TFS Recognizes Outstanding Alumna at the Alumni Reunion Dinner

The annual Banquet des anciens élèves has always been a very special occasion. At the past two dinners, though, something has occurred to make it even more memorable – the presentation of the Alumni of Distinction Award.

This year’s Alumni of Distinction Award Committee had a tough choice to make from among our many alumni who make positive differences in the world. After much consideration, the Committee decided to bestow the 2010 award on Martha Baillie, Class of ’77, and acclaimed novelist and poet. Her most recent novel, The Incident Report, is set at a Toronto Public Library branch and takes the form of 144 lyric reports. The Incident Report was long-listed for the Scotiabank Giller Prize, and was named one of the Globe and Mail’s 100 best and most influential books in 2009.

So on Friday, May 7th, with the Senior School’s La Terrasse transformed into an elegant backdrop for a delightful dinner and conversations among old friends, it was time for the award recipient to take centre stage. But first Kathy Giles, Class of ’77, introduced the night’s honouree. With great warmth and emotion, she described her classmate and friend as someone who has always been authentic and unafraid to take a meandering journey through life to stay true to herself.

Ms. Baillie began her address to her peers, former teachers and current staff by speaking of her still-vivid TFS memories. She also spoke to the School’s enduring values, its focus on “self-discipline by doling out abundant homework, and importing exotic exams so that we always had something demanding to measure up to.”

Finally, she reflected on learning she was to receive the award from the School by saying “By choosing me as this year’s recipient of the Alumni of Distinction Award, Toronto French School, I feel, has stated unequivocally that it values those who labour precariously in the arts, and the often tiny, publishing houses who, with meagre resources, take the risk of bringing unusual works into the world. It tells me Toronto French School values determination and openness to the unexpected as truly as it did when I was one of its students.”

Congratulations to Ms. Baillie, and to all staff and volunteers who worked so hard to make the Alumni Reunion a success.

To view photos from the evening and all the weekend events, please click here.