What made my time at Nelson so special was the people. From Orientation Day—our senior-led welcome for the Grade 9s—to graduation, it’s the faces of friends, coaches, and teachers that I look back on most fondly. I built lifelong friendships with my classmates and still stay in touch with my guidance counsellor and coaches to this day.

I was fortunate to play football during a great era at Nelson—Friday night games under the lights at Nelson Stadium, fans in yellow and gold filling the stands, cheering us on. That experience helped pave the way for four great years at McMaster University, which led to a six-year CFL career and representing Canada at three Olympic Games in bobsleigh.

So much of who I became started at Nelson.