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—Stouffville, 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.
“Bar none, the most important time of my life was at St. Patrick’s,” said Minister Calandra. “It 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.”
Guided by St. Patrick’s principal Katherine Pellegrini, who also attended St. Patrick’s 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.
“So much of this school is the same,” remarked Minister Calandra on the current school culture. “The 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.
Also in attendance for St. Patrick’s 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’s 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 York Catholic District School Board has raised more than $4.5 million in support of the Terry Fox Foundation.
