Sasha Tong '26

And the conversations that you have. There are people whose yearbooks I won’t even write in because I know that I'm never going to stop talking to them. I've made lifelong friendships here. I'm going to miss the staff a lot, too. You basically live together with so many of the staff here. They're not just teachers; they're mentors – they're obviously not peers, but they're more than teachers. They're like a figure in your life that you can turn to for things outside of school.

 

Our family has always been regular visitors to Canada because we grew up skiing in Whistler, so we were familiar with Canada, and we love it a lot. It was the end of middle school for me and the end of Grade 10 for my sister when my dad said, "Let's look at some schools in Canada." When my sister and I looked at Shawnigan, we said, "Oh my God, this is beautiful!" We saw the campus, we saw the facilities, we saw the nature.

 

When we walked in, we were just in awe. It was even better than the virtual tour; we saw it on screen, but seeing it in real life, we were blown away. When we met people like the student Co-Heads of School and staff members, we were amazed by how everyone was so kind and accommodating.

 

I had a lot of fun doing the things that the School provided. I was able to explore so many things at Shawnigan, like finding music, like joining the band. That was a huge moment for me. I had never been in a band before that; I had never even played with anyone else. There are opportunities to try different things, and it's also in a school environment, so it's safer because you know there are people to help you.

 

My first time performing was at the Night of Dance when I was in Grade 9, and no one really knew me as a dancer. But in Grade 10, I walked out and people knew I could dance, and then I heard people like, whispering my name when I went on stage, and then they all started cheering. That changed my life. Hearing people cheer for me, it's such a narcissistic thing to say, but that flipped something in my brain. I thought, "I love performing, and I want to give these people the best show I can, and I want to share my passion and my effort with these people because they're here. They're not here to judge, they're here to see me."

 

My first time singing alone was this year in Chapel, and the number of positive things I heard was life-changing. Hearing people that I look up to say kind things about me was amazing; the community is so good here. There really is a sense of belonging, and it's not like I'm judged for following my passions. People aren't going to discourage you, and the staff is always there to support you as well.

 

I don't think I can overemphasize the community, the social aspect of Shawnigan, how great it is to always have someone. Obviously, at times, especially at the beginning, it is hard not to have your own time alone, but it's so awesome to be able to always have a friend. You can just walk to Marion Hall, for example, and then you'll see someone, and ask, "Can I sit with you?" And they'll say, "Yeah!" And you have a great conversation. You're just never alone.

 

And Groves’ House – I love Groves’ so much! The House is so supportive and everyone's there for you. I've been able to connect with so many people I never would have seen myself talking to at one point. You don't find yourself ostracized at Shawnigan. Everyone has the opportunity to be themselves, and I think that's really important.

 

I am grateful I came in Grade 9, because I think the people who come to Shawnigan later don't really have an adjustment period. I needed that adjustment period, and I'm super grateful because it allowed me to enjoy my senior year so much more: adjusting to the social aspect, and being with people all the time, and some culture shock. I'm very grateful to have come when I did.

 

I'm really grateful that I went to boarding school because although you're away from home, so you do have a little bit of independence, you're still taken care of. There's still sign-ins, there's check-ins. There are still people with you, and you're not alone and just thrown into this wild place. As much of a cliché as it is, you really are somewhere where you can be independent without being reckless. It's a very important balance to strike when you're growing up.