the hard stuff: science,
and civics, history, but she’ll still have that resource period with
myself and we’re hoping to give her that spare class for the rest of
her schooling here. It’s a great piece of support for her.
“She is very well liked. In fact, we have a Sign Language Club. It
was Natsuki who pushed for it, advocated for it - who got one of
our biggest turnouts of all the clubs on campus. We have Club
every week. A lady from the community who is deaf comes in and
works on conversation pieces with us. Natsuki was the big drive
for it. All of the kids like her.”
Josiah has been instrumental in teaching Natsuki the ABC’s and
other ASL basics. He is very impressed with Natsuki.
“She’s super, super smart! It’s incredible how smart she is! In math
class, she has over a 95% average - that’s crazy! I couldn’t imagine
coming from a different country, being deaf, learning English, and
sign language, and learning to read lips too - and succeeding!
That’s what she’s doing - and that’s amazing! When we see each
other from across the dorms, we can sign to each other and she
understands what I’m saying. I understand what she’s saying. It’s
really great!”
He describes Natsuki as brave, always happy and smiling, and has
a positive attitude all of the time.
“She’s bright and bubbly and always trying to make someone’s
day. Even though she’s deaf, it doesn’t hold her down and doesn’t
When Natsuki was hired to do some casual work back in Japan,
everyone around her told her she couldn’t do it because of her
deafness. Natsuki wants to help the deaf community break down
these perceptions and give people hope. She wants to encourage
people who think they can’t accomplish much because they’re
deaf.
“Deaf people are sad. They think that they can’t do anything.”
Natsuki makes sure that she stays positive and is always smiling.
She wants the deaf community to know that you don’t have to be
sad. You can be deaf and happy at the same time.
“It’s my first time coming to another country to study. I want to
show deaf people that they too can do it. I’m learning a different
language. And I’m deaf, and it’s really hard, and I’m reading lips
from a language that I don’t even know. So, if you’re deaf - you
can do it!”
Mrs. Barlow is amazed at how Natsuki’s needs were met providentially
in bringing Natsuki and Josiah together at NCC.
“Josiah is especially helpful when it comes to life in dorm after
school. He is a key piece in Natsuki’s immersion into the NCC
community. It’s so important to get her into the community more,
experiencing day-to-day conversation. That’s our goal; we want to
immerse her in it.”
Mrs. Barlow is very proud of Natsuki. “She self-advocates, she has
let that define who she is. She’s her own person and that’s what
makes her special.”
In addition to ASL, Natsuki wants to be able to speak English.
Along with Mrs. Barlow, Josiah helps Natsuki with word pronunciation.
“In class I help interpret things while mouthing it, so she can see
the signs, and then look at my lips to see which ones match. When
she’s really struggling with a word, she puts her hand on my throat,
and her other hand near my mouth. She feels the vibrations in my
throat, and feels the air on her hand. She tries to imitate that herself
and she then gets the word. That is INSANE! I don’t think I
could do that. She has lots of ways of communicating - and she’s
succeeding here - and it’s amazing!”
great work habits, she studies, she’s self-motivated. If she didn’t
have those components, it might not have worked. You have to
be self-driven. You have to be self-motivated to get where she’s
at. She can do whatever she wants. I think she has some big challenges
ahead of her, but so far, she’s proven that whatever she
wants to do, she can certainly do it.”
During this interview, Mrs. Barlow pointed to Josiah as he signed
our conversation to Natsuki. “This is amazing! she said. “It’s awesome.”
Natsuki and Josiah are an inspiration to everyone at the school.
They light up our campus!
Signing out...

ALUMNI
UPDATE
JODIE LOVEGROVE
by Sue Grierson
NCC students hail from around the globe. The rich cultural experience
that we offer to our students and from which our entire
NCC community benefits, emerges from this colourful mosaic of
people.
Faculty and staff purpose to create a family-like atmosphere on
campus - an ideal greenhouse for student success. The entire NCC
community actively participates in the discovery of the unique cultural
diversities that make up our school family. We celebrate International
Days, where faculty, staff, and students showcase facets
of their own cultures. We enjoy food from around the world that
students prepare and proudly present to us during these special
events. Demonstrating oral and written language skills and playing
a variety of games from various countries are just a few activities
that we enjoy. Our school is richer for this diversity, and we are
all so grateful that we have the gift of welcoming and embracing
students from around the world.
In this article, we are proud to present one of our
indigenous Canadian alumni, Jodie Lovegrove. This
young woman embodies the courage and resilience
and resurgence of her heritage as a proud family
member of the Mississaugas of the New Credit First
Nations. The Mississaugas are part of the
Ojibway (Anishinabe) Nation, one of the
largest Aboriginal Nations in North America.
In sharing her journey with us, Jodie’s desire
is to highlight her discoveries of the
fascinating culture of her native people,
and to promote respect for and recognition
of indigenous peoples across Canada - and
around the world.
EDUCATION
Jodie’s mother, Wendy Lovegrove, is the Director of Food and
Custodial Services at NCC. Shortly after Wendy began working
at the school, she persuaded Jodie to give the school a try. Jodie
loved her student years at NCC, beginning in grade 11, through to
completing her Ontario Academic Credit program in 2003. (Now
obsolete, the Ontario Academic Credit program was an extra year
of university preparation).
“The switch to a private Christian school was a big change for me.
The teachers actually had time for me which was important in my
final years of high school. My studies were much more of a challenge.
I really had to apply myself in order to get good grades.
When I was in the public school it wasn’t all that challenging for
me - and I do like a challenge. It makes life more interesting.”
Jodie loved the multicultural community at NCC. “…it was great
to be exposed to so many different nationalities and meet friends
from all over the world - a very neat experience as a high school
student at NCC.”
Jodie’s goal was to work with underprivileged children and youth.
Former NCC guidance counsellor Lynda Kirk encouraged her,
directing Jodie toward post-secondary studies in the Child and
Youth Worker program at Niagara College.
CAREER PATH
Following college graduation, Jodie worked with disadvantaged
youth in a group home setting with over twenty very troubled
young people in her care. Most of them had severe behavioural
issues. Working there was incredibly challenging, but also very rewarding
once Jodie broke through the barriers to reach them.
“All they needed was support and love. They wanted to know that
somebody really cared about them and showed interest in them
succeeding in the future. As much as they didn’t want to be told
what to do, they really thrived once they had boundaries, stability,
and rules, and knew what to expect from day to day. That was a
really neat thing to see.”
Ready for another challenge, Jodie moved on to work for the Canadian
Deaf Blind Association.
“I started working with a gentleman who was deaf/blind. (For purposes
of confidentiality, we’ll call him David). David couldn’t walk;
he couldn’t talk. He had cerebral palsy. At first, I really had no idea
how to communicate or interact with him. It didn’t take long however,
and we became best buddies. The relationship that we built
together absolutely blew my mind. I had no idea it was even possible.
Once I was able to break through and become a part of his
world, that’s when we really connected.”
David and Jodie used hand-over-hand sign language - a tactile
method of communication.
“I would put his hands on top of mine. He could feel the signs I
was making. I spoke to him at the same time I was signing, so that
he could feel the vibrations of my voice. He knew I was speaking
to him and he soon knew my voice. He always kept me laughing.
He has a huge personality; he’s an amazing person. He taught me
so much.”
After three years, Jodie stepped back from the demands of personal
support work, and caring for David on a full-time basis came
to an end. Jodie continues to visit David and they enjoy a great
friendship to this day.
In 2013, Jodie embarked on a brand new career path in the construction
industry. She learned to tackle all aspects of building in
both residential and commercial fields. Today, she co-owns JK
Construction along with business partner Kevin Robins.
MYSTERIES UNFOLD
In addition to running a busy construction business, Jodie recently
embarked on an exciting cultural adventure. She is unearthing
secrets to mysteries that have puzzled her since she was a child.
In the past, there weren’t many opportunities to learn about her
own native culture in school - or even at home. Her struggle is
common to so many of Canada’s First Nations people. She understood
that, for the first seven years of her life, her mother had
lived on the reservation belonging to the Mississaugas of the New
Credit First Nations (MNCFN).

“When the past is getting uncovered and rediscovered, it’s such
an amazing thing to see. It’s a huge blessing to be able to recover
things left behind by my ancestors. I’m learning how the
earth provided all of their needs. They lived off of the land. They
were self-sufficient and family oriented. They lived together, they
worked together. When one suffered, they all suffered. When one
succeeded, they all succeeded. It was such a tight-knit community
and family meant so much.
"I’ve learned about traditional medicines. The Mississauga people
knew that every plant on the earth serves a purpose. It can be
used for so many different things to bring us health. Everything
was used for something.
“One thing that I’ve learned about our people - the Ojibway - is
that we were a very clean people. Every time we moved from place
to place, we took everything with us. It makes it more difficult to
find stuff that was left behind because we always took it with us.
We didn’t leave a mess behind us.
“I knew that I had that native heritage. I always knew deep down
inside of me that it was something to be proud of, that there was
something sacred there - that it meant more than what I knew. My
immediate family didn’t talk about it. Our history and traditions
were never passed on to me. As a child, I thought it was something
we just don’t talk about. I didn’t know where to go, or who to talk
to. I didn’t have connections to the elders or anyone on the reservation
to learn about those things.
“I really didn’t know who I was. I was torn between these two
worlds of my native culture and the mainstream society that I was
raised in. I wasn’t taught the truth of who I was, or where I came
from, or what my ancestors have gone through. I learned bits and
pieces from a mainstream society’s perspective - not from a native
perspective."
THE ADVENTURE BEGINS
Jodie’s longing to learn about her Mississauga culture recently
found a remarkable outlet. Jodie’s uncle, Kelly Sault, was hired as a
Field Liaison Representative (FLR) for the MNCFN. As archaeological
and environmental assessment monitors, FLRs attend sites of
proposed new developments on traditional Mississauga territory
as part of the “Duty to Consult” agreement between the MNCFN
and the government. Working alongside archaeologists, FLRs assist
in determining the impact of future development on ancestral
Mississauga lands.
Jodie was fascinated by the artifacts found on excavation sites that
Sault was involved with. He suggested Jodie apply for an FLR position.
When the MNCFN’s Department of Consultation and Accommodation
hired her, Jodie was elated.
“Oh my gosh, finally! This is it. I have to try this out because this is
what I’ve been looking for my whole life. This is going to connect
me to my roots. I jumped in. It’s been fantastic."
UNEARTHING THE PAST
“It’s a big area where our ancestors traditionally lived. We’re on
location to help determine whether there is a native site there and
if any further work has to be done. We’re there to assist and to
make sure that our heritage is being recovered in a respectful way.
“I finally began to learn about my roots. About how my ancestors
lived. I’m able to see things coming out of the ground…the tools
that they used, where they cooked, and how they cooked, and
what they cooked. I see the floor that they walked on. I get to see
it with my own eyes, I get to feel it with my own hands, I get to be
right there and experience it.
“It’s really exciting to see these things - it makes it so real. Stone
tools that we found, and pottery, and pots, and post moulds from
long houses where they lived. Seeing where their houses were, the
floor that they walked on and lived on. Being able to touch and
see where they lived and walked every day - it’s connecting me to
my past in such a real way. It’s not just hearing these stories and
imagining it - I’m actually seeing it in real life right in front of my
eyes. It’s a really, really neat experience!”
Jodie now works with other First Nations people who have grown
up on reservations.
“I’m finally getting people in my life who are able to tell me stories
and pass on traditions. I’m learning a lot - every day is a new adventure,
not only with what I’m seeing but what I’m hearing, and
the people I’m around - it’s really fantastic!"
The process of archaeological discovery is healing medicine for
Jodie Lovegrove. She is unearthing and celebrating the truth behind
the unique cultural heritage of her Anishinabe Nation.
“I’m sure there will come a day when there will be a major exciting
archaeological discovery, but right now this is my exciting
discovery and learning about who I am, and my past, and how my
ancestors lived.”
Jodie Lovegrove’s hard hat carries the logo of the Mississaugas of
the New Credit First Nations. She wears it proudly. As she should.
Want to learn more about the Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nations?
A great place to start is on their website: https://www.mncfn.ca.
Or take part in the next MNCFN summer Pow Wow, or the annual MNCFN
Historical Gathering - two incredible cultural events. Or read the biography
of one of my favourite Ojibway chiefs, the Reverend Peter Jones (known in
Ojibwa as Kahkewaquonaby).

NCC students are the fortunate recipients of a
brand new Student Services Centre. Located within
our Administration building, this beautifully designed
800 square foot multipurpose space, named
in honour of Miss Dorothy Sherk, is quickly proving
its value as students are maximizing its benefits on
their way to academic success.
Memorial
STUDENT SERVICES CENTRE
Martha Giles, NCC Resource Teacher
EQUIPPING OUR STUDENTS ● The goal of NCC’s Student Services
Centre is to ensure that all students from grade 6 through to
grade 12 are equipped with the tools and resources they need for
their academic and personal success. Having these resources centralized
within this new space strengthens the ability of students
to achieve their goals. The pathway from middle school to high
school graduation is an evolving journey and certainly not without
its challenges along the way. The personalized support offered
in NCC's new Student Services Centre serves to champion the
success of each and every one of our students.
Students are welcome to pop in or meet on a regularly scheduled
basis with a resource teacher to get extra help in a specific
subject. They can also receive direction from our guidance team
in transitioning smoothly from middle school to high school, or in
identifying a suitable academic pathway in preparation for university
studies. The Centre also serves as a quiet place to study either
individually or in a small group. It’s a place for staff to
meet with parents, or for students to access online
resources. Some students come to simply
soak up some heartwarming encouragement
from faculty, staff, or fellow
students. The new Student Services
Centre is a storehouse of help, and
is proving to be a huge blessing to
our students.
Finding the appropriate tools and
support for the unique needs of
each of our students is a collaborative
process. With the Student
Services team now housed under
one roof, it is a winning solution for
everyone. When students come for
help, the baton is easily passed from
one support service staff member to another.
With the guidance and resource team
in close proximity to one another, students can
move easily from one base of support to the next, enabling
them to maximize their time and efforts with ease. The Student
Services team are able to quickly consult with each another
to figure out the best answers for these student needs. They were
quick to point out that communication and collaboration is optimized
by 100% in this new facility.
GUIDANCE ● The Student Services Centre
falls under the very capable supervision
of Miss Rachel Peters. In addition to her
administrative duties for the Centre, she
focuses the greatest amount of her time
meeting with students. Each student is
given her undivided attention to help him
or her determine career goals and establish
the educational direction necessary to
achieve them. She is passionate about helping
students to succeed and to make decisions that
will give them opportunities to make a difference in the world.
She especially enjoys one-on-one conversations with our grade
eleven and twelve students as they wrestle with big decisions in
moving on toward post-secondary studies.
While Miss Peters serves our senior students,
Mr. Tim Durksen looks out for our grades
6-10 students. He often helps boys and
girls transition from middle school to
high school and smooth out some bumps
along the way. This kind of individualized
support can be instrumental in forging
positive outcomes for our students during
their critical developing years. Mr. Durksen
is often asked by the more mature middle
school students if they could go to the Resource
Centre because they recognize their need for a
quiet space to work in.
ACADEMIC RESOURCE SUPPORT ● Mrs. Martha Giles and Mrs.
Michele Barlow offer students individualized Academic Resource
support where they may be struggling or have learning gaps in
a particular subject. One of the aims of the Resource team is to
teach students first and foremost that Resource staff are their advocates
— and cheerleaders. This is especially important for our
international students living on campus, whose parents live far
away, and might not know enough English to be that academic
bridge of support for their children.
Another goal of Resource team is to teach students to become
"I successfully finished last semester with Mrs. Giles.
She gave to me a lot of help... She’s the one who
changed my life.” Robin, NCC student

more independent and to self-advocate. Together with the Resource
teachers, students learn to embrace learning challenges
and overcome obstacles on the road to success. They are taught
how and when to ask for help when something is not working
well for them. Mrs. Barlow and Mrs. Giles will then get behind a
student and give extra help to get students through a particular
tough spot. Sometimes the team will have to work through some
problems with students to help them clearly identify a problem
and provide the needed support to help them through it.
The Resource team works in collaboration with our classroom
teachers and ESL faculty to help find solutions for students who
might be struggling in an area. When you have a wide spectrum
of cultures, languages, and learning needs, NCC faculty have a
big challenge.
“We’re here to add that support in," Michele Barlow points out,
adding that the new Student Services Centre has eased the connection
between classroom teachers to the Resource team.
“Liaising with the teachers has been much, much easier this year
with the new space. Teachers will wander in.”
This support team constantly communicates with teachers - identifying
learning gaps, holding brainstorming sessions, and finding
solutions for every student who needs help.
The new Student Services Centre was made possible thanks
to a generous gift from the estate of Miss Dorothy Sherk, and
planned giving from the estate of Rev. Dr. Walter Winger and his
wife Lois. We are very grateful for their investment in the lives of
students like Maggie and Daniel!
ADDED SUPPORT ● In addition to these
services, the Student Services Centre
works closely with the Residence staff, the
Health Centre, as well as other departments
on campus. With a wide spectrum
of support surrounding our students, our
goal for student success is shored up on all
sides. Our graduate reports are an indication
of the collaborative efforts of our teachers and
the NCC Student Services team.
YOUR SUPPORT ● Thanks to our hardworking teachers and
staff, and to our generous donors, student success is achievable.
Alumni provided this beautiful new space, teachers and staff are
backing students with lots of resources and support, and NCC
students receive an excellent education.
You can help support the next generation
of world changers! If you would like to
begin investing in the lives of our students,
please contact NCC President
Scott Herron.
You can reach Mr. Herron at:
stherron@niagaracc.com.
Or call: 905.871.6980.
Thank you for your generosity!
“This literally is my dream
resource room.
It’s awesome!”
Michele Barlow,
NCC Resource Teacher
“We sit at graduation and cry.
And you wonder why.
There are times you feel like
standing up and cheering when
they walk across that platform.
And you think,
'I helped that kid graduate.' Not
that nobody else did, but you
feel as if you’ve had
a special part."
Martha Giles
NCC Resource Teacher

HORSING AROUND at EQUESTRIAN SUMMER CAMP
Niagara Christian Collegiate
and Rocky River
Stable have partnered
together to give your
child an outstanding
summer camp experience.
Equestrian Summer
Camp is an exciting
addition to the
NCC roster of summer
programs.
Both Nancy and Dana
Hoover, owners of
Rocky River Stable,
were raised in farm
communities and grew
to have that strong
work ethic so prevalent
in many of our Canadian
farmers and their families, before moving on to busy careers.
Dana was President and CEO of Alo North America, a Swedish-owned
firm that manufactured and distributed front end loaders
for agricultural tractors. Nancy worked for an accounting firm
and still runs her own bookkeeping business. Nancy and Dana
got back into enjoying horse riding over fifteen years ago and
felt right at home on the 200 acre farmland at Rocky River Stable.
The Hoovers envisioned Rocky River as a coop-style stable where
horse lovers take an active role in the day-to-day care and nurturing
of their horses. After some trial and error, they have built
up a like-minded, dedicated clientele and working together with
them, maintain a caring, family-like atmosphere that resonates
throughout the place.
In the early years of Rocky River, a friend suggested that they do
something for kids. That idea resonated with Nancy and Dana,
and for the past eight years, they have run summer kids’ camps,
as well as weekly lessons.
Safety is top priority at Rocky River Stable. Looking after the welfare
of the horses and the people involved are key to a great riding
program. Nancy enjoys the psychology of working with horses
and the development of important life skills through interaction
with horses. The ability to control a 500 kilogram horse with just
your body language is a great confidence builder for both children
and adults.
At Rocky River, young riders are schooled in the safe handling
and care of their equine friends. NCC’s Equestrian Summer Camp
will be limited to eight riders in order to maximize the experience
for both our campers and their horses. Building the relationship
between horse and rider is a vital key to a successful riding experience.
The partnership between NCC and Rocky River developed quite
naturally. Nancy and Dana aren’t new to the NCC family - their two
children, Geoff and Lindsay attended the school. Kent Warkentin
and Steve Sider hired Geoff a few years later to teach physical
education at the school. Throughout the years, several NCC students
in turn have enjoyed riding lessons and helped care for the
horses at Rocky River. NCC president, Scott Herron, saw a great
opportunity for our summer campers at Rocky River. His daughters,
Sophia and Ceci, thoroughly enjoyed riding lessons there, so
he approached Nancy and Dana with the idea of joining forces.
Complete with stables, paddocks, an arena, a racetrack, and riding
trails, Rocky River offers horse lovers a wonder-filled riding
experience.
We’re excited to offer this new program to our summer campers!

UPCOMING EVENTS
ATTENTION NCC ALUMNI - SAVE THE DATE
Join us for this Exciting New Homecoming Event!
Homecoming Spring Banquet
SAVE THE DATE
NIAGARA CHRISTIAN COLLEGIATE
FRIENDS OF ATHLETICS
GOLF CLASSIC
Saturday, May 26, 2018
at International Country Club Red Course
2900 College Road, Stevensville, Ontario
8 am - Coffee & Light Breakfast
9 am - Tee-Off
$100 - Individual
$300 - Foursome
$100 - Hole Sponsor
Contests & prizes!
All proceeds go to NCC’s
Athletics Department.
Sign up TODAY!
Email: jkryger@niagaracc.com
Call: 905.871.6980
Alumni, Family, Friends
Join us for a round at NCC’s first annual
Friends of Athletics Golf Classic.
This fundraiser is in support of
our athletics programs
at NCC!
We look forward to seeing you on the links
in May!
Saturday April 28, 2018
Reunite with former classmates, enjoy special entertainment,
and savour the delicious delicacies of our talented chefs!
We will be showcasing the talents of our very gifted Music and
Art students. They will present highlights from their
Celebration of the Arts event that takes place on the Thursday
before the Spring Banquet. Working hard all year to perfect their
craft, students really enjoy wonderful opportunities like this to
display their creative talents.
Entertainment will include musical performances by our
students, as well as a Celebration of the Arts exhibit.
1:30 pm Annual General Meeting
2:00 pm Campus Tour
2:30 pm Punch Bowl
3:00 pm Highlights from NCC’s Celebration of the Arts
4:00 pm Dinner
Reserve your table for you and your classmates!
To RSVP email us at: LoveNCC@niagaracc.com
CLASS REUNION (‘77)
During Homecoming Weekend 2017, NCC alum Marilyn Thom
(‘77) organized a class reunion. Here’s what she and her classmates
had to say about this very special event:
“It was great to see everyone after so many (!!) years, and we
were made to feel so welcome on campus - a great space for
our reunion, cake and coffee, mementos, old yearbooks to look
through, and a visit from one of our favourite teachers! (Clare Lebold)
Thanks Sue.” Kathy (Hendershot) Rochester
“Loved seeing everyone! NCC was a huge blessing in my life...it’s
awesome to reconnect!” Laurie (Calder) Ricker
“It was so much fun catching up with everyone, looking at old
yearbooks & reminiscing. Sadly, with jobs and distance this does
not happen often which makes it special when it does. Sue, you
outdid yourself with making us feel welcome by all the little touches
(beautiful cake, mugs, t-shirt & photographer extraordinaire).”
Marilyn (Lofthouse) Thom
We love hearing from you, our NCC family!
Send us your news.
Email us at: LoveNCC@niagaracc.com

NCC
Summer Camps
July 16 - August 2, 2018
Ages 11-17
Equestrian
Learn safety in handling horses
Small class size of 8 students
Form lasting friendships
English
Noticeable improvement of English skill
Qualified and experienced faculty
Over 48 years of ESL experience
Safari
Taught by expert Zoologists
Fun & rewarding hands-on adventure
Over 20 years of camp experience
Fully supervised on-site residence
Small class size of 8 -15 students per class
Beautiful rural setting near Niagara Falls
Complete “Canadian” experience
REGISTER TODAY! Email us at: enroll@niagaracc.com