Students win bikes from school safety roadeos

Students win bikes from school safety roadeos
By Dan Hilborn, Burnaby Now assistant editor
Published June 28, 2003

A couple of students from Burnaby will be riding around in style after winning brand-new Norco bicycles after taking part in recent Bike Safety Roadeos at their schools.

Francesco Disilvia of Kitchener elementary and Silvia Retana of Suncrest elementary were the local winners of the bikes, which were provided by Rand and Fowler Insurance.

Four similar Bike Safety Roadeos and free bicycle draws were also held at elementary schools in Coquitlam and Vancouver.

"The bike 'roadeos' were a huge success," said Rand and Fowler manager Linden Stracqualursi. "Increasing awareness about bike- safety issues and preventing senseless accidents involving bicycles was our main goal going into these events. It feels great to say that we achieved these goals."

The bike 'roadeos' are becoming an increasingly popular - and photogenic - event at local schools. Participating students receive an inspection of their bike and helmet and hands-on training from a qualified instructor, plus the opportunity to ask questions about pedestrian safety and bike safety tips from a local community police officer.

The award presentation was held at the Boundary Road offices of the insurance company recently.

MICHIGAN GRADS

Kudos to Burnaby residents Qin Lu and Shu Ching Chang, who were among a class of 900 to graduate from Lawrence Technological University in Southfield, Mich. last month.

LTU, which has been in operation for 70 years, is the largest 'independent' university in the state. It offers undergraduate, master's and doctoral degree programs in architecture and design, arts and sciences, engineering and management.

IMMERSED IN IT

A mother of three who hails from Burnaby and has demonstrated a lifelong commitment to French language education has been awarded the Canadian Parents for French bursary for B.C. and the Yukon.

Annamarie Sember is in the final year of the French professional development program at Simon Fraser University, and intends to become a teacher of French immersion in her hometown of Merritt.

A former graduate of Burnaby North secondary, Sember was among a record number of applicants for the CPF bursary this year. The other bursary winner was Nadine Evans of Castlegar.

Both received high praise from CPF B.C. president Melanie Tighe- Lovsin.

"Choosing the recipient for the bursary was so difficult this year due to the high calibre of candidates," she said.

"Parents increasingly understand the growing importance of language in the modern economy," she said. "Whatever our children learn to do, learning another language will help them pursue their dreams. Having qualified teachers like Annamarie will help those dreams come true for our children."

Sember taught her practicum at Moscrop secondary in Burnaby last year, and her three children are currently enrolled in French Immersion programs at home in Merritt.

There are currently 31,990 students enrolled in French immersion programs across B.C. and, according to the CPF, there is a nationwide shortage of qualified teachers.

A SHOT AT HARRY

Local Liberal MLA Harry Bloy sent out a press release this week announcing that he plans to stick with his day job.

The comment came after Bloy tried his hand at playing goaltender during his own 'Taste the Olympics' gala evening at Canlan 8-Rinks.

During the fundraiser, Bloy put on the goaltender equipment and allowed some of his colleagues to take slapshots at him - for a price.

His friends and colleagues donated $250, an amount Bloy matched before sending a total $500-cheque to Canuck Place hospice.

"Canuck Place is an excellent organization, and I'm more than happy to take a few slapshots to help bring smiles to the kids that need it the most," Harry said.