On January 16th, WIC hosted an Alum Cocktail at Peter Pan Bistro in downtown Toronto, marking the first WIC gathering in Toronto in six years. This long-awaited event provided a fantastic opportunity to reconnect with alums living in the Greater Toronto Area. Attendees spanned several decades, from the Class of 1978 to 2018, creating a vibrant atmosphere as alums from all walks of life reconnected and celebrated their shared WIC experience.
Head of School, Eric Jabal, shared updates on WIC’s evolution, highlighting key programs, values, and the school’s vision for the future. He reflected on how WIC has continued to grow while staying true to its traditions. Derek Linetsky (Executive Director of Advancement) and Émilie Simard (Assistant Head of Junior School), helped create a lively, welcoming atmosphere for alums.
One of the evening’s highlights was hearing personal stories from alums about their lives as “Voyageurs” since graduating. Guests shared reflections on WIC’s lasting impact on their journeys, with several expressing deep gratitude for the sense of community and the strong foundation the school provided as they navigated adulthood. For many, it was a chance to reflect on how the values they learned at WIC continue to shape their careers and personal lives today.
Myrna Tulandi ‘92 is a Senior Lawyer at the Consent and Capacity Board, Chair of the Discipline Committee of the Ontario College of Teachers, and adjunct law professor at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU). She shared her perspective on how WIC shaped her. “You don’t fully appreciate the quality of education as a student,” she said. “I knew there was a difference from what my friends experienced at other schools, but I didn’t realize just how much until after I graduated. I often joke with another former classmate, who is also a lawyer, that we learned how to draft legal documents in Mrs. George’s English class.” Tulandi initially started her undergraduate studies in science with the goal of pursuing a career in medicine, but after discovering it wasn’t the right fit, she pivoted. “I always tell my students, it’s okay not to know exactly what you want to be when you grow up, I still don’t!”
Kelly Cosgrove-McKenna ‘87, is the Regional Development Advisor for the Ministry of Tourism in Ontario. She credits WIC with inspiring her passion for travel. “WIC opened my eyes to different languages and cultures. I remember celebrating diverse holidays and learning about multiculturalism through my friends. That exposure broadened my world.” After attending Bishop’s University, which she learned about through WIC basketball tournaments, Kelly’s desire to travel led her to work for Royal Caribbean Cruises, where she met her husband. Her travels then took her to Japan, where she lived for a decade and had three children, followed by five years in Ireland before returning to Canada. “WIC provided a safe space for me,” Cosgrove-McKennasaid. “The small class sizes and tight-knit friendships created an environment where I could take risks and challenge myself. My advice to students is to embrace that safe space and use it to push yourself to try new things”.
David Mizgala ‘89, Chief Engineer at Innovative Trailer Design Industries Inc., reflected on how WIC shaped his academic and personal growth. “The workload, the rich variety of courses, extracurricular activities, and the mentoring from teachers helped me grow personally and professionally,” he shared. “We learned that putting in the effort early on pays off. Many of my peers struggled with the workload in university, but for me and my WIC friends, it felt manageable.”
The WIC experience has always been about more than just education; it’s about the connections and friendships that last a lifetime. Alums across different decades spoke of the unique bond they share, grounded in the school’s values, challenges, and shared experiences. Whether it was reminiscing about events, recalling beloved teachers, or simply sharing life experiences, the event highlighted how WIC unites its alums.
The WIC experience has always been about more than just education; it’s about the connections and friendships that last a lifetime. Alums across different decades spoke of the unique bond they share, grounded in the school’s values, challenges, and shared experiences. Whether it was reminiscing about events, recalling beloved teachers, or simply sharing life experiences, the event highlighted how WIC unites its alums.
