Maryrose Rimando has been a prolific member of the North Park community, participating in the volleyball, softball, and badminton teams, as well as the one-act play, concert band, jazz band, music council, and of course student activity council (SAC), as its president. Outside of school, Maryrose works as a secretary at her local church, where she volunteers and sings in their choir as well. She often walks the Chinguacousy Park trail for fun, as well as listening to and playing music.
When asked about her time here at North Park, she told us, “I have a lot of fond memories here, because as a grade nine and ten student, I was very active in our school community even though I wasn’t in SAC.” “In grade ten, I was in the business class, so I was part of Funplex and I think that was one of the highlights of my entire four years at North Park. Because as a non-IBT student who actually participated in this event and didn’t have prior business knowledge, right? We were actually able to go to the Dragon’s Den, with professional business people who judged us on creativity and organization of our whole company. And at the end of this Dragon’s Den, we actually ended up winning against the IBTs. So, I think that’s a really good brag-worthy moment.”
Maryrose is the president of SAC for the 2023-2024 school year. We talked to her about her time as president and in SAC. “I’ve only been part of SAC for one year and it was this year, as I was elected in the election in September. I think it was a very different environment from what I imagined. I was previously music council president and I thought it would be kind of similar, but comparing the two, music council is a lot more tightly knit, because it’s a smaller community compared to SAC, which is like the entire student body… But I think it’s been a great experience, and a lot of events. If anyone else wants to get into it, it’s a lot of event planning.”
We also asked Maryrose if she has any advice for her successor, “Communication and preparation. I think it’s a really big thing; to be able to communicate with your community. Not only the student body but within SAC. Reaching out to them, talking to them, making sure they’re comfortable in their space.”
“Preparation, right, so for events, like big events, like spring fling, semi formal, culture day, roshambo, a lot of preparation needs to be put in there. A lot of promotion must be done in order to let the student body know. I would recommend going with posters and Instagram, like ‘cause not a lot of people have Instagram, like obviously social media is a big thing but not everyone has it. Another thing going forward I would suggest is that posting in the guidance council classroom. Because every single student is part of that classroom, and usually students are used to announcements like that. So just like a lot of preparation, a lot of promotion, and communication.”
Maryrose’s generosity and grounded positivity has made her a cornerstone of the North Park community. You’d be hard pressed to find someone who doesn’t have at least a good memory of her, whether it be a friendly interaction, passing her by in the halls, or working with her at a club or volunteer activity. The North Star wishes her all the best, as she moves on to post-secondary to pursue a degree in the health and medical field. Maryrose leaves a message for everyone, “I just want to let everyone know they have a brightness in them and they can all shine in their own ways. And I believe in them, no matter where they’re going.”
THE NORTH STAR 