The Buckeye connection

River East

Transcona

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This article was published 18/10/2023 (877 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

There’s something special going on at Miles Mac.

Three newly elected members of Manitoba’s Legislative Assembly, all of whom of the New Democratic Party government, are also all Miles Macdonell Collegiate alumnae.

“I was a band kid,” recalled Tracy Schmidt, MLA for Rossmere, who graduated in 1999. “That was a large focus of my student life. There’s a fantastic band program at that school. I would argue it was a world-class program. I learned a lot, not just about music but about life and being a professional. That’s something the band program instills — how to be diligent, how to work hard, how to work together as a group. It was a really enriching experience.”

A lawyer by trade, Schmidt credits an introductory class in Canadian law whicj eventually steering her towards law school.

“I have no doubt that taking that course and being exposed to our legal system — we spent a day in court — that exposure sparked something in me and contributed to my eventual path in the legal profession,” she said.

“Miles Mac is just an incredibly diverse community with so many programs,” added Rachelle Schott, MLA for Kildonan-River East. “It’s just such a diverse school, with a large student population.”

Schott, who attended Donwood School and Chief Peguis Junior High School before going to Miles Macdonell to attend the international baccalaureate program, also took part in the school band under (recently retired) music director Zane Zallis. She was part of student council in her Grade 11 year, before being elected class president in Grade 12.

“There were just so many teachers who went above and beyond,” said Schott, who graduated in 2003. “There were so many adults who were mentors. I went to Ottawa as part of student leadership programs on scholarship. I wouldn’t be where I am today if I hadn’t had those experiences, of adults who believed in the power of student voice.”

Jelynn Dela Cruz, MLA for Radisson, was also school president during her time at Miles Mac.

“I really did enjoy my time there. It did cement the purpose I found in giving back to the community,” she said. “I found it incredibly empowering that teachers were encouraging us to get involved. My high school years were jam-packed with activities.”

Like Schott, Dela Cruz transferred to Miles Mac (from Kildonan-East Collegiate) to attend the IB program.

“I was really drawn to how holistic that program was,” she said. “Not only did it push them to excel, but to be globally minded citizens.”

Last year, after running a $3.6 million deficit, the River East Transcona School Division announced it was cutting the IB program at Miles Macdonell.

“This decision was made only after considering all short- and long-term options,” superintendent Sandra Herbst wrote in a statement at the time. “We recognize this decision may change the plans families had for their children who intended to enter IB and be disappointing to those students.”

The cuts created an uproar in the community.

As alumnae, Schmidt, Schott and Dela Cruz all said they heard plenty about the IB program being axed while campaigning campaign. For Dela Cruz, the announcement hit even closer to home.

“My brother graduated from IB program this spring,” Dela Cruz said. “So, naturally, it became a dinner table conversation. Now, having been part of the political atmosphere the past couple years, I understand what it took for administrators and school board officials to make the tough decision to cut a program that so many kids benefit from, and the factors that must have gone into play. Such as, are they receiving adequate funding?”

Providing adequate funding to schools is something Dela Cruz, for one, hopes to help achieve as part of the provincial government.

“I’m thankful for the opportunities that Miles Mac offered,” she said. “But that’s not the case with everyone. We need to fight for a standard across the board we can be proud of. There are so many of us who are lucky to have access to resources. We shouldn’t have to be lucky.”