WALL OF HONOUR — Four former students were inducted into Holy Cross Catholic High School’s Wall of Honour May 21 in Saskatoon. From the left: Joanne Fagnou, representing her brother Dr. Keith Fagnou who died in November; Blaine Hart, actor, playwright and teacher; Holy Cross principal Ben Garchinski; Jean Pierre Séguin, who has won world championships in the sport of fencing; and James Warick, journalist, marathon runner and humanitarian. (Buttinger photo)

Four inducted into Wall of Honour

By Kiply Lukan Yaworski

SASKATOON — A scientist pioneering green technologies, a local actor and playwright who also teaches high school, a world champion in the sport of fencing, and a marathon runner and journalist dedicated to humanitarian work are the four latest additions to a Wall of Honour at Saskatoon’s oldest Catholic high school.

Since 2000, Holy Cross has honoured 38 former graduates for their achievements by posting photos on the Wall of Honour and presenting recipients with a Crusader Shield plaque. The recognition serves to inspire today’s students to follow their dreams, said Principal Ben Garchinski at the May 21 event.

Joanne Fagnou attended the ceremony on behalf of her late brother, acclaimed scientist Keith Fagnou who died of complications related to the H1N1 flu virus in 2009. After graduating from high school in 1985, Fagnou became an officer in the naval reserve and studied education at the University of Saskatchewan. He later taught at the high school level, then returned to his studies in chemistry at the University of Toronto. He obtained his PhD and joined the faculty of the University of Ottawa, where he was awarded a research chair, leading a group in the “development of novel catalytic transformations.”

Joanne Fagnou described her brother’s work to make chemical reactions more efficient as “green chemistry.” She recalled his sense of fun, the priority he put on relationships and his dedication to his family.

Actor and playwright Blaine Hart, who teaches drama at Holy Cross, was recognized for his work in theatre, television and movies. Hart is a longtime member of the comedy troupe, Saskatoon Soaps, and was co-writer of the 2008 horror comedy movie, Freezer Burn.

Hart, who graduated from Holy Cross in 1975, said he has been blessed by his wife and children, and by the Holy Cross community, including the students. Holy Cross is where he first stepped on stage and where he first learned to write for a purpose, he said.

2003 graduate Jean Pierre Séguin, who is presently attending the University of Saskatchewan, was inducted into the Wall of Honour for his achievements in international fencing competitions, including a world championship in Men’s Epee.

He urged students to realize that they, too, could be on the wall of honour. Séguin stressed that, although his sport is an individual one, he hasn’t achieved success on his own, but with support from many other people.
Jason Warick, who graduated in 1991, was honoured for his achievements as a marathon runner, as a journalist, and for his dedication to humanitarian causes.

Warick attributed his success to the support of his family and friends, and in part to his time at Holy Cross. “I enjoyed my time here at Cross, but high school was also a time of tremendous stresses and anxieties for me, as it is for some of you,” he told the students. “I am really proud of many of the things I did at this school.”

He urged students to chase their dreams. “Some of you may know exactly what you want to do with your lives, and you’ll do it. But if you are like I was in high school, you have virtually no clue. All I can say is, be open minded, go out of your way to try new things and meet new people, travel, and try to figure out what will make the world better.”