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After a whirlwind start to season – 3 days of tryouts, 4 practices, then 5 days off for November Break – your Senior Boys Basketball Spartans kicked off their 2024-25 campaign barely five days ago, and a lot has already happened.

Today, I want to talk about something that we all face every single day of our lives: the choices we make.  An average human makes on average 35,000 choices per day. From the smallest decision, like what to have for breakfast, to the most monumental, like choosing a career path or housing, our choices shape the path of our lives.

Stanstead College officially closed the first sports season of the school year with its annual Fall Athletic Assembly, held at Centenary Church on Wednesday, November 6.

While we were definitely the underdog going into this all-important semifinal clash vs Alexander Galt, I felt we had a legitimate shot to pull off the upset. We just had to avoid bad luck, and have a few bounces go our way. Hey, if we could do it in 2022 (the legendary Friday Nite Lights victory over these same Pipers), we could do it again in 2024. Lightning CAN strike twice. Happens all the time with lightning rods, doesn’t it?

The Stanstead College Senior Boys Soccer Spartans capped off a very successful 2024 Eastern Townships Interscholastic Athletic Conference (ETIAC) season by defeating the Bishop’s College School Bears, 5-1, in the playoff championship game played last Friday at Stanstead College.

I'm sure most of you know who I am, whether l’m that that funny guy from French class, your favourite prefect or that weird kid from cross-country. If you asked me who I am, I would have no idea what to tell you, but if you asked me one year ago, I would be able to tell you how I saw myself.

Stanstead College is hosting the Canadian Accredited Independent Schools (CAIS) Senior Girls Soccer Tournament this week, with 18 schools from across the country represented.

Last week something happened that is a first in my 32-year coaching career, something that is probably illegal in some countries: three full ETIAC games in a row. All at home. Monday. Tuesday. Wednesday. 80 minutes each. Back-to-back-to-back. Talk about your homestand.

When I started writing this speech, I had no idea what I wanted to write about. Would I write the cliché speech about how Stanstead has changed my life, or about how to get involved in student activities as an introvert or about something else entirely? I completely and utterly could not make up my mind about what I wanted my statement to the school to be. When I started to reflect on the past four years of my life, I thought back to prefect orientation, and Mr. Marino's words echoed in my ears: "Be real. Don't try to impress others by saying something you don't truly mean." So, I will do just that. I'm going to be real with you right now and share some of my struggles and how I am overcoming them.

Last year I spoke about the founder of Orange Shirt Day, Phyllis Webstad. Today I would like to share Juliette’s story, a little girl from Mistissini, Quebec, the place I call home.

The weather has not quite turned to real hockey weather here in Stanstead. The leaves are beginning to change colours and there is a distinct chill in the air at night, but days have been filled with some late September sun and warmth. Despite Mother Nature’s desire to hold onto summer, this past weekend was time for the Pat Burns Arena to open its doors to Varsity Boys Hockey action. With a 4-game week, the boys began by dropping their first CPSHA game to rival Bishops College by a score of 7-5 in a high energy, offensive game.

Last week, the entire student body of Stanstead College left campus and set off in all directions for the annual academic class trips.

As your head prefect, today, I am inaugurating this year’s round of prefect speeches, a beautiful tradition that is carried out every year, where prefects are able to share a little piece of what they are made of with the rest of the school. Hence, to share a little bit of what I’m made of and what I believe in, I decided, instead of talking of what I have achieved and what I’m proud of, to be more vulnerable with you and talk about what I am still working on for myself and hopefully inspire you to do the same thing.

This past Tuesday, your Spartans travelled to Richmond for their third ETIAC game of the season. So far in league play, we had yet to score on our way to a desultory 0-2 start.

Early season can be tough. You’re not in great shape after the summer (best case sore legs, worst case injured), you don’t know your teammates very well (what’s her last name again?), and the coach keeps moving you around, trying you at different positions (can’t he make up his mind?).

Classes for the 2024-25 Stanstead College school year began Friday after two days of orientation and preparation for new and returning students.

Luke DeLaBruere, Grade 11, of Derby, Vt, took home a significant number of prizes at Stanstead College’s 2024 Baccalaureate and Prize-Giving Service Saturday, while the school’s head prefects shared the Pitcher Prize, the school’s top award.

The 2023-24 sports season officially wrapped up Monday evening with the Spring Sports Assembly, where three student-athletes were repeat MVPs.

This student-athlete from Jay, Vermont has been a consistent and steady presence throughout the entire senior girls rugby season, whether bringing up the defensive line with full speed tackles or leading off the offence with a decisive run. Any player, coach or fan who has watched our games notices Camryn. What is more impressive is what people don’t always see, namely the attention to improving footwork and skills in practice and boosting teammates when they need it. Camryn performed just as well this past weekend in Dover, New Hampshire, reacting to unexpected situations and focusing on moving the ball to set her teammates up for exciting tries. Congratulations, Camryn.

As my four-year journey at Stanstead comes close to an end, I remember my first day here as if it were yesterday. The excitement, the nerves and the anticipation of what was to come are still vivid in my mind. Over these years, I have met countless people, participated in numerous sports games and learned many valuable lessons. While my time at Stanstead might sound like a seamless adventure, the reality is that it was a challenging journey filled with ups and downs. Let me share some of those experiences with you. 

Nearly 200 alumni and friends of Stanstead College turned up on campus Saturday for Homecoming 2024.

I want to talk about a topic that truly resonates with me: gratitude. As we all know, it’s very easy to get caught up in this crazy life at Stanstead, but I want to remind you all to not forget the little things that make it special.  

Did you know that we have seven Fridays left until summer? And that includes this week, and break. Seven Fridays. In fact, 35 Fridays have already passed. I know because I counted them. Fridays are like milestones to me. Every Friday that passes is an accomplishment because it means I somehow got through another week of math class.

Most of the time, people fail to appreciate the value of something until it's gone. Whether it's relationships, possessions, opportunities or even health, realizing their importance often dawns only after they have been lost or compromised. When you are used to having something, you assume it’ll always be there and eventually begin to overlook it. Why does this happen?

Chaz Grenier from Stanstead, Quebec showed true grit this past weekend at Rugbyfest in New Brunswick. In the finals, he was double-teamed and still managed to create offence. His strong play on defence resulted in numerous turnovers and momentum changes in the most critical moments of the championship game. Off the field, Chaz leads by rallying everyone to be invested and push towards the end goal of team victory.

The second student-athlete recognized this week, Shun Hatano, is known as the “Tokyo 10." He is an electric player with a large toolbox of skills. He can kick, see gaps in the defence and pass on a rope to his left and right. When it matters most, he elevates his game to another level. These two Grade 12 leaders were instrumental in securing the championship banner in the Bonnycastle "B" Division. 

My name is Halle. I am a prefect, thank God. (Shout out Mr. Marino!) It is my fourth and final year here at Stanstead College (hopefully). I like to laugh, run and play sports. Oh, and my friends are pretty cool even if I tell them they aren’t. But something I am super passionate about is my mental health.

Be positive. It sounds so cliché, doesn’t it? Yet, a few weeks ago, I found myself giving one of my friends this advice, and gosh, did I hate myself as soon as I said it. I know when I am given this advice, I cringe and roll my eyes, because it’s so easily said, and so difficult to act upon.

On Monday, the school presented certificates and pins honouring those who had achieved academic success in the second term at an Academic Assembly held at Centenary Church. 

The Winter Athletic Assembly was held on Thursday evening, celebrating our sports teams and individual achievement since the start of the season in November. 

I’m sure you have all heard the phrase, “Don’t judge a book by its cover,” but the reality is that many people do not model this phrase. As human beings, the first thing we notice about someone we meet is their appearance. Without any knowledge of their personality or who they truly are, we make an assumption, either positive or negative. But why do we not look past that initially?

Head of School Joanne Carruthers is pleased to release the list of students who have achieved academic success in the second term (Grades 7-12). For their efforts, these students have earned a place on the Academic Honours List, the Head's List and the Chair's List.

All recipients will be recognized officially at the Academic Assembly, Monday, April 8.

I have had the privilege to serve as a prefect in our beloved college for two years. Even now, I still recall the words I wrote in my letter of application for this job. I promised my service with full heart and dedication to Stanstead.

Celebrating our departing Grade 12s from the Senior Girls Basketball Spartans:

In what may well turn out to be the final basketball action of the 2023-24 season, your Spartans travelled to Centennial Regional High School to take part in the annual MacLeod Provincial Tournament. The MacLeod is as storied a tournament as there is, with the inaugural event taking place way back in 1953. 71 years ago! In all that time, Stanstead College has emerged as champions four times (2017-2019, and again last year in 2023). It was a hard tournament to win. But as we’ve said before, worthwhile things are never easy.

Congratulations to our varsity boys and prep girls hockey teams, both of whom came from behind to earn their respective league championships this past Sunday.

We humans crave and seek forms of stability, whether it comes from an environment, one or many individuals or even an object. Before Stanstead, I was a 14-year-old girl unaware of what awaited me after the doors of high school shut and even more unaware of what and where I would be living each year of my remaining years of high school. Here’s a little background information: I have been hopping from one place to another since the beginning of my existence. Heading into my Grade 10 year, I wanted to know what the environment of my next three years of high school would look like.

The last RSEQ game of the year, against Le Salesien on their home floor, was one of those games I just don’t like that much, i.e. non-stop full court pressure with loose reffing. Which means our ballhandlers are constantly being ridden downcourt and there is body contact on every single play. Which means every time you have the ball you have two to four hands reaching in to grab it from you with no fear of a foul (in fact, Clara’s father spent most of the game yelling “Hands! Hands!” from the sideline). Which means the game is a haphazard track meet where everything is rushed and improvised and messy, the way basketball is probably played in prison. And the main problem with prison basketball is that you don’t learn very much in terms of technique or strategy. It’s a battle of athleticism. It’s roller derby.

This past weekend, your Stanstead College Spartans travelled to St-Jean-sur-Richelieu to participate in the first of our two most important events of the year, the 2024 Bailly Small Schools Provincial Tournament. As defending champions, and ranked #1 going into the tourney, we were looking to take care of business and bring the championship plaque back home.  

I can’t say for sure how all of their games have gone this season, but I’m pretty sure that La Ruche, undefeated and undisputed league leaders in RSEQ D3 this season, haven’t had many games as tough as their game against your Stanstead Spartans last Wednesday.

This is my fourth year at Stanstead College, but I still remember the first day when I came to Stanstead. I’m sure people who were here in 2020 would remember what that year was like. It was really different from now due to the sudden outbreak of COVID-19. Everything was unorganized and unfamiliar. Due to the pandemic, my flight got delayed, and I had to take online classes for the two months of my first year at Stanstead.

I hope it is true when I say that everybody in this room has been shaped by the kindness of another person. Whether this person is a friend, a parent, a sibling, a teacher, or even a stranger, there is no denying the positive impact that kindness leaves on you. And there is also no denying the impact you can leave on the world by simply being nice to someone else.

Athlete of the Week is co-awarded to two linemates from prep girls hockey. Laurie Aubin has been at the top of her game all season and did not disappoint this weekend at the JWHL Challenge Cup. She scored the overtime winner to advance the prep girls to its first championship game in program history. She finished the tournament with 5 goals and 5 assists in 6 games which was good for fourth overall in the tournament. Laurie’s overtime goal was assisted by Zoé Charland, who has been an equal force the entire season. Zoe scored 9 goals and added 3 assists for 12 points in 6 games this weekend and good for second overall in the tournament. Like Gretzky and Messier or Lemieux and Jagr, these two linemates lead on the scoresheet but also with their work ethic and never-quit attitudes. Congratulations, Laurie Aubin and Zoe Charland.

The halftime buzzer goes. The players trudge to the bench, heads down, shoulders slumped. Demoralized. I can’t exactly remember the score, but it was ugly. 36-11 or something like that. It felt like more. Laruche’s full-court press was debilitating, no let-up at all, never letting us get comfortable on offence, and their fast break was killing us. Even if we got a couple bodies back in transition, they would stay in fifth gear, attack downhill and finish anyway, contested or not. Even when we forced them to play in the half court, they dropped threes like it was nothing. They were fast, athletic, deep, they were shooting well, and they were on their home floor. Laruche was rolling. Stanstead was not going to win this game.

I want to talk about something that all of us students in Quebec struggle with daily during this time of year. The sun comes out late and goes down early, dangerously low temperature where you can’t be outside for more than five minutes without getting frostbite, and on top of that, winter depression.

You know how you feel when you haven’t slept enough. You can’t get up in the morning, you can’t stay awake during class, you have no energy for sports in the afternoon. It feels like you’re not your best self and your only goal is going to sleep as quickly as possible…

I spent the first twelve years of my life in the comfort of my parents’ home north of Quebec City, where, I must admit, I had everything I needed on a “silver plate.” My life was pretty easy! The decision to come to Stanstead College in Grade 7 was mine, and my parents fully supported me in that choice.

At the risk of sounding a bit depressing, let's face it, our world can be messed up. Think about it: conflict and war, inequality and poverty, environmental pollution, discrimination, corruption, injustice and the violation of human rights, just to name a few examples. But why are humans driven to cause these outcomes? Is it insatiable greed for power some leaders have, or is it our innate fear of weakness and failure? Either way, our world has a void, a void that will destroy us if it is not filled.

Saturday, December 2, 2023, the CAIS Tournament in Winnipeg. Not only was that the last basketball game your Spartans played before this past Thursday’s RSEQ trip to Le Boise in Victoriaville; that was also the last day the whole team even practiced together. Immediately upon their return from CAIS, our Grade 12s started preparing for exams, i.e. no athletics, just studying.

Returning to your boarding school after the long pause might be a happy event for some, but it’s a drag for many. I’d even say some teachers and staff feel the same about returning after these holiday celebrations. Maybe you’ve visited your family and friends in another country. If you’re an international student, you might be experiencing a huge temperature change (from hot Mexico to cold Canada) or being jet-lagged after a long flight from Asia. If you’re a day student, all the stories about exotic locations can feel endless to listen to. It doesn’t help that winter, with its low temperatures and often grey skies, will be here for the next months…

Head of School Joanne Carruthers is pleased to release the list of Grade 12 students who have achieved academic success in their first term (September to December). For their efforts, these students have earned a place on the Academic Honours List, the Head's List and the Chair's List. 

I bet I am not the only one who says, “I can’t do this,” or “I’m not good at that.” We tend to be negative when faced with challenges, setbacks or failures. However, the key to unlocking our true potential is to cultivate a growth mindset.