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Connect, Converse, Catch-Up
Mr. Lakes shares his weekly conversation with former students: Brehannah and Hayden Hopgood.
A delightful aspect of a teacher’s life is that we often have the opportunity to experience the flow of siblings through our classroom over the years. The similarities and differences vary along with the mysterious combination of genes that exist within families. It is always fascinating to see how similar (and, often dissimilar) siblings can be.
A delightful aspect of a teacher’s life is that we often have the opportunity to experience the flow of siblings through our classroom over the years. The similarities and differences vary along with the mysterious combination of genes that exist within families. It is always fascinating to see how similar (and, often dissimilar) siblings can be.
I recently had the opportunity to catch-up with a brother/sister combination that do share one significant thing in common – success. Hayden (2000-07) and Brehannah (2003-08) Hopgood are young, ambitious, and making waves in the Halifax real estate boom.
Hayden is a Project Manager with RoMa Developments, a company that specializes in the construction of multi-story residential apartments. Overseeing the trades, he is “the glue” that keeps the ventures together and is providing housing opportunities in a growing city. He coordinates all the trades on site, negotiates contracts, hires tradespeople, and anticipates product procurements. Having recently finished two buildings in West Bedford, he is putting the finishing touches on units on Larry Utech Boulevard, with several more projects on the horizon.
Brehannah’s real estate career has taken off this year after many years of building the foundation. As a top agent at Bryant Realty Atlantic, she is thriving due to her focus on customer service and an enjoyment in contract work and clause writing. “I think I would have been a great lawyer,” she says with a laugh, “But, I love real estate!”
Hayden hopes to have his own company one day and has a great relationship with RoMa’s owner, Roland Hage, who is a great mentor having spent decades in this business. Hayden points to his time at KES as vital as he was not always as motivated. “I went from just showing up to basically realizing that the work had to go into it. People like Mr. John Naugler (faculty 1980-2020) and Mr. Alan Dick (faculty 1993-present) were the thorns in my side. I didn’t realize it then, but I appreciate it now that they pushed me.”
Brehannah points to the KES Rugby Programme as a key in her development and as one of the roots of her drive. She represented Canada at the initial First Nation Cup and represented our country on tour in Britain. Brehannah is currently on the brink of beginning one of life’s greatest adventures. As we chatted on the phone, Brehannah is awaiting the birth of her first child which could happen at any moment! Along with her fiancé Tyler Watters, they will welcome a little baby in the next few days. Tyler is a professional firefighter in Halifax; therefore, the couple has every intention of building their life while living the east coast lifestyle, selling and protecting the real estate of “the city”. They recently purchased a boat, so they likely will not “float” too far away from the seaside anytime soon.
The Hopgood family has always been devoted to excellence and fun. The family is well known in Wolfville as parents, Brad and Connie, are active members of the community and great supporters of Hayden and Brehannah as they progress personally and professionally.
Kevin Lakes
Junior School Teacher
Junior School Athletics
King’s-Edgehill School is located in Mi'kma'ki, the unceded ancestral territory of the Mi’kmaq People.
