Latest additions unveiled on graduation night
Adam Bramburger
Beaver Staff
The class graduating from NDSS this year received a little extra motivation at their ceremony last Thursday as the secondary school honoured two alumni who have done well quite well since they left the school’s halls.
Trustee Laurie French announced that Angela Desveaux and Brittany Benn were the latest inductions into the NDSS Hall of Achievement, an honour first started in 2005 to recognize those students who had accomplished great feats or made significant contributions to their community or to the world.
“My thanks go to the selection committee who worked on this effort,” French said. “It shows the particular pride in the graduates we have from NDSS and is a demonstration of the talents they offer.”
Desveaux graduated in 1993, heading to Sheridan College to complete a diploma in graphic design. From there, she founded WedLuxe, a globally recognized media company specializing in luxury weddings.
Incoming students’ council member Chloe Youmans, left, and Limestone District School Board trustee Laurie French, right, present Angela Desveaux’s Hall of Achievement plaque to her mother Fay and John Beale. (Adam Bramburger/staff)
“Globally recognized, the WedLuxe brand includes two print magazines, an annual wedding show in Toronto, a quarterly report, a daily blog, and numerous social media channels that all showcase design and luxury weddings,” French said.
In addition to remaining president and creative director of WedLuxe, Desveaux was also co-founder of multimedia firm Cloud Nine Omnimedia, which offers graphic design, branding, marketing, public relations, and film production within luxury lifestyle and travel and tourism sector. French said the company counts business people, international singers, and professional sports stars among its past and current clientele.
Through building that media empire, Desveaux has developed an international profile.
“As a successful business woman and a respected leader in the luxury wedding and events industry, Angela has been invited to speak to other small business owners around the globe about entrepreneurship,” French said, adding she’s served as a keynote speaker in Italy, Mexico, the U.S. and around Canada.
“After her years of success, Angela continues to find joy in celebrating the evolving design in the world of weddings. What an impressive graduate,” French said.
Transitioning to this year’s other honouree, French indicated most would be familiar with her story.
“2016 Olympic bronze medalist Brittany Benn took her first fateful step onto the rugby pitch at NDSS in the spring of 2003 and hasn’t looked back since,” French said. “A hockey and soccer player growing up, rugby came quickly and naturally for Benn as did her passion for the game just emerging on the national landscape.”
She continued that Benn impressed Rugby Canada scouts with her competitive spirit and work ethic while still suiting up for the Golden Hawks and she was first recruited to wear the maple leaf just prior to her own graduation in June 2007. She suited up for the Canadian Under-19 squad in London, England.
While earning a sociology degree from the University of Guelph, Benn excelled for the Gryphons. Her team won five Ontario University Athletics gold medals a national championship, and several other Canadian University Sport (CIS) medals. On those teams, she emerged as standout. Benn was named CIS player of the year and OUA most valuable player in 2012.
After graduation, Benn moved to Langford, B.C. to train regularly with Rugby Canada. She was on the pitch when the team had this country’s best World Cup showing, with silver in Paris, France in 2014. The next year, Benn helped Canada to Pan-Am Games gold in Toronto in Sevens and also helped them qualify in dramatic fashion for the 2016 Rio Olympics, where they captured bronze medals and national acclaim.
French noted Benn still comes back home whenever her schedule allows and gives her time freely for local events, particularly those at NDSS.
“She’s been an incredible support to students, I know,” she said.
Both recipients were represented by their parents as their plaques were unveiled.