Alumni Notebook - December 2024

This Annual Fund season, we asked two alumni, Diana Chang ’06 (Kaye’s) and Chris Cooper ’88 (Lake’s), to share their Shawnigan story and how every gift has the potential to make a difference. 

Cast your memory back to your time at Shawnigan  –  the laughs, the wall sits (from being one minute late to sign-in), the lifelong friends, the plunge into Kaye’s Pond on graduation day…

Like any alum, you’ve experienced what makes Shawnigan so special, and now, you have the opportunity to ensure that the next generation of students can create their own memories and friendships.

Now, I know what you might be thinking – I can't possibly make a difference – but the good news is that it doesn’t take a large donation to make an impact at Shawnigan. Every dollar makes a difference, and I mean that! When alumni pitch in, it builds into something mighty and helps Shawnigan address priorities for the School, like allowing Indigenous students like Easton access to outstanding coaching in rugby and hockey or ensuring students from Afghanistan, like Marina and Maria, can pursue an education path.

 

Let’s ensure Shawnigan continues to thrive for the next generation of students, just as it did for us. As a past staff member at Shawnigan, I’ve seen first-hand our continued impact: from EDGE students volunteering at an orphanage in remote parts of China to hosting alumni receptions at the Canadian Consul General’s Official Residence in Hong Kong, the Shawnigan connection remains strong locally and globally. And with your help, I don’t see that ever yielding.

Shawnigan is more than a school; it’s a legacy we each help to create. For my family, it’s a story spanning three generations. My father walked the same halls, carving a path of his own. Years later, I found my footing here, and today, my daughter is writing her unique chapter. Watching her thrive on Shawnigan’s campus brings back vivid memories of the friendships, lessons, and moments that shaped me.

As a parent, I see the power of this legacy every day. Grace is thriving in an environment that challenges her to think deeply, nurtures her creativity, and inspires her to lead. It’s humbling to know that the Shawnigan we loved is still evolving, still shaping lives, and still preparing students to write their own stories.

When we, as alumni, come together to support the School, we strengthen its legacy. We help ensure that Shawnigan remains a place where students can dream boldly, achieve greatly, and carry forward the values we hold dear.

Let’s honour the paths we’ve walked and ensure Shawnigan remains a place where dreams are written and legacies are built. 

The Hori Brothers English Language Centre 

A beautiful new learning space has just been opened at Shawnigan: The Hori Brothers English Language Centre (ELC). This classroom is located in the heart of our campus within the Jim & Kathryn Shaw Library and is designed to be an open and collaborative environment for our English language learners as they begin their Shawnigan Journeys.

We are grateful for the generous support from Mizue and Yoshito Hori of Japan and their five sons Kento ’16 (Duxbury), Takuto ’18 (Duxbury), Kazuto ’20 (Duxbury), Tetsuto ’22 (Duxbury), and Hiroto ’24 (Duxbury), whose vision for The Hori Brothers ELC is to also provide a central space for the entire School community to foster inclusivity, to share cultures, and to inspire our students to be global leaders.

 

Ten students and two staff members travelled to Tokyo to revive Shawnigan’s decades-long history of exchanges with Azabu High School, an all-boys private school in the Azabu district. It was the first time Shawnigan had visited Azabu since before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Andrew Deane ’85 (Lake’s) and his family hosted one of our students on this exchange and have been great supporters of Shawnigan and the exchange program.

You can read more about the other November Break trips here.

Thank you to all of the alumni, parents, and friends who joined us for gatherings in Toronto and London, Ontario. 

For a full list of upcoming Community Events, visit shawnigan.ca/alumni/alumni-events or watch our alumni Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn or Shawnigan Connect pages.

Christina Saldat ’16 (Kaye’s) was admitted as a lawyer in the Supreme Court of Queensland in November 2024. LinkedIn Post

Grady S. Birk ’18 (Duxbury) started a new position with the Utah Hockey Club as an Account Executive. The Utah Hockey Club, based in Salt Lake City, was established in April 2024 and began its first season in the NHL. LinkedIn Post

Nick Wicht ’08 (Duxbury), founder of Out of The Box Productions, an award-winning independent production company, has just released his latest movie, Mindscape. You can watch the film on YouTube. 

Pascal Lamothe-Kipnes ’13 (Groves’) is playing Charlotte in the latest Hallmark movie, Debbie Macomber’s Joyful Mrs. Miracle. Watch the trailer for the movie here.

 

 

Chelsea Gladstone ’15 (Renfrew) recently took her Oath of Allegiance as part of the call and admission ceremony to officially become a lawyer. Chelsea is now Boughton Law Corporation’s newest associate. Read the full post here.

 

Congratulations to Rio I. '25 (Lonsdale’s), Jonty Nicholas ’24 (Lonsdale’s) and Owen Barlow '24 (Copeman’s) on being named to the BC Rugby sevens team heading to New Zealand for the 2024 Global Youth Sevens in December 2024.

Congratulations to Guiseppe du Toit ’13 (Duxbury) who re-signed to play for the Miami Sharks for the 2025 Major Rugby League season.

Djustice Sears-Duru ’12 (Duxbury) also signed on for another season with the San Diego Legion Rugby team. Read more here.

Gabe Dyer ’23 (Lonsdale’s) represented the University of Victoria men’s rowing team at the 2024 Canadian University Rowing Championships on November 3. See the race results here.

Former Shawnigan Lake School rugby coach Shannon Atkins was inducted into the University of Prince Edward Island Hall of Fame on November 2, 2024. Shawnigan alumnae, Gerry Atkins ’21 (Groves’), Sofia Atkins ’23 (Groves’), Maggie Banks ’19 (Renfrew) and current Shawnigan coach Dani Robb attended the official induction ceremony to celebrate Shannon’s amazing accomplishment. 

Shannon is the first rugby player in the university’s Sports Hall of Fame. Read more about Shannon in this CBC article here.

In this section we recognize those members of our alumni and greater community who have passed away. Please reach out to Rhodri Samuel at rsamuel@shawnigan.ca if you have information or updates you would like to share with our wider community.

Alexander (Robin) Douglas ’60 (Ripley’s) passed away on November 6, 2024 in Vancouver, BC. In lieu of flowers, Robin’s wish was that donations be made to the Graham L. Anderson Legacy Scholarship (a teacher he greatly admired at Shawnigan Lake School) or a charity of your choice. The Celebration of Life will be held on January 31, 2025 from 2:00–5:00 p.m. at the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club. Read his full obituary here.

John Roaf ’56 (Ripley’s) passed away on October 8, 2024 in Chichester, UK. John is the brother of Alan Roaf ’63 (Ripley’s), Peter Roaf ’67 (Ripley’s) and uncle of James Roaf ’05 (Ripley’s). Read his full obituary here.

Bruce Goodall, spouse of former School Governor Eveline Goodall, and father to Chris Goodall ’89 (Groves’) and Michael Goodall ’92 (Groves’), passed away on August 13, 2024 in Calgary, Alberta. Read his full obituary here.