Bob Bellacicco
Class of 1994 -Business Advertising
Reporter
Bell Media/CTV News Windsor
Windsor, Ontario
Bob is a highly experienced journalist and media professional passionate about community sports stories and breaking news events. He graduated from St. Clair College in Windsor and Spec's Howard School of Broadcast Arts in Southfield, Michigan.
Bob began his career in radio, working as a board operator at CHUM Radio and later at CBC Windsor. However, his skills and experience soon led him to television, where he made his mark as a cameraman, producer, and fill-in host. In fact, on his very first day as a cameraman, Bob shot footage of a carjacking that was featured on the popular U.S. television show Inside Edition.
Bob's television career has included stints at CHWI-TV, where he started as a weekend reporter before gaining valuable experience as a cameraman and fill-in host working on the station's morning show. Over the years, Bob has covered some of North America's most significant sporting events, including the 2005 NBA finals, the 2006 Superbowl in Detroit, the 2008 and 2009 Stanley Cup finals, the 2009 NCAA Final Four and the 2012 World Series. He has also seen local teams win championships, including the 2010 and 2017 Memorial Cup-winning Windsor Spitfires.
When he's not covering breaking news or sports events, Bob enjoys ball hockey and has played at the provincial level. He also volunteers his time hosting events for local charities. Bob is married to Maryann and is the proud father of two children, Joey and Cristina. With his extensive experience and passion for journalism, Bob is a true asset to the media industry and a respected community member.
Fil Grado
Class of 1997 - Mechanical Engineering Technology
Advance Projects Technical Lead
Stellantis
Auburn Hills, Michigan
Fil Grado is an accomplished automotive engineer and technical leader passionate about developing exciting Dodge and Jeep products that generate brand passion and high levels of customer satisfaction. He currently serves as Advance Projects Technical Lead for the Next Gen E-Segment SUVs at Stellantis, where he leads the engineering organization to develop innovative and high-quality vehicles.
Grado joined the company in 1998 and has since held various engineering positions with increasing responsibility within Product Development, where he has worked closely with Global Engineering Teams. Notable roles include Chief Engineer for the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L and Senior Manager for Vehicle Cost Engineering. He was the Performance Manager for the 2015 Jeep Renegade and Fiat 500X Vehicle Integration and Supervisor for Next Gen CUV/Compass Advance Vehicle Engineering.
Grado's educational background includes a Diploma in Mechanical Engineering Technology from St. Clair College, a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering and a Master's Degree in Business Administration from Lawrence Technological University. He is also a recipient of the 2010 SAE Foundation Young Manufacturing Leadership Award.
Outside work, Grado is an active community member, supporting local charities such as "W.E. Care for Kids" and the annual Special Olympics Polar Plunge. He is also a mentor for the LINC Organization and enjoys spending time with his wife, Sandra and their three beautiful daughters. In his free time, Grado enjoys long weekend drives, travelling, and following Formula 1.
Dan Janisse
Class of 1989 - Journalism
Photojournalist
Windsor Star
Windsor, Ontario
Dan Janisse is a renowned photojournalist with over 34 years of experience in the newspaper industry. He has earned a reputation as one of the top photographers in Canada, having received numerous awards for his outstanding work. His talent has been recognized with multiple wins at the Ontario Newspapers Awards, and he was named the Eastern Canadian News Photographers Association photographer of the year in 1998. Additionally, Dan was twice nominated for the National Newspapers Awards, considered the Canadian equivalent of the Pulitzer Prize in journalism.
Dan's passion for photojournalism has led him to share his knowledge and experience with others. He teaches part-time at St. Clair College while working full-time at the Windsor Star, where he has spent 22 years documenting some of the most critical moments in the area's history. Dan approaches his work with professionalism and diligence, always striving to capture the essence of each story through his lens. His expertise and dedication have made him a sought-after mentor and a valuable asset to the field of photojournalism.
Christine Knights
Class of 2006 - Dental Hygiene
Owner/Registered Dental Hygienist
Bright Smiles
Chatham, Ontario
Christine Knights is a passionate and experienced registered dental hygienist with almost 20 years of experience in the field. She is the proud owner of Bright Smiles Community Dental Hygiene in Chatham, where she brings her award-winning proficiency and expertise to every patient she serves.
Christine is no stranger to going above and beyond to pursue her goals. She has dedicated her time to helping underprivileged children and the less fortunate. Her unwavering dedication to charity and community outreach inspired her to travel to Indonesia, the Philippines, and Ethiopia, where she provided dental care to underprivileged communities. These experiences were life-changing for Christine and inspired her to change her perception of how she delivers dental care in her practice.
In Chatham, Christine has teamed up with the Chatham-Kent Public Health Unit and several other local organizations to provide free dental hygiene clinics for people who can't afford regular dental care. Her initiative "Give Where You Live" has provided $75,000 of free treatment to residents, significantly impacting the community.
Christine's reputation precedes her; in her private practice, many loyal patients request her by name. Her passion for her work is evident in everything she does, and her patients at Bright Smiles Community Dental Hygiene can expect nothing less than exceptional care from her. With her unparalleled enthusiasm and expertise, Christine is a true asset to the dental hygiene profession, and her dedication to her patients and community is truly admirable.
Julia Lane
Class of 2022 - Community Integration through Cooperative Education
Canadian Multi-Sport
Athlete
Windsor, Ontario
Julia Lane is an accomplished Canadian multisport athlete fiercely dedicated to sports and her community. She graduated from the Community Integration Through Cooperative Education Program, earning a 4.0 GPA.
Throughout her school years, Julia also competed in swimming on a global scale, representing Canada and the City of Windsor at the World Down Syndrome Swimming Championships. Her success in the sport led her to be honoured with the Platinum Jubilee Pin in Honour of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, recognizing her achievements and dedication to swimming. She was recognized with a WESPY (Windsor Essex Sports Person of the Year) award in the para-athlete category in 2020 for her swimming achievements.
Julia is also a recognized CrossFit Athlete who has competed at the CrossFit Games and was awarded Fittest in the World, winning first place in the CrossFit Open in 2021 and 3rd Fittest in the World at the CrossFit Games in 2022; both awards in the Adaptive Intellectual Division.
In 2022, Julia won six medals overall; two gold, one silver and three bronze at the World Down Syndrome Swimming Championships in Portugal and holds the Woman's World Down Syndrome Record title in the 100-metre Butterfly and 800-metre Freestyle Long Course events. She previously held records in the 50-metre Freestyle, 100-metre Freestyle, 50-metre Butterfly, 100-metre Butterfly, 200-metre Freestyle, and 400-metre Freestyle.
Julia is not only a talented athlete but also an advocate for Down Syndrome awareness and education. She enjoys public speaking engagements at local schools and through the Law Enforcement Torch Run/Windsor Police Services.
Outside of her sports and advocacy work, Julia also volunteers with the Hub Community Kitchen and serves as a LaSalle Special Olympics Athlete Ambassador. Julia's dedication to sports, community, and advocacy makes her an inspiring role model for all.
Cheryl Sprague
Class of 1978 - Early Childhood Education
Executive Director/Founder
Delta Chi Beta ECE Centres
Windsor, Ontario
Cheryl Sprague is a dedicated advocate for children and a prominent figure in the Windsor-Essex community. With over 35 years of experience in early childhood education, Cheryl is the Executive Director and Founder of Delta Chi Early Childhood Centers, a company that operates 13 centers and employs over 100 Early Childhood Educators in the Windsor-Essex region.
Cheryl's passion for helping children began when she opened the first Delta Chi Beta Early Childhood Center in 1986 on Ouellette Ave in Windsor. She believes that early childhood is a crucial time for children's growth and development, and her centers strive to provide children with a rich and rewarding experience during this critical period.
Cheryl is also the President of the Windsor-Essex Children's Aid Foundation Board of Directors, where she continues to champion the well-being of children in the community. Under her leadership, Delta Chi sponsors several CAS initiatives, including the annual holiday program, and hosts food drives to help local families in need. The center also supports various local children's sports teams, promoting an active and healthy lifestyle for the children in the community.
Cheryl's dedication to early childhood education extends beyond her centers. She returned to St Clair for a time serving as the Director of the ECE lab school, providing valuable guidance and mentorship to future educators. She still welcomes dozens of St Clair students for placements at her centers each year, ensuring that the next generation of Early Childhood Educators receives the best training possible.
Through her tireless work and commitment to the well-being of children, Cheryl has become a respected and influential figure in the Windsor-Essex community. Her passion for early childhood education continues to inspire others, and her dedication to helping children has profoundly impacted countless lives.