How Yorkies Used to Celebrate Graduation

It’s that time of year – graduation, exams, bittersweet endings, fresh beginnings…

As we celebrate this year’s Grade 12s graduating and becoming alumnae, it’s fun to remember the old YHS tradition of the “last will and testament”. While we wouldn’t recommend that Yorkies do this today, it is quite amusing to recall that past Seniors celebrated their graduation with the ritual of gathering around the incinerator(!) in the lane beside the school, reciting a last will and testament, and burning everything from class notes to stockings and bloomers as they said goodbye to YHS and hello to the rest of their lives.

Congratulations to our newest alumnae, the class of 2017. We’re sure you’re going to set the world on fire!

Reading the “last will and testament”, ca. 1950s
Goodbye, old uniform! ca. 1950s
So long, class notes! ca. 1950s

Career Day at York House School

Alumnae Sharing Life Experiences and Career Journeys

Thirteen alumnae came back to York House on May 12th to participate in our annual Career Day. The day started with a panel discussion in the theatre where alumnae discussed life after high school, university, life challenges, and the roads less travelled. This was followed by break-out sessions in classrooms with the Grade 8-12 students where alums presented on their careers and shared their experiences and career journeys. Every year we have an amazing line up of presenters and this year was no different.

Natalee Sinclair MBA from the Class of 2006 is an insurance project manager with Jones Brown inc; Salima Remtulla CFA from the Class of 2000 is a finance executive with international experience directing corporate strategy and building high performance teams,  Zoe Alexander ‘02 is a graphic designer working with a tech start up, Taline Arslanyan ‘07, an inside Account Executive at Hootsuite Inc.; Pippa Morgan ’90, is the Executive Vice President, Retail Division of Aritzia, Jasmine Lam ’97 is a GP, a UBC Faculty of Medicine Clinical Instructor and on the Residency Admissions committee, Courtney Lam ’09 is a design assistant with Lululemon, Sarvenaz Amanat ‘97 is a visual artist, works as a museum educator at the Vancouver Art Gallery (2009-present) and is the Director of Gallery1515 in the South Granville gallery district of Vancouver.  Nicole Steinbrecher ‘06, a registered nurse who works on an acute medical/surgical ward at Vancouver General Hospital,  Rachelle Topham ‘10 is a business development representative who prospects new business for SAP in Vancouver; Robyn Wilson ‘05 is currently the Chief Operations Officer of Venue Kings Ticket Brokers, Inc. in Vancouver and recently named one of BC’s 30 Under 30,   Sarah Brayne ‘03 is an Assistant Professor of Sociology at The University of Texas at Austin and Jessica Smith ’10 is a midwifery student at UBC who came back to talk about her gap year experiences along with her sister Amelia ’15.

We are very grateful to our alumnae who took the time out of their day to return to YHS and share their stories with our students.

Celebrating 30 Years

The Class of 1987

On Saturday May 27th, members of the class of 1987 gathered together to celebrate their 30th reunion. Class reps Anitha (Gondi) Vasireddi and Lisa (Granger) Cunliffe reported, “The evening began with a reception at the Telus Garden Rooftop followed by dinner at Global restaurant. We could not have asked for a more spectacular venue to host our memorable reunion. It was as if time had stood still for everyone as they shared memories, laughs, and stories about each other’s families, lives, and work. We were all happy that a few of our out of town Yorkies made a great effort to attend our reunion including Michelle (Seattle), Maria (Ontario), Vanessa (Victoria), Suzanne (Kelowna), Rande (Ontario), and Mandy (Houston).

Mrs. Wells, Mr. Doan, Mrs. Robertson, Mrs. Massel, Mrs. Rushton and Ms. Allester

A special thanks to our wonderful teachers who were able to make it for this event. It was delightful to see their enthusiasm and interest towards all of us remains the same even after 30 years!” Mr. Doan commented, “It was great to see all of you and hear about what you’ve done in the 30 years after YHS. We teachers meet you when you’re just a few steps along on your life’s path and it is a special treat to reconnect with you and see what you’ve accomplished as you’ve moved more steps down that road. What a great and impressive group of women you are. Congratulations to the class reps for staging the event and my sincerest thanks for being included. It was great fun!”

The Class of 1987 and their teachers

“Our amazing venue, the Telus Garden Rooftop Garden, would not have been possible without the generous help of Jill Schnarr. Thank you Jill, and thanks to all for coming and making our reunion a great success.”

Click here for our 30th Reunion Gallery

 

Class Notes

Congratulations to Natalee Sinclair ’06 who has successfully completed her Full-Time Masters in Business Administration (MBA) at Copenhagen Business School (CBS). This comprehensive program emphasizes Leadership, Entrepreneurship, and Sustainability. With a class represented by 22 countries, she placed in the top tier of her class and completed her thesis project addressing a strategic problem faced by a global specialist company in energy management and automation.

Upon returning to Vancouver, she has accepted a position as manager for strategic projects with a national insurance brokerage. Natalee is currently working as the Project Manager for the Policies and Procedures Manual (PPM) utilizing her 10 years of experience in the Property & Casualty insurance industry and recently acquired MBA toolkit.

 

Accessories designer Andrea Wong ’99 was recently featured in Western Living Magazine as a designer to watch out for.   Check out her locally-made bags and totes here

 

Robyn Wilson ’05 was recently named one of BC Business Magazine’s 30 Under 30.  Robyn is currently the Chief Operations Officer of Venue Kings Ticket Brokers, Inc. in Vancouver. When she started with the company, they were a three-person operation. Venue Kings has now grown to 26 team members that was just rated one of the fastest growing companies in BC and Canada.

 

Two leaving Gros Cap (photo by Mike Landmark)

Dianne Whelan ’83 recently posted that she’s “super excited and honoured to receive an Expedition Grant from The Royal Canadian Geographic Society for the next section of 500 Days in the Wild, the 2300km paddle of Lake Superior and Path of the Paddle to Manitoba.” Congratulations Dee! The paddle of Lake Superior began on May 4 th with reports of a sweet south east wind. To follow Dianne on her 500 day journey click the link here.

The National Film Board launched a playlist for Canada 150 and Dianne’s documentary film ‘This Land‘ is part of the list.

 

Barbie (Bentley) Hislop ‘72 and Ken Loughnan outgoing and incoming International Presidents of Variety – the Children’s Charity

Barbara (Bentley) Hislop ’72 just completed a successful 2-year term as the International President of Variety – the Children’s Charity, which directly helps almost 140,000 children and 900 Children’s organizations annually worldwide. Variety has offices in 14 countries. “I enjoyed seeing first-hand the many ways children were helped and how children’s lives were enhanced with real hope.” In pursuit of her passion for children, Barbie left the corporate world and became the Executive Director of Variety – the Children’s Charity of BC in 2006. After retiring and moving to Great Britain, Barbie served on the board of Directors for Variety – the Children’s Charity International and was elected to the President position in May 2015. Congratulations Barbie! You are an inspiration to us all.

 

L-R: Anne (Brockley) Leech, Cindy Charkow, Wendy Chapman, Sharon (Burns) Jacks, Heather (Harrell) Robinson. Photo by Carol (Baillie) Cromie ‘66

Class Rep Carol (Baillie) Cromie ’66 brought five classmates to the 3rd annual YHS Carol Service at St. John’s Shaughnessy Church on December 7, 2017. “It was a lovely service and the YHS choir is excellent! Their harmonizing was beautiful! The Choir Director has done a super job with these young ladies!” Thanks to the Venerable John Stephens, music teacher Heather Christiansen, St. John’s Shaughnessy church music director and organist, Michael Dirk, and rector’s warden, Robyn Woodward ’72, alumnae, parents, friends and family enjoyed a glorious program of choral music. They also had the chance to sing some of their favourite carols bringing back many memories of the times when the YHS Carol Service was held at St. John’s from 1950 until 1993. All gathered for a festive reception after the service.

 

Connections Exhibition May 11 – June 22, 2017 6pm – 9pm
(in)finite spiritual conversations in cloth May 25 – June 4

Tapestry artist, Barbara Heller ’65 is featured in an exhibition, Connections, with two other textile artists in collaboration with four members of Nature Vancouver. The artists “explore issues of cultural and natural destruction and the consumption, restoration and protection of nature. In a spirit of experimentation that has involved risk, research and steep learning curves, all participants have gained – and are pleased to share – new understandings of the natural world.” Please click the link for more information.

Barbara will also be featured in Christ Church Cathedral as part of the (in)finite spiritual conversations in cloth exhibition featuring 30 Canadian textile artists and their explorations into the realm of the sacred. Click here for more information.

 

Lisa (Granger) Cunliffe ’87 and Anitha (Gondi) Vasireddi ’87

Class reps Lisa (Granger) Cunliffe ’87 and Anitha (Gondi) Vasireddi ’87 found their class names on the staircase glass panels while on a tour of the Senior School and YHS Museum & Archives last month.

Lisa commented, “The school looks spectacular!  We were especially touched by how well all of you have linked the past with the present (and the future!).  It’s truly a special place and something to be immensely proud of.” Anitha added, “I’m so proud to have graduated from such an awesome school. A big shout out to YHS for building such a beautiful campus and constantly improving to make it an even more warm and caring environment for the girls.”

Lisa and Anita have been very busy preparing for their 30th reunion, which took place on Saturday May 27 at the TELUS Rooftop Garden and Glowbal restaurant. Photos and details will be posted on the YHS Alumnae Blog next week.

 

Meghan Drew-McKinstry from the Class of 2000 remains grateful for her wonderful Yorkie experience as a “lifer”. Following a BA from McMaster University, she obtained a Masters of Science from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and then went onto UBC where she graduated from medical school in 2012. In  2015,  she completed her FRCP,  Internal Medicine at the University of Calgary and in November of 2017,  she will sit Fellowship exams in sub-specialty haematology and oncology. Meghan is also planning a 6th final year as a Clinical Fellow in Palliative Care studying abroad before prior to establishing a practice in western Canada.

 

Judy (Evans) Jones ’60 moved last summer to Penticton, BC after 41 years in the same house in Willow Brook (near Oliver). They are busy settling into their new home but Judy still finds time to volunteer and to enjoy her grandchildren. After working in Special Education at the schools within Southern Okanagan areas of Olalla, Keremeos, Osoyoos, Okanagan Falls and Oliver, as well as teaching basic life skills to handicapped adults, Judy is now retired. There’s lots to celebrate as Judy will be 75 years young this month and it’s 47 years since George and Judy were married at St. John’s Shaughnessy Church in Vancouver. Congratulations to you both!

 

Congratulations to Jill and Devon Taylor ’02 on the birth of their little boy William Benjamin Taylor on April 12, 2017.

 

YHS Alumnae Chapter Lunch in Kelowna

 

Fifteen alumnae from 1949-2016 came together for our annual lunch in Kelowna in early April. It was wonderful to see everyone and stories were told and memories shared around the tables.  Our three recent grads were able to get time off university to attend and were welcomed by their teachers, Spencer Bach and Mary Keitel.
 
 Meg Walwyn ’15, Bree Tsui ’16 and  Arizah Karim ’15 together for lunch in Kelowna.
Later that day, a small group gathered at the BNA Brewery for after work refreshments. Tianna Alexander ’11 exchanged memories with sisters Suzanne and Janette Harrington and compared notes about their time at YHS.  Janette from the Class of 1989 proudly showed off her school Chronicles and Suzanne (Class of 1987) told us how she was looking forward to her 30th alumnae reunion at the end of May.  Tianna who is also our Kelowna co-chair will be joining faculty as an intern at York House School in September.  She passes the co-chapter position to Katherine (Mortimer) Pisiak ’79 who will share it with Bobbi (Pritchard) Coates ’52.

Alumnae Gallery Art Exhibition

Are you a professional artist? If so, we invite you to participate in our Alumnae Gallery exhibition celebrating the school’s 85th anniversary, launching this fall. Please contact Museum Curator Susannah Smith at the email provided with any questions. The deadline for submissions is June 21, 2017.