It was an exciting day for the St. Patrick CES Markham community on Friday, September 20, 2024, as many special guests visited the school to participate in the annual Terry Fox run/walk/roll. Notably, Paul Calandra, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing and MPP for Markham鈥擲touffville, was there for the run and a trip down memory lane.
Minister Calandra was a St. Patrick student (not too many) years ago and had asked to return to the school that significantly impacted his life.
鈥淏ar none, the most important time of my life was at St. Patrick鈥檚,鈥� said Minister Calandra. 鈥淚t set me on a path for the rest of my life. Teachers like Ms. Dicks, Mr. Moore, Mr. Tamburro, they put me in a direction that allowed me to be successful today.鈥�
Guided by St. Patrick鈥檚 principal Katherine Pellegrini, who also attended St. Patrick鈥檚 as a child, Minister Calandra revisited the classrooms he once sat in, spoke to current students and staff, and joined in on the stretches for the Terry Fox Foundation fundraiser.
鈥淪o much of this school is the same,鈥� remarked Minister Calandra on the current school culture. 鈥淭he community spirit, the way that teachers and administration here care about people. It is an amazing, amazing place, and it is such an honour to come back.聽
Also in attendance for St. Patrick鈥檚 Terry Fox run/walk/roll were Chair of the Board of Trustees Elizabeth Crowe, Trustee for Area 2: Wards 4,5,7 & 8 (Milliken/Markham/Unionville) Frank Alexander, Interim Director of Education John De Faveri and Superintendent of Education Laura Sawicky.
The St. Patrick鈥檚 students and staff did an incredible job fundraising for the Terry Fox Foundation and giving their best effort to get moving for this excellent cause. Over the years, the 91短视频app has raised more than $4.5 million in support of the Terry Fox Foundation.
