Hometown: Cambridge
Current residence: London
Occupation:Founded Distinct Options Sportwear in London in 2000
Best EDSS Memories “I was pretty much given carte blanche to do what I wanted to do and I was rarely faced with restrictions.”
While setting up his classroom the first week, the head custodian, John Howard, welcomed him. “He was an incredible part of that institution.”
Students visited him during a hospital stay after an operation. “That’s what the place was like.”

Hometown: St. Clements
Current residence: Toronto
Not married, no children.
Occupation: Owner of Akcessia, investment consulting company
-Went to France for a year and took care of two-year-old triplets, while taking French at the Sorbonne
-Teaches Ashtanga ‘power’ Yoga twice a week and does yoga herself two hours daily “It helps me deal with the people I deal with everyday.”

Questions and Answers

Post-secondary education?
-After the Sorbonne, went to York for economics; Wilfrid Laurier for MBA.
What have you been doing since high school?
-Cable, telecom, investment, corporate banking, founded Akcessia 10 years ago.
“Provides mergers and acquisitions advice to mid-market companies (looking to buy sell, raise capital for companies.”
Favourite high school memory? Playing sports, being with friends.
“It was a great time in my life.”
Biggest accomplishment in high school?
“Getting through high school.”
Since?
“I like to say just having a positive outlook believe it or not.”
“In every phase of your life you have different accomplishments.”
“Running a business.”
“Yoga is something that has changed my life, so keeping up with that daily is definitely helpful.”
“I love it [yoga]. It helps me deal with the people I deal with everyday.”
-Teaches yoga twice a week.
How do you feel about still being on the wall at EDSS?
“I’m surprised. It’s great. I’m curious that they still left it up there.”
How did you feel at the time about being included on the wall?
“At the time, we were teenagers. It was almost like, ‘let’s put something on this white space to remember and it as fun. It was a great thing to look at afterwards as well because you had various memories of playing sports through high school and we did have good teams.”
“I’m sure they [the teams now] are really good because they always have been really competitive.”
“We had some great teachers back then as well so we were really lucky. I was really proud.”
Hobbies/interests?
-Takes a vacation once a year; most recent one was to Carlsbad, California to visit a yoga teacher.
“That’s kind of my main form of physical activity right now.”
-Got her yoga teaching certification from Downward Dog in Toronto; 200 hrs of teaching training from Jan.-May ’07.
-Does yoga every day from 6-8 a.m.
How often, if ever, do you come back to Elmira?
-Comes back once a month to visit family/friends; whole family lives around here.
Dreams/goals for the future?
“To remain healthy and happy.”
-To get into private equity down the road.

Hometown: New Zealand, Australia, Elmira.
Current residence: Stratford
Married John in 1998; four children - Andrew, 22, Daniel, 21, Melissa, 19, and Michael, 8, plus three stepchildren.
Occupation: Owner of Taylor Design, advertising
-is a big Jr. B hockey fan: her father lives in Elmira so whenever the Kings are playing the Stratford Cullitons a rivalry ensues.
Birth date/age? June 24, 1969; 38.

Questions and Answers

Post-secondary education?
-Wilfrid Laurier for honours biology.
What have you been doing since high school?
-Worked part-time at Elmira Independent while going to school, then worked in newspaper/design for many years.
-Has been freelancing for 18 years with clients like New Orleans Pizza, tanning salons, coffee shops.
-Constantly looking for new projects.
Favourite high school memory?
“I did love being on the field hockey team.”
Biggest accomplishment in high school?
-Graduating with honours: “I think that was a pretty good accomplishment.”
Since?
“I’m most proud of my husband and family.”
“Having helped build a successful business and having a good family. I think that’s really what it comes down to.”
Are you surprised the mural is still up? Why?
“I am surprised they haven’t replaced it.”
How do you feel about still being on the wall at EDSS?
“It’s strange sometimes because every once in a while it will come up.”
-When her daughter Melissa was in high school her theatre group went to the Sears Ontario Drama Festival at EDSS and she recognized Laurie, not knowing she was there.
“There’s this person that looks just like you up on the wall,” she said.
“I think it’s kind of neat.”
How did you feel at the time about being included on the wall?
“I was happy to participate.”
Hobbies/interests?
-Big hockey, baseball fan.
-Favourite hobby is travelling; goes back to Australia every couple of years.
How often, if ever, do you come back to Elmira?
-Visits her father.
Goals/plans for the future?
“Continuing to build my business and do some traveling and spending time with my husband and eight-year-old that’s still at home.”
Misc:
“The weather was the biggest transition [from Australia], but in terms of people it was just great. It was just fine. I enjoy Elmira. My father still lives there. My older sister lives in Elora - they’re still all relatively local, so yeah, Elmira’s a great little town.”

Hometown: Heidelberg
Current residence: Windsor
Engaged to Steven Brook. Hopes to adopt children in the future.
Occupation:Chemist
-In high school, was voted most likely to marry a Mongolian yak herder.
-Picks wild mushrooms for fun.
Birth date/age? Sept 1, 1969; 38.

Questions and Answers

What sport are you playing on the mural?
“I am in the starting blocks for a sprint. I ran 100m, 200m and very rarely 400m in track at EDSS.”
Post-secondary education?
-Bachelors at University of Toronto, major was chemistry, from 1988 to 1992; Masters at University of Waterloo, major was chemistry from 1992 to 1994; doctorate degree at the University of Massachusetts at Amhert, major was chemistry from 1999 to 2002.
What have you been doing since high school?
“Besides my many graduate degrees, I lived in Latvia (former republic of the USSR) for four years, between my Masters and PhD. I had been going to Latvian school as a child and always believed that the Soviet Union would crumble, so when it did, I gather my things together and headed off. I actually left for Latvia with the intent that I would stay there permanently, but came back to North America to complete my education.”
Favourite high school memory?
“I think it was the day after the Grade 13 class went to the baseball game in Toronto and the vice principal had called the ring leaders into his office to yell at us. The funny part was that we were all in the top-five per cent of our class - some sat on the student's council, others were the valedictorians, the snow queen and king, etc. ... It was very hard for the VP to keep a straight face while trying to discipline some of the top students in the school. It was very silly.”
How did sports influence your life?
“I have always tried to keep fit, which has kept me healthy. We North Americans are a little too heavy and I am glad that I still have the get up and go to exercise.”
Biggest accomplishment in high school?
-Her gold medal win at CWOSSA in the 100 m.
-Biggest disappointment was dropping the baton in the 4 x 100 relay at regionals.
Since?
“It is a toss up between actually completing my PhD or securing my condo in Riga (capital of Latvia). Post-soviet Latvia had a lot of rules and they changed on a weekly basis. Getting anything done seemed like a miracle, although it was all worth it as we have a home away from home when my family goes there (which is often).”
Are you surprised the mural is still up? Why?
“I'm not really surprised it is still up. They did a really good job with it and the longer it is up the more 'we' who are on it are just images and possibilities not really the people that we represent. Does that make sense?”
How do you feel about still being on the wall at EDSS?
“I love it. High school is hard enough and an emotional rollercoaster. It is fun to have something neat to look back upon.”
How did you feel at the time about being included on the wall?
“I thought it was cool, but I was probably scrambling to get a million things done and stopping to have my picture taken one afternoon was just something else on my to-do list.”
Hobbies/interests?
“Wine - Steven is a sommelier - and mushrooms. We are absolutely crazy about mushrooms. We go collecting them in the wild when we can.”
How often, if ever, do you come back to Elmira?
“Maybe once a year. My parents still live up there and sometimes we drive through for fun. I haven't been in the high school for years.”
Dreams/goals for the future?
“If I won the lottery, I would travel around and do post-doctoral research all over the world, but in reality I would like to continue contributing to science as a whole (I work in Pharma) and Steven and I hope to adopt a child or two in the near future.”
-Try to travel and relax more: “I have a type A personality that forces me to always be on the go and doing something (or cleaning something), so I really hope as I get more stable in my career, I can chill out a little more.”

Hometown: Peterborough, Bowmanville, Elmira
Current residence: Peterborough, Bowmanville, Elmira.
Married to Wayne Reeves.
Occupation:Works for Parks, foresty and recreation for the City of Toronto.
-In high school, was voted most likely to make it to the Olympics. -Enjoys ballet.

Questions and Answers

Post-secondary education/jobs?
-University of Waterloo for bachelor of arts in recreation and then worked north at Township of Lake of Bays, director of recreation; recreation programmer for Town of LaSalle near Windsor; then did master of business at Laurier ’98-99; Honeywell Corp. in London as a marketing specialist; now in T.O.
Favourite high school memory?
-Air bands
-Student council prez, athletic prez, “I was involved with extracurricular activities, probably more so than school. It actually helped me get into university, so that worked out well.”
How did sports influence your life?
-Still runs for fun. “I really burned out because I did train quite a bit with K-W track and field club.”
-Ran one year in university, but then decided, “I wasn’t going to be any better than I was so I just decided to focus on school and career at that point.”
“Stayed in the general area of physical activity and recreation.”
-Sports were a strong influence
Biggest accomplishment in high school?
“Just passing calculus.”
“I did like being student council prez. I thought that was a pretty big achievement in terms of just doing that and sort of balancing that with work and school work.”
Since?
“Completing my MBA.”
Are you surprised the mural is still up? Why?
“Yeah actually. I thought it might have been painted over or basketballs would have hit it and so it would have started chipping away.”
How did you feel at the time about being included on the wall?
“Our 4x1 relay team was quite good. We were always sort of in the limelight in terms of doing well at OFSSA and stuff like that.”
“It was kind of neat. I had no idea what it was all going to be about and then I wasn’t too sure if they’d be able to recognize us, but you can kind of tell who it is.”
“I remember being in the small gym and just sort of running around in circles as he kept taking pictures of me to get a good shot. Because you had to keep going over and over again and I wasn’t even wearing running shoes. It was my squash shoes or something like that. So the shoes that are in the picture, I always laugh because those aren’t even running shoes.”
Hobbies/interests?
-Ballet, yoga, playing guitar.
How often, if ever, do you come back to Elmira?
-Once in a while - festival day. “If I’m passing through, I’ll swing by.”
Goals/plans for the future?
“Moving up a little higher in senior positions.”
“Get more involved with the community and volunteer.”

Hometown: Winterbourne
Current residence: Taichung, Taiwan
Married with two young daughters.
Occupation:Teacher
-climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Africa.
-current goal is to learn to speak Mandarin.
Birth date/age? July 11, 1969; 38.

Questions and Answers

Post-secondary education?
-Graduated in 1993 with an honours bachelor of arts in recreation and leisure studies from the University of Waterloo. Then did post-grad at University of York, England. Graduated in 2005 with a masters in teaching English to young learners.
What have you been doing since high school?
“I have been travelling a fair bit since high school – did a six week trip in South America, travelled to Africa, Australia and around Asia, taught in Japan for one year on the JET Programme (1998-1999) and then came to Taiwan in 2000.”
Favourite high school memory?
“I loved the Grade 12 camping trip … that was so much fun.”
How did sports influence your life?
“Sports have had a tremendous influence on my life. In my younger years, I think I gained a lot of confidence by being involved in sports and got to meet so many great people. It is wonderful to be a part of a team and strive towards a common goal. I also feel that being involved in sports allowed me to face certain personal challenges and that has had a lasting positive effect on my life.”
Biggest accomplishment in high school?
-Studying abroad (in France) in Grade 13.
Since?
-Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Africa.
Are you surprised the mural is still up? Why?
“Yes, I am quite surprised that the mural is still up because it has been there a long time now... more than 20 years. I guess they just haven't gotten around to repainting the gym.”
How do you feel about still being on the wall at EDSS?
“I have never really thought of that being me on the wall but rather of a person who was representing a gymnast. I think it is neat that the mural is still there because I really feel that it does capture the spirit of athletics at EDSS. It is a celebration of sport and in my opinion a tribute to all those who have participated in and enjoyed athletic activities at EDSS over the years.”
How did you feel at the time about being included on the wall?
“I felt very excited to represent a gymnast on the mural because it was a sport that I loved so much and still do. It was a great project to be a part of. Mr. Thirtle and his team of artists did a great job of putting it all together.
Hobbies/interests?
Hiking, trekking, cottaging, yoga, doing crafts with her kids, reading.
How often, if ever do you come back to Elmira?
About once a year.
Goals/plans for the future?
“I would love to do more travelling, particularly to Central America and India. I would love to take my children travelling with me when they are a bit older. I would also love to do some volunteer work (teaching) abroad in the future.”
“One of my immediate goals though is to learn how to speak Mandarin.”

Hometown: Pickering, Port Hope, Elmira
Current residence: Waterloo
Married to Wendy; two kids: Hamish, two, and Ava, six months.
Occupation:Owner of Advanced Design Solutions in St. Clements, welding shop.
-is planning a deep-sea fishing trip to Florida Keys
-is expanding his business to a 350,000-square-foot facility
Birth date/age? Oct. 13, 1966; 43

Questions and Answers

Post-secondary education?
-University of Waterloo for mechanical engineering.
What have you been doing since high school?
-After school traveled in Europe for four months, worked in design and building for custom automation in Burlington, back to Waterloo, then in T.O., and now back to Waterloo.
Favourite high school memory?
“Getting my picture on the wall.”
“I got along well with all the teachers. I had a lot of good teachers back when I was there. I enjoyed playing the sports that I was playing and a lot of good friends and it was a pretty relaxing time in my life I guess I would say.”
“It certainly gets busier and busier as you’re going along, so school, the classes were pretty easy, so I didn’t work too hard at it when I was there, but I had a lot of fun, so that was good from that standpoint.”
“I was on first-name basis with a lot of my teachers.”
“I remember my machine shop teacher would have me takeover the class and teach the class when he was having a hard time getting through.”
“I was just sort of a live in the moment and carry on.”
How did sports influence your life?
“Played lots of sports right after school.”
-Now doesn’t have the time with running the business and having kids.
Biggest accomplishment in high school?
“Getting the start that I needed in university.”
Since?
“I’m proud of the business that I’ve got started. We employ about 50 people right now and we’re about to move into a 350,000-square-foot facility.”
“Most of that growth has come in the last four years.”
Are you surprised the mural is still up? Why?
“A little bit. It was well done. I mean the art class did a really good job of putting it up there. It looked good and I think it looked good up on the wall, so from that standpoint, I don’t know if I’m surprised, but from the standpoint that you know, having us real old people up on the wall in the high school, you wonder if they wouldn’t have updated it up there after a while.”
How did you feel at the time about being included on the wall?
“I felt honoured. It’s always nice to be recognized for something like that and it’s obviously been up on the wall for a long time.”
Hobbies/interests?
“I like to travel”: in San Diego/Vegas over Christmas.
-Takes two-three trips per year; planning a trip to the Florida Keys for deep-sea fishing
How often, if ever do you come back to Elmira?
-Not much family in the area.
Dreams/goals for the future?
“Continue to grow the business and retire somewhere warm.”

Hometown:Elmira
Current residence:St. Thomas
Married to Anita. Two children: Eric, 11, and Alex, 8
Occupation:Provides third-level tech support to TD Canada Trust clients
-met his wife while working at the Nikiska Ski Resort in Alberta.
-comes back to KW for Oktoberfest.
Birth date/age?Feb. 25, 1966; 41

Questions and Answers

Post-secondary education/jobs?
-Worked for Cami, 1991-2001
-Went to CDI college in London for computers.
-Worked for Teletech, then EDS at Cami, then Cobra systems in St. Thomas and now IBM.
avourite high school memory:
-Hanging out with friends that he’s still in contact with.
How did sports influence your life?
-Still plays slow pitch, swims.
“A little old for that (pole vaulting)”
-Plays football.
-Oldest son placed 1st and 2nd in 400m and 800 m
Biggest accomplishment in high school?
-Graduating.
Since?
His boys
Thoughts about the mural?
“I think it’s great and it’s a great legacy, you know, I may have not done a whole lot in high school, but I’m always going to be up there until they paint the wall which I seriously doubt they’re going to do.”
“I think it just shows a history from 20 years ago. Unless they decide to put a new batch up there, but it’s a lot of work.”
“I think maybe my track coach Mr. James asked me [to be on the mural] and said, ‘do you want to do this?’ and I said, ‘sure, why not?’ and he snapped the photos in the late winter, just before track season was supposed to start because he snapped the photos when we were training indoors. That I do remember, it was in the gym and I had to set it up.”
Hobbies/interests?
“The wheel of time series” by Robert Jordan: he’s been reading it since high school and is waiting for the 12th book.
-Photography.
Dreams/goals for the future?
-Retire in 20 years; keep increasing his knowledge.
Misc?
“They always said my name wrong on the announcements. So, needless to say that was a bone of contention with me all the time. They could never get it right.”
– When announcing his wins in sports, they pronounced a “v” instead of the “u.”
“When you get 400 students, ‘hey ,Greg Larve did blah blah blah, well “who’s Greg Larve?’”

Hometown:St. Jacobs
Current residence:St. Jacobs
Separated
Occupation:Family physician at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre; delivers babies at North York General Hospital; academic clinician teacher and lecturer at University of Toronto.
-current goal is to help deliver safer maternal and newborn care to Africa via Doctors Without Borders
-enjoys playing Ultimate Frisbee
Birth date/age?Nov. 23, 1969; 38

Questions and Answers

Post-secondary education?
-University of Guelph, human kinesiology program 1988-1992; McMaster University 1992-1995, medical degree; University of Toronto 1995-1997, residency training in family medicine; University of Toronto 1997-1999, low-risk obstetrics fellowship and diploma certificate in teaching and learning in medicine.
What have you been doing since high school?
-Working, traveling, playing sports, studying and staying up-to-date in medicine.
Best part about your job?
“The joy of walking with women and their families as they experience pregnancy, labour and birth. Being present as new life comes into the world is miraculous and is a gift to me that I appreciate every day.”
Favourite high school memory?
“Wow, this is hard as high school was an amazing time for me: basketball tournaments, OFSAA championships in Ottawa for track and field, playing cards in the cafeteria at lunch with friends while eating all of the amazing, home-cooked meals, building friendships with people who are still central to my life, to name a few.”
How did sports influence your life?
“Sports have influenced every aspect of my life. I attribute many of my social skills to the interaction with other athletes, coaches and trainers. I acknowledge that I learned about hard work, discipline and team work from basketball, track and field and Ultimate Frisbee. Confidence in my physical abilities and willingness to try new sports and activities comes from years of involvement in formal sports.”
Biggest accomplishment in high school?
-Graduating as an Ontario Scholar from a prestigious and difficult high school while competing at the provincial level in track and field.
Since?
-Achieving an academic appointment in the department of family and community medicine at the University of Toronto.
Are you surprised the mural is still up? Why?
“Well ... yes, because I thought they'd want to update it but no, because I know how hard it is to get projects of that sort to the top of the priority pile.”
How do you feel about still being on the wall at EDSS?
“I felt lucky to be chosen at the time, as it was a huge honour among all the great athletes at the time. I still feel honoured.”
Hobbies/interests?
-Ultimate Frisbee, beach volleyball, basketball, travelling, family time.
How often, if ever do you come back to Elmira?
“I come to St. Jacobs every three to four weeks to see my family, as they are the other biggest positive influence in my life and are a huge part of my groundedness, health and happiness.”
Goals/plans for the future?
“Trying to be the best physician I can be.”

Hometown:Elmira
Current residence:Memphis, Tennessee
Two kids: Reese, 4, and Cooper, 19 months.
Occupation:Nurse at Baptist Hospital
-misses Elmira’s snow.
-hopes to move somewhere near the ocean.
Birth date/age?July 26, 1969; 38

Questions and Answers

What have you been doing since high school?
-Traveled to Australia, went to St. Lawrence College in Kingston for medical lab technologist; University of Windsor for nursing.
-Sister was in Tennessee so she moved there.
Favourite high school memory?
-Swimming.
How did sports influence your life?
-Still swims recreationally.
Biggest accomplishment in high school?
-Graduating.
Since?
“Having my kids.”
Are you surprised the mural is still up? Why?
“I couldn’t believe it was still there. I thought they would have painted over it by then and put new people up. I thought it was great.”
At the time, how did you feel?
“Real honoured actually. Kinda important.”
-Was on the wall because she won WCSSA and CWOSSA for breaststroke.
Hobbies/interests?
-Spending time with kids, scrap-booking, shopping.
How often, if ever do you come back to Elmira?
-Definitely misses Elmira.
“I miss the snow and I miss my friends.”
-Comes back to visit sister in Orilia; came back in Feb.
Dreams/goals for the future?
“Continue enjoying my job and probably moving eventually somewhere.”
“I would like to move near water, near the ocean or something.”

Hometown:Elmira
Current residence:Waterloo
Married to Charlene. Two kids: Matthew 5, and Lucas, 3
Occupation:Chartered accountant for Allied Associates.
-Set the 200m midget record in high school that has yet to be beat
Birth date/age?Nov. 9, 1968; 39

Questions and Answers

Post-secondary education?
-Wilfrid Laurier in ’95, went back in ’98 for a year - accounting courses for CA designation.
How did sports influence your life?
-Still plays soccer, basketball, indoor soccer.
Biggest accomplishment in high school?
-“Sports-related, I was the junior basketball MVP
Since?
“Having two wonderful boys.”
How did you feel at the time about being included on the EDSS wall?
-Mr. Thirtle coached him one year in basketball; played soccer and ran track.
“I’m on there running the 200m actually, that’s why I’m kind of on an angle: I’m running around the bend. So, I remember him taking some pictures in the gym of me just running an angle more or less and that’s about all I remember.”
“At the time I set the school record for the 200 m in midget - there was midget, junior and senior, so I was in midget. I probably would have been 15. 24.4 secs in 200 m.
“Still was a school record five years ago.”
“I really enjoyed playing sports while I was there. That was a big part of high school for me.”
Feeling about still being on the wall?
“The older I get, the more an honour I think it was looking back on it - seeing that it’s still up there.”
“I’ve been meaning to get a picture taken on it, but I haven’t gotten around to that, but I’m sure at some point though, they’ll do something else with the wall.”
How often, if ever, do you come back to Elmira?
“Quite often: my parents are still here and my father-in-law is still here; many friends are still here.”
Dreams/goals for the future?
“Raise my children as best I can; be happy; enjoy life.”
“Continue to build business.”

Hometown:Elmira
Current residence:Harrisonburg, VA
Married to Jennifer North Bauman. Two kids: Zachary, 6, and Malia, 3
Occupation:Teacher at Eastern Mennonite High School
-In high school, voted most likely to coach soccer later in life; now coaches high school soccer.
-Is working on completing his M.A. in education at Eastern Mennonite University.
Birth date/age?Feb. 16, 1967; age 40

Questions and Answers

Post-secondary education?
-Goshen College, Goshen Indiana USA B.A. in physical education; University of Windsor, B. Ed.
What have you been doing since high school?
-Took a year off after high school and worked at the Stone Crock Bakery for a year. Then went to Goshen, then U of Waterloo for a year, then teachers’ college.
Favourite high school memory?
“Playing in front of a standing-room only crowd at home in the playoffs.”
-The physical education overnight camping trip.
How did sports influence your life?
-Have gotten into coaching soccer at the high school level on a bigger stage in the U.S.
“Has been a part of my decision to stay in the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia, due to the outdoor recreation options available.
Biggest accomplishment in high school?
“Being able to deal with the tragic deaths of five people in our high school during my time there.”
Since?
-Winning the VISAA (Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association) Division I State Soccer Championship in the fall of 2007.
Are you surprised the mural is still up? Why?
“Yes, after 20-plus years I wonder if the students now wonder what the heck that thing is still doing up. I assume that many or all of the students do not even know who the people are on the wall.”
How do you feel about still being on the wall at EDSS?
“Surprised that it is still there. I often wondered if it was there when I have come home the past several years.”
How did you feel at the time about being included on the wall?
“Honoured. Basketball was a big part of my sports life at EDSS. I was very excited that Mr. Thirtle would include me for the mural.”
Hobbies/interests?
-Mountain biking, hiking, biking, camping, badminton, racquetball and anything outdoors.
How often, if ever do you come back to Elmira?
“At Christmas and in the summer for a week a piece to visit the rest of my family, mom and dad and two brothers and their family.”
Goals/plans for the future?
“I am in the process of finishing graduate school at Eastern Mennonite University while still teaching at Eastern Mennonite High School. It will be an M.A. in education with a middle school curriculum emphasis.”

Hometown:Kitchener, Heidelberg
Current residence:Kelowna, B.C.
Married. Two kids: Lily-ana, 10, and William, 3.
Occupation:Regional business leader for interior B.C. for Invis, largest mortgage-brokerage company in Canada.
-plays soccer for the highest amateur soccer league in Kelowna – the First Division.
-lives 45 minutes from Big White Ski Resort.
Birth date/age?Nov. 6, 1966; 41

Questions and Answers

Post-secondary education?
-Three-year international business diploma from Seneca College, then upgraded at Ryerson to bachelor of commerce while working with Bank of Nova Scotia’s management program.
What have you been doing since high school?
-Met wife in K-W area and she was from Kelowna area, so they moved back in 1993 and they’re still there.
-Married in 1991; he decided to give her two years in Kelowna to see if he liked it and he did.
“A lot of it is lifestyle.”
-Worked at General Electric for a while in Kelowna and now Invis – largest mortgage-brokerage company in Canada. He is the regional business leader for the interior B.C. – makes sure the team’s growing and that the interior B.C. as far as volume leads up to the expectations of a corporate company; not chained to his desk, visit customers around the area.
Favourite high school memory?
“Elmira wasn’t that big that almost throughout the entire Grade 9 to Grade 13, there was a core group of people that you would know in each grade and certainly in the grade that I was in, we had a great group of people and just looking back at that and just hanging around, having fun and being a high school student. That was a lot of fun.”
Most likely to … in high school?
-Be a pro athlete.
How did sports influence your life?
-Still plays soccer: “even at my tender age, I still play in the first division here in Kelowna (highest amateur league).”
-Used to be a forward, fairly quick, but now a fullback; the team won the championship last year.
-Also plays old-timer soccer.
“As long as I feel I’m contributing and competitive, I’ll keep going.”
-At Seneca, played on two varsity championship teams. In third year, he broke his leg, which sidelined him for two years.
“Ever since I’ve been five, it’s always been a game that I’ve kept up and enjoyed playing.”
-Major influence: trying to keep his kids active.
-Gave up hockey when he came to B.C., but now plays tennis with his daughter.
Biggest accomplishment in high school?
“Graduating was big because it wasn’t until Grade 12 that I felt that school was something that I needed to concentrate on that I needed to get into college. Playing on the soccer teams. I was also the athletic president. I remember those days fondly.”
Since?
“My family: getting married and having two great kids.”
How do you feel about still being on the wall at EDSS?
“I was in Grade 13 and they were looking for a representative from everybody in a different sport.”
How did you feel at the time about being included on the wall?
“I thought it was a great honour. You know, almost in a sense to be a bit immortalized and I’m still shocked that that mural still hasn’t been repainted, so just to hear back from my home area, … brings back a lot of great memories. Just to be remembered – that past era there – I’m still up there. I think the memories. It’s kind of a nice feeling to still be part of it all.”
Hobbies/interests?
-Skiing, golfing, hiking in the woods with his dog.
How often, if ever do you come back to Elmira?
“Unfortunately, it’s one of my biggest regrets, is no, I don’t get back to Elmira often at all. I can’t remember when I was back last.”
-Brother is in T.O, cousins in K-W.
Goals/plans for the future?
“I used to be a firm believer of having five-year and ten-year plans and being at a certain stage in my life, but as I’ve gotten a little bit older, I have rough plans in my mind, but I certainly live much more in the moment, so day to day, week to week, month to month. I think that I’m enjoying my job right now. I think just to see my kids get through school and get them into university or whatever they want to and become mortgage-free and maybe enjoy the second half of my life.”