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5 · Wednesday, December 16, 2009 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.oakvillebeaver.com Mural honours spirit of slain Blakelock student Continued from page 1 the crowd openly weeping as the memorial presentation began. "We are gathered here to pay tribute to a wonderful person, Jesse Comeau, a son, family member, friend and colleague," said Blakelock Principal Kevin Caughlin. "Today we're unveiling something that was created by students to represent what Jesse has meant to them and something that can live on in memory for all of us." With that, Comeau's father David and mother Kathy were invited to pull a string that uncovered a mural honouring Comeau's life. The painting included stunning images of Comeau's beloved Shell Park where he spent so much of his time and made so many friends. Other images showed him riding his BMX and participating in a Taekwondo tournament where he could be seen with his arms raised in victory with the words `indomitable spirit' written underneath. Another powerful image shows a lone BMX rider wrapped in the shadow of darkened park, lit only by streetlights. The mural also listed the Taekwondo creed by which Comeau is said to have lived his life. These tenets included courtesy, integrity, perseverance and self-control. The mural brought an almost immediate round of applause from those present, as well as the thanks of Comeau's parents. "Jesse is here with us," said David. "I'd like to thank all the kids for everything they put into this. It's beautiful." His mother was also touched by the painting. "They covered all aspects of Jesse. He truly lived by those tenets," she said, choking back tears. A special committee of students and staff provided suggestions for the design of the mural, which was ultimately painted by student artist Liam Goodman, 16. Goodman, who knew Comeau from school, saw a mural as the best way of remembering him. "This is really my way of showing respect," said Goodman. "I'm not very good at expressing myself through words. I can do that better through art." With the memorial unveiled, students took turns viewing it. All did so in silence with only a few scattered whispers heard as all took a moment to remember a friend, family member and colleague who departed this world far too soon. Blakelock social worker Angela Raymond noted there is great value in having a memorial to Comeau within the halls of the school. "I think for the kids that are still here, it acknowledges, for them, the wealth of the life their friend led. What's interesting about what Liam has done here is, with putting the five tenets up there, indomitable spirit, etc., I think it gives students something to strive for," said Raymond. "Jesse was a great kid who was on a positive track to a wonderful life. For all the other kids to see that and see how things can change in your own world, I think it gives them something to hold on to and remember all the time that they have to live for their future and that includes being successful in their own lives, personally, academically and professionally, for Jesse." PR E PROCRASTINATORS NIGHT Friday, December 18 - 6:00pm to 9:00pm Join us for a fun night of shopping with Free Draws at 7:00pm, 8:00pm & 9:00pm. Win lots of prizes including a $100 Grocery Card! Win Your Purchases! (up to a value of $200). Or tickets to a Great Show! Pick up a ballot at any participating store on Friday, December 18, 2009 and drop it in the Ballot box located at Centre Court. YOU MUST BE PRESENT at the times of the draw to win. HOPEDALE MALL MY COMMUNITY, MY MALL N.E. CORNER OF REBECCA STREET + THIRD LINE P : 9 0 5 . 8 2 7 . 7 1 4 6 W: H O P E D A L E M A L L . O N . C A