Remi Poliquin
Counsel
Beurling Slam Dunks at Student vs. SPVM Basketball Game
by Julie Liebman
To kick off March Break, Beurling Academy was treated to a special basketball game between its students and the SPVM.
The fun-packed afternoon was organized to give students the unique opportunity to build positive community connections with local police.
It featured five ten-minute games:
• Bantam Boys versus SPVM
• Bantam Girls versus SPVM
• Grade 11 versus SPVM
• Juvenile Boys versus SPVM
• SPVM versus Beurling staff.
An official GMAA referee volunteered his time to ref the many games that rolled-out throughout the afternoon.
The half-time audience was even treated to a tug of war between Beurling’s Bobcat mascot and Flic, the SPVM mascot, while students, staff, and police cheering for their own!
While Beurling had a gym packed with students, teachers, staff supporters, and time-keepers the SPVM also had its own fan squad of officers who attended the games dressed in uniform.
Sterling Downey, Verdun City Councillor, also came to encourage his borough’s team.
“I am proud to have been the organizer for Beurling Academy’s first annual student-SPVM basketball game,” says Beurling teacher Tracy Bieszez. The event was made possible through the strong support of the school’s administration and staff. Special thanks go to GMAA basketball coach Richard Kusiak, for generously volunteering his time, as well as to all our amazing students who participated and supported the event. The school’s Kindness Crew also played an important role in organizing and setting up the activities.”
Beurling Academy is also grateful to have been selected as one of five high schools chosen to be a donation recipient in the SPVM Grand Défi Pierre Lavoie initiative, which promotes healthy habits and physical activity among youth.
David Simard, a SPVM police officer who came to shoot some hoops with his colleagues, explained that he was thrilled to participate in an event that promotes fitness and healthy habits.
“This summer, I’ll be participating in the Défi Pierre-Lavoie and I’m so proud that Beurling Academy, a school on our territory, will be one of the five Montreal schools to receive part of the funds that will be raised”.
As Tracy points out, Beurling is a community school, and partnering with the SPVM or other community partners offers a unique opportunity to build bridges.
“I’m so proud of the students and teachers who got involved in the planning and organization of this event. This is the first of many annual games to come!
We are also looking forward to continued collaboration with the SPVM in the spring as they will be coming in a few times to help run activities in our Jays Care baseball program, which is in its inaugural year at Beurling Academy,” says Tracy.
