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r High speeds, big expenses fer powerboat racer 10 WSun-W‘MMgzm Stouffville’s Mike Hooper competes on the American Powerboat Association’s Super league, the oldest powerboat racing circuit for Formula Two and Formula Three boats in the United States. He finished fourth at the world championships in Ohio. IFOR HOLIDAYS u ' Monday Augusi 4" - Friday August 8" ' {Returning Monday August 11‘" f You want the best for her... 905-640-2612 To Advertise in Call Your Sales Representative at FOCUS ON BUSINESS “Children learn best when they are free to interact in‘ a prepared environment and with the world around them,” said Ms Robinson. Dr. Maria Montessori, born in 1870, was the first woman in Italy to obtain a medical degree. The famous physician and educator said children have an “absorbent mind” and possess limitless motivation to achieve competence and to perfect skills and understanding. She believed each child is born with a unique potential, rather than being an empty vessel to be filled by others. Out of this came a method of learning and self-development that has become recognized around the world from preâ€"school to elementary to universities. At the heart of the Montessori method is the child. Montessori children learn in a supportive and nonâ€"competitive environment and the focus is on the child's individuality and specific needs. An essential concept of Montessori is This message brought to you as a community service of The Economist Sun/Sun-Tribune but your best may not_ be ’éfiough anymore. PHOTO COURTESY MtKE HOOPER BY MIKE HAYAKAWA Staff Writer When Stouffville’s Mike Hooper goes out on the water in his 14-foot Scycraft tunnel boat, it’s far from a leisurely cruise. It’s all par for the course for Hooper who competes in the American Powerboat Asso- ciation’s Super League, the oldest powerboat racing circuit for Formula No and Formula Three boats in the United States. . The 28-yearâ€"old Mafkham native is motoring at up t07160 km/h. A Launching his racing career in Canada in 2004 before heading south of the border in 2005, this season has been a successful one for Hooper. Entered in the Formula Three division, Hooper won his first race in High Point, NC, at the North American Eastern Divisionals. 1n Marietta, Ohio, for the world champiâ€" onship, he recorded the fastest qualifying lap and won his two-heat races before finishing fourth in the final. “I've always loved boats,” Hooper said. “I love the rush, the travelling. getting away from everything like work. The people in the sport are great and they make me feel like a star. The drivers 1 race with are also class act people. It’s a great time." A Hooper’s fave for high-speed racing is a family nadition. His father, Tim, was a CAS- To find outabout not-fqr-profit Iong term care, housmg, and servgces for semors m your community, connect to Ms Robinson, who previously operated Montessori schools in Woodbridge and Waterloo, studied at Cleveland State University under Maria Montessori's granddaughter, Renilde Montessori and obtained her elementary credentials in Cleveland to teach to grade 6.“Once we’re up and running, We'll be operating from September to August each year, including a summer camp," said Ms Robinson, whose own daughter who likewise has her A.M.I in preschool and elementary will join the faculty once registration increases. "We’ll also be operating a Montessori-based music program called Kindermusic, French and cooking classes. We want to bring out the best in every child; selfâ€"confidence, curiousity, selfâ€" expression and academic potential.” We’re here for yoG. “LOVE THE RUSH’ Jr communitl,‘ conned www,oan ss.org CAR auto racer. His crew chief and boat builder is Rob Scythes, a four-time Canadian champion in Formula One tunnel boats. “I used to watch (Scythes) test up on my lake (Six Mile Lake near Midland) when I was six years old. I was hooked on the sport since then,” Hooper said. “Racing is in my blood.” While Hooper enjoys his sport, it’s not a cheap hobby. Employing a threeâ€"cycle Johnson/Evin- rude motor that pushes out about 1 10 horse- power and-has racing cycle sleeves and a bullet gear case, Hooper’s boat is primarily wood. The pod that he sits in is made of kev- Iar. The dashboard is carbon fibre. A brand new boat costs about $15,000. Add a motor and other accessories and you’re shelling out $25,000 to $27,000. Used rigs are $10,000 to $15,000. The circuit includes six races a season. In addition to the ones he just competed in at High Point, NC and Ohio, there are events scheduled in Aurora, Indiana, Kankakkee, Illinois and Hamilton, Ohio. He'd like to move up into the Formula Two class and eventually Formula One. “I’ll do it until I can't afford it anymore. I love it. There’s nothing like turning a run- nel boat. It’s the fastest turning sport in the world," he said. The Queensbridge Mill 4160-19th Avenue, Markham, 9058874127 Between Warden 8 Kennedy $27,000 BOATS SUMMER FLOOR MODEL ONTARIO ASSOCIATION OF NON-PROFIT HOMES AND SERVICE FOR SENIORS