Spectrum and Mt. View schools have successfully graduated tens of thousands of students who have gone into careers or businesses that have made a difference in our communities and beyond. Frequently, we hear about fellow alumni who have achieved unique successes, in a variety of fields, whom we have honoured, on two separate occasions, so far. Their pictures are proudly displayed on our Distinguished Alumni Wall outside Spectrum’s Library.
Distinguished Alumni Event 2017
Distinguished Alumni Event 2023
Joe Bekkers Teacher ’69 – ’00
Joe Bekkers was a builder of the unique culture that characterized the schools from the last years of Mt. View through the first 25 years of Spectrum. Joe espoused excellence in academics through his teaching and was instrumental in developing partnerships with work-study and post-secondary programs. As a soccer coach, Joe’s success is legendary, with his teams winning many championships, including 8 Colonist Cups.
Joe was an inspirational educator and the perfect choice to be our first teacher honouree.
Bob Bolitho Class of ’71
Bob Bolitho, an Olympic and Professional Soccer Player is regarded as one of Victoria’s finest soccer players. He joined the Canadian National Team and played for Canada in the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal. Bob started with the Vancouver Whitecaps and a number of other NASAL teams before retiring from the sport.
Frank Leonard Class of ’72
Frank Leonard was the Mayor of Saanich and Chair of the Police Board from 1996-2014 after serving as a Councillor from 1986. While in public office, Frank chaired the Municipal Finance Authority of BC, was President of the Union of BC Municipalities and a Director of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. He has also served as Chair of the Capital Regional District, the Hospital District and the region’s Housing Corporation.
Carole James Class of ’75
Carole James was a proud member of the first graduating class of Spectrum Community School, although the new building was not ready and the graduates spent Grade 12 at Mt. View! Since that time, Carole has been actively engaged in her community, building strong relationships and policies in her varied capacities within the fields of social work, public education, and provincial politics where she is the former Minister of Finance and Deputy Premier for British Columbia.
Wendy Tilby Class of ’78
Wendy Tilby, a three-time Academy Award nominee for Animation, graduated from UVic and Emily Carr. With Amanda Forbis, she has worked on major ad campaigns and their own animation.
They have won a number of awards for their films including Cannes Film Festival Palme d’Or.
Bob Downie Class of ’79
Bob Downie, Saanich Police Chief Constable, is a 35-year veteran of the Saanich Police force. Bob is a member of a number of Police Chief Associations, a VP of both the John Howard Society of BC and Victoria and is a faculty member of Royal Roads University and the Justice Institute.
Shawn Farquhar Class of ’80
Magician, comedian, two-time World Champion of Magic, Penn & Teller’s ‘Fool Us’
“It’s the magic equivalent of one of the seven great wonders of the world. Once you have seen him, you’ll never forget Shawn Farquhar.” ~ Graham Hey, Magic Seen Magazine
Michael Harrison Class of ’83
Ventriloquist, puppeteer, comedian, headline act for Disney Cruise Line, and finalist on ‘America’s Got Talent’
“There are a very few entertainers who can truly make you laugh until it hurts, Michael Harrison is one of them.” ~ David Hasselhoff, America’s Got Talent
Alissa York Class of ’87
Since her graduation in 1987, Alissa has lived all over Canada and now makes her home in Toronto where she is a full professor, teaching creative writing at The Humber School For Writers. Alissa’s internationally acclaimed novels have been shortlisted for the prestigious Scotiabank Giller Prize. She is also the author of the short fiction collection Any Given Power, which won the Journey Prize and the Bronwen Wallace Award. Alissa’s new novel was released in March 2023.
Andre Eng Class of ’88
Andre Eng, a graduate of Malaspina College’s chef’s training program, is the President of House of Knives.
Andre is presently working on expanding his business in western Canada to become a national retail brand with online, corporate and culinary sales.
Mena Ruffolo-Westhaver Class of ’89
Mena Westhaver is a community builder and fundraising organizer in Victoria. Mena tirelessly organizes fundraisers to help families and children and has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for various causes, including being a guest rider for the Tour de Rock in 2016. She operates PowerWest Athletics and Sole Sisters women’s running groups. In 2022, Mena was elected to Saanich Council.
Scott Jasechko Class of ’05
Scott Jasechko is an internationally recognized assistant professor of water resources. Scott has received numerous career awards, including those from the American Geophysical Union, Canadian Geophysical Union and the Geological Society of America, for his global research in water resources. He currently teaches at UC Santa Barbara.
Shanice Marcelle Class of ’08
Shanice Marcelle, a graduate of UBC Kinesiology, Athlete of the Year UBC, and MVP National Volleyball Championships.
Shanice is a global competitor in Brazil, China, Europe and Russia, a member of the Canadian Beach Volleyball Team and an aspiring Olympic Volleyball player.