Grade 10 -Choice

Highlights:

Athletic:

 Making the regional field hockey team is a distinct highlight in my year. Hundreds of girls try out for the opportunity to train at an incredibly high level throughout the fall and spring term of 2010-2011. The tryouts were completive and intense and I truly didn’t feel I had a chance at being a part of this distinguished group. I still remember reading my name on the list and thinking that it was a typo. Never have I felt so proud athletically at the work I have put in and the rewards they have produced.

Arts:

Performing in the traditional Christmas concert with the Vancouver Welsh Mens Choir is always an extremely rewarding experience. To be surrounded by such incredible voices is very inspiring and motivational. We all sport our santa clause hats and sing christmas carols to get into the holiday spirit.

Service:

 This is my 2nd year of coaching junior field hockey for children age 9. I feel honoured to be a part of their field hockey experience and to have an impact in their development and future love of the sport. It amazes me how much they look up to us and ask us for guidance. It is very empowering to know that we have the power to change a young girls direction and passion in life. I love being a part of this program and I feel it has enriched my life beyond my wildest dreams.

Service

Highlights:

Service- Beach cleanup:

 My service highlight for my grade 10 year would be the beach cleanup at Ambleside. I feel that its extremely important to help our community and environment, if we didn’t have people willing to clean up we would turn into a massive waste land. Its very important to incorporate service into you’re lifestyle as it gives you a sense of achievement through helping others. These leadership skills will stick with me through my entire life.

Indonesia – Service Trip:

This spring break I had the opportunity to become involved in a service experience in Bali. My family brought much needed supplies and educational items to a number of schools connected to Petra Nemcova’s charity- The Happy Heart Fund – which is involved in building schools in 9 different countries world wide, and has impacted the lives of countless children. We spent a number of days visiting and touring the poverty stricken villages, and I was astounded by how little they had.   It made me feel so ashamed at the waste at home. We assisted in some learning projects and spent the days immersed in their culture.  It was an experience I will never forget that will ultimately impact me forever.

Service Reflection:

When my family started to discuss a service project in Bali I couldn’t have been more excited.  I had been longing to get involved in a grass roots project involving people that are less fortunate so that I can make a positive impact on their life and the life of all the people around them.  We contacted our friend Petra Nemcova who started an incredible group called:  “The Happy Heart Fund” that’s mandate was to build different schools in remote villages in an effort to spread education to less advantaged rural areas.  We told Petra that we would be visiting Bali and she was able to contact one of her work projects so that we could become involved while we were visiting the country.  When we arrived at the school I will never forget the sight of the kids waiting for us on the street.  Hundreds of little children clapped and yelled as we entered the school grounds as though we were rock stars.  It was both humbling and overwhelming as I felt that I had done nothing to deserve the praise.  We spent most of the day attending classes, participating in crafts, and conversing with the students.  I was impressed with their level of English, but mostly I was impressed with their eagerness to learn.  The kids performed for us and put on a beautiful dance show highlighting their culture and their beliefs.  It was such an honour to watch them dance and sing, as their voices were far more beautiful than what you hear at home.   Towards the end of the day we distributed some items that we had brought from home – crayons, paper, bouncy balls…and things like this, and we almost started a riot in the village.  We had over 300 kids that we gave bags to, and their appreciation and keen attitudes were far in excess to what you would see at home!  After the day was complete we all gathered for our farewells as we sadly headed back towards the bus.  I felt slightly guilty as I longed for a hot shower and my cozy pajamas, and yet these kids live in small huts with dirt floors – far from what would be called “acceptable” in Western standards.  As I reflect on my experience in Bali, I will always feel touched by the joy and enthusiasm the people of the country feel for the smallest of thing.  It makes me rethink how I behave and inspires me to work harder at being a more kind and giving person.  I will always remember this experience, and the incredible impact it has had on my life.  My goal is to become involved in service projects wherever we travel so that we become more closely integrated with the people of the country.  By giving back in this way, the memories that we will carry with us from our travels will hopefully impact both the place we visit as well as our own lives. 

Academics

Academic Highlights:


Math tests- My academic highlight for my grade 10 year would be accomplishing two consecutive 100% on grade 11 math tests. It gave me great confidence and pride to achieve such high marks. By doing so I learned that if you work to the best of your capability, you can achieve any goal you set out for yourself

A's in core 4 subjects-My academic highlight for my grade 10 year would be receiving all A’s in my core four subjects- English, Math, Science and Socials. By working diligently and carefully I was able to obtain these marks. In the end all the hard work put in truly does lead to success, and great rewards.

Academic Reflection:

This year was one of the most difficult academic years of my life.  I have moved ahead in a number of my core subjects and this has made the academic demands not only more difficult, but also more impactful in terms of my future.  As a result of this I have felt incredible pressure to perform making this year quite intense.  Having said all of this, I am extremely proud of the results I have achieved due to my strict commitment to my studies and my devotion to staying on task.   I am enrolled in English 11 pre AP that is a challenging course with ever-present demands and a huge workload.  I have felt frustrated with the quantity of material we are expected to cover but I am also proud of how much my writing and comprehension has developed.  I am loving my current “home reading” novel called “Never Let Me Go” and I am enjoying dissecting the author’s intention and themes.  Math has been another struggle, but again I have witnessed that my hard work is paying off.  Not only am I currently in the 90’s right now, I feel very comfortable with the material and concepts.  Socials 10ap combines grade 10 and 11 socials into one year.  I was worried about this course because I feel like I am weak in my geography knowledge but Ms. Hobson has been an incredible teacher and has helped me overcome my fears to the point that I feel very confident in this class.  Not only has my geography wisdom improved but also my current events knowledge has become solid.  I am so proud of my improvement and I am keen to continue exploring this subject.  The final subject I am receiving an A in is science 10.  I used to feel very insecure when it came to science and I never thought I was very good at the subject.  This year has taught me so much about the different disciplines in science and it has inspired me to want to take both chemistry and physics.  I am really interested in further exploration and I plan to continue to expand my knowledge. School doesn’t come super easy to me so I feel very proud of the discipline and commitment I have shown as I pursue my goals.  I usually devote at least 2 hours every night to studying as well as time with a math and French tutor.  Although this work takes away from my private time I feel it has shown me that if I put my mind to something I can achieve excellence.  It’s not just “how” smart a person is that matters, it is also how hard they work.  If I had to retain one bit of information from this year it would be this – I never want to fear going after my goals as anything is truly possible through hard work, focus and discipline.  I dream of going to the US to attend University so I recognize how important my academics are in terms of this process.  

Arts

Art Highlights:

Choir:

My art highlight for my grade 10 year would be taking part in the Collingwood Concert choir. We practice during the curriculum, as well as outside in order to insure that we are prepared for our performances, and comfortable with all of our pieces. We practice many different songs derived from different origins and meanings, which teaches you things far more beyond the norm. The concert choir gets the opportunity to sing in front of big crowds in our regular assemblies, which creates bravery. Our choir room has an admirable atmosphere filled with talented and driven people who teach you more and more every day.

Art Reflection: 

I have to admit that being a part of the grade 10 choir has been challenging in terms of our expected commitment.   It made me a bit angry that this “elective” was taking over my life, and that the expectation was so high.  I thought that Mr. Buchan had lost his mind when I heard how much he wanted to rehearse – morning practices, lunch practices, after school sessions - it was overwhelming.  I changed my opinion though when I started to hear the harmony and beauty that was being created as a result of the time put into our preparation. I realized what Mr. Buchan was doing and how it was impacting our performance, and I also realized what a huge sacrifice he was making himself.  The Kiwanis Festival was a truly exciting experience.  To be a part of a festival that included many of the top choirs across the province was an honour in itself.  We awed many of the judges and the audience was extremely impressed.  I remember standing and looking at the people and feeling an incredible sense of pride about my school and my peers.  We all behaved professionally and with complete enthusiasm and the memory of us singing at the top of our lungs will be forever etched in my mind.  Equally as thrilling was performing with the Welshman’s Choir at Christmas at a gorgeous church on Burrard Street.   Performing as a group at Christmas can be extremely time consuming at a busy time of year so it can be a bit stressful as the date approaches.   This performance in particular, however, is one that I never want to miss.   The reason it is so special is because the Welshman are true professionals.  Their harmony and melody are staggering, and their joy in performing is evidenced in every song that they sing.  To be given a chance to be a part of that historical institution is an honour beyond words.  It is also a magical way to slow down time and make all of us appreciate how special the Christmas season is.  I find that around December everyone starts to go a bit crazy and if we don’t slow ourselves down, then we forget what is important in life.  Performing with the Welshman’s choir does just that.  Our voices ring out in the church like angels, and all of us become harmonized as one.  It will be a memory that I carry with me and I reflect on every Xmas season.  Choir has opened my eyes to many parts of life that I don’t experience on a regular basis.  I love being a part of a group that is reliant on one another for support and performance.  It makes the end product so much more special, and I still get chills all over me when I hear us sing as one.  I owe Mr. Buchan a debt of gratitude at the commitment he gives to the Collingwood choir.  He goes beyond the call of duty to make all of our live more enriched and for that we will always be in his debt.

Athletics

Athletic Highlight:

BC provincial champions:

My athletic highlight of grade 10 is winning BC provincials for my Collingwood Senior field hockey team. Going into the year i was doubtful that I would even make this incredible team, and by the end of the season came out a stronger, and more aggressive player than ever before. Our team was a family unit; every game was played with 100 percent heart. This team taught me to work well with others, and stay organized with my schoolwork in order to play this sport. I hope to continue field hockey in the future as it is a sport I love, and am constantly improving at.

Athletic Reflection: 

This year I had the amazing opportunity to play on the senior field hockey team for Collingwood. A strong team filled with dedicated athletes. Our team soon became a family, and we worked together each game in order to make it to provincials. All the hard work and dedication my team and I put in to every single early morning practice and league game brought us to our ultimate goal, and we were able to win BC field hockey provincials. Although the journey was extremely fun, it was also a very tough fight to get to where we are now. By winning the BC field hockey Provincials my outlook on life has changed profusely. I learned an extremely valuable lesson, that if you try to the best of you’re ability and never seize to give up you really can achieve greatness. Simply by setting my mind to something I was able to achieve and concur. My Field hockey Provincials was such a surreal experience and it taught me a lot about myself. Before each game we would visualize our selves on the field thinking of each strong pass we were going to make to our teammates, and every other particular technique we wanted to work on.  I went into every game driven to win and to be as aggressive as possible, while working successfully with my team at the same time. Prior to every game I would set goals for myself, and I would not stop until I was able to achieve these goals. This strategy continues to follow through with me in my everyday life. So I will continue to work hard and give one hundred percent in the hopes of taking my field hockey career to the next level.