Ancaster High School has influenced success in the lives of students for 60 years. Former students have gone on to accomplish great things in their personal lives and career and many are now recognized in the school’s Hall of Distinction.
This year, Ancaster High inducted five more former students, including Zigmund (Zig) Misiak, Dr. Lawrie Oliphant, Monte Hummel, Jennifer McCartney and Brad Martin.
The Hall of Distinction Ceremony, held last month in the library learning commons, gave inductees the opportunity to be honoured in front of their friends and families, while chatting with students and former teachers and enjoying a spread of food.
As a snowboarder, Brad Martin soared to new heights on the World Cup circuit and the Canadian National Team. He competed in three Olympics in the snowboard halfpipe in Turin (2006), Vancouver (2010) and Sochi (2014).
Martin credited his Ancaster High teachers for their support, which allowed him to balance academics and athletics.
An author, editor and mentor for young writers, Jennifer McCartney now lives in Brooklyn, N.Y. and works as an editor with a publishing company. She has written over 20 books, some of which have been published in multiple languages and appeared on the New York Times bestseller list.
“What I think I owe to Ancaster, looking back, is that sense of expectation we all shared. That whatever you wanted in the world was there for you, ready for the taking, and if you did your homework and showed up and only goofed off a little, you’d probably be able to choose a pretty good life,” she said.
After graduating from Ancaster High, Dr. Lawrie Oliphant moved to Sudbury as the Medical Director of Respiratory Therapy and the founder of the Sleep Disorders Clinic at the then-named Laurentian Hospital. His medical career was dedicated to improving the health of those in Northern Ontario. In retirement, he competed in many Master Age Group Sprint Triathlon events and won the Provincial Championships for Open Water Swimming (10km) in 2013.
Zig Misiak is an accomplished author, having written numerous books that help school-age children learn about Canadian history. He’s been recognized for his work with awards such as a Pediatric Reads recognition, George and Olive Seibel award for the promotion of heritage through education, the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee medal and the Governor General’s Caring Canadian award.
Monte Hummel joined the staff of World Wildlife Fund Canada and pursued a career focusing on conserving the natural world and the animals found within it. As president of WWF-Canada, he pushed for national conservation programs such as Pollution Probe and regional programs such as Whales Beneath the Ice and Wild West.
“For me, the things I learned at AHS were formative and foundational. For example: I learned I liked writing and went on to publish six books. I learned I liked Shakespeare, and as a teenager went on to read all his plays and sonnets. I have now spent 50 years working full-time in the Canadian conservation movement. Thank you, Ancaster High, for making such a difference in my life,” he said.
Randy Gallant, Ancaster High’s current principal, was proud to be a part of the induction event.
“It was so moving to hear from former students, who have gone on to accomplish great things, and their impact they’ve had on a lot of people. To hear them talk about the influence Ancaster High had in their lives when they were students here was very inspiring,” he said.
Inductees were introduced by current Ancaster students Haneen Kadhom, Parker Johnston, Maka Goredema, Jamie Zucker and Mackenzie Smith. Each inductee presented a proud, heartfelt speech, sharing the impact Ancaster High had in their lives.
This year’s inductees were chosen by the selection committee, which included: Reg Varghese (head of Science); Jeremy Russell (head of Humanities); Ralph Hankenberg and former staff members Joan Milliard; Cathy Dunn; Jason Smith, Jan Lukas and community members, Mike McKague, Al Zucker.
- Special to The News
Ancaster High School has influenced success in the lives of students for 60 years. Former students have gone on to accomplish great things in their personal lives and career and many are now recognized in the school’s Hall of Distinction.
This year, Ancaster High inducted five more former students, including Zigmund (Zig) Misiak, Dr. Lawrie Oliphant, Monte Hummel, Jennifer McCartney and Brad Martin.
The Hall of Distinction Ceremony, held last month in the library learning commons, gave inductees the opportunity to be honoured in front of their friends and families, while chatting with students and former teachers and enjoying a spread of food.
As a snowboarder, Brad Martin soared to new heights on the World Cup circuit and the Canadian National Team. He competed in three Olympics in the snowboard halfpipe in Turin (2006), Vancouver (2010) and Sochi (2014).
Martin credited his Ancaster High teachers for their support, which allowed him to balance academics and athletics.
An author, editor and mentor for young writers, Jennifer McCartney now lives in Brooklyn, N.Y. and works as an editor with a publishing company. She has written over 20 books, some of which have been published in multiple languages and appeared on the New York Times bestseller list.
“What I think I owe to Ancaster, looking back, is that sense of expectation we all shared. That whatever you wanted in the world was there for you, ready for the taking, and if you did your homework and showed up and only goofed off a little, you’d probably be able to choose a pretty good life,” she said.
After graduating from Ancaster High, Dr. Lawrie Oliphant moved to Sudbury as the Medical Director of Respiratory Therapy and the founder of the Sleep Disorders Clinic at the then-named Laurentian Hospital. His medical career was dedicated to improving the health of those in Northern Ontario. In retirement, he competed in many Master Age Group Sprint Triathlon events and won the Provincial Championships for Open Water Swimming (10km) in 2013.
Zig Misiak is an accomplished author, having written numerous books that help school-age children learn about Canadian history. He’s been recognized for his work with awards such as a Pediatric Reads recognition, George and Olive Seibel award for the promotion of heritage through education, the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee medal and the Governor General’s Caring Canadian award.
Monte Hummel joined the staff of World Wildlife Fund Canada and pursued a career focusing on conserving the natural world and the animals found within it. As president of WWF-Canada, he pushed for national conservation programs such as Pollution Probe and regional programs such as Whales Beneath the Ice and Wild West.
“For me, the things I learned at AHS were formative and foundational. For example: I learned I liked writing and went on to publish six books. I learned I liked Shakespeare, and as a teenager went on to read all his plays and sonnets. I have now spent 50 years working full-time in the Canadian conservation movement. Thank you, Ancaster High, for making such a difference in my life,” he said.
Randy Gallant, Ancaster High’s current principal, was proud to be a part of the induction event.
“It was so moving to hear from former students, who have gone on to accomplish great things, and their impact they’ve had on a lot of people. To hear them talk about the influence Ancaster High had in their lives when they were students here was very inspiring,” he said.
Inductees were introduced by current Ancaster students Haneen Kadhom, Parker Johnston, Maka Goredema, Jamie Zucker and Mackenzie Smith. Each inductee presented a proud, heartfelt speech, sharing the impact Ancaster High had in their lives.
This year’s inductees were chosen by the selection committee, which included: Reg Varghese (head of Science); Jeremy Russell (head of Humanities); Ralph Hankenberg and former staff members Joan Milliard; Cathy Dunn; Jason Smith, Jan Lukas and community members, Mike McKague, Al Zucker.
- Special to The News
Ancaster High School has influenced success in the lives of students for 60 years. Former students have gone on to accomplish great things in their personal lives and career and many are now recognized in the school’s Hall of Distinction.
This year, Ancaster High inducted five more former students, including Zigmund (Zig) Misiak, Dr. Lawrie Oliphant, Monte Hummel, Jennifer McCartney and Brad Martin.
The Hall of Distinction Ceremony, held last month in the library learning commons, gave inductees the opportunity to be honoured in front of their friends and families, while chatting with students and former teachers and enjoying a spread of food.
As a snowboarder, Brad Martin soared to new heights on the World Cup circuit and the Canadian National Team. He competed in three Olympics in the snowboard halfpipe in Turin (2006), Vancouver (2010) and Sochi (2014).
Martin credited his Ancaster High teachers for their support, which allowed him to balance academics and athletics.
An author, editor and mentor for young writers, Jennifer McCartney now lives in Brooklyn, N.Y. and works as an editor with a publishing company. She has written over 20 books, some of which have been published in multiple languages and appeared on the New York Times bestseller list.
“What I think I owe to Ancaster, looking back, is that sense of expectation we all shared. That whatever you wanted in the world was there for you, ready for the taking, and if you did your homework and showed up and only goofed off a little, you’d probably be able to choose a pretty good life,” she said.
After graduating from Ancaster High, Dr. Lawrie Oliphant moved to Sudbury as the Medical Director of Respiratory Therapy and the founder of the Sleep Disorders Clinic at the then-named Laurentian Hospital. His medical career was dedicated to improving the health of those in Northern Ontario. In retirement, he competed in many Master Age Group Sprint Triathlon events and won the Provincial Championships for Open Water Swimming (10km) in 2013.
Zig Misiak is an accomplished author, having written numerous books that help school-age children learn about Canadian history. He’s been recognized for his work with awards such as a Pediatric Reads recognition, George and Olive Seibel award for the promotion of heritage through education, the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee medal and the Governor General’s Caring Canadian award.
Monte Hummel joined the staff of World Wildlife Fund Canada and pursued a career focusing on conserving the natural world and the animals found within it. As president of WWF-Canada, he pushed for national conservation programs such as Pollution Probe and regional programs such as Whales Beneath the Ice and Wild West.
“For me, the things I learned at AHS were formative and foundational. For example: I learned I liked writing and went on to publish six books. I learned I liked Shakespeare, and as a teenager went on to read all his plays and sonnets. I have now spent 50 years working full-time in the Canadian conservation movement. Thank you, Ancaster High, for making such a difference in my life,” he said.
Randy Gallant, Ancaster High’s current principal, was proud to be a part of the induction event.
“It was so moving to hear from former students, who have gone on to accomplish great things, and their impact they’ve had on a lot of people. To hear them talk about the influence Ancaster High had in their lives when they were students here was very inspiring,” he said.
Inductees were introduced by current Ancaster students Haneen Kadhom, Parker Johnston, Maka Goredema, Jamie Zucker and Mackenzie Smith. Each inductee presented a proud, heartfelt speech, sharing the impact Ancaster High had in their lives.
This year’s inductees were chosen by the selection committee, which included: Reg Varghese (head of Science); Jeremy Russell (head of Humanities); Ralph Hankenberg and former staff members Joan Milliard; Cathy Dunn; Jason Smith, Jan Lukas and community members, Mike McKague, Al Zucker.
- Special to The News