On Wednesday, Cobourg Collegiate Institute Staff and Students participated in the annual Staff VS Student Quentin Pelka memorial hockey game at the CCC. The game was in memory of Quentin a former CDCI East student who suffered from a schizophrenia a type of mental health. While ending his own life on October 5th, 1998 at the age of 18 friends and family came together to drop the puck in his memory. “He was amazing. His illness was his illness, but he was awesome” said high school sweetheart of Quentin, Grace Lovekin. After Quentin’s death, friends and family wanted to make a message clear: if you need help, don’t be afraid to ask. “I think it’s really important students recognize we need to look after each other and we need to look after ourselves. “The people around us all have our own story … It’s important we all recognize there’s value to that story.” CCI guidance counsellor Erin Mackenzie told students in a tribute video before the game. The event raised over $1,100 for Well-Being initiatives for the school. Once a month for 1-period students will have the opportunity to destress by getting active or doing a fun activity. A fun afternoon overall, the teachers came out on top winning the game 9-6.
