Widdifield Secondary School
Encyclopedia
Widdifield Secondary School (WSS) is located along the Ski Club Road area of North Bay, Ontario
. It is a member of the Near North District School Board
.
, and the school colours are red
and royal blue
.
The school was founded in 1965. Because of the extensive area of the school zone, 35% of the 1050 or so students are bussed.
Widdifield is widely known as North Bay's Arts school, as it carries many unique arts related programs and runs a program known as Arts Nipissing, which gives a special certificate to students who complete a sufficient number of courses in the arts. Widdifield has very strong Visual Art, Dance, Drama and Slayer-Music programs, and Arts Nipissing helps bring them all together, encouraging students to excel in multiple arts disciplines. In addition to the Arts, WSS has developed an active Communication Technology and Computer Engineering program, with a focus on involving junior students (Grades 9 & 10) in project based, challenge learning initiatives. Widdifield's Cooperative Education program boasts students in placements from Pediatrics to Masonry and Chiropractic; from Animal Hospitals to Aircraft Maintenance and Gourmet Food Preparation.
The school was named after Joseph Henry Widdifield
, who was born in 1845, was a physician and a Liberal member of Legislative Assembly of Ontario
representing York North
attended Widdifield Secondary School from 2000-2002 before transferring to another school located in East Ferris. The 20/20 Project
reached #1 on Ottawa's
CHUO 89.1
hip hop
charts the week ending November 16, 2010.. Idrees currently resides in Toronto
, Ontario
, Canada
.
North Bay, Ontario
North Bay is a city in Northeastern Ontario, Canada. It is the seat of Nipissing District, and takes its name from its position on the shore of Lake Nipissing.-History:...
. It is a member of the Near North District School Board
Near North District School Board
The Near North District School Board administers public education in an area of Ontario that is includes all of Parry Sound District, plus a northerly portion of Muskoka District and the western portion of Nipissing District...
.
Overview
Widdifield's motto is "Mens Quaerens in Corpore Sano," loosely meaning "An inquiring mind in a sound body." Athletes and students at Widdifield are known as the Widdifield WildcatsBobcat
The bobcat is a North American mammal of the cat family Felidae, appearing during the Irvingtonian stage of around 1.8 million years ago . With twelve recognized subspecies, it ranges from southern Canada to northern Mexico, including most of the continental United States...
, and the school colours are red
Red
Red is any of a number of similar colors evoked by light consisting predominantly of the longest wavelengths of light discernible by the human eye, in the wavelength range of roughly 630–740 nm. Longer wavelengths than this are called infrared , and cannot be seen by the naked eye...
and royal blue
Royal blue
Royal blue describes both a bright shade and a dark shade of azure blue. It is said to have been invented by millers in Rode, Somerset, a consortium of which won a competition to make a dress for the British queen, Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz....
.
The school was founded in 1965. Because of the extensive area of the school zone, 35% of the 1050 or so students are bussed.
Widdifield is widely known as North Bay's Arts school, as it carries many unique arts related programs and runs a program known as Arts Nipissing, which gives a special certificate to students who complete a sufficient number of courses in the arts. Widdifield has very strong Visual Art, Dance, Drama and Slayer-Music programs, and Arts Nipissing helps bring them all together, encouraging students to excel in multiple arts disciplines. In addition to the Arts, WSS has developed an active Communication Technology and Computer Engineering program, with a focus on involving junior students (Grades 9 & 10) in project based, challenge learning initiatives. Widdifield's Cooperative Education program boasts students in placements from Pediatrics to Masonry and Chiropractic; from Animal Hospitals to Aircraft Maintenance and Gourmet Food Preparation.
The school was named after Joseph Henry Widdifield
Joseph Henry Widdifield
Joseph Henry Widdifield was an Ontario physician and political figure. He represented York North in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario as a Liberal member from 1875 to 1888....
, who was born in 1845, was a physician and a Liberal member of Legislative Assembly of Ontario
Legislative Assembly of Ontario
The Legislative Assembly of Ontario , is the legislature of the Canadian province of Ontario, and is the second largest provincial legislature of Canada...
representing York North
York North
York North was an electoral district in Ontario, Canada, that was represented in the Canadian House of Commons from Confederation in 1867 until 2004. It is also an electoral district that was represented in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1867 to 2007...
Sport record
- Alumni distinguished at National and Olympic level in sport
- Dave Steeper, Gymnastics National Team
- Greg DuhaimeGreg DuhaimeGreg Duhaime was a Canadian middle distance runner, onetime Canadian record holder in the 3000 metres steeplechase.Duhaime's parents reside in Elliot Lake...
, numerous National and Olympic Track and Field Teams. Once ranked 5th in the world. Former Canadian record holder in the 3,000m steeplechase (8:18) - Mark Dunn – Olympic Beach Volleyball Team
- Mike O'Shea, presently in the CFLCanadian Football LeagueThe Canadian Football League or CFL is a professional sports league located in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football, a form of gridiron football closely related to American football....
--2005 was his 13th year, his eighth with the Toronto ArgonautsToronto ArgonautsThe Toronto Argonauts are a professional Canadian football team competing in the East Division of the Canadian Football League. The Toronto, Ontario based team was founded in 1873 and is one of the oldest existing professional sports teams in North America, after the Chicago Cubs and the Atlanta...
. - BarbBarbara OlmsteadBarbara Olmsted is a Canadian sprint kayaker who competed in the 1980s. Competing in two Summer Olympics, she won a bronze medal in the K-4 500 m event at Los Angeles in 1984.Olmsted was born in North Bay, Ontario...
and Nancy OlmsteadNancy OlmsteadNancy Olmstead is a Canadian sprint canoer who competed in the late 1980s. She was eliminated in the semifinals of the K-4 500 m event at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul.-References:*...
– Olympic Paddling Medallists - Greg Peroff – National Ski Team
- Steve OmischlSteve OmischlSteve Omischl is a Canadian freestyle skier.Omischl competes in aerials, and made his World Cup debut in December 1999, finishing with a silver medal at an event in Blackcomb...
– Olympic and National Freestyle Ski Team Member - Taylor Milne - Olympic team member and 2008 national track and field 1500m champion.
- Stephen WalkomStephen WalkomStephen Walkom , is a professional National Hockey League referee and formerly served as vice president and director of officiating for the National Hockey League ....
– NHLNational Hockey LeagueThe National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
referee and former Senior Vice President and Director of Officiating. - Mike YeoMike YeoMichael Yeo is the current head coach of the Minnesota Wild of the National Hockey League. He was formerly an assistant coach for the Pittsburgh Penguins and head coach of the Houston Aeros.-Career:...
- Hockey Coach for the Pittsburgh Penguins (N.H.L) - Ken RichardsonKen Richardson (hockey player)Kenneth William Richardson is a former professional ice hockey player.Richardson first signed with the Columbus Owls of the International Hockey League in 1973. Following his first season, the St. Louis Blues signed him as a free agent, where he played for the NHL until 1979.Richardson is a...
, former St. Louis Blues player.
- (NDA is Nipissing District Athletics)
- (NOSSA is Northern Ontario Secondary School Athletics)
- (OFSAA is Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations)
- Football
- Junior Champions, NDA: 1967
- Junior Champions, NDA: 1981
- Senior Champions, NDA: 1988 (Mike O'Shea, player)
- Senior Champions, NDA: 2001 (Mike O'Shea in attendance)
- Junior Champions, NDA: 2002
- Senior Champions, NDA: 2005
- Junior Champions, NDA: 2006
- Senior Champions, NDA: 2008
- Senior Finalists, NOSSA: 2008
- Boys Basketball
- Macdonald Trophy, Junior Champions, NOSSA "AA": 1974, 1977, 1983, 2000
- Macdonald Trophy, Senior Champions, NOSSA "AA": 1979, 1982, 1997
- Girls Volleyball
- DeMarco Bros. Trophy, Junior Champions, NOSSA "AAA": 1966, 1970, 1973, 1979, 1982–1985, 2001, 2002
- Senior Champions, NOSSA "AAA": 1974-1976, 1980, 2001, 2002
- Junior Champions, NOSSA "AA": 1996, 2004
- Senior Champions, NOSSA "AA": 1996-1999, 2001, 2003, 2004
- Boys Gymnastics
- NOSSA Team champions: 1971-1975. 1976 shared award with E.S. Algonquin.
- NOSSA individual championship was won by a Widdifield student: 1975-1978.
- Competition discontinued, 1982.
- Girls XC Skiing
- Junior NDA Champions, 2006
- Junior NOSSA Champions, 2006
- Boys XC Running
- Senior NDA Champions, 1998
- Senior NOSSA Champions, 1998
- Boys Track & Field
- Senior 4x400 m Champions, 1999 * Girls XC Running
- Junior NDA Champions, 2005
- Junior NDA Champions, 2006
- Junior NOSSA Champions, 2006
- Junior OFSAA Champions, 2006
- Football
Drama
- Widdifield's The Company
- International Thespian Society Festival, 2005. The Company's production of Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris traveled to the annual drama festival, which was held at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
- Sears Ontario Drama Festival, 2005. Widdifield's production Chagall won second place for "Outstanding production", Northern Regional Showcase. Kimberly Bean and Leigh Elliot won Awards of Merit for their roles as the Teachers.
- Black Gardenias won a total eight Sears Ontario Drama Festival Awards. Adrian Shepherd-Gawinski took home two Awards of Excellence. Kelly Weegar also won an Award of Excellence. Chaylene Grieve-Saunders and Spencer King both also received Awards of Merit for their work.
- Other notable shows include Check Please 2, Bugsy Malone, and most recently, the peppy production of High School Musical. Widdifield proudly boasts direction from both multiple dedicated teachers, and advanced students.
Prominent Students
Idrees Majeed (sometimes credited as Drees or Bigg Drees) of the hip hop trio The 20/20 ProjectThe 20/20 Project
The 20/20 Project is a Canadian hip hop trio from Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The group consists of three members: D-Squared, Idrees and DJ Unknown. They are of South Asian and Latin American descent...
attended Widdifield Secondary School from 2000-2002 before transferring to another school located in East Ferris. The 20/20 Project
The 20/20 Project
The 20/20 Project is a Canadian hip hop trio from Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The group consists of three members: D-Squared, Idrees and DJ Unknown. They are of South Asian and Latin American descent...
reached #1 on Ottawa's
Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
CHUO 89.1
Chuo
-Places:*Chūō-ku - city wards named Chūō*Chūō, Yamanashi - a city in Yamanashi Prefecture*Chūō, Kumamoto - a former town in Kumamoto Prefecture*Chūō, Okayama - a former town in Okayama Prefecture-Transport:...
hip hop
Hip hop
Hip hop is a form of musical expression and artistic culture that originated in African-American and Latino communities during the 1970s in New York City, specifically the Bronx. DJ Afrika Bambaataa outlined the four pillars of hip hop culture: MCing, DJing, breaking and graffiti writing...
charts the week ending November 16, 2010.. Idrees currently resides in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
.