Vikki Dupuis

Catholic education is not just something I believe in, it's a part of who I am. The story of Wellington County is a long, remarkable and successful one, and as a product of that system, I can't tell you how proud that makes me. I was born in Guelph and grew up in "the ward." My dad's parents immigrated from Italy and neither could read or write. My mother's parents were educated, and my mom achieved her grade 12 and then completed a year of commercial school, while my father had to leave school and go to work to help support his family. He did not get his high school diploma, and it was a loss he grieved for his entire life, so Catholic education was a major focus in our house. My four sisters and I attended Sacred Heart Elementary School, St. James High School (when it was a middle school) and then Bishop Macdonell High School. We paid tuition for grades 11, 12 and 13, and we made do with far less resources, but those aren't the memories we carry forward. 

The story of the commitment and work of the Catholic community to provide faith-based education for their children is an important one, and it speaks to the dedication of a community of Catholic supporters who sacrificed to have their children raised in their faith. Parishes were required to contribute annually, and parents worked fundraisers including the historic chocolate bar sales, bingos, a monthly lottery and soliciting private donations. It required constant effort by many who saw it as important and worth every moment. My father, Lanny Sorbara, sat on the Bishop Macdonell Board of Governors and my uncle Jim Sorbara was a trustee on the Wellington Separate School Board (as it was called then) for many years.

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Their example taught me something I have carried with me throughout my life. When you believe deeply in something, you have a responsibility to contribute to it. That is why serving as a trustee on the Wellington Catholic District School Board has meant so much to me. I'm proud of how far we've come, grateful to those who built the foundation beneath us and passionate about making sure we continue to build on it for the children who come next. I would be deeply honoured to continue that work.