Torch - Fall 2014

Left: Celebrating their 20 th reunion at Reunion Weekend 2012. (left to right) Dale McIntosh 1992 (HOGA President 2012–13 and 2013–14), Melanie Plet 1992 (HOGA President 2014–15 and 2015–16) and Rachel DeBlois 1992 (HOGA President 2010–11 and 2011–12). Right: Taylor Murrell 2015 (far right) and her classmates await their mothers’ arrival for the Grade 12 Mother Daughter Luncheon on September 19. Mothers were honoured with Marguerite daisies, a symbol of the Havergal Old Girl.

Student Conversations Taylor Murrell 2015 always knew she wanted to be a lawyer, but she didn’t know which field to focus on. Last spring, Taylor connected with the Old Girls Office following a conversation she had with Vice Principal Lois Rowe. Through the Student Conversations Program, Taylor was connected with Old Girl Jill Fraser 1987, a Partner at the law firm Aird & Berlis LLP. “I emailed Ms. Fraser and she responded right away suggesting that we meet for lunch,” Taylor says. Armed with a handful of questions, Taylor wanted to know what corporate law was all about and what she should take at university to prepare for law school. Jill talked about her daily life as a lawyer, her role at the firm and law school requirements. After their meeting, Taylor said she felt even more enthusiastic and assured and had a clear view of her future. “My sense is that Taylor went away with an understanding of corporate law and that there’s no set path to get there—you don’t need a specific undergraduate degree to get into law school,” says Jill, who also volunteered as a mentor as part of the 2013 Havergal Career Networking Event (run by the Advancement & Community Relations and Guidance departments), which brings together more than 100 mentors (including Old Girls and parents) to network with Grade 11 and 12 students. “I really believe it’s important for those with experience to mentor others. Mentoring is invaluable for anyone starting out. Often those starting off in a career need some good advice: who are the right people to talk to and how to get into a new profession,” Jill says. “You should always follow your passions and make sure you do what you love.”

“Old Girls particularly understand the need to ensure that their beloved Havergal is available to any mission-appropriate girl who would benefit from a Havergal education,” says Louise, noting that Old Girls’ donations often support their class endowments, which mostly are designated to support bursaries at Havergal. “Old Girls also have a deep connection to the school through their support of the Chaplaincy, the Dr. Catherine Steele 1928 Archives, the Ellen Knox Library and the Legacy Theatre.” For Old Girls, traditions form the foundation of their Havergal experience. “Founders’ Day and Carol Service are both traditions that are very meaningful to our community. It’s great to see Old Girls attending our Carol Service,” says Louise, noting that at Founders’ Day—one of many occasions in the school calendar that bring alumnae and students together—the guest speaker is most often an Old Girl. “When families come to Havergal, there’s a general understanding that their investment in their daughters will stretch beyond the school experience—that they will be a part of a lifelong community. However, parents are often not aware of the full extent to which we support their daughters long after they graduate,” Louise says. “What surprises families is how robust the Old Girls program is.” For example, designed to capitalize on the strength of the Old Girls network, the Havergal Mentoring Program, Light the Way , offers both long-term and short-term mentoring programs. It is designed to allow participants the opportunity to discuss career paths, form new relationships and forge lifelong connections. It includes the Student Conversations Program that connects Old Girls in their chosen professions with students who are seeking advice about career choices and university programs.

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