Mesdames, Mesdemoiselles, Messieurs, dear parents, colleagues, alumni, students, and friends,
Tonight, I stand before you with a heart full of gratitude and a spirit stirred by reflection. It is no small thing to witness a dream come to life, take root, flourish, and stand tall a quarter of a century later. That is the legacy we are gathered to honour tonight: 25 years of La Citadelle’s Excellence in instruction and education.
La Citadelle was not born of ambition or convenience—it was born of conviction. After more than twenty years in public and private education, I could no longer ignore a troubling truth: the system was drifting. I saw how bureaucracy was replacing boldness, how accommodation was overshadowing character and how the fundamental values that once gave education its soul—discipline, excellence, integrity—were being steadily eroded.
Discipline had become a dirty word. Excellence was being watered down in the name of a misunderstood equity and sensitivity. And worst of all, the joy of discovery—the wonder of learning—was quietly slipping away.
I believed then, as I believe now, that education could be more. I believe now that it must be more.
And so I took a leap—one that many deemed bold, perhaps even reckless. I believed that education should move beyond mere transactions of information, and be reshaped into a transformative experience—one that inspires growth, cultivates character, and changes lives.
J’ai osé imaginer une école fondée sur des bases solides et non sur des slogans. Une école où les enfants seraient mis au défi non seulement de réussir, mais de devenir. Où les familles et les éducateurs s’uniraient avec une affection et une détermination inébranlable. Où chaque leçon serait un acte de bienveillance, et chaque exigence découlerait de valeurs authentiques, non de modes ou de considérations politiques.
I dared to imagine a school built on substance, not slogans. A school where children would be challenged not only to achieve, but to become. Where families and educators would partner with unwavering affection and determination. Where every lesson would be an act of care, and every standard would rise from values, not fashion or politics.
Was it easy? Not for a moment. The early years were paved with long nights, hard decisions, and many moments when the dream felt heavy. But we kept going—not for ourselves, but for every child who stepped through our doors. Because we knew what we were building mattered.
Tonight, as I look around this room, I am filled with deep gratitude and pride.
I want to take a moment to recognize Chantal and Murielle, who stood by me from the very beginning. Your trust and loyalty were foundational and gave me the strength to persevere.
I also want to recognize Mme. Faye, Mme. Nicole, Mme. Daniela, Mme. Denise, Mr. Eduardo, and Mr. Tony, who were with me in those early, defining years. Your dedication helped shape the very soul of this institution.
And then there are those who joined over a decade ago—Mme. Victoria, Mme. Rosemary, Mme. Isadora, and Mr. Matthew—whose steadfast belief in our vision has helped carry it forward with conviction.
And to the many dedicated teachers and staff who joined us in more recent years—thank you for your loyalty, your ongoing commitment, and for standing with us as we continue to grow.
What humbles me most, however, is that many among you entrusted me with the education of your own children. That profound act of faith speaks more than words ever could. It is a testament to the trust we have built, the values we share, and the kind of community we’ve become.
Tonight, looking around this room, I see the proof—and I believe. I see students’ who have become our finest ambassadors, alumni who have become leaders, families who have become lifelong allies and teachers and staff who have become the very pillars of our institution.
What we have built here is not just a school. It is a living, breathing community- an institution -a citadel of character and excellence in a world that too often trades depth for ease.
You see, the true measure of a school is not written in test scores or league tables. It is written in lives—quietly, daily, and deliberately. It is found in the student who returns years later, now a confident adult, sharing how their time here shaped not only their knowledge, but their sense of self. It is found in the child who entered holding a parent’s hand, and who leaves as a young graduating adult, prepared not just for university—but for life.
Ce sont ces moments que je garde précieusement en mémoire. Ce sont ces rappels qui me gardent enraciné(e) dans cette vocation : la connexion humaine, l’excellence académique et une foi inébranlable en une éducation fondée sur des principes et des valeurs.
These are the moments I hold close. These are the reminders that keep me grounded in this vocation: human connection, academic excellence, and an unshakable belief in principled and valued education.
Even after 25 years, we are still in our years of growth—true paradigm change takes time to be understood, and even more time to be embraced, particularly in a world increasingly driven by immediacy, convenience, and shifting ideals. Rooted in values and vision, and inspired by excellence, we intend to be a beacon for the future and an exemplar for posterity.
And so, as we gather tonight not just to remember but to reaffirm, let us turn our gaze to the future. Let us hold to the same clarity, the same courage, and the same conviction that brought us here. Let us continue to grow—not in size alone, but in spirit. Let us teach—not just curriculum, but character. Let us lead—not by trend, but by truth.
So now, let us take a moment to mark this milestone the way such moments deserve.
Please, raise your glasses.
- To La Citadelle
- To the school that dared to chart its own path,
- To the families who believed in a bold and purposeful vision of education,
- To the dedicated staff who built it with passion and perseverance,
- To the students, whose curiosity, courage, and growth are our daily inspiration,
- And to the enduring values that continue to guide us forward.
- To La Citadelle—may its light burn bright for generations to come.
Thank you for walking this path with me—for believing in the promise of a better kind of education. The journey is far from over. And tonight, we take a moment to say: La Citadelle is not a school that bends to the winds of fashion. It is a fortress—resilient, principled, and built to endure. May it continue to stand strong for generations to come, guiding young minds with purpose, shaping hearts with values, and lighting the way with excellence.
Merci. Thank you.