Comedy as Inspiration for Landmark East Grads!

acorn
CANADA’S INDEPENDENT DAY AND BOARDING SCHOOL
FOR STUDENTS WITH LEARNING DIFFERENCES
the
A P U B L I CAT I O N O F L A N D M A R K E A ST S C H O O L FA L L 2 0 1 3
Comedy as
Inspiration for
Landmark East
Grads!
PHOTO RIGHT
Headmaster Peter Coll, student Dylan Levy and
2013 Keynote Speaker, Patrick McKenna
The school year ended on a record high
note for the 2013 graduating class along
with fellow students, staff, families and
friends. On June 14th, the Al Whittle Theatre
in Wolfville was packed for the graduation
ceremony and a particularly galvanizing
keynote address featuring the award-winning
actor, Patrick McKenna.
Patrick is perhaps best known for his role
on the hilarious Red Green Show with fifteen
seasons as the loveable, nerdy, technogeek, Harold Green, while simultaneously
performing five seasons in the acclaimed
dramatic series TRADERS. However, it’s
his work on the award-winning Canadian
documentary A.D.D. & Loving it?! that brings
Patrick the most personal satisfaction.
Patrick was diagnosed with ADHD in his
forties and when not performing, he tours
universities, conferences and PBS stations
throughout North America to speak on
the topic.
“We couldn’t have asked for a better
keynote speaker to address our students and
their families. It was obvious within minutes
that he not only had the rapt attention of
everyone in the room but had also managed
to forge a deep connection with many
present.” says Headmaster, Peter Coll.
Students of all ages along with their
teachers, parents and friends were
captivated with his lively presentation. His
musings on living with ADHD soon had
everyone roaring with laughter. The stories
were not only funny but struck a cord of
recognition. Patrick talked about his life
growing up with a “bad boy” label and his
struggles and humiliation at school. “It was
terrible. I’d try to be good, settle down and
smarten up.” He said, “Being that kid was
really, really hard.” It was in high school, he
came to realize that his impulsivity could
make people laugh. A grade 12 teacher
encouraged him to try theatre and a school
trip to Toronto gave him his first experience
with improvised comedy. He knew right
away: “That’s it! That’s what I want to do!”
Post high school, Patrick had stints with
a variety of jobs including factory work
and pizza delivery that produced some
particularly hilarious anecdotes. Before
long however, he returned to his passion,
becoming night manager at Second City,
performing as a stand-up comic and
eventually landing award-winning roles
on television.
Patrick noted that because of schools
like Landmark East , “students are now
empowered to know who they are, learn to
examine that, trust it and go out and benefit
from it.” To the young people in the audience,
he offered, “Love will bring out the best in
you…Believe in yourself and trust in who
you are.”
A.D.D. & Loving It?!
This ground-breaking documentary was produced in
2009 and winner of the 2010 Silver World Medal at New
York Festivals. It is an innovative blend of humour, hope
and science that dispels myths about adult Attention
Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
Comedians Patrick McKenna and Rick Green seek
a diagnosis for Adult ADHD and learn the facts from an
impressive array of experts (some of whom have ADHD
themselves!) including medical researchers, psychiatrists,
psychologists, professors, and award-winning authors.
Along the way Patrick reveals how his life as a husband
and father is affected by ADD and even shares personal
moments as he and his wife Janis work on the steps
toward his diagnosis.
Annual General
Meetings
LANDMARK EAST FOUNDATION
9:00 AM, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2014
2013 OFFICERS AND TRUSTEES
Catherine R. Savage, Chair
A. Martha MacQuarrie, Vice-Chair
Frank B. Hazel, Trustee
Robin S.K. Hennigar, Trustee
David M. Morse, Trustee
Beverley T. Richardson, Trustee
Simon S. Roberts, Trustee
James S. A. Sotvedt, Trustee
Michael R. Vaughan, Trustee
Cyril M. White, Trustee
Henry R. Hicks, Honorary Trustee
Marsha S. Sobey, Honorary Trustee
LANDMARK EAST ASSOCIATION
TBA, NOVEMBER 2014
2013 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
James S. A. Sodvedt, Chair
Janet G. Savage, Vice-Chair, Treasurer
Raymond M. Baltzer, Director
John D. Connelly, Director
Murray E. Edwards, Director
Robert C. Levy, Director
A. Martha MacQuarrie, Director
Mary F. Saunders, Director
Catherine R. Savage, Director
Senator James S. Cowan, Honorary Director
John A. Edgecombe, Honorary Director
Dr. William F. Mason, Honorary Director
Kenneth M. Mounce, Honorary Director
Acorn Credits:
The acorn is an annual publication of Landmark East School
(www.landmarkeast.org).
ABOVE:
Landmark East Founding Directors; Kenneth Mounce, Senator James Cowan,
Dr. William Mason and John Edgecombe were honored at an investiture for
recipients of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal at Government
House Halifax on February 1st, 2013.
Bob Dobrota, Co-Chair of the Persons with Disabilities Committee made a
special presentation on September 29th on behalf of the Rotary Club of Kentville
with a contribution of $8500 to the Landmark East Student Bursary Fund.
It is distributed free of charge to students, alumni, parents,
staff, donors and friends of Landmark East.
PHOTO CREDITS:
Nancy Chittick, Ronald Ng, Anna Hamil, Scott Walker,
Kim Thomson, Rose Spicer, Alumni Archives.
DESIGN: Kohoot Media
PRINTING:
Halcraft Printers Inc.
SEND COMMENTS REGARDING THE ACORN TO:
Rose Spicer, Director of Development
Landmark East School
708 Main Street, Wolfville NS B4P 1G4
902-542-2237 (ext. 223) [email protected]
Landmark East does not discriminate on the basis of race,
colour, religion, gender and national or ethnic origin in any
of its educational programs and policies.
2 www.landmarkeast.org
www.landmarkeast.org
Landmark East students enjoy daily circuit training with newly purchased
equipment generously funded by the Eastern Kings Memorial (EKM)
Foundation and the Wellness Initiative Fund in 2013.
www.jsf.bz
The Johnson Scholarship Foundation and Landmark
East School have a long history of working together to
help young people with learning differences reach their
full potential. This transformational partnership began
in 2000 and over the course of 13 years has made
a tremendous impact on the life of the school, our
students and their families.
During that time, the Johnson Scholarship Foundation
has invested in excess of $1.65 million in Landmark
East. This includes over $ 1 million in bursaries given
directly to student applicants and another half a million
donated in matching grants to help the school establish
the Bursary Endowment Fund. This sustainable fund
now generates over $56,000 in bursary funding every
year to assist Landmark East students with the greatest
financial need.
THE JOHNSON SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION
$200,000 CHALLENGE
In 2010, the Johnson Scholarship Foundation entered
into a new 3-year agreement to help Landmark East,
once again, raise money for student bursaries. The
Foundation challenged the School to meet annual goals
of $50,000 in 2011 and 2012 with matching grants
as incentive. The stakes were doubled in 2013 with a
new fundraisng goal of $100,000 to receive that all
important $50,000 grant. Our network of supporters
rallied again and not only met but exceeded the goal
by close to 20% for 2013. Thank you to the Johnson
Scholarship Foundation and all our supporters for your
generous investment in the Landmark East Student
Bursary Fund!
The Johnson Academic Center
In 2004, on the occasion of our 25th Anniversary, Landmark
East celebrated the major role this Foundation has played in
the school’s history. We wanted to do something that would
make the Johnson name a part of everyday campus life and
a tangible presence in the Town of Wolfville. To this end, the
historic building at 708 Main Street was henceforth called
the Johnson Academic Center.
THE ACORN | FALL 2013
3
2013 Landmark East
Foundation Golf Tournament
HOLE SPONSORS
Best Toyota
Bruce Automotive Group
Equilibrium Engineering Inc.
Fidelity Investments
Great Buys Auto Sales
Herbin Jewellers
Industrial Alliance Insurance
and Financial Services
Investment Planning Counsel
Kelly Coombs, Chartered
Accountant Inc.
Kentville Foodland
LED Roadway Lighting Ltd.
Macdonald Chisholm
Trask Insurance
MacKay Real Estate
Oulton Fuels Ltd.
R.D. Chisholm Ltd.
R.L. Macdonald Investments Ltd.
Stephen Bishop & Associates
Wilson’s Pharmasave
Windsor Chiropractic
Health Centre
Wolfville Nursing Home
PUTTING CONTEST SPONSOR
Wilson’s Pharmasave
WATER CART SPONSOR
Gram and Gramp Anderson
Adams
The White Family
Funeral Home & Cremation Services
TITLE
SPONSOR:
$10,000 HOLE-IN-ONE
SPONSOR
Macdonald Chisholm
Trask Insurance
PLATINUM
SPONSOR:
GOLD
SPONSORS:
SILVER
SPONSOR:
MANY THANKS TO OUR PRIZE DONORS:
14 Wing Greenwood Golf Course, A.A. Munro Insurance, ABS-o-lute Health Centre, Avon Valley Golf and Country Club,
Aware Health Services, Bargain Harleys, Ben Kroker, Berwick Heights Golf Course, Bev Richardson, Blomidon Inn, Bolland
Driving Solutions, Boston Pizza, Canadian Tire - New Minas, Casa Bella, Christine Kroker, Cleveland Insurance, Debbie Tucker,
Dooly’s, Dr. Philip LaPierre, Elizabeth Tappen, Fraser’s Pro Hardware, Gaspereau Vineyards, Giant Tiger, Glengarry Property
Management, Grand Pre Winery, Hampton House Furniture, Home depot, New Minas, In Good Hands, Industrial Alliance
insurance, Julie Skaling Physiotherapy Clinic, Jungle Jim’s, Kellock’s Restaurant, Ken Wo Golf Club, Kent Building Supplies,
Kentville Art School, Kings Physiotherapy, Light and Lens, Lindon Kroker, Luckett Vineyards, Macleod Lorway, Molson’s
Brewery, O.H. Armstrong, Old Orchard Inn, Paddy’s Pub, Paragon Golf and Country Club, Penningtons, Pretty Posies, Rafuse
Home Hardware, Sooty Foot Chimney Sweep, Staples - New Minas, Superstore - New Minas, Swiss Chalet, Tan Coffee,
Tattingstone Inn, The Inside story, The Port Pub, Under the Hood, Vail’s Drycleaners, West Nova Fuels, White Point Resort,
Wine Kitz, Wolfville Business Development, Woods Limousine
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www.landmarkeast.org
Thank you to all our
sponsors and participants!
$25,000 was raised at the 4th Annual Landmark East Foundation Golf
Tournament on May 24th. This was matched with a $12,500 grant from the
Johnson Scholarship Foundation bringing our total to $37,500 for the Student
Bursary Fund.
Bell Aliant Team members, Vernon Snair, Richard Galpin, Don MacKay and Peter
MacFarlane take first Place with a score of 61.
Raffle winner,
Penny White
with an origina
l pa
the Berwick He inting of
ights Golf
Course by Bev
Richardson.
es
nd Jam
Raymo
Berwick Heights
Golf Course
d
David Morse an
Best Toyota
team
White Family Funeral Home
THE ACORN | FALL 2013
5
Student Life
On August 22, Kenzie Boudreau spoke to
the Rotary Club of Port Hawkesbury about
the school history and his experiences as a
Landmark East student.
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Parent: Christine Kroker
A huge THANK YOU to Landmark East parent, Christine
Kroker for her donation of t-shirts for Walkathon 2013. The
added colour and esprit de corps gave us a real presence in
Wolfville this year and the shirts make a wonderful keepsake
for our hard-working fundraisers.
Inspired Students
A record number of Landmark East students are leaping at the
opportunity to experience Encounters with Canada, this year. They
each spent a week in Ottawa at the largest national youth forum,
exploring career options, learning about Canadian institutions
and meeting peers and accomplished Canadians from across the
country. Hands-on workshops cover a diverse range of topics
including: International Affairs, Science and Technology, Medicine
and Health, Arts and Culture.
Left to right: Bailey Crawford, Ben Kroker, Eddie Olding, Kaitlyn Coole, Jon-Luc MacQuarrie-Cox,
Jordan Hennigar, Libby Fowler, Griffin Ozmon-Roberts, Jacob Wadden and Jared Oliver
Parents: Michelle Morgan-Coole and Jack Hubley
This year the Parent Committee will be spearheading the
Campbell’s Labels for Education Program, managing the
processing and redemption of points for merchandise. Every
year thousands of labels are collected and sent in by loyal
supporters across Nova Scotia. Thank You!
THE ACORN | FALL 2013
7
Matching Opportunities
Boost Students Fundraising
Landmark East students had major
backing and great incentive as they
headed out to canvass for sponsor
dollars this year. The young people spent
September preparing for the 11th Annual
Walkathon, our signature fall fundraiser
in support of the Landmark East Student
Bursary Fund. The Johnson Scholarship
Foundation matched 50 cents on every
dollar raised at the event.
“The need for bursary funding is ever
present and growing every year,” says
Landmark East Headmaster, Peter Coll.
“Families, particularly from the local
area, are struggling to meet the financial
commitment of tuition payments. Very
often the availability of a bursary is the
deciding factor on whether or not a child
can attend Landmark East. The Valley
community has been extremely generous
over the years, donating to our Walkathon
and many promising students have
benefitted from that support.“
The supervised neighbourhood
sponsor drive took place at the end of
the school day, from 6:30 to 8:00 pm
throughout September. It provided an
opportunity for both day and boarding
students to participate in the fundraising
process as a community service
project. Many of these volunteers were
international students and brand new to
the school. For most of these students
the canvassing activity was their first
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encounter with the Wolfville community.
The young people reported plenty of
positive feedback.
The volunteer efforts aren’t restricted
to Wolfville alone. Canvassing also
takes place in surrounding communities
like Kentville, Canning, Port Williams,
Newport, New Minas and Windsor
as day students, alumni, staff, board
members and their families get involved as
ambassadors for the cause. Online giving
is also now an option through the school
website: www.landmarkeast.org.
The Walkathon traditionally enjoys
additional support from across the
province and around the world. Parents
of boarding students take home sponsor
packs and canvass on behalf of their son
or daughter in their home communities.
Over the years, the school has received
numerous donations from as far away as
Vancouver, Halifax, Toronto, Montreal,
Texas, Florida, Washington, Connecticut,
Hong Kong, Turks and Caicos, France,
Switzerland, Bermuda, the Philippines and
Abu Dhabi.
The 2013 Walkathon took place on
Sunday September 29th and the weather
was perfect. Participants of all ages
gathered on campus to make the 5 km
afternoon hike through town and the
neighbouring dyke lands. The walk was
followed by an informal celebration at the
school recognizing volunteer efforts.
Landmark East students, alumni, board members, staff, families
and friends united for the 11th Annual Walkathon on September
29th. As a group they raised $24,000. This will be matched with
a 1:2 grant from the Johnson Scholarship Foundation bringing
the grand total to $36,000! Proceeds support the Landmark
East Student Bursary Fund. Over the past decade, the school’s
signature fall event has raised in excess of $420,000.
THE ACORN | FALL 2013
9
Class of 2010
Alumni Update
Where are they now?
(BACK ROW) Jacob Allen, Nova Scotia; Diane Gravel,
Nova Scotia; Brandon Heney, Ontario;
Marlene Langelaan, Nova Scotia; Peter Bates,
New Brunswick; (FRONT ROW) Lauren Mills, Nova
Scotia;Thomas Pierce, Nova Scotia; Dagny McCartney,
British Columbia; Alam Talib, British Columbia
Class of 2011
(BACK ROW) Claire Morrison, Nova Scotia; Thomas
Pierce, Nova Scotia; Brandon Heney, Ontario; Jerad
Miller, Nova Scotia; Kristin Smith, New Brunswick;
(FRONT ROW) Liam Reid, Nova Scotia; Alan Johnson,
Nova Scotia; Maxwell MacDonald, Nova Scotia;
Tylor Armstrong, Nova Scotia
Cardy Saunders (2010 – 2012)
Cardy is pictured here with the summer
groundskeeper, Sara Gerrie working
on landscaping in front of the Johnson
Academic Center.
Reflecting on his time at Landmark
East, Cardy says that he appreciated the
structured environment and support he
received from staff. “There was a lot of
one-on-one contact with instructors and
it was harder to goof off in class.” He
says the extra attention definitely helped
improve his people skills.
Cardy loves the natural world; plants
in particular. He is in his second year at
Acadia studying Biology and plans to
continue on to do his Masters.
Class of 2012
(BACK ROW) Paige Clark, Bermuda; Collin Skees,
Hong Kong; Brett Clark, Nova Scotia Michael Fowler,
Hong Kong; Bradley Gregg, Ontario; Andrew Smitten,
Ontario; Saif Al Suwaidi, Abu Dhabi; Kasey Stokesbury,
Massachusetts; (MIDDLE ROW) Laura Trenholm,
Nova Scotia; Katie Boudreau, Nova Scotia;
(FRONT ROW) Zachery Chittick, Nova Scotia;
Brandon Savard, Quebec; Kara McNeil, Nova Scotia;
Cardy Saunders, Bermuda; Jimmy Laurin, Bermuda;
Alyssa Caissie, Nova Scotia; (missing) Chelsea
Hansen, New Brunswick
Class of 2013
(LEFT TO RIGHT) Kelvin Sheen, Hong Kong;
Thomas Ho, Hong Kong; James Cooke, Bermuda;
Clare Carter, Prince Edward Island; Allison Brown,
New Brunswick; Damario Hinds, Barbados; Keegan
Reid, Nova Scotia; Zachery Chittick, Nova Scotia;
(missing) Kevin Hernandez, Mexico
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Elise Maxwell (nee Lessard) 2000-2003
Elise studied Tourism and Hospitality
at NSCC—Kingstec Campus. After
graduating in 2004, she worked at a local
delicatessen in Canning for several years as
wait staff and cook.
She married Devon Maxwell in 2009
and moved to Winnipeg, Manitoba where
Devon is a Corporal with the Canadian
Forces and Elise is working at a local
restaurant. The happy couple share a
house on the base with two dogs and
a cat. They love to fish, hunt and camp
together. Both are accomplished cooks
as well.
Jimmy Laurin (2007 - 2012)
Jimmy is now studying down the street at
Acadia University. He dropped in to lend
his support to the 2013 Walkathon and
catch up with old friends. He is shown
here with Tammy Mitchell, Head Cook.
Keegan Reid (2011 – 2013)
Keegan visited the school in October and
reconnected with some of his friends
and former teacher Holly Medeiros. He
boarded at Landmark East for two years
and recalled how his perspective changed
over that time. “I really didn’t want to
come here at first,” he said, “and I didn’t
realize how much the school had done
for me until I had moved on. I graduated
high school with honours and went on to
university. That’s not what I had expected
to do and I don’t think I’d be the person I
am now if I hadn’t come to this school.”
Keegan works part time at Future Shop
and is studying Psychology at
Saint Mary’s University in Halifax.
Margarita Mulligan (2006 – 2008)
Margarita and her aunt, Donna Lockhart
dropped in to the school to say hello in
late August this year. Margarita says she
always enjoyed her tutor, Mrs. Clelland
when she was at Landmark East. “She
was open and easy to talk to.” Margarita
returned to Saint Petersburg Florida to live
in 2008 and graduated from Gibbs High
School there. Since then she has been
working on courses to become a Certified
Nursing Assistant. Margarita has plans to
return to Nova Scotia and complete the
CNA program at Kingstec in Kentville.
Tom Paul (1998 - 2006)
Tom continues to volunteer and give back
to Landmark East whenever his busy
schedule allows. His career in aviation has
recently brought him to Porter Airlines as
Pilot / First Officer. He also owns TPWeb
eLearning, specializing in creating and
operating custom learning management
systems.
Tom brought along his partner, Xian
Wang (left) to the 2013 Walkathon
and this year received the award for
Outstanding Alumni Fundraiser.
Miriam Schroeder (2007 – 2008)
Miriam is currently studying at Saint
Mary’s University in Halifax, where she
has been the recipient of numerous
awards including the Nicola Schwind,
the Black Educator’s Association and
the Donahue Family Scholarships. She
is working on her Bachelor of Arts with
a Major in Anthropology and Minor in
International Development Studies and
looking forward to future study with a
focus on immigration.
On a personal note, Miriam is in the
process of writing her memoir on surviving
Cystic Fibrosis. ”I have done some
travelling and am in general good health
and spirits. I have made some amazing
friends along the way!”
Matthew Lucas (1992-1994)
Matthew was a boarding student for
grades eight and nine, returning to
Middleton Regional High School to
graduate in 1997. Since then, Matthew has
worked as a truck driver and mechanic
and saw a good deal of the world by
joining up with the US Army. Of his days
at Landmark East, Matthew says, “It saved
my life. Without this school, I would have
been a high school dropout and I would
not have had the life I have now.”
Anna DeLong (2005-2008)
Anna married David Pepneck on July 6th,
2013 and the happy couple is living in
Vauxhall Alberta. Anna is currently
working on a bee farm doing office and
field work.
Jennifer DeLong (2000-2003)
Jennifer is now Assistant Sales Manager
at Winners in New Minas and living in
Wilmot, Nova Scotia.
Joel DeLong (2002-2006)
Joel continues to work on the family farm
in Barss Corner, Nova Scotia and was
married to Amanda in 2010. They are the
proud parents of two-year old Ethan.
Drop by to see us... You don’t need a reason!
Our alumni are the keepers of our history and the reason our school exists today. We rely on alumni to advocate for
future students and help educate the world on the realities and misconceptions surrounding learning differences.
Search “Landmark East” to keep
in touch with your former friends
and classmates.
If you’ve moved, changed your email or have news you’d like to share with us,
please send your updated information to Rose Spicer at [email protected]
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THE ACORN | FALL 2013
11
Canada’s Independent School
for Students with Learning Differences
708 Main Street | Wolfville NS B4P 1G4 | Canada
03553345
Upcoming Events
Fine Arts Winter Showcase
December 12, 2013 | 7:00 PM
Al Whittle Theatre
Tickets: Free will at door
(suggested admission $10)
5th Annual Landmark East Foundation
Golf Tournament
Friday, May 23, 2014
Berwick Heights Golf Course
Musical—10 Things I Hate About You
February 19-22, 2014
7:00 PM (2:00 PM matinee February 22)
Al Whittle Theatre
Tickets: $10 children, $12 adults
Call Kerri @ 697-2515 for pre purchased tickets
Fine Arts Spring Showcase
June 5, 2014 | 7:00 PM
Al Whittle Theatre
Tickets: Free will at door
(suggested admission $10)
30th Annual Middle School Science Fair
6:30 PM, Thursday, February 27, 2014
Landmark East School
12th Annual Walkathon
Sunday, September 28, 2014
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