“I am
forever
grateful”
Stefan O. Keyes
student participant,
long-term MASC Board
member.
I can still remember one of the first
times I felt represented at a school
assembly. We had gathered in the
gymnasium of W.E. Gowling for an
artistic performance and a woman named
Leslie McCurdy opened up by singing “Swing
Low, Sweet Chariot.” Visibly and audibly, it was
a piece on black history … but to that young
boy it was a personal moment. It was a song
my mother had grown up singing in church in
Jamaica and one of the first I remembered her
singing to me as a child. I sat on that gym floor
feeling excited and – perhaps more
importantly – included.
Anecdotally, that is one of my fondest
memories of MASC; however, it wouldn’t be
until several years later that I realized just how
much MASC had been a part of my creative
education throughout the years. It ranged
from artists in schools, to me hopping on
public transit to St. Paul University at age 10 to
be a part of the MASC Young Authors &
Illustrators Festival. A pivotal point would also
be winning a MASC Arts Award in grade 8 that
would catapult me into a world of theatre I
never imagined I would have access to,
coming from a low-income family. I can say
with conviction that I believe the wonderful
things I have been able to do with my life since
then started with MASC.
Truthfully, I resent the term “poster boy” as the
undertones always seem to hint at an
objective of exploitation; but for all intents and
purposes I wear the label with a badge of
honour when it comes to MASC. How could I
not identify with the term after having
benefited from everything this organization
has been able to offer with such a genuine
spirit?
The relationship maintained between MASC
and educators has made such a difference in
the opportunities I’ve had, as well as countless
others who may not even realize it. In my
opinion, the organization is cloaked in humility
and hasn't received the widespread public
recognition it deserves.
It is heartwarming to know that with a threedecade
history/legacy, for MASC it has never
been about ability but rather accessibility to
the arts. I am forever grateful."
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