Message from the Athletic Director

It has been another fantastic winter season for the St. Thomas More Knights, with our athletes competing in curling, lacrosse, wrestling, and basketball. Each team demonstrated dedication, perseverance, and growth, making this season one to remember. The curling team, despite being small and relatively inexperienced, showed steady improvement throughout the season, highlighted by a thrilling final win against Cariboo Hill. Meanwhile, our lacrosse program continued to develop, with both Junior and Senior teams gaining valuable experience against tough competition. The wrestling team also had huge successes with multiple provincial placements throughout their season.

Basketball was a major highlight this winter, with teams competing in various tournaments and league play. Both the Senior Girls and Boys teams secured league titles and went on to win the Fraser North Zone Championships. The Grade 8 teams also had strong performances, finishing second in their zones and placing 3rd in the province. The Senior Girls had a remarkable run at the BC Championships, finishing fourth after a hard-fought semifinal against top-seeded Holy Cross. Their determination and teamwork were evident throughout the season, and we extend a special thank you to our graduating seniors for their contributions over the years.

As the season wraps up, we look ahead to the final chapter for our Senior Boys basketball team, who enter the BC Championships as the top-seeded 3A team. Their tournament kicks off on March 5th, and we look forward to seeing how they perform on the big stage. More details on each team’s journey and standout moments are shared below in the Athletics section.

James Borthistle
Athletic Director

ACTION Team

The 2024/25 ACTION Student Leadership team has completed two advocacy projects on homelessness in Burnaby and Vancouver and children’s rights. Back in November we held a sleepout with 25 students who spent a night in our cafeteria. The students made toques, candy bags, and prayer cards to help our Good Shepherd Ministry. It was a learning experience for all as they tried to experience what far too many people in our community experience on a daily basis.

The ACTION team then put together a documentary on how people in our community can make a difference for those experiencing financial hardship. It is a powerful documentary with a positive message. Vilson Lai and Abraham Pynadath from the Media Arts class did an amazing job making it look professional.

Our second project on child’s rights we made a connection with a local charity called You Wear It Well… Just for Grads. This charity helps students who can’t afford the big expenses that graduation entails. Through donations, 300 students from New Westminster and Surrey get fitted for grad clothes, get make-up and hair done, and walk out with all they need so they can have the graduation experience all students deserve. We challenged our grade 12’s to donate beauty products or money for products with the idea that it is important to give back. Our students came through in big numbers and we may try to expand this in the future and have our alumni donate their grad dresses or suits for this charity. We also had 8 students volunteer on Saturday, March 1 getting ready for the boutique day. We recently received an email from the coordinator of You Wear It Well:

“I wanted to pass on our gratitude for these students – they were amazing. They worked really hard throughout the day and cheerfully took on any jobs that were thrown at them – from hauling chairs and tables up and down two flights of stairs, to setting up jewelry display tables, hanging mirrors, and dressing mannequins. They even donated some brand new make up that they had collected to give away to the students in our program. So thoughtful. Throughout it all they were cheerful, polite, and engaged. A real treat to work with!”

These two projects have helped our students think about the privileges they enjoy and why it is so important to give back.

French

Exploring Language, Identity, and Resilience: Madame Ransom’s French 12 Class Takes on Systemic Language Suppression

Madame Ransom’s French 12 students recently took their learning beyond the textbook with a powerful research project examining systemic language suppression in Canada. Through this inquiry, they gained a deeper understanding of how language is more than just words—it is identity, culture, and a lens through which we experience the world.

One student group designed an eye-opening experiential activity to illustrate the impact of losing language. Participants were blindfolded and guided through an obstacle course without the use of speech or familiar cues. The disorientation and frustration they felt mirrored, in a very small way, what many Indigenous communities experienced when forced to abandon their languages and adapt to imposed systems. The activity was a striking way to showcase how language shapes our ability to navigate life—both literally and figuratively.

The project concluded with a meaningful reflection, where students articulated their insights. They recognized that when a language is lost, an entire way of thinking, imagining, and creating is lost with it. This realization deepened their appreciation for linguistic diversity and reinforced the importance of revitalizing and preserving Indigenous languages.

By blending research, experiential learning, and self-reflection, Madame Ransom’s class turned history into a lived experience—one that will stay with them far beyond the classroom.

Science

On the morning of February 26th, six of our grade 9 and 10 students were the Canadian representatives in a youth workshop hosted by the UK Space Agency (UKSA). UKSA is the chair country for the Committee for Earth Observation Satellites (CEOS) this year, and hosted this event to bring together youth from across the world to discuss how satellites are used to benefit humanity.

Our students engaged in conversation with students from the UK and South Africa, along with representatives from the UKSA. The program also involves schools in Australia, Japan and Thailand. They will attend another virtual workshop in March and take part in a youth summit in November.

Learning Commons

As part of the first two weeks of the Lenten Journey, the Learning Commons hosted lunch workshops focused on honouring the Sanctity and Miracle of Life through acts of service.

In the first week, students sewed a Taggie Blanket to be donated to the Crisis Pregnancy Centre of Burnaby/New Westminster. In the second week, on Thursday, Feb. 27, students created warm fleece headbands to support youth at Covenant House.

Band

Jazz Bands A and B received Gold ratings at the Kiwanis Jazz Festival held at the VSO School of Music.

Save the Date for Senior Music Knight at the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts on May 6. Tickets will be on sale soon!

Basketball

VARSITY GIRLS

Congratulations to the Varsity Girls’ Basketball team on an outstanding season! Last weekend, their season concluded with the BC AA Provincial Tournament hosted by the Langley Events Centre. They ended up placing fourth with Kyla Limon ’27 and Mia Beliveau ’26 earning Player of the Game honours throughout the tournament. Demicah Arnaldo ’26 was also named a Second-Team All-Star and Mia Beliveau ’26 was named a First-Team All Star.

A special shout out and thank you also goes out to our graduating seniors: Avery Brown, Olivia Casumpang, Grace Haffner and Meara McCormick! We look forward to seeing what you all accomplish in the future.

GRADE 8 BOYS

Congratulations to the Grade 8 Boys Basketball Team as they placed 3rd in the province in the Coach Goulet Gr.8 Championships! The provincials took place over three days in Chilliwack and no game came easy. Caden Pera, Dariusz Lenahan, and Evan Ursu took home Player of the Game awards with Ersu also earning a tournament 1st Team Allstar spot.

This game capped off a wonderful season where the boys not only bonded together as teammates but also made lasting friendships.

Curling

The STMC Curling team numbers were small this year and relatively low in experience. But they were a committed group that competed in the Burnaby New West League at the Royal City Curling Club on Mondays. The team improved steadily and the highlight was an exciting season ending win against Cariboo Hill. They won when skip Declan Williams scored three in the final end. It was a tough shot under pressure but our Knights came through in the pinch.

In the photo you will see the victors. Left to right Lincoln Chan, Declan Williams, Jonathan To, and Aiden Tang. The rest of the roster was as follows: Boris Kamaldin, Sevila Lenahan, Andrew Yang, and Evsey Uchaykin. We are looking forward to next season already.

Lacrosse

This year marked another exciting chapter for STMC Lacrosse, with both Junior and Senior teams hitting the field. The Junior Team, featuring many first-time players, made great strides in learning the game while competing against strong opponents like Vancouver College, New West Secondary, and Walnut Grove. Meanwhile, the Senior Team built on previous seasons’ momentum, having success against Riverside Secondary, Heritage Woods, and Mission Secondary (Academy).

The dedication and growth of our players were evident throughout the season, and we’re excited to continue developing the sport at STMC. With a talented group returning next year, the future looks bright for both the Junior and Senior teams!

Wrestling

Congratulations to Kyra Ram, Illia Anoshyn, and Cruz Dela Cruz, three Knights who achieved outstanding results at the provincial level in wrestling. Their dedication, hard work, and perseverance throughout the season have truly paid off, showcasing their talent and commitment to the sport. We are incredibly proud of their accomplishments and look forward to seeing their continued success in the future!

Kyra Ram, 43 kg – 4th

Illia Anoshyn, 74 kg – 1st

Cruz Dela Cruz,  54 kg – 2nd

Alumni Basketball Tournament

Special thanks to everyone who participated in our 26th Annual STMC Alumni Basketball Tournament. This is always a special event bringing young and old knights together reminisce, have a few laughs and play a little bit of basketball.

All proceeds from these STMC Alumni Association events goes directly towards our Bursary Program supporting families in financial need. Go Knights!

Mikey’s Run

In honour of STMC Class of ’07 Grad Mike Lowe who we sadly lost last June, we encourage you to take part in Mikey’s Run. This event happens on June 29th, 2025 at the Burnaby Lake Rugby Fields.

Mike was a devoted father, son, brother, husband, friend, and a proud STMC Alum. This run is more than a tribute to Mike’s love of running – it’s a call to action. Let’s honour his legacy by creating space for openness, connection, and support. Volunteers and/or runners are encouraged to sign up through the website, Mikey’s Run.

A Knight to Remember Gala

We’re thrilled to announce that St. Thomas More Collegiate’s “A Knight to Remember” Gala will take place on Friday, April 25, 2025, at the Burnaby Delta Hotels and Conference Centre at the Grand Villa Casino.

This unforgettable evening will feature:
• A buffet dinner
• Exciting games with chances to win amazing prizes
• A Live and Silent Auction

This event is not just a night to celebrate our incredible community but proceeds of our auction support the Knights Annual Fund, benefiting our students and programs.

We Need Your Help!
To ensure the Gala’s success, we are seeking support from our current parents, past parents, alumni, and our community. There are several ways to get involved:

1. Volunteer for Set-Up, Take-Down, or During the Gala
   Help us create a magical atmosphere by assisting with event preparation, smooth operations, or wrapping up at the end of the night.
2. Donate a Live or Silent Auction Item
   Contribute unique experiences, items, or opportunities to our auctions—your generosity will directly impact the success of our fundraiser.
3. Become a Sponsor
   Showcase your business while supporting a great cause. Sponsorship opportunities offer valuable exposure and demonstrate your commitment to our school community.

How to Get Involved
If you’re interested in contributing in any of these ways, please contact Kyle O’Genski at or 604-790-0677.

Thank you for considering how you can help make this year’s Gala a success. Together, we can create an incredible evening that showcases the strength and spirit of the STMC community.

We can’t wait to see you there!

Darrell Hall

What if overcoming life’s toughest moments was just one question away?

In my recent TEDx talk, Transforming Pain Into Purpose: The What Now Approach, I explore a powerful shift in perspective—moving from “Why me?” to “What now?” This simple yet profound question has the power to transform pain into purpose, struggles into strength, and setbacks into stepping stones.

I’d love for you to watch, reflect, and, if it resonates with you, share it with others. And if you find it valuable, please like and comment, your support helps it reach more people who need this message.

The world—and your life—are waiting for your “What now?”

With gratitude,
Darrell Hall