Sudbury Catholic High School Honors Late Student with Memorial Assembly and Fundraising Initiative
Students, faculty, and community members from Greater Sudbury's Valley East area gathered in a solemn assembly at École Secondaire Catholique L'Horizon on February 2, 2026, to pay tribute to the memory of Zoé Trépanier. The Grade 10 student, who was beloved by her peers and teachers, passed away in June following a courageous battle with cancer. The emotional gathering served as both a memorial celebration of Zoé's life and the official launch of a fundraising campaign established in her honor.
Community Comes Together to Remember Zoé Trépanier
The special assembly brought together the entire school community, including Zoé's classmates, teachers, and family friends, along with members of the broader Valley East neighborhood. School administrators organized the event to create a space for collective mourning and celebration of Zoé's impact on those around her. During the assembly, speakers shared personal stories about Zoé's kindness, academic dedication, and the positive spirit she maintained throughout her health challenges.
The fundraising campaign launched at the assembly aims to create a lasting legacy in Zoé's name, though specific details about the fund's purpose and goals were not immediately disclosed by school officials. The initiative represents a community-driven effort to transform grief into positive action, allowing students and residents to contribute to a cause that honors Zoé's memory.
Addressing Youth Grief and Building Support Systems
School psychologists and counseling staff were present throughout the assembly to provide support to students grappling with the loss of their peer. The event highlighted the importance of mental health resources in educational settings, particularly when young people experience traumatic losses. École Secondaire Catholique L'Horizon's approach demonstrates how schools can serve as crucial support networks during times of community grief.
The memorial gathering also underscored the broader challenges facing students dealing with serious illness and loss, with educators emphasizing the need for comprehensive support systems within school environments. By creating structured opportunities for remembrance and collective action, the school aims to help students process their emotions while fostering resilience.
Fundraising as a Pathway to Healing
The newly launched fundraising campaign represents more than just a financial initiative—it serves as a therapeutic outlet for students and community members seeking meaningful ways to honor Zoé's memory. Such campaigns often help grieving communities channel their emotions into constructive action, creating positive outcomes from painful circumstances.
As the Sudbury community continues to mourn Zoé Trépanier's passing, the memorial assembly and fundraising launch demonstrate how educational institutions can play vital roles in supporting students through life's most difficult moments while building stronger, more compassionate school communities.
