The people of St. Alban’s: Meet Alessia!

Posted on by
Reply

Get to know one of our STARS After School program staff members, Alessia Lalli.

How long have you been at St. Alban’s? 
I’ve been at St. Alban’s for 3 years! I started off as a placement student for my third year of university where I participated in the STARS Program and the youth program Sistahood. Once I completed my placement, I was hired to work at the satellite site, Regal Road. Since then, I have moved back to the main site where I have worked with Group 5/6 and Group 3 as well as worked summer camp 2016 and 2018.

What age group do you currently work with?
Grade 4! (9-10 year olds)

What is your favorite thing about working with St. Albans?
My favourite thing about working with St. Alban’s is the family atmosphere. Working with the same staff and kids every day makes it very easy for you all to get to know each other and bond quickly. Plus, the kids are super fun, energetic, and unpredictable and the staff are super friendly and always there for you.

Do you have any secret talents?
I can binge watch a TV series embarrassingly fast.

If you had a super power, what would it be and why?
Teleportation! You no longer have to worry about traffic or commuting.

If you could spend one day in someone else’s shoes, who would it be and why?
If I could spend one day in someone else’s shoes, it would be Billie Joe Armstrong from Green Day because I have always wanted to be in a band and tour.

If you could describe yourself in 3 words what would they be?
Caring, spontaneous, optimistic

When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
When I was a kid, I wanted to be a teacher because I enjoyed helping my younger brother and sister with their homework (and yet, I never wanted to do my own).

Are you an Early Bird or Late Owl?
I’m 100% a late owl

The People of St. Alban’s: Meet Zachary!

Posted on by
Reply

Meet Zachary, a long-time youth member at our main clubhouse.  Zachary has been a youth member since 2011 and is an active participant in our Raise the Grade program for five years. He also works part-time with our STARS after-school program and summer camp. 

What made you join the Raise the Grade program?

I joined the Raise the Grade program because I needed extra help and support with my academics.  I like the fact that I can work 1-on-1 with a mentor/tutor who is matched and catered to my academic needs and to also have someone I can trust and talk to on a regular basis.

Tell us about your biggest academic challenge and how did you overcome it?

My biggest academic challenge would have to be during my senior year in high school.  I found out that I did not get accepted to my top school and program at Ryerson University. I had several other acceptances and almost went to another school. However after getting advice from my friends, family, and my mentor, I made the tough decision to do an extra year of high school and applied again. I ended up graduating my 5th year of high-school with honours and got accepted into the Sport Media program at Ryerson University! Moral of the story: Do not rush the process!

What is the best part about being a Raise the Grade participant?

I love that I can create a special bond with a mentor that is here to help me improve in various ways. I’ve known my current mentor, Stewart, for two years and he has helped me so much. The program gave us the opportunity to get to know each other and I’m thankful for his time and guidance.

What are your hopes and goals for the future?

My future goal is to graduate university with a degree in Sport Media and connect with individuals in the media world. My hopes are to work as a sports anchor and journalist for a Sport Media Company such as TSN!

The people of St. Alban’s: Meet Annika

Posted on by
Reply

Annika Forman recently won second place in our Song Writing Competition.  She performed her winning track, “Brave New World“, at St. Alban’s Street Jam 2.0. 

How did you find out about the Inc Sound Studio program and St. Alban’s? What were your impressions when you first got here?
I went to St. Alban’s many times throughout my childhood. I went to daycare, summer camp, swimming, skateboarding amongst other things and have always loved the community that St. Alban’s fosters.
I found out about the Inc Sound Studio program because Jo’el Douglas guest lectured in my Equity Studies course at University of Toronto where he talked about the history of hip-hop and rap music. After the lecture I went up to him, thanked him, and said I write rap music and sent him a link of my track, “Brave New World“. Once he had had a listen he told me more about the program and that’s how I came to know of it. My impression of Inc Sound Studio program was a really positive one. I really liked the artists in the program, the staff, and the space itself.

What sparked your interest in music? How did you get started writing your own material?
My interest in music started from a very young age. I was always singing growing up in my house. My mom is a great singer and would always sing lullabies to me and my brother. Growing up there was always a lot of music in the house. As well, being Jewish, we would sing on Shabbat every Friday night and at synagogue as music is a big part of the culture. When I was about six I started taking Suzuki violin lessons and did that until I was twelve. From there I slowly became less interested in the violin and picked up the guitar – which I continue to play to this day. I started writing my own material when I was about 16. My guitar teacher at the time told me about a woman named Robyn Dell’Unto who had this company called “A Song of my Own” that helped artists write and record original songs. I got into contact with her and we wrote a song together. She then applied for a FACTOR (Foundation Assisting Canadian Talent On Recordings) grant on my behalf and upon receiving it I was able to pay for a producer to help me record my first single “Brave New World“.

Where does your inspiration come from?
My inspiration comes from the world around me. I know that sounds cheesy but it’s true. I am very politically and socially aware and try to be involved in social justice initiatives as much as I can. I also want to make sure that my music is authentic and that I’m actually saying what I feel and am not trying to fit into a mold of party anthems and all the other music one often hears on the radio. “Brave New World” came about from deciding to write a song about something I cared about and had meaning to me. The inspiration for the song was to use a predominantly male musical platform – rap music – and all the historically derogatory ways in which it puts down women through its lyric and I was going to flip it on its head. I was going to use that same kind of medium but use it as a female empowerment song as oppose to how it has often historically degraded women.

What would you tell a young child who is interested in making their own music? What advice would you give them?
I would tell them they should go for it! I’m trying to think of the things that held me back as a kid. One of the things was the feeling that music will not get me anywhere – which I still feel! – but I try to ignore that feeling as much as possible and follow my passion. I also found and find that it’s hard for me to find inspiration. What I would say is the times where you struggle in your life is often the most inspiring times and you can use those times as fuel to write a good song. So the times when you feel like you’re at your lowest is actually the best place to be in to write a song and be inspired. So what I would tell a young person is – find that inspiration and then don’t be afraid to put out stuff that’s not already out there! Something I’m trying to remember to do myself is not to put out stuff just because it’s going to make you look good or it’s going to make you sound good. Put out stuff that’s authentic and real and that you would be okay with your children or future children hearing, something that you would be proud of and stand behind and something you feel strongly about. Don’t just put it out because it makes you sound cool or you think people will like it, put it out because there is truth in what you’re saying and you feel like people should hear it.

Besides music, what are your interests and what do you like to do in your spare time?
Besides music, I’m a huge sports fan. I play soccer and have been playing soccer since I was in elementary school. I love just being physically active in any way that I can. I’m also in school full-time studying sociology – which takes up a lot of my time but outside of school and sports I like to listen to music and hang out with friends.

The People of St. Alban’s: Meet Madison!

Posted on by
Reply

Madison Granger Wing has been coming to St. Alban’s since she was 5 years old, when she first took beginners swimming classes. She has been coming here for 7 years and considers St. Alban’s her second home. 

How did you hear about the Club and what got you started here? 

My aunt told us how my cousin was playing water polo at the Club and how he had such a fun and interactive experience.  My parents loved the idea of how St. Alban’s was a safe environment that would allow me to thrive in a positive way. 

Describe the feeling you have when you come to the Club. 

When I come to St. Alban’s, I feel excited because I have the opportunity to be on the swim team.  I feel motivated to succeed and set goals for myself because of the great aquatic leaders and coaches. 

What are some of the programs you come to here? 

I have attended the H2O summer program for the last two years and absolutely fell in love with it.  This program is super fun because you get the chance to learn life saving skills while at the same time having fun.  This camp has kept me active in the summer, allowed me to meet lots of new friends and let me go on super fun excursions on Fridays. 

My absolute favourite activity is being on the senior swim team because I feel challenged, important and it makes me set goals for myself.  I love going to swim meets because it lets me show off all of the hard work that I put into swimming. 

If you had to describe what it’s like here to another kid, what would you say? 

I would say St. Albans is a great place to be.  There are tons of fun activities like baking club, skateboard club, and swim team.  Thanks to the great staff at St. Albans, you will always be able to feel safe, welcome and be able to express your ideas freely. 

Who is your favourite leader and why? 

Fabian is my favourite leader because he always gives me the challenge to be a better swimmer and he pushes me to pass the goals I set for myself.  He is very thoughtful and kind and he goes the extra mile by helping us on his free time.  He makes you feel good about yourself when you try your best and he is the best coach ever. 

The people of St. Alban’s: Meet Akash and Paloma

Posted on by
Reply

Meet two of our senior preschoolers, Akash, who is 5 years old and loves sports and Paloma, who is 6 years old, and wants to be an astronaut when she grows up! 

Meet Akash

What is the best part of being at St. Alban’s ?
Because it’s fun!

What do you like to do most of all?   
Playing and doing sports stuff.

What is something your teachers always say to you?
My teacher at school always says, “you are ready for the 2nd grade.”

What is the hardest thing about being 5yrs old?
People bullying me.

What do you do when they bully you?
I tell on them or I figure out the problem to stop them.

What do you want to be when you are all grown up?
I want to be a sports player and an architect. 

What kind of sports do you want to play?
Tennis, basketball, soccer, baseball and volleyball. 

How are you going to do so many things?  That’s a lot. 
Being an architect won’t take a lot of time. There will be other architects.

What makes you happy?
My mom and my dad.

What makes you sad?
People bullying me or somebody died.

If you could grow anything in the yard, what would it be?
Tomatoes, turnips, onions for my family – I don’t like them, basil and grass so I can play soccer.

What makes you feel brave?
My mom and my dad and my sister.

What makes you feel loved?
My mom and my dad and my sister.

How do you show people you care?
Give them hugs.

What is your favorite food?
Macaroni and cheese and pizza and gnocchi.

If you could do anything right now, what would you do?
Play sports.

What do you look forward to when you wake up?
Brushing my teeth after eating breakfast and eating and loving my family.

What’s your Superhero name and what powers do you have?
Captain Weatherman and I can make undertows in the ocean and make rain for turnips to grow and make a blizzard and snow.

Describe a great day. What are you doing that makes it special?
Playing every sport and just be with my parents and have a picnic with ice cream and then go out to dinner.

What animal would make a great driver?
A moose would make the worst driver cause he would see the moose crossing signs and stop driving.
The best driver would be a monkeys and gorillas because they’re the most like us.
The slowest driver would be a sloth.

What are three things you want to do this summer?
I am going to Costa Rica. I want to zipline in the rainforest like Tarzan.
I want to go to Hawaii, Japan and India. I really want to see a tsunami in Japan and Hawaii. 
I want to go to St. Alban’s every day to see Anna.

What makes someone smart?
Being able to play a chess game.

Meet Paloma!

What is the best part of being at St. Alban’s ?

Playing outside on the playground.

What do you like to do most of all?   

Play Kitty Kat with my kitty cat.

What is the hardest thing about being 6 yrs old?

Washing the dishes is the hardest. [Editor’s note: Paloma’s mom says Paloma doesn’t do the dishes.] 

What do you want to be when you are all grown up?

I love to do lots of things, but I want to be a scientist and an astronaut and blah blah blah.

What does blah blah blah mean? 

Whenever you say something you always say blah blah blah afterwards.

What makes you happy?

Everything.

What makes you sad?

Nothing.

If you could grow anything in the yard, what would it be?

An Orange blossom tree.  But no more it’s too many plants – there’s not enough space.

What makes you feel brave?

Kitty Kat’s eyes because they glow in the dark.  It’s like a flashlight.

What makes you feel loved?

My mommy and my daddy and my kitty cat.

How do you show people you care?

Huggies.

What is your favourite food?

Shrimp with garlic.  My mommy makes it.

What animal would make a great driver?

No animals can drive cars!  They have no hands!

What are three things you want to do this summer?

I only want to fly kites!

What makes someone smart?

Figuring out 300 piece puzzles and colouring peacocks!

The People of St. Alban’s: Meet Alana

Posted on by
Reply

Meet Alana, a youth arts member at our main clubhouse. Alana joined our club about two years ago and is an active participant in our Inc Sound Studio program.

What is the best part of being a member here at St. Alban’s?

I love that there’s a well structured team behind all the programming. I appreciate the fact that there’s always someone with an answer. St. Alban’s has a great way of providing a safe space to create and at the same time providing platforms to present your creativity.

How long have you been singing and recording your music?

I’ve literally been singing all my life, but as for recording, I started at the age of 14.

Tell us a bit about yourself (including other hobbies/interests outside of music)…

I’m outdoorsy, I enjoy seclusion just as much as good company, and I like to colour.

What inspires your music?

I get inspired when I can imagine a situation and can’t reference a song that is already out there. I enjoy creating what I’m longing to hear right then in that moment.

How has St. Alban’s helped you in achieving your musical goals?

I’d say the greatest help has been the consistency. Outside of St. Alban’s I’ve had to depend on the availability of others, but here there’s a schedule and that kind of consistency has definitely supported my flow of creativity.

What are your hopes and goals for the future?

God-willing I’ll not only successfully reach my generation with my music, but my life itself will be impactful. I want to be eye-opening to previous generations, to lead my generation, and to inspire the next generation. Not just through music alone but in various industries and aspects of life.

Anything else you’d like to add?

I just released my first song “Contemplations” which was recorded at St. Alban’s.

Listen to Alana’s song, “Contemplations”, here. 

Power of the Purse – Thank you!

Posted on by
Reply

Thank you so much to everyone who supported our Power of the Purse fundraiser which took place at 99 Sudbury on Tuesday May 15th. The event featured a (not so) silent auction including designer handbags, clothing, sports memorabilia and gift certificates.  The gourmet catering was delicious and everyone enjoyed some refreshments, learning about the arts programs at St. Alban’s and the (mostly) friendly competition at the auction table.

Highlights from the evening included hearing from speakers Serena Nudel, former St. Alban’s Arts Coordinator, and Kayla Wallace, who will be designing the new arts and crafts room. We also enjoyed watching the live painting by artist Tanisha Clarke.

Including the Power of the Purse event, we have raised $13,600 so far!  We have just over $35,000 to go to meet our goal for renovating our arts and crafts room into a space that is accessible for all age groups and provides a space for creativity and imagination.  Interested in helping us reach our goal? Donate online today! 

Special thanks to our many sponsors:

Loblaws
Fiesta Farms
Faema
Alex and Jennifer Beauregard
HKO Design
TD Bank- Bathurst and Bloor
Insomnia
Tridel
Nike
Bateman’s Bikes
Snapdragon Designs– Pam Willcocks
Gap- Old Navy- and Banana Republic
Maria Almedia
Lindt Chocolates
Satisfaction Spa
Phipps Bakery
Happy Bakery
Uniqueka Wilson
Mayday Malone’s
Denise Lewis
Kat Bonnell
Donna Taniguchi
Natalia LaFortune
Bees Are Life

The People of St. Alban’s: Meet Charlotte!

Posted on by
Reply

Charlotte Winter is an 11-year-old in grade six at McMurrich Jr. Public School, and she has been enrolled in our STARS after school program for the last two years. At such a young age, Miss Winter has managed to write a number of short stories, spoken word poems and she aspires to be a pediatrician someday “in a clinic so [she] doesn’t have to work crazy hours”!

We sat down with Charlotte to learn more about her experience as a tween, big sister, and young writer.

What is the most interesting thing you’ve done recently?
I used to live really close to school. But I just moved in with my step dad, and he lives in Forest Hill. I have the whole 3rd floor to myself. And there’s this giant dresser in my room that we can’t get out, because there used to be an elevator but now there isn’t one!

Can you tell us what your coolest accomplishments have been?
I’ve learned to play two instruments. The violin, which I play at school, and the piano that I play at home. I like the piano better. Also, I’ve written a number of short stories. One about an insane asylum, another about a girl named Doll. Her mom dies from alcoholism, and she goes home for the funeral but everything is different. It’s called “Home Again”. Usually you write the beginnings of a lot of stories but never finish them.

How did you start writing?
It came naturally. My dad writes poetry. My siblings are into DJing and one is into photography.

Photo Credit: Charlotte Winter, Age 11.

What do you enjoy most about your writing?
It’s an escape from reality. You are no longer in reality, you are in your own reality. And everyone can write but not everyone can write well.

Have you gotten any recognition or awards for your writing?
No, but my writer friends say I’m good!

What is your 15 year plan?
I want to go to U of T medical school to become a pediatrician… and continue writing on the side as my main hobby. My step dad is a doctor and he says you’ll always come out of med school with a different specialty so who knows!

Do you know where you want to live? Will you stay here?
I love Toronto it’s my favorite place in the world. I want to work for a while, retire and then move somewhere warm! After I retire I want to be peaceful with the world. Live in a hut and have a pet zebra. And name it Stripes because I’m very original.

What do you find most challenging with being 11?
I’m between being a child and being a teenager. Being a teenager comes with responsibilities but being a child has privileges and no responsibilities. Which also means I can go one of two ways – where my younger siblings look up to me, and I’m babied by my older siblings –  and – I feel most comfortable being a child. 

What do you find rewarding at your age?
I don’t know… life, life is rewarding.

Do you like being a big sister?
Yes. My brother is my favorite person in the whole world! But we love each other in very different ways.  I’m aware of the different roles we play in our relationship.

What are your thoughts on social media?
I have Snapchat and Instagram. I mostly use Instagram for my photography. 

Charlotte’s self-awareness and maturity led us to write this piece on her, but her spirit and will to remain young is what captivated us the most. She described herself as goofy! Which is such an admirable quality to have, because most 11-year-olds are too concerned with acting like mini adults to express their childlike ways. If Charlotte could have one wish it would be that she could eat ice cream and not get fat, because it tastes good but has no nutritional value and she’d prefer to stay healthy! We’re on the same page, Charlotte, we’d love that magical ice cream too!

When we asked Charlotte for any advice she’d like to give anyone, she said

“Adulthood is a trap. Stay a kid for as long as possible. Stay a kid for as long as possible. Make it last.”

Charlotte graciously shared one of her spoken word/poetry pieces about her younger brother.

 

Want to be a lifeguard? Brendan tells us how!

Posted on by
Reply

Hi! My name is Brendan, and I’ve been a lifeguard and swimming instructor here at St. Alban’s for over three years. I love what I do, and I’m going to explain how you can get certified as a lifeguard and swim instructor so that you can do it too.

If you want to be a lifeguard and swim teacher, the first thing you have to do is to learn how to swim. If you don’t already know how, then take some lessons at St. Alban’s, because we have so many teachers who’d love to help you learn. Or if you just want to get back into practice then come to our pool for a lane swim or family swim.

Once you know how to swim, the first step towards getting started is to take your Bronze courses, which introduce you to how to save people in pools or even lakes. There are three levels of Bronze course; Bronze Star, Bronze Medallion and Bronze Cross, but if you’re 13 or older then you can skip Bronze Star and go straight into Bronze Medallion.

After getting your Bronze Medallion and Cross, you’ll need to take a Standard First Aid course, with CPR level C, before your lifeguard course. After all, it wouldn’t be good if lifeguards could pull people out of the water but didn’t know how to treat them afterwards! This First Aid course will teach you many first aid concepts including how to use an AED and how to treat all sorts of injuries.

If you’re First Aid Certified and have Bronze Medallion and Cross, then congratulations! You’re ready to take the National Lifeguard course! This is an intense crash course, which usually takes two weekends to test you on everything you’ve learned in the Bronze and First Aid courses. And that’s just the beginning – it also makes sure you’re a great swimmer, and teaches you all sorts of pool-specific skills such as how to remove people from the water using a spinal board.
Once you get this certification you’re a full lifeguard.

If you want, you can now take an instructor course which will let you pass on your love and skill for swimming to others. There are even more advanced instructor courses, which I haven’t taken yet, but which I might do someday. These courses teach you how to pass on your first aid knowledge to others, or even how to certify new lifeguards!
I hope this has been helpful in teaching you how to become a lifeguard and swim instructor, and I hope to see you soon at the pool practicing your swimming, or maybe even guarding with me!

(All the courses that Brendan mentioned are offered here at St. Alban’s – you can read the program descriptions and sign up online.)