Soirée de poésie au Senior School / Senior School Poetry Night

Posted on December 7, 2011 by admin

Nous sommes fiers d’annoncer que la soirée bilingue de récitation de poésie a été un immense succès. En effet, cette soirée s’est déroulée le mercredi 30 novembre 2011 en présence des parents, des amis et des enseignants. Parmi les invités se trouvaient Mme Gendron, M. Neal ainsi que Mme Anvar directrice du volet francophone du concours. Il est aussi important de mentionner l’apport inestimable de nos juges : Mme Bradley, Mme Brault (volet francophone) ainsi que M. Hirtle et Mme Mazzella (volet anglophone). Également, dans un souci d’équité envers les participants, M. Maurice et M. Soret s’occupaient du pointage. Soulignons aussi l’excellente animation de la soirée par deux élèves, Alexandre Sinor et Cole Ellicott. De plus, la présence du LCC Jazz Band de M. Cox a relevé l’ambiance et l’importance de cet événement. Merci également à Harrison Goldberg (vidéo), Olivia Auclair (photo), M. Meloche (décor), M. Geddes (éclairage).

Vous trouverez le tableau récapitulatif des participants à l’édition 2011-2012 ici.

Les gagnants de cette édition sont :

Première place: Emily Tiberi
Deuxième place: Kevin Fraser
Troisième place: Ryan Dimentberg

Emily ira donc défendre son titre lors de la finale provinciale le 2 avril 2012 au cégep du Vieux-Montréal. Le champion ou la championne de la finale provinciale du Québec gagnera 1 000 $ et la bibliothèque de son école recevra un chèque de 500 $ pour l’achat de recueils de poésie. Les trois meilleurs élèves de la finale provinciale du Québec seront invités à se présenter à la grande finale canadienne à Toronto le 24 avril 2012.— M. Denis Chouinard, organisateur pour la finale LCC.

Voici quelques commentaires d’élèves :

La soirée de la poésie était une expérience merveilleuse. Je me suis enrichie en écoutant les performances remarquables de mes pairs et la poésie classique qu’ils ont récitée. L’expérience m’a fait connaître de nouveaux poètes. Elle a également encouragé les élèves à développer une passion pour l’art. Ma performance m’a permis d’améliorer mes compétences en art oratoire, en mémorisation et en théâtre. Ce fut une soirée couronnée de succès qui démontrait le soutien de LCC pour le bilinguisme et l’apprentissage de manière créative.— Samantha Mashaal ’13

La soirée de la poésie nous a donné l’occasion de participer à quelque chose de tout à fait unique. J’ai beaucoup apprécié l’atmosphère d’un club de jazz créée par une diversité de musique jouée par notre propre Jazz Combo. La lumière qui illuminait les élèves lors de leur récitation et le décor foncé créaient des ombres qui remplissaient la salle d’une atmosphère intime. Les juges donnaient un air officiel et nécessaire lors d’une compétition. Les animateurs de la soirée, Alexandre Sinor et Cole Ellicott, ont été exceptionnels. Avec une salle remplie d’enseignants et de parents, les compétiteurs ont eu de bonnes raisons d‘être nerveux, mais ils ont tous présenté leurs poèmes de façon émouvante et impeccable. Félicitations à tous les élèves pour une soirée bien réussie!— Emily Tiberi ’11

Mackay Center & Camp Massawippi: LCC Students Learn About Themselves and Others

Posted on November 29, 2011 by admin

On Monday, November 7, we left on our experience trip with the Mackay children to Camp Massawippi (view gallery). We departed from the MacKay Centre at around 9:00 am and as we boarded the adapted transport bus that would take us to the camp, all the Mackay kids had huge smiles on their faces as per usual. We were all extremely excited for this new adventure. We stopped at Tim Horton’s for some donuts, coffee and hot chocolate on the way, and when we arrived at camp it was already around 11:00 am.

It was a beautiful fall day, so after unpacking and having a quick lunch we all went on a short hike. To be honest, it was no easy feat pushing the wheelchairs up the mountain but it was worth it in the end. We cut down a small tree for them to take back to their classroom to decorate for Christmas. As hard as it was, to see the children constantly smiling, we would have had pushed the wheelchairs up and down a thousand times.

After the hike we had an arts and crafts session where we made picture frames and portraits with the kids. We let them dry in the back and proceeded to the next activity, which in fact was dancing. The kids all have their own music preferences, and they really had fun as we danced and moved the wheelchairs to the rhythm of the music.

Finally dinner came along and BBQ chicken had been prepared. The meals were delicious and it was just like being at home. After dinner we went down to the lake where some of us had already prepared the campfire. We talked and laughed and roasted marshmallows and prepared banana boats. The first day was a dream and it went by so quickly!

On our second day at Camp Massawippi, we had another great day filled with fun activities. After the kids woke up and ate some breakfast, we took them on a nice walk along the road leading to the camp, and met up with Mark, one of their teachers who couldn’t come for the whole trip because of an injury, so the kids were really happy to see him when he drove up for the day. The weather was beautiful once again, and we all really enjoyed the walk. The sun was out and it wasn’t too cold or too hot. Afterwards, we hung out down by the beach and Mark talked to the kids while we were playing with his hyperactive dog, Mario.

We returned to camp for a lunch of chicken fingers and French fries, which everyone enjoyed. Later on, a couple of the Mackay kids got to lie down on a mat and play with Mario, who was very careful and affectionate with them. The weather was so nice that day that we even had the chance to go out and play in the field, throw some balls around (before Mario ate them!) and relax. That afternoon we also painted a mural with the kids that was really nice; hopefully it’ll be hung in their classroom at the school. Afterwards, we were all ready for a rest and decided to watch the movie Up! For dinner we had lasagna and salad, and apple crumble for dessert. That night we went out for a second campfire, this time in the field and ate some marshmallows. A couple of people decided eating them wasn’t exciting enough and put them on each other’s faces instead; either way – a fun time! At night, after the kids went to bed we sat on the couches and watched The Incredibles, a good ending to an amazing day.

Wednesday morning, our last day, we were all up early to make a special brunch for the Mackay kids. Some of us were in charge of making French toast, others cooked bacon and tater tots. It was a great breakfast and a nice way to end the trip. As things were getting packed up we all had fun doing face-painting with the kids, and then finally got back into the bus for the return trip to Montreal. We all agreed that this was an amazing experience and one that we would never forget. The trip really makes you learn a lot about yourself and others, and makes you realize how lucky you are, and that you should never take life for granted. We can’t wait to see the Mackay kids again sometime soon!— Pietro Cammalleri ’13, Sam Ergina ’12, Claire Greenbaum ’13, Erin Masson ’13, Julia Peterson ’13, Liam Reckziegel ’13

Ottawa Trip: Remembrance Day Ceremonies

Posted on November 17, 2011 by admin

On November 11, 2011, three LCC students and I joined over 250 students that came from coast to coast, in Ottawa for the Remembrance Day ceremony. This trip was organized by Operation Veteran, which was founded by an LCC graduate, Dr. Paul Kavanagh ’70. Operation Veteran ensures that all veterans who visit the Canadian War Museum are able to get a free meal at the cafeteria. This cause is supported by private donors and student fundraising initiatives which run throughout the year, and is an ever-expanding project.

We left for Ottawa at 6:30 am. When we arrived, all the students went to the Canada Room of the Laurier Building, where Dr. Kavanagh gave a short talk about Operation Veteran. We then went outside for the ceremony, which was amazing. Governor General David Johnston and Prime Minister Stephen Harper were there, along with a host of other government and military officials. It seemed like half the people that I saw were in uniform! There was a 21-gun salute, and bagpipes and a bugle were played. There was also a choir that sang during the laying of the wreaths at the National War Memorial. There must have been 30 groups that placed wreaths on the monument. There were also two fighter jets that flew overhead and a formation of helicopters. The speeches were especially moving because, every minute or two, a gun would go off. It was a poignant reminder of the sacrifices that we were remembering.

After the ceremony, we placed our poppies on the tomb of the Unknown Soldier, which is part of the War Memorial. Afterwards, we made our way to the Canadian War Museum, which was a really great experience. I discovered the meaning of a couple of the medals that were won by my great-uncles. There were also some really memorable exhibits. I walked through a replica of a trench and touched a chunk of the Berlin Wall!

On the whole, this day was just such an incredible experience, and I’m so glad that I had the chance to go!—Julia Peterson ’13

Paris Échange: Les Champs Elysées, l’Arc de Triomphe et la Tour Eiffel

Posted on November 11, 2011 by admin

Dans deux jours, je retourne au Canada. Honnêtement, je peux dire que ces six semaines en France étaient vraiment quelque chose que je chérirai toute ma vie. Cette expérience m’a appris à avoir davantage confiance en moi et dans les autres.

Avant le départ pour Montréal, je vais rester à la maison avec Gwen et sa famille pour être ensemble et regarder des films. Durant cet échange, j’ai rencontré plein de personnes avec lesquelles je vais rester en contact grâce à Facebook. Samedi, la mère de Gwen m’a emmené à Paris avec Gwen pour faire une journée entière de shopping. On était au Printemps et aux Galeries Lafayette pendant une journée! C’était vraiment fatigant! On a marché dans ces deux magasins pendant 8 heures. Après, nous sommes allés dans un café très célèbre qui s’appelle Angelina où j’ai mangé le meilleur millefeuille du monde.

Dimanche, nous avons eu la plupart de la journée pour nous détendre et faire des devoirs. Dimanche soir, les parents de Gwen m’ont montré Paris la nuit. J’ai eu la chance de voir les Champs Elysées, l’Arc de Triomphe et la Tour Eiffel illuminés. Durant ce tour, j’ai appris que la « vraie » statue de la Liberté est en France et que celle de New-York était un cadeau donné par les Français.

En fin de compte, mon séjour dans ce lycée a été incroyable et je ne l’oublierai jamais.—Brooke Stein ’13

Green Team: Web Seminar with Dr. David Suzuki

Posted on November 10, 2011 by admin

David Suzuki, the prestigious and award winning environmentalist, held a web seminar this past Wednesday, on November 2. Along with his co-workers, he set up a virtual classroom where elementary and secondary schools from across North America could partake. If questions were submitted in advance, different schools could ask Dr. Suzuki their personal questions themselves via video chat.

LCC did not have the chance to submit any questions, however, several members of the Green Team, along with Ms. Scattolin and myself, had the privilege of watching. Suzuki took the time to answer approximately ten different questions. I was impressed with many of the questions that were asked and with the elaborate answers that were given in return. In particular, one student asked: “How is it possible to become an environmentalist?” Concisely, Suzuki replies that anyone can really become an environmentalist, as it is not a real profession. If you have a passion for helping the environment then it is important to pursue it along side your career, but it should not be one’s principle occupation. He then said “You should follow your heart and do what makes you happy.” This statement is very encouraging and I appreciated Dr. David Suzuki’s responses a great deal. — Jacklyn Greenspoon ’13