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4- The Oakville Beaver, Friday April 27, 2007 www.oakvillebeaver.com High school set the tone Continued from page 3 Bring Indoor Comfort, Outdoors This Spring! Visit our showroom to see this model and all our 35 models burning on display. · In House Cabinetry · Licensed Gas Fitters Hours: Mon.-Fri. 10-5, Sat. 10-4 3585 Laird Rd., Unit 2 905.569.2404 www.ontariohearth.com He noted skills like teamwork, communication and hard work, are those he learned at school, used in sports and were and continue to be applied in the many chapters of his life. Pointing out Blakelock's Latin motto ­ I was born for greater things -- Kantor said, "So much of what I am right now and what I've done started right here at Blakelock." As current students dream of what their future may hold, the inductees, including Sears, looked to their past at Blakelock. "I was not a great student. I was average in high school," said Sears, noting however Blakelock -- and even more specifically certain moments of kindness and direction from teachers laid the groundwork for her to excel in university and later in life. "I was listening," said Sears, echoing Kantor's sentiments. Sears is a playwright and director and winner of numerous literary awards including the 1998 Governor General's Literary Award, the Harry "So much of what I am right now, and what I've done, started right here at Blakelock." David Kantor, T.A. Blakelock graduate and Blakelock Hall of Fame inductee Jerome Award for Excellence in the Cultural Industries, the Martin Luther King Jr. Achievement Award, a Gemini nomination and a Phenomenal Woman of the Arts Award this year. Sears, now an adjunct professor at the University of Toronto and writer-in-residence at Toronto's Tarragon Theatre, pointed out a trio of teachers and how they made a difference in her life. Janet (Morris) Vannai was the drama teacher who first directed Sears to reading a work about African culture, assisted her with her university theatre audition piece and more. "Thank you for your generosity and support. Without those moments I wouldn't be standing here. Thank you," Sears told Vannai, who was in the audience. For her love of jazz, the inclusion of music woven into the fabric of all her plays and the love of singing that led her to the theatre, Sears credited Blakelock's music teacher, the late John MacDonald. She thanked his wife, Shirley, who was also in the audience. Sears then credited teacher Doug Beckett for teaching her how to write. Sears recalled a paper on which she'd received a poor mark. She asked Beckett why and he wondered if she had ever read what she'd written. He then took her through the first paragraph asking how she could clarify ideas and explore better ways of expression. "I consider myself a great revisor, not a great writer," said Sears. To Beckett, also in the audience, Sears said, "I am profoundly grateful for those few minutes after class. They changed my life." -- Angela Blackburn can be reached at angela@oakvillebeaver.com. ...Redefine Your Living Space We design and build Bathrooms . Kitchens . Basements NOW OPEN FAMILY OWNED & RATED OPE · drapery + hardware · custom sewing + furniture · in-home consultation · FROM HERE invudrap eryco.co m invudrap eryco.co m invudrap eryco.co m TO HERE QEW / 403 Fairview St. 403 Burnhamthorpe Rd. W Erin Mills PKwy. Winston Churchill Blvd. QEW Maple Ave. Brant St. Caroline St. Drury Ln. Guelph Line 403 Dundas St. W QEW Lakeshore Rd. More than 20 years of experience 198 Speers Road, Oakville Burlington Location 2004 Caroline Street, Burlington 905.632.4994 905-845-9675 www.invudraperyco.com NEW Mississauga Location 2575 Dundas St. W., (East of Winston Churchill) Mississauga 905.828.2022 DRAPE YOUR HOME IN LUXURY