My school community is the sunlight which I use to grow and reach new heights.
Ever since grade eight, I have helped pack bags of healthy, non-perishable food for the Backpack Buddies program. This initiative provides underprivileged children across West, North, and East Vancouver with enough meals for the weekends. Their schools take care of these needs on other days. Every two weeks or so, I take an hour out of my schedule to participate in a packing session in my school.
From grade ten onwards, I've been part of the Admissions Ambassadors team at my school. Our job is to welcome new or prospective families and show them around. Doing this has solidified my own understanding and knowledge of the school community. By describing my school to other people, I gained a deeper sense of pride towards it.
Since my fondness for writing was ever-present, I quickly joined the school magazine team, Ad Verum, in grade ten. It had just been established one year prior and had yet to attract many readers. I dedicated myself to churning out article after article right from the start. In my first year, most of the other members were in higher grades than me and through working with them, I grew as a writer. In grade eleven, I was honoured to become one of the two Editor-in-Chiefs of the club. Taking on a leadership role was a challenge, but nevertheless, I put in my best effort. As that year progressed, more students in lower grades joined, including our first grade eight.