We’ve all had a teacher (or teachers) who have left a lasting positive impact in our lives and in our community. One such former principal from Kipling, about 153 kilometers southeast of Regina, is about to be remembered in the most fitting way for his contributions and commitment to sports and education in that community.
John Mansuy taught for 27 years in Kipling and worked his way up to Vice Principal and eventually Principal before retiring in 2002. Over the years he taught hundreds of sports teams in his school and received the 1992 Paul Renwick Award for his outstanding contribution to phys-ed in the province. Under his leadership, Kipling School also achieved Quality Daily Physical Education Awards for the programs he developed and ran. Sadly, Mansuy passed away in the fall of 2018 at age 67.
“He taught many kids and he was also a coach of many of the sports in Kipling so he spent a lot of time in the gym,” stated daughter Casandra Mansuy.
The idea of renaming the gym started in May of 2019 after a presentation to the local SCC board. From there, a letter of recommendation was sent to the school board who approved the request to rename the gym in November of 2019.
“We’re very excited it’ll be happening,” smiled Mansuy who, inspired by her father, became a teacher herself a few years ago. She finds herself teaching in Vibank these days, only one hour west of Kipling on highway 48.
A fundraising evening will be held this Saturday, January 18th, at the Kipling Community Centre to raise the necessary funds needed to put up the signage on the gymnasium.
“We’re raising money for lettering,” explained Mansuy. “We’re going to have lettering on the outside of the school (and) we’ll have lettering inside the school just before you go into the gym and we’re also going to have a plaque with his picture on it and write up about him.”
The fundraising goal Saturday evening is $5,000. The evening will include food, beverages, and live music from Kipling native and Saskatchewan Country Music Award winner Alex Runions, who happened to be a student of Mansuy. Doors will open at 7 p.m. and entertainment will get underway at 7:30. Tickets will be available at the door for $15.
More information on the fundraising evening as well as the John Mansuy Memorial Fund can be found by clicking here.
Click here for our full interview with Casandra Mansuy.
(Pictured: Casandra Mansuy at 620 CKRM)
