May 18 - Letter from the Director

Jansen to join Queen’s rowing

Should I stay or should I go?

That was the dilemma facing 18-year-old Welland resident Gillian Jansen as she contemplated where she would pursue her post-secondary academic and rowing career.

The Grade 12B student at Notre Dame had applied to Brock, Queen’s, McMaster and the University of Toronto but early on she knew there were only two destinations in play.

“My biggest choice to make was whether I wanted to go away or stay home and the choice was between Brock or Queen’s.”

She was familiar with Queen’s because she trained at the Kingston university as part of Team Ontario in 2018.

“The coach for it was from Queen’s and we ended up training out of Queen’s for two weekends. I got introduced to Queen’s and we stayed in contact ever since then.”

And there was Brock.

“Brock is obviously close to home and I have met the coaches over the years.”

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Skills Ontario Competition

We’re only days away from Skills Ontario first EVER Skills Ontario Competition, Conferences & Career Exploration Showcase...and you’re invited!

April 16, 2021- Message from Board Director

As we reach the end of the Spring Break, please read a letter to Niagara Catholic families from Director of Education Camillo Cipriano.

Former ND Student Dekoe commits to CCHL

By Bill Potrecz: BP Sports Niagara- April 15, 2021

Dylan Dekoe’s leap of faith to play for the Gilmour Academy Lancers has paid off.

The 18-year-old Welland native spent the last two seasons with the prep school in Ohio where he honed his game, while also finishing up his high school studies.

“Originally I had hopes of playing in the OHL or getting drafted but that didn’t really work out,” the 6-foot, 190-pound centre said. “I thought about my options and starting thinking more toward the NCAA route.”

Dekoe was introduced to the prep school route by a coach.

“I thought I would give a try and went and toured a couple of schools. The biggest thing is the academic side to it as well,” he said.

Dekoe was immediately impressed with Gilmour, which features two rinks and a workout facility on campus, and also has a reputation as a top-notch academic institute.

“For NCAA proposes, obviously they want kids with really good academics,” said Dekoe, who began his high school education at Notre Dame. “There was no going wrong with it. It was the right step for me at the time and a really good decision.

“I didn’t want to regret not going.”

Dekoe collected 14 goals and 45 points in his first season with the Lancers, then followed it up with 21 goals in 41 games this year.

“I feel all the areas of my game have progressed a lot,” said Dekoe, who also played a year of junior B lacrosse for the Welland Generals in 2019. “Being able to be on the ice every single day, there are a lot of benefits. Having the ability to try new things and get outside of my comfort level a lot was really big and helped my game. It opened up my vision because I could relax and try things and be more confident.”

The Lancers compiled a 17-23-4 record this season.

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