Academics
SOUL Seeking: Poetry anthology
For his SOUL Seeking project, Grade 12 student Justin V. is creating an anthology of personal poems about mental health.
“Entering Shawnigan as a new Grade 12 student came with a lot of new challenges and opportunities. One of these challenges is to create an AP Capstone project along with balancing six courses, fine art, and hockey. I’m taking two English academics this year, English Studies 12 and Creative Writing, as well as the Poetry Club 360.
Working with Mr. Chant, Mr. Connolly, and Mrs. Edgson has been amazing. They are always willing to support me by giving their effort to see my improvement. So when I thought about beginning a SOUL project, I wanted it to be something that resembled who I truly am. This drove me towards poetry. Poetry has been an important part of my growth as it gives me the outlet and ability to express art through language. So many of us are dealing with something, and it’s about finding that piece that works for you in dealing with it. That’s why mental health is the main focus for my poetry collection, finding inspiration in the experiences I have lived and struggled with personally, along with what I see around me every day.
My SOUL Seeking time is mostly finding a space that I can write in, usually alone and quiet. This helps me relax and get away from the busy everyday life of being a student at Shawnigan. The best part about my Capstone project is that it's not something that I will have to be “done” by the end of the year and never touch again. It's something that I will continue to explore, edit, and add to for as long as I can see in my future.”
We acknowledge with respect the Coast Salish Peoples on whose traditional lands and waterways we live, learn and play. We are grateful for the opportunity to share in this beautiful region, and we aspire to healthy and respectful relationships with those who have lived on and cared for these lands for millennia.
Shawnigan Lake School is an independent co-educational boarding school for ages 13 –18 on Canada’s beautiful West Coast. Our diverse, interdisciplinary and innovative programming helps shape the next generation of global leaders.
