They grew moustaches. Even some of the lady teachers managed to draw moustaches with the help of markers, to take part in Movember at Beurling Academy. Even I got into the act for the first time, which reminded me why I got rid of it in the first place.
Movember is the month where men grow moustaches and maybe a goatee or a vandyke, to raise awareness of prostrate cancer and in many cases, spearhead fundraising drives towards a cure to this dreaded disease. For the second year in a row, BA has gotten involved under the tireless leadership and drive of teacher Jeff Dort.
For the past 6 years he, along with his fellow boys’ touch football coaches and the players involved, have supported various charities. Again this year, the charity involved was Prostrate Cancer Canada. The survival rate, though, has increased greatly the past several years with more advanced early detection.
Dort, mentioning to us that this is a cause he feels strongly about. “My donation and commitment is the growth of a moustache, which I know will generate conversation, controversy, and some laughter.”
But it wasn’t laughter; just a bunch of cheers and the biggest year ever for Jeff Dort and the boys with a nice total of $1,300 raised this year. We were delighted to team up with them and lend a helping hand along with CJAD/800 News/Talk Radio, as we threw in those highly coveted pair of Club Seat hockey tickets with all the perks included.
The winner of the tickets is none other than Jeff Dort himself and his winning ticket was drawn at the end of parent-teacher interviews last week, and he and a guest will be taking in this Thursday’s game at the Bell Centre against the Flyers. So a big thank you goes out to all those who bought raffle tickets, to the many students who went out selling and to these four students who gave up their time and manned the raffle table last week and they are: Victoria Roy, Jennifer Larivee, Jason Molloy, and Jonathan Whitehead-Leduc.
Verdun Elementary
The school is getting busy with some annual seasonal events. This week, the choir is making their annual visit to Le Manoir to entertain the patients with some timely singing and bringing some joy to those less fortunate.
Next Tuesday evening (December 13) at the school, they will be putting on the annual senior musical and it’s sure to entertain all the family and friends.
More BA news
Also here, with the season of nighttime school events, especially in the performing arts, BA will have some fine acting and musical talents on display for the crowd of family, relatives, and friends.
Next Thursday evening, the Sec 3 drama class will be putting on their rendition of that great late ‘50s musical, “West Side Story”. The musical was turned into a film in 1961 and went on to win 10 Oscars, including one for best actress which went to the late, great Natalie Wood. It starts at 7 p.m. and it’s $4 at the door.
On Wednesday, Dec. 21, at 7 p.m., it’s the annual Christmas music concert under the direction of the one and only music director Gary Lindner. This concert always puts us in that festive mood with some great Christmas classics and those always wonderful pop standards arranged in a jazzy style. The cost is $ 5 and get ready for a musical good time, and who knows, maybe some surprises.
Teacher Miss Isabelle Naud informs us of some wonderful initiatives and continuing where our dear friend Miss Tamara Beach left off. Miss Naud is continuing the Socks for Pops campaign, where students bring in new pairs of socks which go to “ Dans la Rue,” for homeless teens. This year the school is also looking for gently used winter coats as there is a crying need for this winter apparel.
Miss Naud is also spearheading the annual Christmas food drive with everything collected going to local charities for the less fortunate of our community, and again this year, the top homeroom collecting the most on a points system gets to have a free lunch.
So if you have non-perishables to donate or new socks and lightly used coats to donate, feel free to drop in during regular school hours and leave them for the attention of Miss Isabelle Naud.
BA Sports
The GMAA winter season is in full swing and the school’s various sports teams are up and running. The juvenile boys’ indoor soccer team starts their season next Tuesday at Marymount. The boys’ juvenile wrestling team is undefeated after two matches and next Wednesday they are in action twice hosting Loyola and Westmount High.
All of the school’s basketball teams are at 1 and 3, except for the girls’ juvie team who are at 1 and 2. All teams see action next week.