Throughout Friday’s College of Windsor convocation, Alicia Baertsoen crammed in for her sister Victoria, who was killed in a automobile crash final month.
“I don’t suppose that I’ll ever really feel extra honoured to do something in my complete life,” mentioned Alicia, who accepted her youthful sister’s diploma in schooling.
The crash came about Could 21 in Wallaceburg, Ont. Police mentioned in a press release {that a} automobile entered the road and struck a semi-tanker truck.
Victoria Baertsoen, 24, died together with Matthew Cousins, 24, and Shae-Lynn Bachus, 23.
Windsor Morning11:03Victoria’s convocation
Alicia, Kerry and Chris Baertsoen communicate with CBC Windsor Morning host Nav Nanwa about Victoria Baertsoen, who died 12 days earlier than her convocation.
Alicia says she and Victoria have been shut and talked lots about commencement.
“I understand how a lot it means to her, how arduous she labored for it. I don’t suppose I’ll ever have a prouder second in my complete life.”
College workers framed her schooling diploma and despatched it to Wallaceburg so it may very well be a focus of Baertsoen’s visitation and funeral.
Victoria’s dad, Chris, says it was a precedence for him and that the college actually stepped up.
“We’re so grateful for every thing they’ve executed,” he mentioned. “We have been very touched.”
Ken Montgomery, dean of the school of schooling with the College of Windsor, says a video tribute was held throughout Friday’s convocation, together with a gathering on campus after the ceremony.
“Victoria had made an incredible influence on this school,” mentioned Montgomery.
“She was a stunning human being and an exquisite trainer. Ultimately, she really secured a job even earlier than finishing this system within the Catholic board.”
Victoria’s mother, Kerry, says she and her husband are each lecturers and have been initially shocked she needed to observe of their footsteps.
“When she was 11 or 12, she didn’t wish to babysit as a result of she thought youngsters have been annoying,” Kerry mentioned. “However she had come to my classroom … in Grade 9, and I noticed her firsthand in my classroom and was fairly amazed at how she dealt with the kids.”
Kerry says Victoria would’ve made a superb trainer as a result of she may command a classroom with firmness and was nicely organized with “superior” lesson plans.
“She had a way of humour and a tender spot for all the youngsters. They actually, actually did love her.”
Alicia says her sister’s identify has been further significant because the tragedy.
“She did move away on Victoria Day weekend and was taken to Victoria hospital [in London]. Truly, the casket … all of us determined it was this stunning white casket, and I bent down and I couldn’t consider I noticed it was made in Victoriaville.”
Alicia calls Victoria her greatest buddy and the “brightest gentle on the earth.”
“She had amusing and a smile that … was simply so contagious that everyone would know and everyone would love.”
“We actually simply wish to have fun the superb, impactful life and noble life that she’s lived.”