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Blakelock welcomes three new hall of fame alumni By Melanie Cummings SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER 23 · OAKVILLE BEAVER Friday, October 23, 2009 For all of those T.A. Blakelock students, like alumnus Hart Hanson, who to this day is still stymied by the Latin words emblazoned on the high school's crest -- `ad maiora natu sum' -- it translates to `I was born for greater things.' And so he was. They may be, too. The television writer, along with fellow graduates Maureen Hagan and Steve Meszaros, are the latest inductees into the Rebecca Street school's hall of fame. Led Zeppelin's 1971 Stairway to Heaven was newly released in Hanson's Blakelock days and Rush was a high school touring band. Currently writing for the television series Bones, Hanson credits his Grade 9 typing classes with his claim to fame as the fastest typist in Los Angeles. And his teen life at the school has generated plenty of script material into the storylines of shows he's written for, such as Joan of Arcadia. "I owe my career to this school and the strange, odd people in it with me -- like all of you," said Hanson at Friday's (Oct. 16) ceremony. With his Masters of mechanical PHOTOS BY ERIC RIEHL / SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER HALL OF FAMERS: T. A. Blakelock's newest Hall of Fame inductees, from left, engineer Steve Meszaros, GoodLife Fitness vice-president Maureen Hagan and television scriptwriter Hart Hanson. engineering from Stanford University, But he did help evolve the autoSteven Meszaros left California's motive industry in China, dedicating Silicon Valley in its startup years, seven years of his career to the transwhen companies like Apple and Cisco formation. Currently, he calls were virtually unheard of, to work in England home, although most of his the automotive sector in Ohio. time is spent on airplanes travelling "It was like going to work for the as an executive of automotive interirailroad at the dawn of the invention or parts company Visteon. of the car," said Metzaros who graduA gym teacher named Mrs. ated from Blakelock in 1981. Armstrong had a big impact on Maureen Hagan, who became a physiotherapist, vice-president of operations of GoodLife Fitness Clubs of Canada and director of education for Can-Fit-Pro, Canada. While Hagan claims to never having been a great athlete, Mrs. Armstrong somehow convinced her that physical activity could still be fun and challenging. "You have an opportunity to work with your own Mrs. Armstrongs," she told the student assembly. "Chart your own course in life, be open minded, take risks and never doubt yourself whether it's in band, sports or drama," said Hagan. "It's not about making the team, it's what you learn along the way." Since Blakelock opened in 1958, it has produced 10,000 graduates whose accomplishments are many. Hansen, Hagan and Metzaros are the 13th, 14th and 15th inductees into its hall of fame, which was established in 2005. It includes the CFL's Dan Ferrone, Olympic skater and politician Otto Jelinek and songwriter and performer David Bradstreet. According to Blakelock Hall of Fame committee chair Cheryl Christoffersen there are four pages of candidates' names to consider for future awards. Each is researched and reviewed by the nine members on the group. She said she knows the school's hall of fame is serving its purpose in getting across the message to students that they, too, are capable of making their mark in the world. "I hear students often as they pass by the wall of plaques say, `I'm gonna be on there one day.'" O W E N e L E F T ! Renovate · Decorate · Celebrate E K 50% OFF ENTRANCE FEES ONLY UNTIL OCTOBER 31, 2009 Time is Precious, Mistakes are Costly and Decorating is complicated. Inquire about your Personal Design Consultation www.oakvilleclub.com info@oakvilleclub.com 905.845.0231 At Fitz by Design we are committed to creating breathtaking, functional spaces that are unique as the individuals living in them.