Amoryn ENGEL `90 is best known for her work as a social columnist for the National Post. Her job, to many, would read like a dream: attend glamorous parties on the Toronto scene, meet fascinating and important people, and pose on the red carpet for professional photographers. Yes, the work may be tiring and one could never be ‘off’, but isn’t everything made easier with complimentary champagne? With a job like Ms. Engel’s, one might make the mistake of assuming that the closest she gets to philanthropy is attending charity galas. One would be wrong: this is exactly where she proves her mettle and challenges the notion of cause célèbre. She not only reports on charity galas, she Chairs them: under her leadership, the 2009 LG Innovators Ball for the Ontario Science Centre raised over $350,000 to support community access initiatives. When her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2002, it wasn’t enough to ‘be there’ for her mother during her illness. Ms. Engel got on a bike, rode 200 kilometers from Toronto to Niagara Falls and raised over $50,000 in donations for cancer research at the Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation. It is this same attitude that pervades her work at BSS. She not only demonstrates her commitment to her alma mater by serving on the Board of Trustees, she shows the depth of her Old Girl commitment by supporting the School financially. And in typical fashion, her donation is not merely a donation, but a challenge.

As a member of the Board of Trustees, Ms. Engel is well aware of the School’s continued efforts to ensure the best students of all backgrounds are able to attend BSS. Originally, she discussed making a one-time donation of $100,000 to the BSS endowment, knowing that this would generate funds for financial aid in perpetuity. At some point she realized that her objective was to motivate an entire group of people—her fellow Old Girls—to fill a gap and meet these needs. By making her gift a Challenge Gift, she hopes to encourage other alumnae to come forward and meet the needs of our community by ensuring that we preserve, protect and nurture our most precious resource—our amazing girls from down the road or around the globe. Ultimately, Ms. Engel shares the same vision our Head of School, Deryn Lavell, does: we want exceptional girls to be able to attend BSS, regardless of their family’s financial situation.

Ms. Engel’s challenge gets to the heart of all things BSS—Old Girls. For every gift of $500 or more an Old Girl makes, she will make a gift of an equal amount to BSS. In total, she will contribute $100,000. If Old Girls meet this challenge, the BSS endowment—our key arm in securing financial aid—stands to gain $200,000 in donations. Her only stipulation? That gifts are designated to financial aid, including the Old Girl Bursary, class or named bursaries.
We met up with Ms. Engel at this year’s Harvest Reunion, and asked her to tell us more about her Challenge to Old Girls.

What motivated you to make a gift to BSS?
I had such an incredible experience while I was as BSS. It definitely helped to shape the person that I am today. I would love for other girls, who may face financial barriers, to be able to enjoy the same experiences and enduring friendships.

What impact do you hope your gift will have?
In a perfect world a school like BSS would be open to all young girls—regardless of economic circumstance—but obviously that is not realistic. I would love for local girls who would never consider looking at the School because of lack of finances to give it a hard look. There are so many undiscovered leaders out there. I think it is also good for the girls at BSS to have their lives enriched by girls from different backgrounds.

Why a challenge? What do you hope to advance by designating your gift as a challenge?
I would love to inspire other Old Girls to give back to this great community. It would be incredible if we could double my gift, but this cannot be done without other Old Girls’ participation. The School has evolved so much since we were roaming its halls but I
think that the message remains the same: BSS girls can do anything and BSS Old Girls can do anything. I’m confident we can do this.

As an Old Girl and Trustee, you have a unique view of BSS. If you had to name one reason to support BSS, what would it be?
I have two boys. People always ask me—why sit on the board? Why donate money to the School when you don’t even have a girl? The answer is that I wouldn’t be the person I am today had it not been for BSS. I’m not saying that I didn’t have my challenges while at the School -- but if I could give just one girl the chance to experience what BSS has to offer -- that would make it all worth it. Imagine the possibilities? Sometimes you have to look outside your own little world.

What are the most important things or skills that you gained from your time at BSS?
I always felt supported by the School and that I could do anything that I put my mind to. My teachers instilled a great amount of confidence and fostered tremendous pride, leadership and team spirit. Nothing could ever replace the enduring friendships that I share with my friends. I’ve always really put myself out there and gone for it.

Clearly, you value volunteerism and supporting your community. Is this something you learned at BSS?
BSS was always good about instilling good values in its students but I think that the School has come a long way in that regard. The leaving class gifts are a wonderful example of how the School is teaching the girls to give back. Hopefully that cycle of giving back will continue going forward. For myself—I like to give a third of my time to charitable endeavours. Charity really does help make the world go ’round.

What advice would you offer a BSS student who is heading off into the larger world?
Ask a lot of questions of a lot of different people and listen carefully to those answers that you receive. Do your research before making any big decisions—whether it’s which university to choose, which job to accept or which school to send your child to. Knowledge is power.

What are your fondest memories of BSS?
The ones that I can mention? My best friends then are still my best friends today, Chapel was always such a wonderful way to regroup in the mornings, art class with Mr. Zeifman and drama class with Angie (Angie Silverstein). The teachers really inspired us, supported us and encouraged us.

Amoryn ENGEL `90 leads a glamorous life as society columnist by night. By day, she is no different than any other parent or Old Girl. She is a wife, mother of two young boys (William, age 6, and Harrison, age 3), and a passionate believer in the power of community involvement. She is one of our many volunteers and supporters that collectively bring our mission, Girls Can Do Anything, to life. What is vital is that she recognizes the power in numbers. One person can make a difference, but true impact comes with the power of people. With a legion of supporters, BSS hopes to increase the number of opportunities that exist for young women to attend our School. We are inspired daily by our Old Girls’ accomplishments. It is our sincere hope that Ms. Engel’s Challenge Gift will in turn be an inspiration.

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For more information on the Old Girls Challenge, please contact Sharon Howell, Director of Annual Giving and Donor Relations at showell@bss.on.ca or 416 483 4325 ext. 1874.

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