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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Friday April 27, 2007 - 3 serve you better... BARRIE ERSKINE / OAKVILLE BEAVER BACK AT BLAKELOCK: David Kantor, a scholar and athlete who played volleyball with Team Canada, and Djanet Sears, a playwright and director and winner of numerous literary literary awards, were inducted into T. A. Blakelock's Hall of Fame yesterday as Blakelock celebrates its 50th anniversary this weekend. Inducted at Blakelock By Angela Blackburn OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF They are successful today -- on a global stage -- but the credit goes to their family, friends, community and teachers at high school. That's what both 2007 T.A. Blakelock Hall of Fame inductees -- playwright Djanet Sears and former Canadian volleyball team member, and now environmental engineer, David Kantor -- said yesterday at their induction ceremony. This was the third year for the ceremony that principal Stuart Miller conceived, one that is being scrutinized enviously by other schools. After remarks by a host of dignitaries including Ward 4 Councillor Allan Elgar, Oakville MPP Kevin Flynn and Halton District School Board Director Wayne Joudrie, the inductees took the stage. As much as the high school experience leaves an indelible mark on a person's life, the recognition of success from a person's high school apparently leaves a similar impression. In the footsteps of previous inductees including Dan Ferrone and (Janet's sister) journalist Terese Sears, the inductees were deeply moved by the gesture. Joudrie said the inductees gave a message of HOPE ­ hard work, being open to change and opportunity, persistence with never, ever giving up, and achieving excellence in a field about which they are passionate. On the eve of Blakelock celebrating its 50th anniversary this weekend, Miller said the Hall of Fame induction ceremony is a tradition that will stay with Blakelock through the years to come. Crediting public education for contributing citizens who make the world a better place, Miller told current students the inductees navigated the same halls today's students wander "sometimes aimlessly," he joked. Kantor, who remains an Oakville resident, currently works as an environmental engineer and is a co-founder of the Oakville Catholic Youth Organization, entered Blakelock in 1987 as a painfully shy introvert. His well-over six-foot frame -- and his admitted awkwardness -- saw him sit on the bench his first year with the junior volleyball team. Kantor said he was listening all that time and developed a desire to get off the bench. He was named Blakelock's Male Athlete of the Year in 1992. His habit of high achievement in both sports and academics continued as he studied engineering at Queen's University where in 1996, he was also named Male Athlete of the Year. Kantor was an All-Canadian in volleyball at Queen's and, after completing his university degree, went on to become a member of the Canadian Volleyball team. In 1999, he helped Canada win a Bronze Medal at the PanAm Games. During his career with Team Canada, Kantor also played on professional volleyball teams in Holland, Belgium, Spain and Germany. Kantor told students that he asked one of his sisters how to make friends upon starting Grade 9. He began by playing trumpet for the jazz band -- whose current members performed at yesterday's ceremony. Kantor said in those days he never imagined that playing volleyball with people who were his heroes would be his job. "That's what Blakelock is all about, giving students the tools to live their dreams," he said. Kantor said his success came from God's gifts and the tools he was given by family, friends and teachers. "I was just the vehicle, they provided the fuel," he said. Students also heard that Kantor was grateful that he'd finished his academic schooling before joining Team Canada when two major injuries and two major surgeries saw him decide to retire from volleyball. 2342 Lakeshore Rd.W., Bronte Village, Oakville 905.469.9876 www.joshuacreekfurniture.com You can afford to be unique www.kimyy.com individually crafted costume jewelry one-of-a-kind gold & 925 silver JEWELRY SHOW Bring In This Ad For Thursday, April 26th, 9am-7pm Friday, April 27th, 9am-5pm Saturday, April 28th, 9am-5pm Ontario Racquet Club (ORC) 884 Southdown Rd., Mississauga 10% Off Your Purchase See High page 4 C HILDREN' S BEDROOM S 1029 Speers Rd., Oakville (Speers Rd. & 4th Line - Main Location) 905.842.3739 BAR S TOOL S Two locations to LEATHER & UPHOL S TERY BEDROOM S UITE S DININ G S UITE S