In an effort to inspire local students with the message that they too can realize their dreams while helping others, former Sharbot Lake resident Dorothy Buchanan Quattrocchi has been visiting area schools to speak about her son, Mark Quattrocchi, who for the last 18 months has been cycling solo across the globe in support of the international charity and educational partner, Free the Children.

The charity aims to empower communities to lift themselves out of poverty by developing collaborative and sustainable programs both at home and abroad.

Dorothy, who was a former teacher, principal and vice-principal for 30 years with the Catholic District School board of Eastern Ontario, was invited to both Granite Ridge Education Centre and St. Major Catholic School in Sharbot Lake on February 1 to tell students about her son's incredible story.

Mark Quattrocchi grew up in Rideau Ferry and has taught English in both South Korea and China. On July 7, 2014, he set out from Sanya, China on a bicycle he purchased there, and armed with a tent and other supplies began a two-year journey across four continents.

Inspired by a wish to explore the world and to bring education and literacy to children along the way where schools do not exist, he is hoping to raise $50,000 to support the building of five different schools in five separate locations. To date Quattrocchi has biked over 26,000 kilometres and raised over $33,000 in support of Free the Children. He traveled from China westward along the old Silk Road through Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, and India before flying to Turkey and then continuing his trip through Eastern Europe. He entered North Africa and cycled across the continent. He then flew from Cape Town to Argentina where he continued his journey.

Currently he is in Peru, working his way towards Ecuador. From there he will head north through the United States and Canada and is hoping to arrive home in Rideau Ferry in time to celebrate his 28th birthday in June of this year.

On his website, www.oneadventureplease.com he blogs about his experiences and keeps interested followers up to date about his whereabouts. He writes, “Through my experiences, thoughts and ambitions about adventure, I strive to give motivation to people to follow their dreams. It is not just about travel, but showing people the tools available to succeed in life and find their true calling. To find what we are all looking for. To make life happen for yourself, to live your dreams and open yourself to new surroundings. I love this world. It is an amazing place and I hope you are able to find power through my experiences.”

In Dorothy’s presentation to the students, which included a number of Go Pro videos that Mark filmed from a camera mounted on his bike, the students were able to get a glimpse of many of the exotic places that he has visited.

Dorothy explained to the students that Mark is surviving on $5/day and also relies on the hospitality and support of people he meets along the way. She spoke of the challenges he faces riding on average 130 km a day; challenges not only from the extreme heat and cold in certain places, but also from having to be 100% self-reliant and prepared for whatever comes his way.

For Dorothy, Mark’s trip has opened up new worlds for both her and her husband. They have met up with him three times so far on his journey, in China, India and South Africa.

Mark’s trip is a great way to show students how to realize their dreams. Lori Bryden, vice-principal of St. James Major, said that the students at the school were looking to do some fundraising this year on a global level, and Mark’s trip has given them the perfect opportunity. “In the past the students have done a lot of local fundraising and the oldest students this year have expressed an interest in fundraising globally. When I learned of Mark's trip through Facebook I thought that it would be the perfect thing for them to support.”

The students are planning to do just that and others who may want to support Mark's efforts can visit his website at www.oneadventureplease.com

Following an assembly at Granite Ridge Education Centre on January 22 where students were informed of upcoming changes in the school’s administration, staff from the school gathered at Sharbot Lake's Crossing Pub to bid farewell to long-time school principal, Heather Highet.

Highet will be transferring to Bayridge Secondary School in Kingston and February 3, 2016 will be her final day at GREC. Highet took up her post in Sharbot Lake back in 2010 just after the PARC (Program & Accommodation Review) Committee was formed and the new school (GREC) that would replace the former Sharbot Lake High School was in the process of being designed.

At the farewell event last Friday afternoon, Highet said that working through that process was wonderful and that seeing the whole community come together and work through it was a definite highlight of her career.

Highet, who resides in Kingston, said that her new posting to Bayridge SS, a grade 9-12 school with a population of about 600 students in the city’s west end, is just a short five-minute drive from her home. She said that is one of the best things about the new move: “I won't be driving Road 38 any more, which is something both I and my husband are very pleased about.”

Asked about the legacy she leaves behind and some of her favorite memories, she said, “I am really pleased about how the entire school community has come together as a family and am proud of the new facility, which is also being used by the greater community as well.” She also said that working with the elementary students and their families, which was something entirely new for her, proved both challenging and rewarding.

Regarding the challenges she faces going forward, Highet said, “Moving mid-year is interesting because right now my mind is in two places, which is tough but also exciting. The biggest challenge going forward will be getting to know the students and their families at the new school.”

Highet also said she feels that she is leaving GREC in good hands. Vice-principal James McDonald has been appointed as the school’s new interim principal and Jamie McCullough, a long-time teacher at the school, will replace McDonald as the new vice-principal.

Highet is pleased with the appointments and said, “I am thrilled with the new admin team coming in because they know the school and the community and it is a great thing for Granite Ridge to have that kind of continuity.”

James MacDonald said that he is excited about his new appointment. He formerly worked for seven years at Clarendon Central Public school as teacher in charge, then was vice-principal at both Hinchinbrooke and Land O' Lakes public schools for years before moving to SLHS as vice-principal. MacDonald said, “Heather and I essentially created a lot of the programs that have happened and are happening at the school so this feels like a fluid and natural change for me.” He said that dealing with some of the extra administrative duties that he is taking on would be challenging but that he looks forward to those challenges.

Jamie McCullough has worked at the school for years in various capacities and when students found out earlier that day that he was appointed as the school’s new vice-principal, a large round of cheers filled the auditorium. McCullough grew up in Mountain Grove and attended Sharbot Lake High School. He has taught at both LOLPS and SLHS; at the latter he taught the school to community program and various courses before being promoted as the learning program support teacher, which he has worked at for the last two years.

McCullough said he is looking forward to continuing to work with staff and students at the school and said that he feels confident in his new role since over the years he has built positive relationships with both students and staff. “The students know that I am someone that they can come and talk to, which I think is really important.”

The farewell event and celebration included musical entertainment by former teacher Jim MacPherson; a slide show and awards presentation to Highet courtesy of colleagues Wade Leonard and Ben Moser; gift presentations from staff and members of the school parent council; and numerous addresses from current and former staff at the school.

Prior to their annual Jingle Bell Walk at the Granite Ridge Education Centre in Sharbot Lake on December 4, students and staff gathered in the school courtyard to celebrate their two-week-long fundraising efforts for the North Frontenac Food Bank. Over the last two weeks students have been collecting donations and this year over 1000 food items were collected. To celebrate that fact, students and staff from the school gathered in the outdoor courtyard, where students from the school’s Lakers program loaded a pick up truck with the boxed food donations and then accompanied it to the food bank in Sharbot Lake.

This is the second consecutive year that the students in the Lakers program have been fundraising and volunteering with the food bank. Lakers program teacher, Ms. Kacur, said the students have also been volunteering every week throughout the year at the food bank, where they have been busy stocking shelves and organizing the donations. Kacur said that the efforts of the students allow them to understand that they are part of the local community and that their efforts are not only much appreciated but are also a way for them to give back to their local community.

Grade 10 student, Franky Badour, is in the Lakers program and is a regular weekly volunteer at the food bank. He said he likes helping out and explained that his efforts are also a way of acquiring his school community volunteer hours.

Part of the fundraising event also included a toy donation drive for children in need in the community. GREC teacher Ms. Kirby, who teaches French and physical education to the high school students, headed up the toy and food drive this year. She said that a school-wide competition was set up, awarding a prize to the class that raised the most food donations.

This year it was Mr. Flegal's grade four class who collected the most - close to one quarter of the overall donations - and his students will be celebrating their efforts with a special treat of hot chocolate and cookies. Congratulations to all the students and the donors. Their efforts will go a long way in assisting those in need in the community. The toy drive continues on until the year-end and to date 20 toys have been collected.

Students at the Granite Ridge Education Centre (GREC) in Sharbot Lake celebrated the 35-year anniversary of Terry Fox's Marathon of Hope by doubling their donations at this year’s annual run, which took place at the school on September 30.

The run, now in its third year, was preceded the week before by a visit to the school from Ms. Ng-A-Mann, who brought with her a replica of Terry's prosthetic leg. This inspired the students to “double the dream” of Terry's wish to have every Canadian donate $1 to cancer research.

Cathy Reynolds, an educational assistant at the school, headed up the event, which began in the school’s back courtyard where two young cancer survivors who attend GREC, grade three student Kylie Babcock and grade six student Dylan Walker, helped to show their fellow students how their donations can make a difference. Dylan spoke fondly about Terry Fox, whom he called one of his “super heroes” and who he said “has shown how every single person can make a difference.”

The two students were invited to draw the winning tickets for two prizes, the first a Terry Fox Foundation t-shirt and the second, two free passes to the Museum of History in Ottawa and special Terry Fox display there. School mascot Grif the Gryphon, Vice-principal James MacDonald and Reynolds joined the two students and spoke about the Marathon of Hope National School Day Run, a fundraiser that takes place in schools across Canada. Over $675 million has been raised in Fox's name for cancer research, 84% of which has gone directly to cancer research.

These kinds of events always have their special moments and one young student said that she would be donating her toonie, probably the following day once she receives the funds from the tooth fairy. Vice-principal McDonald said the event underlines the character traits that Terry Fox possessed, and which the students at the school are encouraged to emulate. They include grit, perseverance, humility empathy and determination. “Terry was all of that wrapped into one”, Reynolds said.

Following the assembly the students set off on the walk/run, which took them on a route around the school and village. By the end of the day over $600 was raised for cancer research.

Granite Ridge students in Mr. McVety's grade 12 history class headed up a meeting of the federal candidates on October 5 in preparation for the school’s participation in the 2015 Student Vote program.

The program, which began in 2003, offers parallel election events for students under the voting age, and this year it coincides with the federal election. The program gives students an opportunity to experience the voting process and encourages the habits of informed and engaged citizenship in young students across the country. The student vote will take place on October 14, and it is interesting to note that during the last federal election, the student vote results closely mirrored the final election results.

In preparation for the Monday meeting at GREC, McVety's grade 12 history students prepared a school survey asking students to rank various issues from most to least important and the surveyed students were also invited to put forth questions to the candidates.

The main issues resulting from the survey were: health care, which ranked first, followed by education and employment, and last on the list were issues of security and safety.

All four federal candidates in the riding of Lanark Frontenac Kingston: Scott Reid, Conservative; Anita Payne, Green Party; John Fenik NDP; and Phil Archambault, Liberal, took part in the meeting and a total of seven questions, including ones on affordable post-secondary education; improving health care and unemployment; the protection of the environment; terrorism; as well as the use of recreational and medicinal marijuana, were covered.

I spoke to grade 12 students, Sadie Clarke and Emily Brooks, who helped organize the event and asked them following the meeting if the candidates’ responses had swayed their initial leanings. Clarke who said she, like her parents, was leaning towards Fenik and the NDP party said that she felt that Fenik answered the questions to her satisfaction and she will be voting for him. “I think John Fenik spoke really well and really managed to connect well with the students. Instead of just focusing on a lot of facts, he tried to focus more on our futures and what we as student are facing.”

Both Brooks and Clarke said that they came away confused by Conservative candidate Scott Reid's response to the question, put forth by grade 12 student Taylor Meeks concerning the candidate’s position on the use of recreational and medicinal marijuana. “The Conservative (Scott Reid) seemed to be disagreeing with his own party and I found that kind of confusing,” Clarke said, and Brooks agreed. At the meeting Reid stated that while he personally agrees with legalizing marijuana, his party does not. Brooks said that while she doesn't tend to pay much attention to politics prior to the Student Vote program, she does like a chance to meet the candidates in person and to hear their responses to the questions posed. She said she liked Fenik’s response to the question put forth by grade 11 student Corri-Lyn, who asked, “What is your party doing to make post-secondary education more affordable for students?” Fenik said that his party will be making more grants as well as interest-free loans available to those wanting to attend post-secondary schooling. Brooks said that that issue is important to her because “post-secondary education is the next step for me in my life.”

Regarding their predictions for the outcome of the student vote, Brooks said though she is personally leaning towards the NDP, she thinks that the Liberal and Conservative candidates seemed to be ahead at the school prior to the meeting. Clarke said she feels confident that either the Liberal or NDP candidates would come out on top. “Both the Liberal and NDP candidates seemed more friendly and interactive with the audience whereas the Conservative and Green Party candidates just stated a lot of facts and the audience seemed more quiet when they were speaking”, she said.

The results of the 2015 Student Vote will be tallied up and announced on the CBC News on Election Day.

A huge thank you to EVERYONE – students, parents, families and friends, members of the community, parent council and staff at Granite Ridge – for helping our grade eights raise $8000 to help fund our three day trip to Montreal in June. Our huge Granite Ridge family was involved in many fundraisers, from bake sales, tournaments, concerts and a very competitive pie auction, to selling/buying cheese, pizza, chocolate and tea. We couldn't have done it without you. A special thanks goes out to the parent volunteers who joined us on our epic journey.

Our trip was amazing. We explored Old Montreal, went jet boating on the LaChine Rapids, ordered in French at a Creperie, had a blast at LaRonde amusement park, shopped in the downtown core, ate A LOT of Montreal smoked meat, hiked up Mount Royal at night, visited the Biodome and explored the Underground City, all without a hired guide or a tour bus! We traveled by train, city bus and subway –truly the way to see Montreal.

In her opening remarks at Granite Ridge's 2015 graduation and commencement ceremony on June 25, Principal Heather Highet praised this year's grads for showing G.R.I.T., especially during times of adversity. “By G.R.I.T. I mean your Growth mindset; Respect for yourselves, others and the environment; your Integrity and Trustworthiness,” she said. She also credited them with resiliency and perseverance, which they developed throughout the reconstruction of the school, saying it would serve them well throughout life. “You have overcome many challenges, and the skills and habits you have developed over the these past four years will support you for the rest of your lives.”

Highet left the graduates with three messages to consider as they enter this phase in their lives. “Be open to opportunities, new learning and ideas and to the opinions of others. Seek out knowledge and understanding and take risks and responsibility for your actions and beliefs; and be open to discovering who you are, what you stand for and who you want to be.”

Elizabeth Steele-Drew headed up the evening's program, which included an address by newly elected school trustee, Karen McGregor.

Following the formal speeches, the more than 40 graduates received their diplomas, and numerous special awards were handed out thanks to the generosity of many individuals, groups and organizations wanting to lend a helping hand to these fresh-faced young adults as they enter a new world and pursue their future endeavors.

This year's valedictorian was Jacob (Jake) Watson. He was introduced by Mr. Leonard, who credited Jake with a fine mind, a great sense of humour, and a way with words.

Watson plans to study journalism at Trent University in Peterborough and Mr. Leonard stated that Jake's compassion and conviction would no doubt take him to interesting places in the world of journalism.

When Jake took the podium, he recalled the good times at school with friends and staff and remembered entering the school a bit nervous and “at the bottom of the food chain”. He delighted his fellow grads and staff with his moving and funny account of their years together and his words made for a positive and moving wrap up to the event. Following the ceremony the class gathered for a final photo, after which the new grads and guests gathered in the school's main foyer to cap off the evening with a celebratory cake and refreshments.

On June 12, students in Mr. McVety's grade 10 Civics class at the Granite Ridge Education Centre competed in the finals for the Youth Philanthropy Initiative (YPI) Award, a $5,000 grant awarded to the winning students to fund a local charity of their choice.

The program teaches secondary school students the fundamentals of philanthropy by giving them the opportunity to play a direct role in making a financial grant to a local social service organization in their own community. Four groups of students who made it to the finals of the competition took to the stage in the school’s cafetorium and gave presentations to a panel of judges made up of staff and students from the school. Also in attendance at the presentations was Steve Humphries, the final presentations coordinator from YPI Canada.

The program, which is run through the Toskan Casale Foundation, takes place across Canada, the U.S. and the United Kingdom. It is a philanthropic initiative that aims to engage grade 9 and 10 students in local social issues by asking them to choose an issue and then to research a local charity of their choice. They then create an in-depth presentation and make a case as to why their chosen charity should receive the $5,000 award.

The four groups who competed chose four different charities: Almost Home, a Kingston-based charity that supports sick children and their families; Dawn House, a women's shelter in Kingston; the Elizabeth Fry Society of Ottawa, which supports women who are or may become criminalized and their families; and lastly Ottawa Therapy Dogs, an organization that trains and uses therapy dogs to assist individuals with disabilities and other special needs. The judges definitely had their work cut out for them as they made their final decision following the presentations, and after a long deliberation, they announced the winners.

Representing Dawn House, Grace Cumpson, Summer Kennedy and Emalee Ridell were called to the stage and presented with the $5,000 cheque. Randy McVety, who has been running the YPI program at the school for the last seven years, said that YPI encourages students to become actively and passionately involved in creating better communities by researching the organizations that exist to fulfill those needs. “At certain points in our lives we can need help from other people and organizations and this program is an incredibly tangible, authentic and relevant one that encourages students to identify those social needs and to actively connect with the organizations that address them”.

Over the last seven years, students at the school have raised $40,000 through the YPI program, which has helped to fund a variety of local charities. This year alone across Canada, 150 YPI awards will be given out totaling over $1 million in grants to grassroots social service organizations.

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Taylor Salmond has been a quiet leader at North Addington Education Centre, but when things need doing the students and staff at the school know who to look to. She has used her skills in Volleyball to set up lunchtime mentoring sessions with elementary panel students in the school and ran clinics in her spare periods. She was the treasurer of the Student Council last year and president this year, and organised fundraisers, charity events and more. She is also an active community volunteer and her grades have been very high as well. She has maintained a 90% average over her entire high school career and won numerous proficiency awards.

Austin Fuller is a guitarist, an A student, a volunteer firefighter, and is good at fabrication. At NAEC he was a music teacher for younger students all through high school, has supervised summer students at Bon Echo, performed at the Denbigh Music Fest, and met his obligations to the Ward 1 fire department - all while attaining a Special Skills Major in Construction with an 86% overall average. This year he has been participating in a dual credit program in Automotive techniques at Loyalist, where he is planning to attend college next year in the Welding and Fabrication Program

Last year, Taylor Meeks won the award as the best all around student at Granite Ridge. He has also played varsity basketball, soccer, volleyball and track, and he won the coaches award for Basketball in 2014. He has coached in the Northern Area Basketball League for elementary-aged students, was one of the student guides when Granite Ridge was introduced to the community last year, and has been an important member of the Student Council for the last two years. His voice is known to the entire school community because he is one of the morning announcment team at Granite Ridge.

Music students from GREC demonstrated their musical chops in an eclectic line up of musical offerings that delighted the large crowd who attended GREC's Celebration of Music event that took place in the schools cafetorium on May 25.

The evening included performances by the Young Choristers, a choir comprised of students from various local schools under the direction of Christina Wotherspoon, and the GREC Band who who offered three jazz and blues based offerings. In the second half of the show these two ensembles came together for two rousing numbers that included the Best of Glee which had many toes tapping. In addition to these larger ensembles, a number students who played either solo or in small groups covered a wide range musical territory from Lexi Pride's lovely Arabesque on piano, Devon Scott's heart felt version of Adele's Someone Like You, Brianna Drew and Kristin Collis' flute Minuet by J.S. Bach and Joelle Parr's delightful and boppy version of Bright by Echosmith.

One of the highlights of the evening was the trio known as the World Peace Rockers, headed up by Peter Potvan on ukelele and keyboards, Michael Running-Adams on drums and keyboards and supporting them on the keys , GREC staff member Shari Tallon. The group pulled off a great three song set after overcoming a few minor technical glitches that in no way seemed to phase them.

Their versions of K''Naan's World Cup Anthem Wavin' Flag, the Imagine Dragon's Radioactive and Matisyahu's One Day brought the appreciative audience to their feet in a very well deserved standing ovation.

GREC staff also had a chance to shine. Shari Tallon performed an original piano piece titled Theme for Zelda and Julia Schall and Andrew Kirby's performed The Weight by The Band with perfectly blended harmonies and with just the right amount of heft. Last but not least was a performance by the GREC's School of Rock band for 2015, The Undecided who performed a few of their own favorites, including The Way It Is, Clocks, Let Her Go and Lose Yourself. The band put on a solid performance and they were joined by Aidan Kempe who demonstrated that he is a natural. Thanks to a number of dedicated staff members, music education is alive and well in this local community and Monday nights show demonstrated how so many students are reaping the rewards that music education and practice can bring.