A life-altering moment with the Dalai Lama

By David F. Rooney

MacKenzie Mallett, a Grade 11 student at RSS, was selected to be a co-host at the Dalai Lama’s recent Heart-Mind Summit that was held at John Oliver Secondary School in Vancouver.

“This young man spoke s well… he did us all proud,” SD 19 Superintendent Mike Hooker told the Board of Trustees last Wednesday, October 29. “MacKenzie did an outstanding job co-MCing in front of 1,400 students and the cameras, which live-streamed the event to 100 BC schools.”

The Dalai Lama is the leader of the Tibetan strain of Buddhism and is widely acknowledged as one of the holiest persons in existence. Please click here to learn more about the Dalai Lama’s Heart-Mind Challenge. Here are some photos from the event:

Here's a view of MacKenzie and his co-MC onscreen in the darkened auditorium. Photo courtesy of Mike Hooker
Here’s a view of RSS Grade 11 student MacKenzie and his co-MC onscreen in the darkened auditorium. Photo courtesy of Mike Hooker
RSS Grade 11 student MacKenzie Mallett meets the Dalai Lama at the Heart-Mind Summit in Vancouver. MacKenzie was one of two co-MCs for the event which attracted 1,400 students and was live-streamed to 100 BC schools. Photo courtesy of Mike Hooker
MacKenzie meets the Dalai Lama at the Heart-Mind Summit in Vancouver. MacKenzie was one of two co-MCs for the event which attracted 1,400 students and was live-streamed to 100 BC schools. Photo courtesy of Mike Hooker
MacKenzie (far left) on stage with the Dalai Lama and other guests at the Heart-Mind Summit, which was held at John Oliver Secondary School. The event sought to teach students and adults that "the qualities that make up Heart-Mind well-being can be deliberately fostered in families, in schools and in communities." School District 19 Superintendent Mike Hooker was so impressed with MacKenzie's performance that the Board of Trustees is send him a letter of commendation for it. Photo courtesy of Mike Hooker.
MacKenzie (far left) on stage with the Dalai Lama and other guests at the Heart-Mind Summit, which was held at John Oliver Secondary School. The event sought to teach students and adults that “the qualities that make up Heart-Mind well-being can be deliberately fostered in families, in schools and in communities.” School District 19 Superintendent Mike Hooker was so impressed with MacKenzie’s performance that the Board of Trustees is send him a letter of commendation for it. Photo courtesy of Mike Hooker.