Our Lady Seat of Wisdom Academy offers congratulations to Languages teacher, Christopher A. Zakrzewski, on his receipt of the Sarmatian Review Literary Prize, which is bestowed from time to time on candidates for their "significant and disinterested contribution to Polish Culture." The Sarmatian Review (Rice University, Houston, Texas) is currently serializing  Zakrzewski's prose translation of Adam Mickiewicz's 10,000 line poetic masterpiece, Pan Tadeusz. Webpage: Link 

Something new has been heard in the halls of Our Lady Seat of Wisdom Academy over these past few weeks: show tunes.  The Academy’s Don Bosco Drama Club, which has performed an impressive list of productions since it was formed in 2003, presented its first musical, the Tony Award-winning hit Oliver! last weekend.  It featured musical classics such as "Food, Glorious Food," "Where is Love?" "Consider Yourself," “Who Will Buy?” and "As Long As He Needs Me." Lionel Bart’s ever-popular Oliver! has become one of the most popular and longest running musicals of all time. The musical continued its popularity in the auditorium of Madawaska Valley District High School as the Don Bosco Drama Club gave three gripping performances of Oliver! to a delighted audience.
Oliver! is based on Charles Dickens’ moving tale of Oliver Twist, an orphan boy who escapes rough workhouse conditions only to end up in the company of pick-pockets.   When Oliver has a chance to live a good life, love and hate battle as Bill Sykes and his girlfriend, Nancy, have conflicting plans for the young boy. Dickens’ characters are always larger-than-life, including the delightfully dubious pick-pocket ringleader Fagin. Composer Lionel Bart completely captures Dickens’ creations in this most memorable musical. 

February 2, the Feast of the Presentation, marked the second anniversary of the deaths of OLSWA students Paul Sanders and Janine Lieu.  The Third-Year class, Paul and Janine's classmates, organized the commemoration services which included a slide show presentation, prayer service and candlelight vigil, and memorial Mass.  

Classmate Cassie Farrell offers the following reflection:

In the fall of 2007, a group of young people from across Canada, the U.S.A., and England came together in Barry’s Bay, Ontario, to form the new first year class at Our Lady Seat of Wisdom Academy. At this point in time, these young people had no idea what challenges they would face together, or the strong friendships that they would forge. They could not have imagined the type of impact they would make on each other’s lives. With each passing day, the first years only grew closer, and while there were some odd characters in the mix, each person played an integral role in the dynamic of the entire class. Paul Sanders and Janine Lieu were two of these young people.

Books are an integral part of learning at OLSWA. Our library seeks to promote the liberal arts and preserve the Catholic tradition. Learn more about OLSWA's Library Collection here.

Our Lady Seat of Wisdom is becoming of increasing interest to our southern neighbours. Over the last ten years, we've had students from 17 different US states, and currently 10% of our student body is American. To learn more of the American connection at OLSWA, click here.

On Friday, November 27, Pembroke Bishop Michael Mulhall visited Barry’s Bay for a game of hockey with OLSWA students. Every Friday evening, from 10:00 p.m. until 11:00 p.m., students and members of the community play pick-up hockey at the local Paul J. Yakabuski Community Centre. Hockey is one of the sport options available for students who want a break from academics. It will be a long-lasting memory in the minds of these students, who can now say that they have played hockey with the local bishop!  Bishop Mulhall enjoyed the game as well and hopes to come out again.

The Paul J. Yakabuski Community Centre resonated with the sound of fiddle and piano, laughter, and clapping, as OLSWA celebrated its annual American Thanksgiving. Members of the school, and also of the local community, enjoyed three hours of dancing and desserts. Throughout the evening of November 26, participants were asked to “square their sets” as square dancing occupied much of the dance time. A few polkas and waltzes were also welcomed for some variation. This annual celebration was a student –organized and coordinated event.  An American Thanksgiving evening has been a tradition at the Academy, to join its American students in celebrating their Thanksgiving, when they cannot go home to celebrate.  Many thanks go out to Julie and Kerry Fitzgerald (Bancroft, ON) who provided the live music, and also to Stanley Pecoskie who called the square dances.  Thank you to the student organizers, Elizabeth Enright and Hannah Corkery.

Norm Edwards and Wayne Forsyth of St. Casimir’s Knights of Columbus Council, Round Lake, presented a cheque to Interim President, Dr. Keith Cassidy, and Senior Development Officer, Maria Reilander. The council presented this contribution as the proceeds from their first fundraising breakfast for OLSWA. The breakfast was held at St. Andrew’s Parish, in Killaloe, on Sunday, October 18.  The Knights plan to make this an annual event, to show their appreciation and support for the Academy.  OLSWA is very grateful for their financial assistance and ongoing encouragement. 

At 10:50 a.m., on Wednesday, November 11, staff and students took a 20 minute break from classes and study to participate in a school-organized Remembrance Day service.  It was held outside at the Jubilee Cross which overlooks Lake Kamaniskeg. The service consisted of several reflections, prayers, the singing of our national anthem, and the recitation of the poem, In Flanders Field.  It was officiated by Deacon Robert Probert. Thank you to students, Joseph Jalsevac and Elizabeth Enright, for coordinating this event.