When I returned to Germany after my first year, I thought I wanted what was familiar: my friends, my family, and my old life. What I didn’t realize until I left was how special the community here was.

 

You could go next door and ask someone if they wanted to go to dinner, or ask someone to play spikeball after prep. There were always people around and always people you enjoyed spending time with. When I went home, it was hard going from that spontaneous way of living into a life where everything had to be planned. Here, everything is just there. It takes 10 seconds. Even if someone says no, that’s fine, but you always have the opportunity to do something.

 

My siblings moved out while I was in Grade 10, so I went from a household of five people to three. The house was much quieter. I realized that the structure here – which is funny, because it’s structured but also unstructured – really helped me be happy. Being around people who were working, having people nearby who could help, made everything feel less like a big task. That’s why I came back. It wasn’t really about rowing or university guidance. I had changed as a person. In the end, it was mainly the people.

 

My older siblings went to boarding school, but they both went to different ones. I didn’t want to go to either of the schools they attended because I wanted my own experience. I wanted my own corner in the world.

 

When I was in Grade 9, my family and I started looking at boarding schools. My sister was doing a semester abroad at UVic, so we visited her, travelled around Vancouver and Seattle, and toured Shawnigan.

 

I really liked my tour. My parents and siblings liked it as well, so that was their stamp of approval. We looked at other schools, but Shawnigan stood out. I only applied here, and thankfully I was accepted.

 

Walking onto campus for the first time was exciting and a little overwhelming. It was a big place, and I definitely got lost a few times, but I was excited. It felt like a new chapter.

 

I don’t have one big moment that defines my time here. It’s more the feeling I have when I look back. It’s the little things: making food together, sitting around the house, playing pickleball in the summer, playing games in the winter. It’s the people you can talk to and the teachers who give you space to think about your future, who you want to be, and what you want to do.

 

Everyone thinks their last inter-House or last Duxbury Day has to be the greatest moment, but for me it’s looking back at all the small moments over the years. I don’t need one huge experience at the end to say, “This was the best moment.” The feeling I have when I look back is enough.

 

This year, people have gotten to know me as the “Chapel Guy,” which I appreciate at about a 50 percent level. I wouldn’t necessarily identify myself as that, but that leadership role was something I never expected. I don’t like speaking in front of people. My upper body is fine, but my legs are like jelly when I’m standing in front of 500 people.

 

I never saw myself talking about my experiences in front of a crowd, but Shawnigan created a space where I could be more open and contribute more to the community. I became less someone who just swims along with the pack and more someone who wanted to be involved.

 

Duxbury House definitely impacted me. Before, I was more reluctant to put myself forward, socially, but also when sharing my opinions and contributing my thoughts. Living with these guys helped me realize I can talk to anyone here and have a good conversation.

 

Sometimes you have a terrible day, but when you come back to the house there are people who remind you that life goes on. That sense of belonging happens naturally. Someone comes into your room because they want a snack, and suddenly you’re talking. It happens organically. Living with people means friendships happen faster and deeper because you’re together all the time.

 

I’ll miss the openness. People come from so many different places and have different perspectives, but they share the same values. I don’t think there are many places where people are so respectful and kind, but also willing to say what they think. The Shawnigan Journey is real; you learn so much from your peers, and you learn so much about yourself through your relationships with other people.

 

I’m going to miss the people the most. I’m most grateful for all the people who make Shawnigan what it is. Teachers, friends, and peers: everyone who lifts me up and supports me. Here, people actually care. Teachers don’t just listen because they have to. They listen because they want to know you. They don’t just care about how you turn out as a student, but how you turn out as a person.

 

That’s what I’m most grateful for: the people around me who have helped me grow.