Class Notes

Marie Heintzman (NJC ‘70)

Marie Sinclair Heintzman (NJC ‘70) is honoured to have her Light Tapestry Series 1 photography selected for an Open Exhibition during CONTACT Toronto Photography Festival. The exhibition runs from May 1 – June 30, 2012 and an invitation is extended to NJC alumni to attend the Opening Reception at the Queen Mother Cafe, Toronto on May 5th 3-5pm.

Carson Shipp (NJC ’09)

Carson Shipp (NJC ’09) has passed away at the age of 20. The entire NJC community mourns his loss and our thoughts are with his friends and family during this sad time. Please see the attached article for details.

NJC Family with Horse Sense for Business

Susan Jane Anstey (NJC ’63) had a passion for equestrian sport in Canada that was matched by a lifetime of contributions to the horse industry.

Graduating with a degree in Economics and Political Science from the University of Toronto, Susan Jane replaced her early financial career with journalism when she purchased The Corinthian in 1978. Her business experience ultimately served her well; she turned the publication into Canada’s foremost equestrian sport magazine, Horse Sport. Over the next 25 years, Susan Jane acquired or launched several magazines including Canadian Thoroughbred, Horse-Canada, and Ontario Horse Connexions.

In 2005, Susan Jane lost her battle with cancer. Throughout her life, she never forgot her time at Neuchâtel Junior College and spoke often of her memories of Switzerland. Her daughter, Jennifer Anstey (NJC ’95), always knew that she would follow in her mother’s footsteps and attend NJC. “I have been riding horses my whole life, as long as I can remember,” says Jennifer, “and started competing when I was 12 years old. I always knew I would be going to NJC and looked forward to exploring Europe and experiencing the culture there. My mother set me up with a farm near the College, so I was able to go riding quite often.

My favourite trip was the ski week at Zermatt, but a close second is the trip to Paris, where my best friend and I managed to miss the bus and spent the whole day wandering around the city and seeing the sights. An unforgettable adventure!”

“NJC gave me an understanding of how different societies function and what life is like in other countries. My time at NJC really enhanced my appreciation of Canada and the way of life my parents had chosen. After NJC, I attended the University of Western Ontario and shortly after graduating, I started working for the family business.

I believe that my time at NJC has helped me succeed in this role,” says Jennifer. “I travel all over the world on business and wherever I go, I feel comfortable figuring out how to get around and communicating with locals. Some people take a year off to travel, but I think NJC gave me all the travelling and at the same time I was studying and progressing my education, so I did the travelling without losing direction.”

Today Jennifer Anstey is the Publisher of Horse-Sport and a number of other publications that serve Canada’s $8-billion horse industry. What’s more, she just gave birth to her son, Lewis, and she has already decided he will attend NJC in due course. Susan Jane would be proud.

Visit us online for more information about Neuchâtel Junior College.

Heather Conn (NJC ‘77)

Heather Conn (NJC ‘77) debuts a new children’s book, Gracie’s Got a Secret.

It’s about a feisty goldfish named Gracie who gets out of her fishbowl and has adventures while helping several quirky characters. The story encourages children to believe in themselves, follow their dreams, and to go with the flow rather than keep trying to force events to happen. It’s targeted at seven- to nine-year-olds, yet grandparents have even bought it for their unborn grandchild and for youngsters only a few months old. There’s a list of questions at the end of the book to encourage discussion.

The book is available on amazon.com and at select bookstores.
Find us online or on Facebook!

Monique Stevenson (NJC ‘96) marries Geoff Trawick (NJC ‘95)

On September 3, 2011, Monique Stevenson (NJC ‘96) married Geoff Trawick (NJC ‘95) in British Columbia. They met in Zermatt in 1996, during the family/friends ski week, and kept in touch over the years. The wedding was attended by a number of NJC ‘95 and ‘96 alumni.

The Montgomery Family

Skiis and Biikes, the family-owned business started in 1978 by Paul Montgomery, is a favourite with active Canadians. What started 30 years ago with a 900-square foot shop and a part-time employee has grown over 100 trained staff five locations and more than 50,000 sq ft of everything to do with skiing, snowboarding and cycling.

All three of Paul’s children are avid skiers and they all attended Neuchâtel Junior College, the non-profit Canadian school founded in Neuchâtel, Switzerland in 1956. The appeal is obvious – the world’s steepest, most challenging ski slopes are just a train ride away.

“But NJC is about more than just skiing,” says Paul.
“I liked that it took my children out of their routine and their usual circle of friends, and broadened their horizons. They came back as adults, ready to take on the responsibility of university.”

Devin Montgomery (NJC ’04), Gillian Montgomery (NJC ’06) and Alexis Montgomery (NJC ’09) all went on to McGill University.

Canada’s first and oldest independent school, NJC is the only school anywhere that offers Grade 12 and Enrichment Year students an incredible year of experiential learning that includes:

> Residence with a French-speaking family in Switzerland
> Exposure to European history, art and traditions
> Travel guided by teaching faculty to North Africa and Southeast Asia
> International volunteering experiences in developing countries with NGO partners, such as Free the Children and Habitat for Humanity

At Neuchâtel Junior College, students gain an uncommon edge: they are exposed to world history, unfolding current events, international guest speakers, European school competitions, different languages and a myriad of cultural events. As a result of these experiences, NJC students mature as individuals, develop intellectually, and broaden their global perspectives as they begin to think critically about their futures and how they can make a positive difference in the world.

The Montgomery Family (L to R) Gillian, Sharon, Alexis, Paul & Devin

Jennifer Stoddart (NJC ‘67)

Privacy watchdog Jennifer Stoddart (NJC ‘67) makes the Web a priority via @globeandmail

Elise Copps-Smith (NJC ‘06)

Congratulations!** Elise Copps-Smith (NJC ‘06)** just won $20K in KRAFT’s Real Women of Philadelphia contest!

Janis Campbell Chodas (NJC ‘74)

Janis Campbell Chodas (NJC ‘74) is the SIM flight system manager for NASA’s JUNO spacecraft, launching in August.

Katy Brebner (NJC ‘03)

Congratulations to Katy Brebner (NJC ‘03) and Dimitri Mulroney, the former PM’s youngest son, married on Saturday!

Amy Bourne (NJC ‘00)

Here is an update from Amy Bourne (NJC ‘00), Honorary Chair of the NJC Annual Fund:

“I recently joined on as a producer for the sixth season of the hugely successful show Dragons’ Den on CBC. As a producer, I not only get the chance to travel the country auditioning aspiring entrepreneurs as they vie for their chance in front of our panel of five multi-million dollar ‘Dragons’, but I also coach a portion of those pitchers to ensure the most entertaining and effective pitch when they get their chance in the Den. We have already shot the entire season and are now in editing until the Fall. The season begins airing in September.”

David Brebner (NJC ‘97)

When asked by the London Free Press about Trichilo’s Ristorante, David Brebner (NJC ‘97) responds “This is one of our dreams. A labour of love”. The new restaurant on Richmond Row, features cuisine from the Calabria region of Italy and was co-founded with David’s wife, Terianne Brebner and her brother Frank Trichilo and his wife Linda.

Jennifer Kierans (NJC ’86)

The Bend is a teen drama inspired by real life events, from award-winning short filmmaker Jennifer Kierans (NJC ’86).

Seventeen-year-old Jason Campbell thinks he’s losing his mind… and he could be right. His brother Mike killed himself on prom night exactly one year ago, and Jason knows bi-polar disorder is hereditary. With Mike’s girlfriend and best friend home from college for the memorial service, Jason vows to find out what happened the night Mike died. tribute.ca

Opens Friday, April 8, 2011:
Toronto – Carlton Cinemas
Vancouver – Granville
Montreal – AMC Forum

Mme. Mandarino

We are sad to announce that Mme. Mandarino, a pension madame for the past 17 years, passed away on December 16, 2010, age 51. She will be missed by all of us at NJC.

Jennifer Stoddart (NJC’ 67)

Prime Minister Stephen Harper welcomed the reappointment of Jennifer Stoddart (NJC ‘67) as Privacy Commissioner of Canada for a three-year term on December 7, 2010. The reappointment, which was recently approved by the Senate and the House of Commons, is effective immediately. Ms Stoddart has been serving as the Privacy Commissioner of Canada since December 2003.

Chris McNaught (NJC ‘64)

Hello from Chris McNaught ( NJC ‘64). Memories and friends from Neuchatel days still permeate many aspects of my daily and creative life; accordingly, I remain forever indebted. When I sometimes lament the detour from my subsequent Classics degree into law, I recall the wonderful facilitation by the late Mr. Wilde of my studying ancient Greek as well as Latin at NJC, and his encouragement to travel in Greece and Turkey at the end of my year.

I recently had two novels published: The Ambulance Driver focuses in large part on Passchendaele and Canadian experience in WWI, with several passages set in and around Ypres, and thus I was so pleased to read of NJC’s remembrance Day presence and participation; The KELI DOWRY, based on my time as a diver on an American underwater dig in the Gulf of Argos during the Colonels’ Junta, owes no small thanks to Mr. Wilde’s early inspiration.

Cheers to all,
Chris McNaught

Anthony Lacavera (NJC ‘93)

On November 26, 2010, Anthony Lacavera (NJC ‘93), of Globalive Communications Corp. was named one of three CEOs of the Year by Report on Business Magazine. Congratulations Tony!

Clare Mazzoleni Piller (NJC ‘64)

We are saying goodbye to Clare Mazzoleni Piller (NJC ’64) after her valiant battle with cancer. Clare passed away on Sunday, October 11, 2009. As a Neuchâtel alumna, she spoke vividly of the beautiful Swiss city and recounted lively anecdotes of her adventures all while highlighting the wonderful leadership of Mr. Wilde. Clare worked ceaselessly for the betterment of the arts through the Canadian Conference for the Arts, The National Ballet School and a variety of other organizations. Lately, she became a valued and respected contributor to the Canadian film industry. She sat on the boards of the Canadian Music Centre, the Royal Conservatory of Music, the MacMillan Foundation and served as President of the C.H. Ivey Foundation. Her wicked sense of humour, clear, analytical thinking and wise council enriched us all.

“My mother was an amazing woman to whom I am grateful for sharing her Neuchâtel experiences with us and for introducing us to the delights of European culture, inspiring me to follow in her footsteps to become a fellow NJC graduate.” Erika Piller Randlesome (NJC ’92)