• St. John Ambulance First Responder Divisional Superintendent Glyn Trafford got a big surprise when he attended the Vancouver Island spring meeting and was given the keys to a new Mobile First Aid Post. The refurbished ambulance is to replace the aging vehicle that the first responder division uses when they attend public duties in the community.
“The old ambulance was costing a lot in maintenance and repairs. Last season it broke down twice and had to be towed in for repairs,” Trafford said. “It was getting expensive.”
The director of Volunteer Services drove the ambulance over from Burnaby and the provincial commissioner presented Trafford with the keys. The Cowichan Valley division has been waiting for five years for a new mobile first aid post.
The new post is a little smaller and several divisional officers are working out how best to stow medical equipment and supplies. It will be out this spring and summer as the division gets busy providing patient care at community events.
• Elaine Scott of the Mill Bay Plantaholics dropped us a note to let us know their Plant Sale on Saturday, April 13 was a success, in spite of poor weather.
They made $3,040 which will be divided between Somenos Transition House in Duncan (a program of the Cowichan Women Against Violence Society) and the Malawi Girls on the Move Program (where the money will provide a scholarship for a young Malawian woman to complete her secondary school education).
• Archimedes, Hypatia, Sophie Germain, Sir Isaac Newton — famous historical names synonymous with the study of mathematics. Three Grade 10 students from Queen Margaret’s School are not on this list yet, but earning the Zone 14 Championship in the University of Waterloo Cayley Math Contest has certainly set them on the path to numerical success.
Each year the University of Waterloo hosts internationally recognized mathematical contests designed to challenge high school students and develop a love and interest in the study. The Grade 10 contest, named after British mathematician Arthur Cayley, is described as an opportunity for students to have fun and to develop their mathematical problem solving abilities. QMS students Shizuru Iino, Madoka Morikawa and Cecilia Xia all agree that their love of math has been fanned by earning the top team score for Zone 14 which placed them ninth place in B.C.
“The test was challenging,” admits Madoka Morikawa. “But it was fun!”
Cecilia Xia shares that her lifelong love of math has a simple foundation.
“I feel stable working on math, because you know right away if you did the question correctly or not. It gives me a strong sense of achievement.”
“The study of mathematics requires an inquiring mind, perseverance, and humility,” explains Debbie Cook, Senior School principal. “These students display those qualities in all areas of school life. We congratulate them for their success in this contest and look forward to supporting them in their next chosen challenge.”
All three QMS students admit they plan to pursue post-secondary studies for future careers dominated by math. Cecilia Xia encourages her peers to pursue the challenge inherent in mathematics.
“Be curious about the answer,” she exclaims. “It’s there!”
• The Leaders of Tomorrow Awards Cowichan celebration event was held on Friday, April 12 at the Island Savings Centre in Duncan.
There were 77 nominations with 51 youth in attendance to accept their award certificates.
A full house with more than 200 participants, family members, nominators and event sponsors were there to applaud the youth.
Held during National Volunteer Week this event recognizes youth six to 24 for their community leadership and volunteer efforts and it’s all about the nomination.
