Westwood High School Senior Campus and the James Ratcliffe Foundation Dedicate New Outdoor Court Honoring Beloved Alumnus
submitted by Judith White, Science Lab Technician at Westwood Senior
The Lester B. Pearson School Board (LBPSB), in partnership with Westwood High School Senior Campus and the James Ratcliffe Foundation are proud to announce the official dedication of a new outdoor basketball and pickleball court on the senior campus grounds.
The new outdoor space, made possible through a $20,000 donation from the James Ratcliffe Foundation, provides students with a dynamic and inclusive environment in which to stay active and build community.
The dedication ceremony, held in October, was attended by friends of the Ratcliffe family, former teachers, community supporters, foundation representatives, Westwood basketball players, coaches, and school administrators. Together, attendees celebrated not only the new addition to the school’s facilities but also the lasting legacy of James Ratcliffe, a Hudson High School graduate who is remembered for his generosity, determination, and community spirit.
On June 6, 2005, at the age of 20, James tragically passed away during a firefighter training exercise. At the time, he was a student at the University of Ottawa, studying on an Avon Canada scholarship and pursuing his dream of becoming a doctor. Following his passing, Avon Canada reached out to James’s family and pledged the remaining balance of his scholarship, should they be interested in establishing a non-profit organization in his memory. From that act of kindness, the James Ratcliffe Scholarship was created, and in the years since, it has grown into the James Ratcliffe Foundation.
Over the past two decades, the Foundation has remained deeply connected to the Hudson community. It awards scholarships to Westwood Senior High School students, helping them pursue their post-secondary educational goals and continue the spirit of giving that James exemplified.
“This court represents much more than a recreational space,” said Ms. Peggy Grant, Principal of Westwood Senior. “It’s a symbol of connection, community, and the positive impact one person’s life can continue to have for generations.”
James Ratcliffe’s memory continues to live on at Westwood Senior and throughout Hudson — as a reminder of the values the school strives to nurture in every student: kindness, perseverance, inclusivity, and community spirit.
Westwood Senior High School and the Lester B. Pearson School Board would like to thank the James Ratcliffe Foundation for its ongoing commitment to student success and community development.
