Niagara Christian Collegiate NOTABLE ALUMNI

NCC is that friend that's kind of always there. To this day, NCC is still there. It's part of you, it becomes part of you, and you're part of it. It's that loyal friend that's just always there, always wants to know what's going on, how your life is going, what's new, and wants to keep in touch.  

I appreciate NCC more because I was able to connect with a lot of people on a personal level. There are a lot of memories from events they shared as a group and other fun activities they did. I think that is one of the big factors that makes NCC graduates remember the school.

I'm very proud that my children passed through NCC. And even yesterday, Kesa was telling me, ‘Mommy, I'm missing NCC.’ Means that really NCC was so good for them.

My overall experience as a student at Niagara Christian Collegiate was good. I had good teachers who cared about my success, both inside and outside the classroom. There were plenty of opportunities to get involved in extracurriculars, even though I did not get very involved in them at the time. Looking back now I wish I was more involved in extracurriculars than I was. The campus was very beautiful and peaceful to be on and still is. I loved that to get from one classroom to the next meant I had to walk outside. It was great to get fresh air between classes. I also appreciate the effort that is put into connecting with alumni and updating them with what is happening at Niagara Christian Collegiate.

I loved going to school at NCC! NCC has been a huge part of my life. My great-grandfather was one of the ones involved in starting the school. My grandparents both attended NCC and also both worked there. My mom graduated from NCC, I graduated from NCC, both of my children graduated from NCC, and now I teach at NCC! NCC is a second home to me! I loved the friendships I made at NCC, some of which continue to this day. I loved hanging out on dorm on Sunday evenings after everyone got back from the weekend. Also, the setting is beautiful!! The campus is spacious and relaxing. I think that, while I'm sure there were students that struggled, most students were happy at NCC.

As I mentioned, some of the friends I made while at Niagara Christian Collegiate are still friends to this day. I still get together with my dorm dean, as she became a dear friend. It is now more than 30 years since I graduated, and we still keep in touch. There used to be a homecoming weekend every year where a number of the alumni would come back and see each other. It has not kept up quite the same, perhaps in part because people can keep track of each other on social media now and also people's lives seem to be so busy. I have a number of the students from NCC that I went to school with as friends on Facebook. As a parent of former students of NCC as well, parents are welcome to connect with teachers and administration. NCC wants the parents to be partners in the education of their children.

I love that Niagara Christian Collegiate has The Collegian, which is a newsletter focused on updating alumni about what is happening in the NCC community. The school also usually hosts an alumni banquet every year, except during the pandemic. There are often people who graduated from NCC back in the '60s or '70s. It is exciting to see who will be there and to hear their stories. The school provides its alumni with plenty of updates on what is happening and how they can get involved. There have also been many alumni who have worked at Niagara Christian Collegiate over the years, including me. To have walked the paths on the campus and sat in the classrooms and now see other students do the same is really exciting.

I am still close with a lot of friends that I attended school with. Homecoming at NCC is always a great way to reconnect and have fun playing sports again with fellow alumni. Annual General Meetings are always encouraged to attend as not only an alumni but also a parent to stay connected with campus events. NCC stays very transparent with the community and values the input of parents and alumni to always stay challenged with changes in the educational seasons. Past events like Heritage Day have always been a landmark event within the alumni and Fort Erie region. There would be local arts, foods and crafts that would draw in huge crowds as well as hayrides through the 120 acres of campus land for children of all ages to enjoy.

The broader community at Niagara Christian Collegiate (NCC) was marked by a strong sense of support and involvement, both from parents and staff. Parents were indeed welcome to participate in school life, and their engagement helped build a cohesive and supportive environment. This involvement ranged from attending events and parent-teacher meetings to actively participating in school initiatives and volunteer opportunities. However, reflecting on the alumni community, there was a noticeable lack of structured involvement and engagement after graduation. Although the school provided a solid foundation and fostered strong bonds during the academic years, the sense of community seemed to wane post-graduation. I have kept in touch with a few friends from NCC, but the overall alumni network appears to lack organization and regular interaction, which could be an area for improvement. Enhancing alumni engagement through structured programs and events could greatly benefit both current students and graduates by maintaining the strong community spirit that NCC is known for.

The international aspect of the school has shaped her whole life. She loves having friends all over the world, which has inspired her to travel. After graduating, she went to Sweden and explored Europe. This is not something that will end anytime soon; she’s just loving it.

When I think back to NCC, I think of very fond memories. NCC's main core value is family, building and fostering a community.

Niagara Christian Collegiate (NCC) provides a well-rounded experience, highlighting the sense of belonging, the unique opportunities, and a supportive school environment. For many students, the best part of their NCC experience is the friendships they build. The small class sizes and inclusive culture create a close-knit community where everyone feels like family. My daughter shared, “I loved how easy it was to make friends worldwide. We became more than classmates—we became a family.” One of the most disappointing aspects of attending an international school was maintaining relationships after graduation, which has improved more with the Internet. There are many social media groups, homecoming events, and students who have stayed involved as mentors, donors and members of the corporation, including over ninety years of graduates.