Model Behaviour What's up with Old Girls Getting in on the Act

2012 DOGA Andrea THOMAS Hill ’86 One woman’s vision moves millions the BSS magazine | vol. 1 · 2011/12 The Link TRANSFORMATIVE Bein G the chanGe LEAdersBeyond Bss Model Behaviour What’s up With old Girls GettinG in on the act Inspired Old Girls lead Ten great pages of global Students find meaning by example pg. 3 updates pg. 24 on stage pg. 34 L. 1 • 2011/12 • 1 L. o V contents 12 Opening nOtes 2 Deryn Lavell takes a look at the vital role of role models Leaders spOtLight 3 Meet four outstanding Old Girls who are taking the lead in transforming the world When girLs dream 4 • 11 • 20 • 33 Three compelling questions for four Old Girls who 8 are living their dream VOLunteer spOtLight 8 10 questions in 20 minutes A casual Q&A with the 34 24 Smallman sisters, volunteers extraordinaire OLd girL spOtLight 10 Follow Katherine BARCSAY ’01 and her journey from science to acting, bringing to life the skills she found at BSS ARTS spOtLight 34 All the world’s a stage and BSS Performing Arts dOga prOfiLe 12 progran uses it well Andrea THOMAS Hill ’86 – A dedicated volunteer and visionary, Ms. Hill organized in 1992 the first Run for the Cure in Toronto, which has grown to an annual event that has raised millions of dollars and involved over one million participants in memOriam 17 Remembering an inspiring role model and 16 transformative leader – Joan DAVIDSON Watson ’43 famiLy aLbum 18 OLd girL neWs 24 student spOtLight 16 Meet Emily PAPSIN Class of 2012: A diverse collection of updates depicting the From Science to hockey, Biology to singer/songwriter, extraordinary lives of BSS Old Girls this soon to be Old Girl is well on her way to becoming a transformative leader Letter from the edItors This issue, we focus almost exclusively on old Girls, all of whom embody BSS values and who are using what they learned at BSS We are pleased to bring you this issue of The Link, focusing on the to transform the world. Transformative leaders who have begun their inspiring journeys in Upholding our commitment to environmental accountability in the halls of BSS. all we do, the paper used in the production of this magazine is We want the energy that we feel every day at BSS to jump off from responsible sources. the pages of The Link, and we appreciate all those who have helped We hope you enjoy reading about some of the many lives affected us in that goal. There are endless stories of BSS students, parents, by the BSS experience and who are proof positive that ‘Girls can faculty, staff and old Girls, and we aim to share them with you through do anything’! As always, we invite your comments on what you read this magazine. You can access hundreds of articles from previous in The Link, and welcome your ideas. issues by visiting bssthelink.com. With thanks, The Link Editorial Team the LINK Vol.1 · 2011/12 1 opening noteS Role Models. of dollars and continues to be one of the biggest of its kind. Andrea has since founded Why We need theM noW an organization called Cause We Care to help single mothers living in poverty. Her remarkable story is highlighted in this issue of The Link and through it, you will MoRe than eveR. readily see why she was selected as this year’s Distinguished Old Girl. Andrea will be presented with the Award at this year’s Heritage Dinner coming up in April. It by deryn lavell promises to be a remarkable evening you won’t want to miss. he term ‘role model’ is so common lives. Championing our own role models You will also meet another special group it’s easy to forget that the notion is then, becomes an increasingly vital part of of Old Girls who are without question, a fairly recent one and came about what a community like BSS must do. And ‘transformational leaders’. Their stories Tfrom a great deal of research. The there is no shortage of them around here. are remarkable and span a wide range term first appeared in 1957 when distin- There are positive role models throughout of professional paths from philanthropy, guished sociologist Robert K. Merton the BSS community, from teachers, to activism, and filmmaking, to nuclear science. hypothesized that individuals compare coaches, and of course, our parents. In this These exceptional women represent the goal themselves with ‘reference groups’ of people issue of The Link, we will focus particularly of our vision at BSS. In each of their particular who occupy a role aspired to by the individual. on our remarkable community of Old journeys, they are transformational leaders Dr. Merton determined that by the time a Girls. They are most likely to form the who are changing the world. We feel so student arrived at medical school, those who powerful counterpoint to the deluge of proud to have played a role in their lives. made that career choice earliest, were likely other influences our students are exposed By showcasing their stories, students today to have been influenced by a role model. to. Not only do these exceptional women can learn from them and, hopefully, become He described role models as, “persons who help to shape our students’ perspectives even more excited about the opportunities serve as an example, through direct involvement that await them in the future. whose behavior is with the School, their stories But of course, BSS can’t take all the emulated by others.” provide excellent examples credit. Combining this powerful learning While we tend to of what is possible. environment with an involved, caring and think of role models First, we salute this year’s achievement-oriented home environment as positive influences, Distinguished Old Girl, Andrea is the magic recipe. This issue of The Link it is just as likely that THOMAS Hill ’86, for her highlights two sisters who have strong values young people will outstanding service to the rooted in their family. Anne SMALLMAN be moved to emulate community. Andrea was in Gallagher ’81 and Catherine SMALLMAN the behavior of their her early twenties, not long Grant ’84 are family-focused Old Girls who favourite Jersey Shore after graduating from BSS, continue the tradition of being active, housemate… and does when she founded the now positive role models for their children and the world really need renowned “Run for the Cure”. all who know them. As you’ll read, the another Snooki? After her beloved grandmother sisters volunteer in many capacities for the In today’s era of died of breast cancer, Andrea School and are conscious of just how much celebrity culture and learned that women everywhere their actions influence their children. the overwhelming were getting sick BSS is a special environment, not only power these people with this disease for the profound learning that goes on in can have on young Exceptional women help and not talking the classroom, but for the many paths to minds, parents and about it. There growth and development that we can offer educators are being to shape our students was virtually no our girls beyond our walls. Old Girls have challenged to counteract those messages by awareness and even some reluctance for an enormous role to play in this, as do our providing exposure to a diversity of perspectives women to acknowledge the disease. She parents. I’m delighted that our students can that can balance their children’s view. felt passionately that breast cancer was a learn from such an exceptional and We can lament the ubiquity of the disease that not only affected women, but committed community. As long as we have Snookies, (who by the way, now has a had a profound impact on their families BSS Old Girls to talk about, there will always whopping 4 million Twitter followers), but and communities. Now in its 20th year, be strong, positive and powerful role models we cannot shut them out of our children’s this national event has raised millions for our students. 2 the LINK Vol. 1 · 2011/12 IGNITEDBy Nekita King BYBSS the LINK Vol.1 · 2011/12 3 “It was a small close community, only about 30 people, and I was one of the few women.” Dr. Ash welcomed the role, as she prefers to work in environments that continue to chal- lenge her. She explains that working with children presents more challenges because of the physical and emotional changes they experience through the developmental stages. However, Dr. Ash believes these challenges are what make her job fascinating. They present the opportunity for new discoveries and serve as an escape from the monotony of general practices. Now a Senior Staff Radiologist, Depart- ment of Diagnostic Imaging, at The Hospital for Sick Children, a position she has held since 1980, Dr. Ash is also a well respected DuIhR. J D th As ’62: academic who has served as Lecturer and an Assistant Professor for the Department of Radiology at the University of Toronto. A n oLD GIRL chAnGInG the Since 1982 she has also been an Associate for the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto; moreover, she has served on various committees including the Ontario College of WoRLD thRouGh MeDIcIne Physicians committee that sets the Standards r. Judith ASH ’62 knew since Dr. Ash also credits the teachers at BSS for of Practice for Nuclear Medicine private Grade 5 that she wanted to follow laying the foundation for an easy transition practice in Ontario. In addition to being a in the footsteps of her physician into university.

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