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This I Believe
Always an emotional event as students share their raw feelings in front of their classmates, this year’s “This I Believe” evening of speeches in the Chapel was especially poignant as it marked the final English Department event for Mrs. Cari Bell, who first brought the program to our School and is retiring at the end of this school year.
On Tuesday evening, Grade 12s gathered for the annual evening of speeches in the Chapel. Inspired by the 1950s radio series by the same name, “This I Believe” sees representatives from each English 12 class present short speeches, which were originally given to their classes. The speakers on Tuesday were nominated by their classmates to speak at the evening event — a private experience shared only by the Grade 12 class and invited teachers.
Tones could be anything: serious and reflective, humorous, heart-warming, or harrowing, and topics ranged from family and support systems to cross country running and bidding farewell to the School.
“There were moments of grief, humour, uncertainty, and celebration,” said English teacher Ms. Stephanie Brown, who organized the evening of speeches. “In planning this event for my first time, this was everything I had hoped for.”
The event was followed by an outdoor reception in the Quad, complete with s’mores.
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.
