There have been a lot of changes at the W. Ross Macdonald School over the past 150 years, says Mehak Aziz.
But, according to Aziz, a secondary student at the provincially run school, the one thing that has endured is a sense of community.
And, on Thursday, the community gathered in the Brant Avenue school’s auditorium to celebrate 150 years of teaching the blind, visually impaired and deafblind. Staff, students, former staff, alumni, friends and local dignitaries participated in the celebration, which included music and speeches. Later, a barbecue was held on the school grounds.
“The staff at W. Ross Macdonald have an amazing way of pushing students to reach their full potential,” said Aziz.
She said staff have helped her become a confident young woman, president of the student council and future graduate who is looking forward to pursuing a post-secondary education.
Aziz served as the master of ceremonies for the celebration.
Among those attending the ceremony were Brantford-Brant MP Larry Brock, Brantford Mayor Kevin Davis and Eddie Morten, a graduate of the school and Paralympian who won a judo bronze medal in the 1988 Summer Paralympics, a gold in wrestling in the 1984 Summer Paralympics and a bronze in the 1980 Summer Paralympics.
“This school has a wonderful program that helped me incredibly with improving my literacy skills as well as providing me with several different activities that kept me busy all day long,” Morten said in sign language with his words broadcast by a speaker to the audience. “It was such a wonderful experience.”
Morten especially enjoyed the sports program and he thanked John Howe, his coach at the school, for challenging and guiding him.
Morten repeated a quote that he heard from Howe repeatedly during his time at the school, which still guides him today.
He said Howe always told him: “You can do it.”
Morten also paid tribute to Mick Ferras, a residence counselor and teacher, who taught life skills to students while running evening recreation programs. Ferras was inducted into the Ontario Blind Sports Association Hall of Fame in 2021.
The ceremony included musical performances by organist, composer and teacher John Vandertuin, who attended the school.
Jade Ondrik, a secondary student at the school, sang Far From the Home I Love from Fiddler on the Roof. Ondrik, of Waterdown, was the top prize winner at this year’s Brant Music Festival.
Jake Zavitz, a secondary student at the school, sang When You’re Smiling with a band that included former student Oscar Evans on trumpet and Amy Danino on drums and Denis Rondeau on bass, both former staff members.
The school’s chamber choir performed Deep In the Meadow while Vaiva Dzemionas, performed I want to be Filled with Joy.
The keynote address was delivered by Elizabeth Mohler, of the school’s alumni association.
Megan Myers spoke at the event on behalf of the secondary students, while Max Scandlan, delivered the elementary school address.
The ceremony also included a land acknowledgment delivered by Yehati Antone and Lily King. Yautatau Clause, of the Oneida Nation, Wolf Clan, provided the traditional blessing.
Those attending the ceremony were welcomed by school principal Dan Maggiacomo.
The school’s 150th anniversary celebration began with a carnival and petting zoo on Wednesday and continues with an alumni reunion over the weekend.
Founded in March 1872, the school was originally the Ontario Institution for the Education of the Blind. It later became the Ontario School for the Blind and was subsequently named after W. Ross Macdonald, a Brantford lawyer and former MP, who served as lieutenant governor of Ontario from 1968 to 1974. Macdonald died in 1976.
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