Meadowridge Student Since: Grade 2
House: Whonnock

Describe your Meadowridge journey.

I started at Meadowridge in Grade 2, so I’ve been here 11 years. The close-knit community helped me grow and form strong friendships. I’m especially grateful for my graduating class; we’ve been through a lot together, and it’s made us close. I was Head of Arts on Council this year, which let me promote the arts and work with students of all grades. My CAS project was starting the AAPI Club—we ran discussions, bubble tea fundraisers, and events like Inktober and Cabaret Night to celebrate creativity.

I’ve loved art since I was little painting every day in primary school and continuing through the IB Visual Arts program. Art lets me express myself and share what matters to me.

When you think back to who you were when you started here, what feels most different now?

I used to have no real direction, but over time, I discovered my passions: art, international relations, geography, and politics. The teachers’ passion really showed, especially Mr. Lockhart, my geography teacher, who inspired me to think deeper and sparked my interest in international relations.

What’s something you believe now that you didn’t before attending this school?

I learned how truly supportive and open a community can be. People here are always ready to help and collaborate. During the Diploma Programme, forming study groups—even with people I didn’t know well—led to meaningful friendships as we all faced challenges together.

Can you describe a moment that changed how you see yourself as a learner or person?

Creating art in Visual Arts changed me. At first, I obsessed over perfection and lost the joy of making art. Ms. Laurie helped me realize art is about expression, not perfection. That changed how I approached everything, even other subjects. I became more creative and open-minded.

What’s one class, project, or experience that really stayed with you—and why?

My Geography Extended Essay made a big impact on me. I spent a year researching out-of-town shopping centres and interviewing shoppers. Interviewing strangers was harder than I expected, but it made me appreciate how much effort goes into research and communication. The project taught me discipline, time management, and so much about research. It helped me grow as both a learner and a person.

When did you feel most challenged here? What did you take from that experience?

The Diploma Programme was the most challenging experience for me. Managing the workload, balancing assignments, and staying organized was difficult, especially when essays, assessments, and tests all started piling up at once. One of the biggest lessons I learned was time management—setting aside dedicated time for different projects and staying consistent with review. I also learned how important it is to manage stress and maintain balance.

I truly think IB and Meadowridge have prepared me well for university and life beyond school—not just academically, but emotionally and socially too.

What skills do you feel you’re leaving with that will actually matter in your next chapter?

One of the biggest things I’ve learned is compassion. Through volunteer experiences, leadership roles, and even simple interactions with classmates, I’ve realized how important it is to support others. Whenever I struggled, my friends were always there to help me, and I tried to do the same for others. Compassion and human connection are such important parts of life, and that’s something I’ll carry with me moving forward.

As you move on to your next chapter, what are you most proud of?

I’m proud of myself for making it through the Diploma Programme while still maintaining balance in my life. I worked hard academically, but I also made sure to take care of my mental well-being and stay connected to the people I care about. My friendships and family relationships mean so much to me, and I’m grateful to have friends at Meadowridge who motivate and support each other. We worked hard together, but we also genuinely enjoyed growing up together.

What’s something you learned here that you didn’t expect to?

I think the biggest surprise was how much I developed interpersonal and leadership skills. When people think about school, they usually think about academics, but Meadowridge taught me so much more than that. Through collaborative projects, clubs, Council, and leadership opportunities, I developed communication, resilience, teamwork, and leadership skills that will stay with me far beyond high school.

When did you feel most connected to the school community?

Definitely during school trips like Tofino and Boston Bar. Those experiences really brought everyone together. I remember watching the sunset with my class in Tofino and just feeling incredibly connected to everyone around me. Even the funny moments—like waking up at 5 a.m. for sunrise only to realize we were on the wrong side—became unforgettable memories.

How would you describe the community here to someone who’s never experienced it?

Diverse, inclusive, and compassionate. Meadowridge is incredibly diverse, with students from many different backgrounds, cultures, and experiences. I’ve learned so much simply by talking to people with different perspectives and upbringings.

It’s also a very welcoming environment. People genuinely care about one another, and because it’s such a close-knit community, those relationships feel very real and meaningful.

What are you doing next, and what excites you about it?

Next year, I’ll be attending the University of Southern California to study Political Science.

I’m really excited to experience a completely new environment and pursue something I’ve been passionate about for a long time. USC felt like the perfect fit after I visited the campus and learned more about the opportunities there—from the alumni network to the flexibility of exploring multiple interests.

I’m especially excited about meeting new people, exploring internships, and seeing how this next chapter shapes me.

Why did you choose this path?

I’ve always been interested in political science because, at its core, it’s about relationships, between countries, political groups, and people.

I’ve also been involved in debate since middle school, which exposed me to many different political and social issues. My geography classes deepened that interest even further, especially through the conversations and encouragement from Mr. Lockhart.

Another major influence was a summer youth ambassador program where I represented British Columbia. We met diplomats, embassy workers, and students from different places, and those experiences really solidified my passion for international relations and politics.

What does graduating from Meadowridge mean to you?

Graduating feels like opening a new door without fully closing the one behind me. It marks the beginning of a new chapter in my life, but I’ll always be grateful for everything Meadowridge gave me. The people, experiences, and opportunities here shaped me into who I am today.