Hockey de Rue

Posted on May 28, 2012 by admin

On the Victoria Day weekend, a group of LCC students put a team together for a ball hockey tournament called Hockey de Rue. The Montreal Canadiens sponsored it and the money raised went to the Montreal Canadiens Children’s Foundation.

We competed against Loyola, Selwyn House, Kuper Academy and many more schools. Our team got off to a slow start by tying our first two games. We won our last and final round-robin game and we placed 8^th in the playoff rankings, which meant we had to play the 1^st place team.

We pulled off the upset and moved on to the semi-finals. We won a tight game against MNP and met Kuper in the final. We went down by two goals early in the game but with the competitive drive of our team, we managed to tie up the game. At the end of the 3^rd period the game was tied 4-4. We went into overtime thanks to the outstanding goaltending of Jordan Itzkovitz ’13. Five minutes into overtime, Nathanael Niedermann ’12 scored to win the game for us!

After a beautiful day of ball hockey, we were awarded the trophy for winning the tournament and another trophy for raising the most money. Our team raised a total of $11, 219!—Giordano Saputo ’13

Watch video coverage and read more in Le Journal de Montréal

When Do We Take Action? NOW!

Posted on May 9, 2012 by admin

(Lakefield Ontario Young Round Square Conference: April 22-April 27 2012)

Last week, we had the privilege of attending the Young Round Square of the Americas’ annual conference, held at Lakefield College School in Lakefield, Ontario. Our French teacher, Monsieur Maurice, accompanied us. We both agree that this was by far the greatest experience we have ever had.

Nous ne savions pas à quoi nous attendre. Est-ce que nous allions écouter des conférenciers parler pendant une semaine? Nous étions excités de voir ce qui allait se passer.

We made long-lasting memories with our billeting families: Zack’s time consisted of activities such as bowling, while Holly enjoyed a succulent culinary experience every night, which was a great start to the week’s events. We were truly saddened when it was time to leave, yet happy to have had such a great time.

The conference was quite an adventure. People came from all over the world: From Canada and the United States to Bermuda and Peru! But the farthest travellers by far were from Tokyo, Japan. We met many people at the opening ceremonies, where we listened to what was to become our inspiration for the rest of the week. On the first day of the conference, it became clear to us that this experience would forever change our attitudes towards making a difference in this world. The first presentation was from a 15-year-old motivational speaker who impressed us to no end. Bilaal Rajan, UNICEF’s youngest ambassador, has raised over $5 million since he began his quest at the age of four, selling clementines. He is also in grade 11 at Lakefield College School, our conference’s host school. The main message he was trying to convey to us was: “When do we take action? NOW!” That was when it hit us, the eye opener to the potential we all had. It was at that point when we truly realized why we were, at that moment, sitting in that room, listening to Bilaal. The theme of the conference was immediately clear: “Find your passion, take action!” We too began to hope to make a difference in our world. But the question was how would we go about it in just one short week?

Puis, nous sommes allés au Camp Kawartha. Il a fallu affronter plusieurs défis qui nous ont appris à combattre nos peurs! On nous a dit qu’en essayant des choses qui nous font peur, cela élargirait notre zone de confort. Et nous pouvons vous dire que c’est complètement vrai.

Nous avons aussi visité le centre écologique de Kawartha où nous avons discuté d’enjeux et d’inquiétudes en relation avec l’environnement partout dans le monde. Nous avons surtout aimé le jeu de « Guess that Watt? ». Plusieurs appareils électroniques étaient branchés dans un appareil qui nous disait combien de watts étaient utilisés pour leur fonctionnement. Saviez-vous qu’un grille-pain consomme dix fois plus d’énergie qu’un ventilateur?

After an amazing two days in Lakefield, we departed for the Me to We Facility in Bethany, Ontario, where we spent the last three days of our trip. We were greeted after an hour’s drive by an amazing lunch for our famished stomachs. The food was fantastic! There was an ongoing competition in which we had to answer questions or partake in silly challenges before getting our food. Now, when do you think we ate?

Le groupe était séparé en quatre équipes aves lesquelles nous avons fait de nombreuses activités en rapport avec le travail en équipe et la communication. Souvent, nos yeux étaient bandés, et nous devions travailler ensemble sans parler! Nos solutions étaient toujours créatives. Nous avons aussi appris quel type de dirigeant nous sommes, et ce qu’on pouvait faire pour s’améliorer. Par exemple, nous devions créer une tour avec nos souliers qui étaient encore à nos pieds!

Of course, it wasn’t just all work and no play! We had our fair share of fun time, including many inside and outside games, campfires and two dances on the last night! First, some aboriginal dancers came in and had us certified in aboriginal singing and dancing 101. We competed for the title of best singers and made up our own dances. Then it was time for the “must have” social dance, where DJs mixed popular tunes to end the night.

On the last morning, we worked together with Monsieur Maurice on proving a formula that would lead us to make changes in our school. Passion + issue = change. We made a list of ideas and initiatives, which we intend to introduce at LCC.

Durant la cérémonie de fermeture, les directeurs nous ont demandé de réfléchir sur notre semaine. Plusieurs d’entres nous ont dit qu’elle était amusante. Ce n’était pas encore évident de voir comment nous pourrions faire une différence dans le monde. Mais, la réponse est venue comme un éclair : le travail en équipe et la communication. Il faudra surmonter tous les obstacles, prendre des décisions critiques, analyser nos problèmes et les résoudre. Avec tout ce que nous avons appris cette semaine, nous pourrons faire une différence. Nous avons seulement besoin de notre passion pour agir.

Over the course of the weeklong conference, we were given many tools and tips to help us figure out how to make a difference. We met new people and bettered our communication skills. This experience truly taught us how to communicate with others, and showed us what goes on outside of our little bubbles that we call our world. We made many new friends, and some were even teary-eyed as they waved goodbye to their friends’ buses.

This was a great opportunity for us and we are grateful to Monsieur Maurice for accompanying us, and to LCC for allowing us to participate in this eye opening experience. More than 25 schools and 85 delegates attended this conference, but LCC was the only school from Montreal. Round Square really had a great impact on us, and we are itching to put what we learned into action. We encourage anyone and everyone who has ever wanted to “be the change they wish to see” in their community to put Round Square philosophy in practice. – Holly Faria ’15 and Zachary Shine ’15

Duke of Ed Peru Gold Trip: The Pleasure of the Unexpected

Posted on April 30, 2012 by admin

To be honest, I don’t think any of us knew what to expect when we stepped off the plane in Lima on day 1 of our adventure, not even the returning students. No two trips are ever alike, and the Duke of Ed Gold Trip to Peru was probably the most eye opening experience any of us ever had.

What started off as a 4-day community service project in the shantytown of Las Palmas, ended up being the most fulfilling and selfless event any of us ever did. From making cement from scratch to adding it to the first floor of a roof on a small building and everything in between, the 30 hours of service we did created lasting memories and unimaginable experiences.

From there we traveled to the city of Cuzco, the ancient capital of the Incan empire. Guided by Trans Andes co-workers—Alex, Olivier and Greco—our 4 day, 3 night hike proved to be a lot more then just 30 hours of walking over 75 km. The surreal scenery in the midst of a magical mountain range known as the Andes tired us all out, but made real trekkers out of us.

Needless to say only three people didn’t get sick at least once throughout the entire trip, the problem was never missing a bed to get better in, but rather always missing the day’s activities.

If there’s one thing I learned from this trip, poverty does indeed exist and is very real. But even in the saddest of conditions, Peruvians find a way to always smile and work from dawn to dusk to make their lives more accommodating to their community and to ours.

Nighttime was never without lack of activity. From long walks in the cool air through Lima, to dancing Salsa and swimming at Markham College, to playing soccer with locals before bed in a small village during our trek, the diesiocho LCC students and four teachers on this trip were really shown the true bright colours that Peru has to offer.

Folkloric dancing, insane water parks, high altitudes and positive attitudes kept us busy for 14 days, but what kept us going was the encouragement and willingness to aid others. This trip will no doubt stay in the minds of everyone on that trip forever, the only question remains, when will we be back? — Jacob-Ray Falutz ’12

Duke of Ed Gold Trip 2012: Peru Expedition Update

Posted on March 8, 2012 by admin

March 8, 2012

Upon my return to Peru, I did not know what to expect. I would soon find out that, although many landmarks were familiar to me, I was seeing everything in a completely new light. I was wiser and the shantytowns of Lima didn’t shock me. Rather they incited me to want to get to work immediately!

We spent four days in Las Palmas completing our community service project, which included a new set of stairs, a new fence, a fresh coat of paint and a new roof. By the fourth day, every student had mixed feelings about leaving Las Palmas. Although we may have been filled with excitement with the prospects of beginning the hike in Cusco, we would be leaving behind a community to which we had grown very close.– Emily Tiberi ’12

Five days ago, eighteen LCC students who would work on the service project in Las Palmas flew into the desert city, Lima. With last years experience doing the service project and the Salkantay Trek, I didn’t feel nervous. I was rather excited to see how things had changed over a year.

Every morning, when driving to Las Palmas, I noticed that the poverty levels hadn’t changed. The chaotic way of life and the number of shantytowns stacked on the desert was the same. It seemed as if I had not left Peru last March. When working at the community, the locals treated us with the same respect and warmth they had shown us in 2011. I remembered their names and faces and so did they. Under the scorching heat, we worked on the concrete roof until the very last minute. Today, we fly to Cusco. We are anxious about the hike, but at the same time, excited to walk the same path where Incas and adventurers explored.– Kenya Shatani (Pre-U ’12)

Round Square: Every Day a New Adventure in South Africa

Posted on January 25, 2012 by admin

Waking up to a poolside breakfast followed by 18 holes of golf under the hot African sun seems like a suitable way to start off your day. Well, it’s how I begin most of my days here in South Africa. The air is warm, the sun always shines and life is good.

I am 23 days into my journey and have already seen more animals than most people would in their entire lives. From leopards, lions, elephants, hippos, crocodiles, and rhinos, to even small creatures like snakes, lizards, and turtles, not to mention hundreds of different exotic birds. You name it and there’s a good chance I’ve encountered it in one instance or another.

The family I am living with is wonderful and I’d like to say that I am ever grateful for them taking me into their home. I am treated with great hospitality and living on the luxurious side of life. Even though I am living in a high-class community, I am very aware of the social and economic problems that surround me. South Africa is actually one of the most affluent countries in Africa, but it is still a developing country. About a quarter of the population is unemployed and lives on under $2 a day. Crime, sexual assault, and corruption within the government are major issues that face South Africa.

I began school at St Stithians College on January 16. St Stithians College is a Methodist, all boys’ school. The campus is over 105 hectors, and holds almost 3000 students. It may be hard to imagine, but it is over 226 football fields in area. Some students board in dorms on campus, while others live quite close. Apart from the fantastic classes and teachers, St Stithians provides a variety of sport teams and clubs that are open to everyone. I have the privilege of participating in the Chess Club, Photography Club, the Music Club, the Track and Field team, and the Fitness team. St Stithians has been very welcoming to me and the other few exchange students. There are two boys from Columbia and one from England who I’ve been spending quite a bit of time with. The four of us are going on a special trip to the Apartheid Museum tomorrow, the first of many places that we will be visiting.

It has been quite the experience so far, with over a month to go. I learn new things everyday, and am grateful to be a part of Round Square. Who knows what I will do next? Every day is a whole new adventure. – Liam McMahon ’14