Photo by Braeden M.
WINDSOR –– Just last week at St. Joseph’s Catholic High School, the school was a bustling place celebrating Canada’s 150th year of independence for a whole school week. The event took place from September 25th to September 29 and each day was jam-packed with Canadian-pride related activities.
Ms. Koppeser, an English teacher from St. Joseph’s, played a huge role in the makings of the school’s Canada 150 week. She was a member of the event’s planning committee, and made REEL Canada’s visit to St. Joseph’s a possibility and a success.
Teachers involved in the event’s planning committee have been setting up since June of last school year. After witnessing the fruit of their hard work, teachers and staff are relieved by its popularity with students. “The Canada 150 celebration was an overwhelming success due to the time and commitment of a whole team of teachers, [...] and the enthusiasm of our students,” Ms. Koppeser says in the interview. “ I think that it will be what many students will remember about their high school experience. It made me feel proud to be a Canadian and Laser!
Even after having endured the frenzied planning, Ms. Koppeser is still looking forward to holding another event similar to the Canada 150 week at school; in particular, she hopes to have another screening of Canadian-made movies hosted by REEL Canada. “I hope that there will be another opportunity to host a REEL Canada Film Festival to promote and celebrate Canadian film. It is important for us to share our stories and celebrate what makes us uniquely Canadian,” Ms. Koppeser expresses about the film fest.
Students and staff at St. Joseph’s also received the grand opportunity to take part in a Skype Call interview with Oscar-nominated director of Remember, Atom Egoyen. This was Ms. Koppeser’s personal highlight of the REEL Canada film fest at school.
Atom Egoyen answers students' questions via Skype. Photo by Julianna S.
Ms. Koppeser pays heed to Canada’s respect for diversity and the country’s promotion of multiculturalism. St. Joseph’s has a diverse population and she is proud of the many different traditions the school has to honour their students’ cultures. “From the wall of flags in the atrium to the words in different languages around the hallways, [...] our school is an inclusive and welcoming place to be.”