CEREMONY AT SUMMIT SCHOOL

The Dynamic Funds Caregiver of Inspiration 2015

JESSE HEFFRING Recognized at a Ceremony at Summit School

By Jade Horner-Chinappi

Summit School in St. Laurent from the outside looks like many Montreal schools.  Housed in a regular brick building there is nothing about it that speaks to what is happening inside its walls.

For over 50 years, there has been magic happening at Summit School.  The magic is the seed of dedication, hard work and loyalty that has blossomed into making Summit School what it is today; a safe haven for special needs students to flourish.

A place where their ideas and imagination have been allowed to grow.

Jesse Heffring (far left) Cathy Vlahos-Perez, Herman Erdogmus

On June 3, 2015 the gymnasium of Summit School quickly filled to capacity as excited students and staff came to honour its Volunteers. The ceremony began with the enthusiastic school choir singing, ‘Come down with me and say hello.’  There were 18 hard working volunteers present, who sacrifice their time and energy to the school. As each stood as their name was read aloud, the students of Summit School responded back with cheers, laughter and waving hands.

After the volunteers were honoured, Jesse Heffring was honoured for receiving the Dynamic Funds Caregiver Inspirations award. Jesse has dedicated 10 years of his life to bringing his love of filmmaking and theatre to the students of Summit School. It doesn’t stop there though; Jesse also started the school’s Media Program, and spearheaded the founding of the Copy Centre, and the T.E.C.C. Program at Summit School.

 Nominated by Inspirations Newspapers own Wendy Singer, and presented by Wendy Singer and Mike Cohen, Jesse received movie passes, and a stunning piece of original artwork from Jason Goldsmith and Ellis of Big Blue Hug.  The hand painted glass image called Imagination, illustrated perfectly the creative energy that is Jesse Heffring.

Since 2004 Jesse has work with Summit School students creating original short films, which have been shown at film festivals, and has produced major theatrical shows, one that was staged at the Rialto Theatre in 2014, where 35 guest artists, and 55 Summit students lent their talents to the production of You’ll Never Walk Alone.

In his usual manner, upon receipt of his awards, Jesse Heffring made sure to include everyone in his speech.  “I see this as an award for Summit School,” he smiled. Speaking to the responsive crowd, he thanked Inspirations Newspaper, the staff of Summit School, citing their “talent, dedication and sacrifice,” and lastly, he spoke directly to the students declaring their love and originality were his inspiration.

“Keep being yourself, keep working hard, and one day you will have your special moment.”

Congratulations Jesse and Summit School!

To read the full article about Jesse Heffring, visit page for of our Spring / Summer 2015 edition: http://www.inspirationsnews.com/pdf/Editions/Inspirations_Spring_2015-05-22.pdf

Summit School is a private school recognized and subsidized in the public interest by the Ministère de L'Education du Loisir et du Sport. The students, ranging in age from four to 21, present with a range of difficulties including intellectual disabilities, autism, and/or behavioural and emotional disturbances.

Herman Erdogmus, Jesse Heffring(middle), Wendy Singer and
Summit School students