The strange coincidence of a school drawing contest

Jack Chamberland loves to draw. His dad, Dan, loves to draw, too. And the universe conspired in a strange way this week to make a unique connection between this father and son.

Jack is a student at École publique Jean-Éthier-Blais. He’s in Grade 1. This week, Jack was the proud winner of an annual drawing contest sponsored by Desjardins Credit Union. When his teacher, Sylvie Richer-Pharand, announced his name, Jack jumped for joy, NorthernLife.ca was told this week.

The theme of the contest was Francophonie and working together, so Jack spent all last week drawing his conception of the day the explorer Jacques Cartier arrived on the shores of North America. He titled his drawing, “Arriving in Canada.”

His drawing was chosen as one of three local winners out of 360 entries from schools in the area. For his efforts, Jack earned himself a cool $100.

But here’s the funny thing, Dan (Jack’s dad) won the same contest 27 years ago, all the way back in 1988 — and he also won a $100 (he got a stereo, too).

“Guess the apple doesn’t fall so far from the tree,” Dan said.

Dan used his drawing talents to attend the Ontario College of Art and Design and become an industrial designer. After several years of designing office furniture, he moved back to Sudbury and now works for Fuller Industrial.

The entire Chamberland family was on hand to cheer on Jack’s win.