On June 3, LCS students eagerly suited up to ride their bikes as a part of the 2023 Jack Ride, Canada's Ride for Youth Mental Health. This event supports thousands of young leaders dedicated to shaping the future of youth mental health across the country. While the main ride was held in Caledon, Ontario, numerous satellite rides involving people from all corners of Canada also took place. The funds raised from the Jack Ride contribute to the invaluable work carried out by the organization Jack.org.
Lakefield College School has been a fervent supporter of Jack.org for several years, with an active "Jack Chapter" within the school community. For the past two years, our students have joined the Jack Ride as members of "Brent's Team." Sadly, Brent Dadds, a member of the Class of 2020, passed away in the spring of 2021. Brent was one of the first students involved in Lakefield's Jack Chapter, making it an honour for our school community to participate in the Jack Ride as a tribute to his memory.
The student ride took the form of an inter-house competition, where participants utilized the THRIVE house bikes in a relay format. Students from each house aimed to complete as many laps of the campus as possible within one hour. It was a thrilling and spirited event that fostered a strong sense of camaraderie and healthy competition among the houses.
Congratulations to Rashleigh House for covering the greatest distance during the ride and to Colebrook House for displaying the highest level of participation. As a token of appreciation, each house was rewarded with a generous donation from Central Smith Creamery and alumna Jillian Scates ’13—a hearty tub of ice cream and cones for the entire house to enjoy.
The Jack Ride at Lakefield College School was not only a day of physical activity and friendly competition, but also a demonstration of the strong community spirit that pervades our campus. By engaging in this THRIVE-sponsored initiative, students had the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors, stay active, connect with friends, and make a positive impact on the lives of others. The event was a testament to the collective wellbeing of our school community.
Lakefield College School remains committed to supporting youth mental health through organizations like Jack.org. We are grateful to all the participants, sponsors, and volunteers who contributed to the success of the Jack Ride. Together, we can continue to raise awareness, drive change, and ensure a brighter future for the mental health of our youth.