Lasalle Secondary School honoured for service to the community

Principal Maureen McNamara and the students of Lasalle Secondary School were honoured with the President’s SISU Award at the Finlandia SISU Foundation’s Presidents Dinner on October 25, 2018.

Established in 2014, the President’s SISU Award is presented to an individual and/or group that continuously demonstrates strength and determination – or “SISU” in service to the community.

Under the leadership of Maureen McNamara, a member of the Finlandia Board of Directors, Lasalle Secondary School shares their SISU each year with the Sling-Chocker Family Walk. This year’s event took place on Saturday, September 29th, 2018 and raised some $8,200 to support the ongoing development of a trail system for seniors at Finlandia.

Staff and students have become a driving force behind this community fundraiser and are warmly welcomed by residents as they complete their six-kilometre trek from the school in New Sudbury to Finlandia Village in Minnow Lake.

In three years, more than $100,000 has been raised to support active living and senior fitness in the community, in large part due to the commitment of the entire Lasalle Secondary School community, including students, staff, families and alumni.

“We would like to thank members of the community who continue to support this important initiative,” says Lasalle Secondary School Principal Maureen McNamara. “We sincerely appreciate every dollar donated, as our students work to support active living at all stages of life. This truly is a collective effort.”

She adds: “Health and wellness plays a significant role for our staff and students. We are incredibly honoured to give back to a community that has given so much to us. Thank you.”

Finlandia Village has enjoyed a long-standing relationship with Lasalle Secondary School, which began in 2007 with the launch of the Intergenerational Memoirs Writing Program. In its 10th year, the program fosters co-operation, collaboration, understanding, positive interactions and fellowship opportunities for students, while bridging the gap between generations.

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Media Contact:
Nicole Charette, Senior Advisor,
Corporate Communications and Strategic Planning,
Rainbow District School Board, 705-674-3171 ext. 7217.