The Story of Ray Wiecha

My full name is Raymond Christopher Wiecha, and I am the eldest child of Ted and Madeline Wiecha.  I was born in the wee hours of September 14, 1980 at the St. Catharine’s General Hospital in St. Catharine’s, Ontario. I spent the first part of my childhood growing up on my dad’s 10 acre peach farm in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario.  I have a younger brother, Robert, who was born on August 9, 1982.  The rest of my family includes my Uncle Jimmy, Aunt Debbie, Aunt Sharon, my cousins Jamie, Connie, and Scottie, and my Bopchee (grandmother).  The proper term is Bacia, which means “grandmother” in Polish, but you know how little kids have difficulty pronouncing certain words, so I think that’s why it turned into “Bopchee” for us.

I have attended three different schools in my lifetime.  From kindergarten to Grade 8, I went to Virgil Public School.  This school has roughly about 200-250 kids attending it, or at least when I did.  It was at this school where I met some of my best friends today.  I attended Niagara District Secondary School for my high school years.  This is the only high school in Niagara-on-the-Lake, and is infamous for having been the school where everybody and everybody’s parents went here.  My fondest memories during these years were bush parties, video dance parties in the gym, pep rallies, getting my driver’s license (and numerous bang-ups to follow), prom, my summer job at a local restaurant, Mr. Dailey’s English class, making several home made movies for English classes, and going to Europe three times!!  Currently, I am in my fourth year of Honours Business Administration at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ontario.  It’s been an interesting experience filled with lots of ups and downs.  I think the most interesting experience so far has been the fact that I have been able to reinvent myself here since I knew absolutely no one at this school when I started in September 1999. 

             I started playing sports at the age of seven when I signed up for hockey school.  Over the years, I have been involved with hockey, soccer, badminton, skiing, cross-country, volleyball, and chess. Okay, chess really isn’t a sport, but I once was a “mind jock” back in high school.  I haven’t played many sports since graduating from high school, but I have recently started playing ice hockey again, and I play indoor soccer at university.  My favourite sport is definitely hockey.  It’s really hard to describe, but I get this overwhelming feeling when I step out onto the ice, get the puck, and head up on a breakaway towards the opposing team’s goal.  I especially miss the feeling of excitement I would get prior to a tournament or a playoff game.  My greatest sports accomplishment occurred in September 1989 after my first season of lacrosse.  That year, I won the “Most Sportsmanlike Player of the Year” award for my region.  Each team got to nominate one player who best exemplifies sportsmanship, leadership, and dedication.  Winning this award was a complete shock to me cause it was just my first season in the sport, and I will admit that I wasn’t exactly the most “talented player” on the team.  The reason I cherish this award so much is that I have tried to maintain those exact characteristics in every aspect of my life, whether it be at school, work, or in the community.

                                      

                                     

            Traveling has been another big part of my life.  My very first trip occurred when I was about one and a half years old when my family went to Alberta to visit some of my dad’s grandparents, and his aunts, uncles, and cousins.  To tell you the truth, I have no memories of this trip whatsoever!! Other than Alberta, I have been to Ottawa, Halifax, Walt Disney World, the Dominican Republic, Greece, France, Germany, and Switzerland.  I particularly love traveling because you can experience new places, people, and experiences that you normally can’t do at home.  Believe me, a day trip to Toronto is a big thing for us small town Niagara folk!!  After I graduate from university, I hope to travel through Europe, Southeast Asia, or Australia.  Those are the three places in the world that fascinate me the most because of the culture and atmosphere they bring.

           There isn't really too much else to say about me other than I have enjoyed what I've done in my life so far, and I'm looking forward to what life has in store for me.  Writing about myself has been the most difficult thing I have ever had to do!!  The best people to talk to is my family and friends.  They would have a better perspective of who I am instead of me.  Well, in the meantime, feel free to browse through my website.  You might get a better perspective of who Ray Wiecha is.

                                                                      

Back to Top