Fall Colours this year was a great event, in part because it brought some familiar faces back to the campus. Aaron Siegel '02 was one of them, and among other things he took part in the Adventure Race.

While on the swim dock at the close of that event Aaron conveyed to those gathered how "exciting it was to return to campus after 20 years seeing all the places and trails I had forgotten while running, swimming and canoeing at full speed just moments after I arrived."  

The race included a canoe around the lighthouse, a run on the trails, and a swim across the marina harbour. Speaking directly to the students, Aaron said, "I'm moved by gratitude for my parents who cared enough to send me here. I was not an active kid when I arrived at Rosseau. In fact you couldn’t have paid me money to run a race like this. Today I’m as active as ever and much of my life is spent outdoors.  These activities and others have been a resource for me, they’ve connected me with great people, they’ve sustained my confidence and continue to bring me joy when life gets challenging.  For this resource I thank Rosseau."

We were in touch this week and asked him a bit more about his time at RLC, and what it's like to come back. This is what he had to say:

What’s the one unforgettable moment from your time at Rosseau Lake College that you still bring up at reunions or with friends? I haven't been to a reunion yet, but there are two classmates from 2001-02 who saw me do a 360 on a pair of nordic skis.

‍If you could time travel back to your days at Rosseau, which part of campus would you head to first? Why?I'd like to visit Brock House and the Dining Hall where I spent so much time. I'd actually like to explore the places I didn't go and discover places where I could imagine myself spending time now.  This would give me a sense of who I was back then in comparison to who I am now.  

‍What was the most "Rosseau Lake College" thing you did that perfectly captures the spirit of the school?In the summer of 2017 I paddled 530 km from Wawa to about Moosonee along the Missinaibi river. It took 19 days. Physically I had no problem with paddling 10 hours a day or even the 8 km of portaging around Thunderhouse Falls, but doing the trip alone presented spiritual and psychological challenges I've never experienced before.  

‍If you could give a short pep talk to your high school self on your first day at Rosseau, what would you say? You'll get as much or more from putting into life than you get out!