School named after teacher

New school in Lake Country to be called H.S. Grenda Middle

Lake Country’s newest school will be named after a former teacher who had a significant impact on the community.

The new middle school is in the preliminary design phase, and construction is set to begin in the spring of 2019.

The Central Okanagan school district’s planning and facilities committee selected Hank Grenda Middle, Aspen Grove Middle and Eijiro Koyama Middle as the top three choices for a school name.

At Wednesday’s board meeting, trustees voted in favour of H.S. Grenda Middle, in honour of the former teacher and coach in Kelowna and Lake Country who died suddenly in 2006.

“I don’t think you could find a better example of somebody who was so revered by his students,” said board chairperson Moyra Baxter. “He was so respected by all his colleagues, and when he passed away the whole district was in shock.”

Baxter praised teachers who give more than is expected of them.

“For me, Mr. Grenda really epitomized that,” she said. “So many people spoke of the difference he made in their lives, and how he was always there when anyone needed support or encouragement.”

Koyama Middle was another top contender, after the first Japanese-Canadian settler in Lake Country in the early 1900s.

“As Lake Country grows . . . if we ever were putting in another school . . . that name would be something I’m sure would be at the top of the list,” said Baxter.

More than 300 suggested names were collected from the public in September, with the top suggestion being Lake Country Middle School.

Lake Country trustee Amy Geistlinger moved to amend the motion at Wednesday’s meeting to include consideration of Lake Country Middle to reflect the community’s top choice.

“I was also hoping for a location name to identify the school in order to provide opportunity to showcase many influential community members within the building,” she said. “I envisioned Lake Country Middle School being home to a hall of fame displaying framed pictures and biographies of prominent Lake Country figures, including Hank Grenda and Eijiro Koyama.”

In the end, the motion was put forward to support H.S. Grenda Middle School, which Geistlinger voted for.

“I am happy that Lake Country will be honouring this influential teacher,” she said.