Of the many schools of the Seven Oaks School Division (SOSD), most, if not all of them, have giant banners on the front. Some say “Community begins here,” and some say “Community starts here,” but no matter what, there is always something about “community.” When asked about the meaning of “Community begins here,” Brian O’Leary, former SOSD superintendent, said, “It means bringing people together, old or young.”
O’Leary was the superintendent for 22 years (2001-23), and was recently inducted into the Jerry Maslowsky Performing Arts Hall of Fame on Nov. 6. This induction was accompanied by a concert featuring multiple school groups under SOSD which was organized by Tyler Yip, Manitoba Music Educators’ Association president.
“We hope we can connect with new communities […] through the power of live performance. In Brian’s words, he was most proud when he attended a concert at the SOPAC [Seven Oaks Performing Arts Centre] and watched the look on parents’ faces. He loved seeing the pride in their faces as they watched their kids on stage, Yip said.”
The Hall of Fame concert featured some of the many SOSD school groups consisting of Elwick Community School, Amber Trails Community School, Maples Collegiate/Maples Met and Garden City Collegiate/The Seven Oaks Met School. The schools had much to show for the performing arts O’Leary worked so hard to put in the spotlight.
The variety of performances include drumming by Walking Wolf, a group led by Ray (Coco) Stevenson, a band performance from Elwick Sistema, an Afro-Caribbean dance performance from The Amber Trails BSU Dance Group, a choral performance from the Garden City Senior-Choir, a fiddle performance from the Seven Oaks Fiddle Teachers, and a band performance from the local Winnipeg family band, Legacy.
All proceeds from the event will be going toward a scholarship fund to assist a Maples Collegiate student who participates in the Wayfinders Program, a community-based outreach that provides mentorship for students in their high school journey and encouragement for successful transition into post-secondary education. The SOSD hopes to continue to help its students and the community moving forward.
Tony Kreml, current SOSD superintendent, spoke about the school division. “Our division welcomes families from many cultural, religious and social backgrounds and we rely on this diversity to create a unique, rich environment for all. Our goal is for every family to find their home in Seven Oaks, without compromising what makes each of us unique,” he said. “Our community is much stronger when each person is authentically seen, heard and valued.”
Jaclyn Loganberg this year marked her 30th year as a music teacher at Maples Collegiate. When asked about what the performing arts is like within the SOSD, she said, “I believe I have one of the best jobs in the world for two reasons — the support from the Seven Oaks board members, trustees and the superintendents, and the amazing students we have in our school.”
“Seven Oaks values the arts more than most, if not all, the other school divisions in Manitoba and definitely across Canada,” Loganberg added. “With free instruments for all students, subsidized trips to the Brandon Jazz Festival, generous budgets and staffing support, I am very fortunate to have worked in this division for my entire career.”
“Our students work very hard and they become very successful adults, in large part because of the values of the music program and the values of arts in our lives,” Loganberg said.
Brian O’ Leary’s induction into the Jerry Maslowsky Performing Arts Hall of Fame serves as a reminder to all on how hard he has worked toward putting the performing arts in the spotlight in the school division. It also reminds us that community is not just an individual idea.
