Meadowridge School Alumni

Three generations of Kinderbuddies. Vylet's last day of Grade 12 was on Friday, and her Kinderbuddy, Navpreet came by to visit. After a tour around the school and time spent reconnecting with old teachers, it was time to meet Vylet's Kinderbuddy, Koa. We love seeing three generations of Kinderbuddies.

Every year, with each graduating class, our alumni network grows. The Class of 2024 will soon join you, adding 48 new graduates. As a proud graduate yourself, we invite you to join us at this year’s convocation ceremony where, at the end, all alumni will be called up to line the red carpet, applaud the class of 2024, and officially welcome them into the alumni club.

After the convocation ceremony, connect with fellow alumni and former teachers at a special alumni lunch. You’ll also have the chance to tour the school, see some of our recent changes, and hear about some exciting ones to come.

Event Details:
Thursday, May 23, 2024
Ceremony: 10:00am in the Gymnasium
Lunch: 12:00pm
Location: Meadowridge School

RSVP at https://www.meadowridge.bc.ca/alumni/events/convocation-rsvp

Your presence will make this day extra special for our graduates as they turn from Meadowridge students to Meadowridge alumni for the first time. We look forward to having you there!

www.meadowridge.bc.ca

A club that started with only one parent and a handful of volunteers has grown to be one of the largest at the school. Now in its fifteenth year, the Meadowridge Fencing Club sees sixty-some-odd students annually and has launched the competitive careers of many. To celebrate the Fencing Club's 15th year, we sat down with a few fencing Alumni to get their reflections and perspectives. Read more below.

Fencing Reflections & Perspectives We checked in with both Meadowridge Alumni and current students to reflect back at their time in the Meaodwridge Fencing CAS club and how it impacted them.

Did you know that Mr. Lester’s Grandfather kept orphaned animal cubs on the land he grew up on in Botswana. These animals included leopards, jackal, antelope, pythons, and lions. As part of our People of Meadowridge feature in the latest Gryphon Magazine, we sat down with Mr. Lester to learn what a tupical day in Design looks like, what he enjoys most about his job, and more. Read his full interview at https://www.meadowridge.bc.ca/the-gryphon/article/~board/the-gryphon/post/people-of-meadowridge-mr-darrell-lester

Sameena Khan '08 takes an unusual approach to business. Since opening Rukhsana’s Wellness & Heavenly Retreat, she and her parents have weighed most decisions against one simple standard: does it work for us?

While the family of course worries about guest satisfaction, operations, advertising, and budgets, they balance these very real worries with a very sensible approach. If they believe in what they are doing and enjoy doing it, they’ll do it well and the people will come. As for those other parts of the business? That’s where Sameena comes in. She is a one-stop, non-stop business owner and operator. Human resources, marketing, bookkeeping, payroll, guest services, sous chef, yoga and Shirodhara practitioner wrapped into one. Read Sameena's full article below.

Sameena Khan ‘08 Sameena takes an unusual approach to business. Since opening Rukhsana’s Wellness & Heavenly Retreat, she and her parents have weighed most decisions against one simple standard: does it work for us?

During his eleven years at Meadowridge School, Ty Brar ‘23 experienced opportunity, growth, and academic success. From his first year at the school through to graduation, Ty holds many memories, a mix of best moments and meaningful challenges—altogether, shaping the young alum into who he is today and preparing him for his next educational undertaking at the UBC Sauder School of Business. Read Ty's full interview below.

Alumni Story: Ty Brar '23 During his eleven years at Meadowridge School, Ty Brar ‘23 experienced opportunity, growth, and academic success. From his first year at the school through to graduation, Ty holds many memories, a mix of best moments and meaningful challenges— shaping the young alum into who he is today and prep...

Cheers to a decade of memories! 🎓✨ We absolutely love celebrating these moments that mark the passage of time. Welcoming back the Class of 2013 for their 10-year reunion was a true delight—an evening filled with laughter, delicious food, great drinks, and heartwarming reunions. It's a testament to the enduring bonds formed during those school years. Here's to a decade of connections and countless stories! 🎉👫🍾

Hey Alumni! We are looking for industry speakers to join our Career Roundtable on February 14, 2024. Whether you work in the medical field, as a firefighter, in arts, as a lawyer, a researcher, own your own business, or are an expert in your field (of anything!), we would love to have you join us to share your career experiences and advice to our Grade 9 and 10 students who are taking a big step in planning out their futures. If you are interested, please email [email protected] by Friday, January 19.

Carina Luo's '22 time at Meadowridge School and her experiences in the International Baccalaureate (IB) were instrumental in shaping her into the successful and well-rounded individual she is today. Carina is now pursuing her studies at Western University in business, where the memories and lessons from her Meadowridge days serve as the strong foundation for her post-secondary education and beyond.

Read Carina's full story below.

Alumni Spotlight: Carina Luo ‘22 Carina's time at Meadowridge School and her experiences in the International Baccalaureate (IB) shaped her into the successful and well-rounded individual she is today. Carina is pursuing her studies at Western University in business, where the memories and lessons from Meadowridge serve as the foun...

Calling all alumni: Kickstart the new year with a healthy dose of nostalgia and fitness! The fitness room is open for alumni from January 2-5, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Don't forget to sign in at the front office and say hi when you swing by! Time to sweat some memories together 💪

Meadowridge School has a proud tradition of nurturing talent, and one of its distinguished alumni is living proof of the school's dedication to excellence. Born and raised in Belgium, Helena Parewyck ‘14 lived in Ecuador for four years where she attended another International IB school before joining Meadowridge in Grade 9. Her journey through Meadowridge was marked by a passion for the arts as she joined the art clubs available at the time – an early sign of her creative spirit. Read her full story here: https://www.meadowridge.bc.ca/blog/blogpost/~board/blog/post/alumni-update-helena-parewyck-14-transforming-spaces-through-interior-design

Alumni connection at its finest! 🌟✨ Our very own Rob Teszka '03 returned to Meadowridge to perform an enchanting magic show for our Grade 12 students, delving into perception and the fascinating workings of the brain. It's moments like these that define the special bond we share—a place where alumni return to inspire, engage, and continue their Meadowridge journey. Proud to see our alumni enriching the experiences for our future grads!

Hazzy joined Meadowridge School in Grade 7, embarking on a path filled with rich experiences, lasting friendships, and invaluable learning opportunities. His time at Meadowridge also served as the foundation for an impressive career in tech sales. Read Hazzy's full story below.

Alumni Spotlight: Hazzy Atthari ‘14: A Journey from Meadowridge to Success in Tech Sales Hazzy joined Meadowridge School in Grade 7, embarking on a path filled with rich experiences, lasting friendships, and invaluable learning opportunities. His time at Meadowridge also served as the foundation for an impressive career in tech sales. We sat down with the alum to learn about what he has...

Today is the last day to be entered into the Early Bird Prize draw to win 4 tickets to the 2024 Meadowridge Golf Tournament. What are you waiting for alumni? RSVP today at https://www.meadowridge.bc.ca/alumni/events/home-for-the-holidays/home-for-the-holidays-rsvp-2024

Dr. Shaun Lampen's ’11 journey from his time at Meadowridge School to becoming an Orthopedic Surgeon was a testament to his unwavering determination and his passion for helping others.

Shaun's path into the world of medicine was heavily influenced by his parents, both of whom are doctors. Growing up, he witnessed the profound impact they had on their community and their genuine happiness in their work. His parents' dedication to their profession left an indelible mark on Shaun, and he knew early on that he wanted to follow in their footsteps.

We sat down with Shaun to learn more about what he has been up to since his time at Meadowridge. Read his full interview here: https://www.meadowridge.bc.ca/blog/blogpost/~board/blog/post/alumni-feature-dr-shaun-lampens-11s-unwavering-determination-and-passion-for-helping-others.

Calling all alumni! Get ready to deck the halls and reconnect at our annual 'Home for the Holidays' event. Let's make merry memories together – laughter, joy, and a sprinkle of nostalgia await. Come Ho Ho Home for the Holidays!

RSVP today at https://www.meadowridge.bc.ca/alumni/events/home-for-the-holidays/home-for-the-holidays-rsvp-2024

Hey Alumni, join us for our third annual Alumni Home for the Holidays event on Friday, January 5, 2024! This year we are turning up the excitement with an exhilarating Trivia Night to challenge your memory and entertain you with delightful facts and questions. After trivia, reconnect with fellow alums and faculty while enjoying delicious food and drinks!

RSVP by November 30 to be entered to win 4 tickets to the 2024 Meadowridge School Golf Tournament and Family Brunch (Valued at approximately $1,200).

RSVP at https://www.meadowridge.bc.ca/alumni/events/home-for-the-holidays/home-for-the-holidays-rsvp-2024

Honouring the legacy of a beloved teacher! Do you remember Mrs. Cathy Graetz? During her 30-year tenure at Meadowridge School, Cathy shaped the lives of countless students, seeing firsthand the power of an education. Hoping to support students’ learning and growth for years to come, Cathy and husband Andy have chosen to create The Graetz Family Scholarship through a testamentary bequest. Read more about their gift below.

Leaving a Lasting Legacy for Future Generations with Cathy & Andy Graetz Meadowridge has reached an exciting moment: the school has received its inaugural bequest, generously committed by former teacher Cathy Graetz and her husband, Andy. This meaningful gift, though yet to be realized, holds a special place for us. Keep reading to learn more about their intention behind...

After joining Meadowridge midway through Grade 10, there was no looking back for JR Zhang ’17. During his two and a half years at the school, the support that he received from teachers, staff, and counsellors is his fondest memory. “They all went above and beyond. I still remember the day I sat with Mrs. Just to go over my university applications. We were there for two to three hours perfecting my essays before I submitted my applications,” JR reflects. Where has life taken him since? We sat down with JR to learn all about life after Meadowridge.

Read more here: https://www.meadowridge.bc.ca/blog/blogpost/~board/blog/post/alumni-feature-jr-zhang-17.

“Community” was a value that stuck with Bryanne Childress (née Newbery) after graduating from Meadowridge in 2011. Growing up in the Meadowridge community ultimately inspired her to pursue a career in education. As a Meadowridge Lifer, she credits the school for shaping her calling as an outdoor educator.

We sat down with Bryanne to learn more about her life since her time at Meadowridge. Read her full update here: https://www.meadowridge.bc.ca/blog/blogpost/~board/blog/post/how-bryanne-childress-found-her-calling-in-outdoor-education

Melissa is a “Lifer”, having attended Meadowridge from Kindergarten to Grade 12. She excelled in any subject that allowed her to creativity to flow. She enjoyed being a part of the tight-knit theater and musical community, as well as the design team for the Yearbook Club. Although she felt like she didn’t fit the conventional academic mould of Meadowridge, with the support of her teachers and friends, she continued to excel in subjects that were more hands-on rather than textbook driven. Meadowridge was so much more than just an education, but the life lessons learned there have shaped how she carries herself today.

We checked in with Melissa Orser, '08 to learn more about her journey to becoming a Business Owner & Medical Esthetician at LIFT Skin Health & Laser. Read more below.

Alumni Feature: Melissa Orser, 08’s Journey to Entrepreneurship We checked in with Melissa Orser, '08 to learn more about her journey to becoming a Business Owner & Medical Esthetician at LIFT Skin Health & Laser.

Justice is literally in the hands of alum, Kerrin Hagberg ’12. As a Forensic Identification Examiner with the RCMP, Kerrin gathers photographs and collects evidence from crime scenes.

Dusting fingerprints, measuring footprints, assessing tire tracks, and reviewing hair, blood, and any other physical clues that may lead her to identify a suspect in a crime are what she manages on a regular basis.

Read more about what Kerrin has been up to since graduating from Meadowridge at https://www.meadowridge.bc.ca/the-gryphon/article/~board/the-gryphon/post/a-friendly-interrogation-with-kerrin-hagberg-12

You could say Kira Turner ’08 “does it all.” She’s a pastry chef by day, a farmer by night, a baking teacher on weekends, and a mother and entrepreneur around the clock. With her husband Winston at her side, they have become an integral part of Maple Ridge’s food system and community.

Together they run Abernethy Acres, an organic produce farm that specializes in chemical-free, naturally grown fruits and vegetables. Sitting on their farm is Kira’s bakeshop, where she bakes hundreds of French macarons a week for her second business, Kizzy’s Macarons.

To thicken the plot, she has two kids, three dogs, and farm animals to care for. Though she’s always on the move, she says her jam-packed days never feel like work.

Read more about what Kira has been up to since graduating from Meadowridge below.

Farm, Fields & French Macarons with Kira Turner ’08 You could say Kira Turner ’08 “does it all.” She’s a pastry chef by day, a farmer by night, a baking teacher on weekends, and a mother and entrepreneur around the clock. With her husband Winston at her side, they have become an integral part of Maple Ridge’s food system and community.