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16 - The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday April 16, 2008 www.oakvillebeaver.com New inductees to TAB's Hall of Fame By Paloma Migone SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER Years ago Madhur Anand and David Bradstreet were students roaming the halls of Thomas A. Blakelock, unaware they would one day return as honoured alumni. As this year's inductees of Blakelock's Hall of Fame, both graduates received a homecoming reception and revisited past high school experiences last Friday. Anand, an academic, and Bradstreet, a musician, joined other Blakelock alumni, such as Djanet Sears, Dan Ferrone, and Rob MacDougall at Blakelock's fourth hall of fame ceremony; a tradition conceived by former principal Stuart Miller in 2005 to recognize successful graduates and inspire young minds. The Hall of Fame ceremony began with the tunes of Blakelock's jazz band, before long, the sound of bagpipes filled the school's gym and inductees along with special guest entered the room. Students first heard remarks from Wayne Joudrie, director of education at the Halton District School Board, who noted how wonderful it was "to see former students being recognized for their excellence." A notion expanded by MPP Kevin Flynn, who highlighted Blakelock's unique appreciation for its students. "You've got people that really stand throughout the world and it all started out in a little place like Oakville and a school like Thomas A. Blakelock," said Ward 4 Regional Councillor Allan Elgar. "I think there is no better way to inspire the kids we have in the audience today than to look at what these individuals have done." With hefty resumes, both inductees are certainly capable to inspire anyone. Anand is an associate professor of Ecology at the University of Guelph, Canada Research Chair in Global Ecological Change. She is also a poet. The 1989 Blakelock graduate was an A student, whose favourite high school memory is the vast information to which she was exposed. She remembers the courses, classes, teachers and the uncertainty of her future career path. "I would never have guessed that I would become an ecology professor and poet when I was a student at Blakelock. I had no idea what the future would hold," said Anand. During her career, Anand has received several awards, including the Premier's Research Excellence Award, Western's Young Alumni Award of Merit and now, a Blakelock's alumni recognition. Unlike Anand, Juno award-winning inductee, Bradstreet, a 1966 graduate, was a troublemaker, who "didn't take [school] seriously" and skipped class to play the guitar. While reminiscing, the singer, songwriter, composer and producer gave Blakelock credit for his success. Specifically, he thanked a Grade 10 English teacher, Jim Henderson, who recognized the musician's talents and PHOTOS BY KAREN NEWMAN / SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER FAME: T. A. Blakelock celebrated the achievements of graduates by inducting them into the Blakelock Hall of Fame last week. Award-winning singer/songwriter David Bradstreet was inducted as was Madhur Anand, an associate professor of science (ecology) at the University of Guelph and Canada Research Chair of Global Ecological Change. encouraged him to write. "I love this high school. When I was here, as probably a lot of you find, we are all trying to find our way through and it's the people who are standing next to us and in our classes that help us the most, along with the teachers. I had great teachers," said Bradstreet, during his speech. Bradstreet, who has been nominated for three Juno awards and won for Best New Vocalist in 1977, played two songs at the ceremony, One way or another and Renaissance, which was recorded by Valdy in 1975. Despite Bradstreet's extensive achievements, Blakelock's hall of fame was "an ego boost" and most importantly a way to "inspire the kids to make a difference." 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