The first Friday of the month brought four brave boarders to Forrest Hill Taekwondo for an amazing session with Master Masi and instructor Piotr, who trained the Iranian women’s national team. After an intense set of warm-up drills and a good stretch, it was time to learn a series of kicks and blocks. Well done, boys!

On Saturday, several UCC boarders joined their BSS counterparts in a co-ed game of volleyball. Healthy competition underscored the even healthier ties with our sister school as snacks were shared on the sideline while both balls and banter were lobbed across the net.

On Monday, April 8, the world was put on notice that the pathway of totality for a solar eclipse would include towns and cities in Mexico, Texas, Indiana, Ohio, New York and southwestern Ontario. Fortuitously the Burlington-Hamilton area is close to Toronto, and provided the best local solar eclipse experience possible.

Classes were dismissed at noon allowing Seaton's, Wedd's and all UCC Year 12 students to board buses for Hamilton. Some Year 12 students were busy recording temperature, wind speed and humidity changes, while others were snapping photos, taking videos or simply watching the event through the protective safety glasses that were provided. Within the path of totality, UCC students experienced sudden twilight as the moon completely obscured the sun. Total eclipse began at 3:18 p.m. and ended at 3:20 p.m. There was not a single student or faculty member that was not in absolute awe during that two-minute period when the moon was totally blocking the sun.

The boarder trek to the eclipse viewing site was as exciting as the viewing experience for some students. The Wedd's seniors coaxed almost every student (and Ms. Blagona) into a karaoke experience that helped pass the time during the slow trek to the Hamilton area. The singing was loud, and it was so wonderful to see the support that was afforded to every person who stepped outside their comfort zone to lead a song. Many thanks to the senior house advisers, Ms. Kanga and the UCC science department for facilitating a very memorable excursion. It is certainly our hope that viewing the 2024 solar eclipse will inspire UCC boarders to pursue a career in science.