Our students have so many amazing stories to share. The Meadowridge Awards and Recognition Committee want to recognize the work of our incredible students. Each month, teachers in Elementary, Middle, and High School nominate a student who has demonstrated characteristics of the learner profiles in a memorable and inspiring way. Through our Gryphons of the Month, it’s our hope that, as a community, we hear the “stories of our students.”

Diya is caring and knowledgeable

Diya G. is a Grade 5 learner who shares her passion for poetry and showcases her leadership abilities.

Diya fell in love with poetry three years ago after her English tutor introduced her to it to enhance her writing skills. She loved how she could express herself using words, rhythms, and rhymes. One year when Diya wrote a Remembrance Day poem for a veteran and saw that they were moved by this special gesture; she knew that she had found something she was truly passionate about. She was so passionate about poetry that she wanted her class to learn about it and taught a lesson on how to write Pantoum poems. Due to the pacing of her lesson and her knowledge, the students were engaged the entire time and she enthusiastically inspired them to write their own Pantoum poems. She guided her students with care and patience.

To further illustrate Diya’s care and knowledge, Diya took on the role of a project manager when decorating the classroom door for a Halloween celebration. With 15 different students’ ideas whirling around the room and no plan, Diya took initiative and appointed students to manage different sections of a door, asking them to report their progress throughout the project. The door was ‘boo-tifully’ decorated on time and without the assistance of any teachers, thanks to Diya’s leadership abilities.

“I really wanted to make sure everyone’s ideas were represented on the door. I work well under pressure, and I liked it when my friends would ask me for help to solve their problems. I would help them with answers and new ideas on how to do things,” says Diya.

What does being caring and knowledgeable mean to Diya?
"Caring is about helping and thinking about others around you. Being knowledgeable is about learning something, like poetry, and sharing that knowledge with your friends, it’s also about problem-solving and seeking answers to questions."

Rachel is principled and a communicator

Rachel is a Grade 8 learner who takes the field and impresses spectators. 

Comments about Rachel E. came pouring in after she was a referee for the Grade 5 ISEA Boys Soccer Play Day hosted at Meadowridge this past fall.

“Our referee from the last game was incredible.”

“Rachel was very diligent, made excellent calls, and was very professional.”

“You represented Meadowridge and soccer referees in a perfect manner.”

Our School’s teachers already knew that Rachel was an outstanding student and soccer referee, but when coaches and parents from other schools took notice of her skills and expertise, Mr. Scott Spurgeon, Director of Athletics, was incredibly proud. He says that Rachel covered all facets from knowledge, courtesy, professionalism, appearance, and actions.

“I worked hard to get my referee badge and to receive recognition for something I enjoy doing makes me happy and it feels great to know the time and effort I put into this sport is getting noticed,” says Rachel.

As a soccer fanatic, Rachel plays for the Meadowridge team and Ridge Meadows Soccer Club, outside of school. She also referees club games and is working toward gaining her next-level referee certification. Through her assertive nature and her abilities on and off the field, Rachel has proved she is principled and an exceptional communicator.

What does it mean to be principled and a communicator?
"To me, being principled means being fair, honest, and confident in the decisions I make, especially when I referee games. Being a communicator means making information easy to understand for everyone and taking the time to explain your thoughts carefully and clearly."

Jade is a risk-taker and an inquirer

Jade is a Grade 12 learner who took a big risk, and it paid off for her.

When Jade S. walked into her Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) course at the Justice Institute of BC, she was terrified. Everyone else in the program was older and had more life experiences than she did. As the only high school student in her class, Jade was scared and didn’t know what she had gotten herself into. With time, she got to know everyone and found herself surrounded by an encouraging and supportive network of new friends.

“I realized we were all there for the same reason, and through this course, I was ensured that this is what I want to do with my life,” says Jade.

With Jade’s completion of the EMR certification, she is on track to becoming a paramedic. She always knew she wanted to go into a medical profession where she could help treat people and becoming a first responder was it for her.

“Getting that certification as an EMR was one of the biggest accomplishments of my life, everything I have been working so hard for finally had a point. I knew that one day I would be helping people and I knew I was on the right path, that I can make a difference that was unimaginably rewarding.”

After graduating from Meadowridge, she plans to take more training and hopes to pursue a degree in paramedicine. Jade has boldly demonstrated that she is a risk-taker and an inquirer by pursuing further learning in health at an advanced level.

What does it mean to be a risk-taker and an inquirer to Jade?
"For me, being a risk-taker means trying things out of our comfort zone, trying things that make us question ourselves that we want to but are afraid to, on any scale! To get out of the plan you have in your mind and open yourself up to new possibilities is what it means for me, it’s hard but amazing.

"For me, being an inquirer means being curious, exploring new options, being open-minded and investigating, exploring, and letting yourself be open to new or different opportunities and experiences."