To purchase tickets and for more info, click here.
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
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).
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!”
“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
Upcoming Alumnae Events
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.
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.
Not For Ourselves Alone: The Janet Ward (Cliff) Campbell Scholarship
Janet Ward (Cliff) Campbell’s son and daughter-in-law, Angus and Kimberly Campbell, have generously donated a full scholarship in Janet’s memory for a student entering York House from Grade 8 – 12. Janet passed away on September 14, 2016, just a year after she hosted her class of 1965’s 50th reunion at her home. It was a most memorable occasion for all. On hearing the news about the scholarship, Susan (Wootten) Jackson ’65, long-time class rep immediately responded, “That’s wonderful, Janet would be so proud!”
“I cannot think of a better way to remember and honour my mum than putting in place, in perpetuity, an avenue to alter a young woman’s life, mind and trajectory than by starting a full scholarship at York House,” said Angus. “As a member of the 1965 graduating class, Janet spoke fondly of her time there. Kimberly and I believe that my mum, who preferred to be in the background providing the canvas for others to shine, would be honoured and moved. A scholarship in her name will be affecting change and the creation of female global citizens, a perfect homage to who she was to so many.
My mother always encouraged us to give more of ourselves than we take from others. Throughout her life, she promoted life altering generosity, either by time, talent, or treasure. She donated countless hours of her days to helping others and she had a particular talent to being able to see the bigger picture. Education was first and foremost with her. She challenged everyone she knew to engage in the world around them as a Global Citizen and challenge what is possible.”
In case you missed Janet’s obituary last fall, please click here.
Celebrating Class Anniversaries
Each year, the YHS Museum & Archives has an exhibit of photos to honour graduation anniversaries of alumnae classes.
Whether your class celebrates at the school as part of Alumnae Day or the Golden Luncheon, or gathers at another time, holding regular reunions is one of the ways that YHS alumnae stay connected and create a strong community of lifelong friends.
This year’s exhibit is now installed in the museum for the classes of 1957, 1962, 1967, 1972, 1977, 1982, 1987, 1992, 1997, and 2002.
Class of 1987 is up first with their May 27th reunion. Let the celebrations begin!
Photography, a Food Blog and Two Weddings: Danielle Wong ’10
What did you do after graduation from York House?After graduating, I went straight to the Ontario College of Art and Design University – where I first studied in the design program but then switched to fine arts and discovered my passion for photography.
Did you have a lot of exposure to photography at York House?
Not really, I didn’t discover photography until my graduating year at YHS – after our grad trip to NYC and visiting galleries and discovering photographers; that’s when I realized perhaps I wanted to make a different path for myself and the desire to be in design started to fade away.
Not really, I didn’t discover photography until my graduating year at YHS – after our grad trip to NYC and visiting galleries and discovering photographers; that’s when I realized perhaps I wanted to make a different path for myself and the desire to be in design started to fade away.
Describe a typical day in the life of Danielle Wong Photography?
I started my company in 2014 after I came back from my post-graduate studies. It was a little slow at first, but thanks to my fantastic mentor who is also one of my closest friends today, she has guided me and taught me almost everything I know. Wedding season in the summers is always hectic but very rewarding. Taking pictures of families and actor portraits was how I first kickstarted my business in Vancouver, thanks to friends and a lot of networking! I love working with people and hearing the feedback (usually positive) afterwards is very humbling and I treat every opportunity I receive as an honour.
You’re a food blogger as well. Tell us about your blog?
I am! I LOVE food! I feel like my life revolves either around photography, fitness, wine and food. I live to eat. In my last year at university, I focused on food photography. Food doesn’t talk back – you’re basically in control all the time. Since graduating, I haven’t really touched food photography at all. It’s hard in a market like Vancouver with a saturation of photographers.
My dad is in the wine and sake importing business and to learn more about pairing wine with foods I took the WSET (Wine Sommelier Education Trust) Levels 1 & 2 courses.
Then, I started The Gourmoo – my food blog – about a year ago now. I had missed photographing food so much. I’m always looking for the opportunity to photograph new menus for chefs in town, or if your restaurant is just starting up and you need really delicious shots of your masterpieces – this is what I love doing most. I can’t deny my love for food.
I was featured in WestJet’s Magazine last year for a piece on Dublin, Ireland. I had visited the city that year and took a photo of a delicious dish of Vitello Tonnato – sliced veal served cold, covered with a creamy, tuna mayonnaise-like sauce. I was honoured to have my photograph published in their magazine!
Are you a good cook or do you prefer to eat and photograph it?
I’m not a bad cook (so I keep telling myself) – my parents are the real cooks. I definitely prefer to photograph food rather than make it – however I love marinating meat or making desserts. I love to cook, but I think I love photography a little more. I’m that person who takes photos of their dishes (and others) before eating.
I’m not a bad cook (so I keep telling myself) – my parents are the real cooks. I definitely prefer to photograph food rather than make it – however I love marinating meat or making desserts. I love to cook, but I think I love photography a little more. I’m that person who takes photos of their dishes (and others) before eating.
You’re getting married soon and getting married twice! How are the wedding plans going?
I think I will need a long vacation after the two weddings… It’s been a lot of hard work, and the first one is less than a month away! My fiancé and I are very excited to have both our families gather to celebrate our marriage. We are eternally grateful for everyone being able to travel from all over the world to celebrate with us.
As a photographer, I know how much work goes into planning a wedding – let alone two! I not only photograph weddings, but I help the couples to plan out their day too. It is so important to keep the bride and groom relaxed on their big day – reminding them to enjoy it and just have fun. It is so easy to forget why you’re having a wedding in the first place – you are marrying the love of your life! You must cherish every moment. Being able to treasure those moments through photographs is something very special. I cannot wait for what the future brings!
The Legacy Society Tea: Celebrating 40 Years of the YHS Endowment
The 40th anniversary was the perfect time for the unveiling of the updated Not for Ourselves Alone Legacy Society plaque by Barbara (Sanderson) Armstrong ’55, past Foundation trustee and Lisa (Greczmiel) Roberts ’82, Alumnae Association president to reveal eighty-five members including YHS Board members, Foundation trustees, Alumnae Association executives, alumnae, YHS staff, current parents and friends.
The recognition plaque hangs above the distinctive YHS Museum & Archives display case, a gift from a three generational York House family, Margaret (Shepard) Walwyn ’55, her daughter Catharine (Walwyn) Turner and granddaughters, Megan Walwyn ’15 and Claire Turner ’17. The case enables treasured archival artifacts to be brought out and shared with the whole community. The current display, arranged by archivist and curator Susannah Smith, features York House in the 1930s including the blazer of Corinth (Eckman) Carson ’35 from the first graduating class. Be sure to take a look when walking through the Gail Ruddy foyer!
The society was founded by Barbara (Sanderson) Armstrong ’55 in 1999 to recognize donors who have made a bequest in their will or other planned gift to the YHS Foundation in support of student scholarships and the school’s future. The YHS Endowment Fund was established four decades ago and thanks to the dedication of Foundation trustees, and the generosity of our Legacy Society members and donors, the fund continues to grow.
This year, fourteen students are recipients of either full or partial scholarships.
After the unveiling, champagne glasses clinked, our very own blend of Murchie’s YHS tea served and delicate sandwiches, boarder’s fare (brown bread with butter), scones and sweets were enjoyed by all.
The best was yet to come with speakers, Caitlin Ohama-Darcus ’07, a past Foundation scholarship recipient now with Nathanson, Schachter & Thompson LLP and grade 12 student Fiona Lang ’17, the Ursula Bell scholarship recipient, who is planning to study engineering.
Fiona spoke first and expressed what being a Yorkie and scholarship student has meant to her through her experiences in the math honours, the music and computer science programs.
Caitlin began with a dictionary. “I did as most young lawyers are trained to do: start with a search for the word “legacy”…Of all the definitions, the one that stood out for me the most was this: ‘a legacy is ‘a tangible or intangible thing handed down by a predecessor or the long-lasting effect of an event or process.’
My experience as a York House student and a Foundation scholar was one of those hugely significant events – or if I think about my development as a girl and young woman, one of those many-dimensional processes, whose impact continues for me to this day. Many, many moments stand out for me from my time at the school.”
Inspired by these two amazing young women, legacy members stayed on for the Celebrate Scholars program put on by current student scholars with the chance to meet them at the reception afterwards. Each legacy member received the new gold YHS Legacy Society pin with the York rose emblem.
Click here for the Legacy Society Tea photo gallery
Click here for more about the Legacy Society