It has been 32 years since Andrea (Racansky) Thomson ’93 graduated from Havergal and was chosen as a Class Rep. In this time, she’s embarked on a few different career paths, held a variety of jobs and guided her own daughters through their educational journeys. She now works in development and alumni relations at an independent girls’ school in Ottawa, much like Havergal. Through all of these life chapters, one constant has been her unwavering dedication as an Old Girl/Alum and her steadfast commitment to serving as a Havergal volunteer.
“Havergal changed my life,” Thomson says, reflecting on her journey from a Scarborough, Ont., public school to Havergal in Grade 5. “When I arrived, I was still young and impressionable and Havergal opened my eyes to many new opportunities and experiences.” Upon graduation, Thomson enthusiastically stepped into the role of Class Representative, eager to not lose contact with the friends she’d made at school. “It’s a privilege to keep our class connected and to maintain meaningful relationships with other Havergal Old Girls/Alums. This school meant so much to me as a student and continues to mean just as much today.”
Volunteers play a crucial role in bridging the gap between past and present.
Kate Crokam, Director of Alumni Engagement
Class Representatives play an important role in supporting Havergal’s alumni engagement efforts. Appointed by their peers, often during their final year of school, these individuals serve as the glue that keeps their classes connected. They rally their peers for reunions, share updates and foster a sense of community that often spans decades.
“What’s especially wonderful is that many of these Class Reps were chosen as teenagers and they’ve carried this responsibility for a lifetime,” says Kate Crokam, Havergal’s Director of Alumni Engagement. “It’s a testament to their commitment and the bonds they formed.”
As a volunteer, Thomson has held a number of roles over the years, including joining the Havergal Old Girls Association (HOGA) Directorate. She sees great value in remaining engaged, explaining that Havergal shaped her personal and professional foundation. “I actually secured my first job with the Art Gallery of Ontario because of a shared Havergal affiliation, and that job launched my career,” Thomson says. “It’s amazing to see all the places Havergal graduates end up.”
That natural feeling of connection is what has drawn some Old Girls/Alums back to the school years after graduating. Megan (Brenneman) Dickinson ’92 was only a Havergal student for a few years, but says she always felt at home and well supported. After graduation, she turned to Havergal for assistance in switching universities and credits the school with being there for her when she really needed them. “Twenty years ago, after I was married and moved back to the neighbourhood, I felt drawn to reunite with the Havergal community,” she says.
Dickinson served as president of the HOGA Directorate for two years, while also writing for the school’s Old Girls/Alums publication, Chronicle. She took a hiatus from volunteering when she had her children, then got involved again when her daughter started at the school in Grade 4.
With her daughter now in Grade 12, Dickinson has been involved in the Havergal College Parent Association (HCPA) for years and serves as a bridge between the parent community and Old Girls/Alums, leveraging her perspective as both a Havergal graduate and a current parent. She’s been actively engaged as a Grade Rep and organizer of parent events and has been a long-time contributor to the Green & Gold Shop. A few years ago, she took over as coordinator of preloved uniform sales, helping to streamline the process that bridges sustainability with convenience.
“I find great fulfilment in giving back to Havergal because it really shaped me as a person,” she says. Dickinson loves meeting other parents and Old Girls/Alums and advocates for the importance of alumni connection, especially for younger graduates beginning their careers. “The Havergal network can foster lifelong relationships because this school provides not just an education, but also a whole life experience,” she says.
By staying involved with Havergal, I’m still intangibly connected to all those fond memories.
Teresa Snelgrove, 1964
Teresa Snelgrove ‘64 has been committed to mentoring and supporting younger Old Girls/Alums for decades. In the late 1980s, she co-founded Havergal Connects, a program designed to foster networking and mentorship opportunities. “The idea was to create a space where graduates of all ages could engage, share advice and support one another in their careers,” Snelgrove explains. “It was incredibly rewarding to see the impact we could have, especially before the internet made networking so accessible.”
A self-proclaimed serial entrepreneur, Snelgrove attended Havergral from Junior Kindergarten until Grade 12. She left the school in 1964 and got involved as a volunteer in the late 1970s. She fondly remembers the influential teachers and peers of Havergal. “By staying involved with Havergal, I’m still intangibly connected to all those fond memories,” she says.
Her own daughter and granddaughter both graduated from Havergal, and she strongly believes in the power of giving back and supporting young women as they navigate higher education and careers.
According to Crokam, Havergal Old Girls/Alums such as Snelgrove are instrumental in preserving the school’s cherished traditions, while also helping to adapt them for future generations. Their deep institutional knowledge, combined with their lived experiences, ensures that Havergal’s values and culture are upheld. “Volunteers play a crucial role in bridging the gap between past and present,” says Crokam.
It’s a privilege to give back to a place that’s given me so much.
Diane Davies, 1964
This legacy is exemplified by Diane Davies ‘64 and her classmates, who have taken it upon themselves to commemorate all significant milestones right up until the 60th reunion of the Class of 1964, which they celebrated this past year. Davies fondly recalls organizing gatherings in creative ways, from hosting events at her home to collaborating with classmates to secure unique venues. Davies and Snelgrove share the role of Class Rep now and love working together to ensure others from their class continue to feel part of the Havergal community.
Davies has been a Class Rep for 60 years and speaks about the role with palpable delight. Over the years she’s also held a number of positions with the HOGA Directorate, including editor of the Chronicle and social convener. While she went to the Wellesley School of Nursing and the University of Toronto to become a nursing administrator, she says beyond anyone else, her Havergal classmates always remained her closest friends. Her bond with the school is such that she even makes an effort to meet up with Havergal Old Girls/Alums when she’s travelling. “People often say, ‘Look us up when you’re in town,’ and I do. I’ve visited Old Girls in Florida and Ottawa. We’ve all stayed really close over the years.”
“Volunteers such as these Old Girls/Alums are ambassadors for the school,” Crokam emphasizes. “They inspire others to get involved, whether it’s through fundraising, event planning or mentoring. Their enthusiasm and dedication are contagious.” Davies echoes this sentiment, reflecting on the sense of fulfillment she’s gained through her involvement. “Being a volunteer has given me so much in return. The bonds I’ve made, the friendships I’ve built and the memories I’ve created are priceless. It’s a privilege to give back to a place that’s given me so much.”
