Category: PLP

What are some of your “unhealthy” habits? Maybe you spend a little too much time scrolling through your phone, skip out on fruits and vegetables, or struggle to stay active. In this project, my class and I explored the wide range of habits that affect our daily lives—and how we can use video to inspire positive change and encourage healthier living.

For my contribution, I focused on the importance of building a routine that’s both flexible and consistent. Over the past few months, I’ve followed a routine that has genuinely improved my well-being. It’s helped me feel more balanced, motivated, and in control—and I wanted to share that experience with others in hopes that it might encourage them to find a structure that works for them too.

The concept of my video centers around four key elements I incorporate into my daily routine: quality sleep, regular physical activity, a balanced diet, and adaptability. These areas are crucial for many people, and I aimed to show not only how they benefit me, but how they can be tailored to fit anyone’s lifestyle. Ultimately, my goal was to highlight that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. You know yourself best, and the routine that helps you thrive might look different from someone else’s. My video reflects that idea—inviting viewers to experiment, adapt, and create healthy habits that feel sustainable and empowering.

Creating the video was the easiest part of the process, thanks to the guidance from my workbook. With a clear plan in place, I collected the media I needed, wrote a script, and began piecing everything together. The voiceovers were a bit challenging—I found myself going back and forth on how I wanted to phrase certain things—but in the end, I produced a video I’m truly proud of. I hope that it not only reflects the effort I put in but also inspires others to consider adding more routine and structure to their own lives.

We can improve the health and wellness of ourselves and others by making intentional, sustainable lifestyle choices and creating environments that support well-being. This includes maintaining balanced routines with regular exercise, nutritious meals, quality sleep, and time for rest and reflection. Just as importantly, fostering open conversations about mental health, setting realistic goals, and encouraging one another through positive support can make a lasting impact. Small changes—like walking more, cooking at home, or taking screen breaks—can add up over time, and when we share these habits and uplift each other, we build a healthier community together.

William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet has endured for centuries, captivating audiences with its timeless themes of love, fate, and conflict. However, what happens when we take this classic tragedy and reinterpret it for a modern audience through parody? That’s precisely what our parody project aimed to explore—breathing new life into a legendary story by mixing humour and creativity to give the story a new and exciting touch. 

When we were first introduced to this assignment, I was over the moon. Hearing from the other class how much they enjoyed this project made me equally enthusiastic about starting it. From the beginning, our side goal was to make ours better, and I think we accomplished that. But before we could even think of crafting a story, we had to first learn about the one we were adapting.

To bring this project to life, we first immerse ourselves in the story as well as Shakespeare’s language, dissecting the poetic beauty and dramatic weight of the original text. Through reading the translation and acting it out in class, we examine all the ways differently people interpret the play, allowing us to form our creative vision. Alongside this analysis, we do some home learning and in-class discussions on the play, using literary elements and devices to support our arguments. Understanding the way Shakespeare painted a picture of Romeo and Juliet, helped us greatly as we transitioned into the brainstorming process. 

The creation of the idea and the creation processes of the story went hand in hand. Our class spent 2-3 class days bouncing idea after idea around, trying to land on the perfect theme for our parody. In the end, we decided on America vs Canada, where the two star-crossed lovers of the people in power fell in love. Everyone loved it, and when we got split into our acts, I immediately got to writing. It only took a week until we had a fully written script, and after a few run-throughs to make sure everyone was happy, we assigned roles and started memorizing. 

Before we knew it, performance day was here. In my opinion, it couldn’t have gone better. Sure, people messed up some lines or stage cues, but our script was funny, and we overall had a great time performing it. By using parody, we transformed a tragic love story into a comedic performance that still conveyed its central themes, proving that even centuries-old literature can feel fresh, relevant, and enjoyable today. Through humour, we highlighted the absurdity of conflicts based on loyalty and identity while making Romeo and Juliet more accessible to a modern audience. Our analysis of Shakespeare’s language, symbolism, and storyline helped shape our creative vision and allowed us to craft a script that balanced comedy with the play’s original themes. In the end, our performance demonstrated that parody can breathe new life into a classic, making it both entertaining and thought-provoking.

When I set out to create this podcast, I wanted to capture something deeply personal: the way New York City changed me. I knew the episodes had to be more than just a travelogue; they had to be a reflection of my journey—both physical and emotional. Through storytelling, I explored how the city deepened my family connections, inspired my creative passions, and ultimately solidified my dream of becoming a storyteller.

Choosing the content for the podcast was the easiest part. New York has been a transformative place for me, and the words came naturally. I structured my episodes around my two trips, focusing on the emotions they evoked, the challenges I faced, and the unforgettable moments that shaped my perspective. I wanted to make the audience feel like they were walking beside me—experiencing the bustling streets, savoring the food, and getting lost in the magic of Broadway. What was really the challenge was recording the podcasts. 

Creating the podcast came with its own set of challenges. On the good side, writing the script was incredibly fulfilling. I loved reliving my experiences and finding the right words to convey them. Recording, however, was another story. I quickly realized that speaking a script out loud is very different from writing it. What looked great on paper sometimes felt awkward when spoken, and I had to adjust my pacing and tone to make it sound natural. There were moments where I stumbled over words, struggled with the sound or had to re-record entire sections because they didn’t sound right. The perfectionist in me wanted to get everything just right, which made the editing process longer than expected.

Then there was the technical side of things. Editing audio was both frustrating and rewarding. Learning to balance sound effects, adjust volume levels, and cut out awkward pauses was a trial-and-error process. Using GarageBand was also a struggle, having only used it a few times before, but after a while, I got the hang of it. By the end, I felt like I had developed a new skill set—one that will definitely help me in future creative projects.

This podcast taught me a lot, not just about production, but about storytelling in a new medium. One of the biggest lessons I learned from this project is the importance of authenticity. The best moments in my podcast happened when I let go of perfection and spoke naturally, making the story feel more personal and engaging. Moving forward, I’ll focus more on finding a way to smoothly integrate my sounds better. Some of the effects were a bit abruptly placed, but it added a more authentic sound to my podcast. Most importantly, I learned that perfection isn’t the goal—emotion is. The small imperfections, the pauses, the unpolished moments—they add personality and make a story feel real. This podcast was just the beginning of my journey as a storyteller, and with every new project, I’ll carry these lessons with me, ready to create something even more meaningful next time.

Driving Question: How can I push myself out of my comfort zone to take more risks and achieve more depth in my learning?

These past 6 months have been a transitional phase in my identity as a student and learner. The jump between grade 9 & 10 is not an easy one, and it made me have to rethink what my strengths were, and adapt them to fit the new grades curriculum. It wasn’t easy, but having my Vision, Mission and Values helped me keep on track, and bring all that I had to my work. So for my mPOL this year, I want to reflect on each goal I set, and see if I’ve accomplished it, or if it’s something I should continue to strive towards accomplishing.

My first success behaviour/goal is agency. Agency is the behaviour I have always been most successful at. I put it on my VMV as a reminder to keep working on it, but I think I have fully put it in place in my everyday life as a student and teenager. It has helped me with numerous projects, like my Komagata Maru memorial to this years DI performance. From handing in work on time, to taking responsibility for my own learning and actions, to setting realistic goals, agency has helped me adapt to the whirlwinds of grade 10, and I will continue to use it as I go into grade 11.

My second success behavior, conduct, ethics, and integrity, has been instrumental in shaping my approach to my studies and interactions with others. Upholding strong ethical standards has allowed me to navigate the complexities of high school with a sense of purpose and accountability. By consistently prioritizing honesty and respect in my work, and take pride in creating something original and true to me. This commitment to integrity keeps me aligned with my Vision, Mission, and Values, ensuring that I remain true to myself and my aspirations. This is evident in my projects over these past months, such as my zine on the evolution of human rights, it has helped me write pieces that reflect my own voice, while also enhanced my understanding of the purpose of ethics and integrity. As I reflect on my journey, I recognize that maintaining this standard will be crucial for my continued growth and success in the future.

My last success behaviour, self regulation, is the goal I continue to work towards. I have gotten farther in it than where I was in grade 8, but I’m still striving for perfection. While I continue to set healthy boundaries between academic work and my personal life, I must also accept that it’s okay to have to take extra time on some things in order to maintain my goals and not cause emmense stress. Identifying sources of stress is also a work in progress, but hopefully by the end of my time at Seycove, I’ll have the skill of self regulation to keep me on track and less stressed as I enter university.

To push myself out of my comfort zone and take more risks in my learning, I can start by actively seeking opportunities that challenge my current skill set, such as finding more extracurricular activities that pique my interest. Embracing a growth mindset will allow me to view failures as valuable learning experiences, motivating me to take bigger risks without the fear of negative outcomes. Additionally, I can cultivate deeper connections with peers and mentors who inspire me to step outside my familiar routines and explore new perspectives. Finally, setting specific, measurable goals related to my learning can help me track my progress and celebrate milestones, reinforcing my commitment to continuous growth and exploration.

History is an important part of our culture and background in Canada. It shows us the life-changing inventions we created, the ways we helped our neighbouring countries, and how our ancestors evolved our own country into the booming economy it is today. But, it also shows us all of the mistakes and horrifying injustices we made along the way. And in this project, we dive deeper into the wrongdoings of Canada.

At the beginning of this project, we learned about the injustices minorities face in Canada. From Japanese Canadians to Punjabi immigrants, to Jewish people. We studied them and their hardships living in a new country and being treated like outsiders. Through our research, we discovered the systemic discrimination and barriers that these communities endured, often resulting in profound psychological and economic impacts. It became evident that acknowledging these injustices is crucial not only for healing but also for fostering a more inclusive society. As we move forward, we aim to amplify these voices and promote understanding, ensuring that the lessons of the past guide us toward a more equitable future.

The main part of the project is focusing on a specific wrongdoing and memorializing it. We were put in groups of 3 and picked an event to commemorate. My group picked the Komagata Maru, the ill-fated ship that became a symbol of racial discrimination in Canada. In 1914, the Komagata Maru, carrying 376 Sikh immigrants seeking refuge in Canada, was denied entry due to restrictive immigration laws and ultimately forced to return to India, where many faced violent reprisals. The incident stands as a reminder of the injustices faced by immigrants and the systemic barriers present in Canadian society at the time, prompting us to engage in a memorial process that honours the victims and educates future generations about the importance of inclusivity and justice.

The memorial process had many components. We first wrote a pitch, which was composed of things we would have in and around our memorial, as well as the symbolism behind it. It took some time to come to the finished pitch, and a lot of failed designs and ideas, but I’d like to say that we created a pitch that portrayed exactly what we wanted to show in our memorial, and it made the creation process so much easier.

Building the memorial was the hardest part of the project. Finding the materials, gathering supplies, and jumping right into the creation was difficult. Using clay as your foundation is not very easy, to use and to make look the way you want. We split the tasks up, so when one group member took the creation of the boat, one on the base and me on the flowers, it made the whole thing simpler in a way. Once everything was put together, the last step was to show our creation to the world.

The other half of the class came and saw all of our memorials, asking questions, and listening intently as we explained the history of these awful events. It was good to shed light on the injustices of our past, and by spreading awareness, made them less likely to repeat themselves in this generation. As well as educating the other half, we displayed our finalized memorials in the hallway, to show the whole school our understanding, as well as remind us what we came from, and how to avoid making the same mistakes. Through collaboration and perseverance, we were ultimately able to craft a meaningful tribute that reflects the resilience of those who suffered and serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of compassion and understanding in our society.

Apologies are kept alive by educating future generations, memorializing past injustices, and spreading awareness to ensure history is not forgotten or repeated. Learning about events like the Komagata Maru incident helps acknowledge past discrimination and fosters a more inclusive society. Memorials serve as lasting reminders of these wrongs, allowing people to reflect on their impact. By sharing stories, engaging in discussions, and actively recognizing historical injustices, we ensure that the lessons of the past guide us toward a more just and equitable future.

What do you want to be when you grow up? That question, one tiny, insignificant question is 95% guaranteed to give any grade 10 student immense stress. I had a hard time deciding what I was going to wear this morning, and you expect me to pick the career I will be stuck with my entire life? When my teachers asked my whole class one October morning, telling us that we were going to do a project around the idea of our future careers, I almost had a heart attack.

This specific project is unlike any other I’ve done in my 11 years of school, and it has helped solidify my confidence in pursuing journalism. Back in October, though, I wouldn’t have believed you if you told me this would be a fun project—let alone my favourite of the term. Yet, as I progressed through each step, I found myself more engaged and invested in the process.

The first step was creating a résumé, but not just any résumé—one that visually represented me and my brand. Unlike the standard black-and-white résumés I had made before, this one required thoughtful design elements, colours, and formatting that made it stand out. I went through multiple rounds of revisions, tweaking everything from the layout to the wording to ensure it was polished and professional. When I was finished, it was something that became a representation of myself on a professional front and something I could see myself using in the future. Though it was a challenge, I was incredibly proud of the final product.

At the same time, I was also designing a business card, which turned out to be ten times more difficult. Every time I submitted a version, my teachers sent it back with feedback, telling me it didn’t truly capture who I was. After eight different attempts—each one refining my brand further—I finally created a design that felt like me. It had elements of writing, and newspapers, and brought my journalism aspirations together to create a card completely different from anything I’ve seen before. Once it was approved, I incorporated some of those same elements into my résumé to ensure consistency and cohesion. With those pieces complete, I moved on to the next big task: my booth design.

The booth design required us to include interactive elements and personal objects that reflected our interests and hobbies. I carefully planned mine out, sketching a layout that included my favourite books as conversation starters, a poster board made of news articles to highlight my passion for journalism, and candy canes as a snack component to make my table more inviting. Once my plan was approved, I was ready for the final and most exciting step: the Winter Exhibition.

The exhibition this year was like no other I’ve experienced. I had people come up to me, interested in my booth and career aspirations, and listened as I shared the things I was passionate about. At the last moment, I grabbed some of my records and cd’s from home, to bring more of my personality into the booth, and they were a big hit. I met so many new people who helped guide me through parts of journalism I didn’t even know existed, solidifying my passion even more. I got to talk about one of my favourite things to new people and learn new things that can help benefit me and my future, and I was very grateful for this opportunity. 

Throughout this project, I discovered many ways to present my passions, strengths, and learning to the world. My résumé was the first step—not just a list of experiences, but a visually engaging reflection of who I am. After multiple revisions, I created something I was truly proud of. Designing my business card was even more challenging, as my teachers pushed me to refine it until it truly represented me. After eight attempts, I finally got it right and even incorporated its design elements into my résumé to create a cohesive personal brand. My booth design allowed me to showcase my interests in a creative, interactive way, featuring my favourite books as conversation starters, a journalism-themed poster board, and candy canes to make my space inviting. Seeing everything come together made me realize that presenting myself to the world is more than just words on a page—it’s about creativity, refinement, and finding the best way to showcase who I am.

World War II marked a significant turning point in human history, ushering in both profound advancements and devastating consequences. And in our last project, we discussed how those effects changed the evolution of Canadian society.

At the beginning of the project, when it was first introduced, we were told the entire plan. Our essays based on the driving question (What role did the conflict of WWII play in shaping Canadian identity?), would be turned into a Zine, that would be shared with both the Lynn Valley Legion & the Juno Beach Centre in France. At first thought, it seemed like a normal WW2 project, but the more we worked on it, the more it became something much more, and it started with our service project.

In the Second World War, Canadians were recognized for their service in Europe, fighting against the Nazis. In typical fashion, we as Canadians wanted to immerse ourselves in the project, so all of our grade 10’s did a service project. We had to provide a service to someone or something in need, and a sponsor would donate $10 to us to put towards buying the Legion a Canadian Flag from the Juno Beach Centre. A few classmates and I decided to clean up the beach. The act is not only a reflection on Canadian identity and how we prioritize environmental care, we also show a sense of unity through our actions.

Next, we worked on some Smart Brevity notes. Smart Brevity is a type of note-taking that helps readers along with yourself understand the important aspects and points of a topic with very little effort. We researched 5 topics, each corresponding with an event or evolution that had occurred in Canada. Then, when we recorded information on all 5, we were told to choose one topic that was historically relevant to Canada and create a Smart Brevity document. The topic that caught my eye was human rights in Canada, a topic I’ve always found interesting, and decided to write about that. The completion of my Smart Brevity note is what led us right into the biggest part of the project; the essay. 

Evolution of Human Rights Smart Brevity

The essay, in every assignment, proves to be the most difficult. Continuing with my topic on the evolution of human rights, I transformed my Smart Brevity into research topics and tidbits of information to include. The research and writing proved to be difficult, as I had to pair down an abundance of history into 5 paragraphs, but in the end, I finished with a essay I was proud of. The hardest part of the whole process was putting everything into MLA format, which was just introduced to us at the start of the essay-writing phase. I’ve never done something like it before, so it was very frustrating at first. But, eventually I got the idea of it, and by the end, was able to add another skill to my learner toolbox.

The last step in this WWII project was arguably my favourite; turing our essays into a Zine. Something about knowing that people overseas were going to read your work, adds another layer of stress to the whole thing. Luckily, my essay proved to be somewhat easy to transfer into the template Mrs. McWilliams gave us. I’d never heard of zines before this project, but the more I worked on it, the more I found them to be more enjoyable. I added pictures to correspond with the paragraphs, my essay, and the sources, and just like that, my essay was transformed into something of a story. This whole proses taught me a lot, and I’m hoping the people at the Lynn Valley Leigon & the Juno Beach Centre like our class Zine as much as I do!

World War II played a pivotal role in shaping Canadian identity, influencing various aspects of society that continue to resonate today. The conflict not only enabled Canada to emerge as a significant player on the international stage but also fostered a sense of national unity and pride among Canadians. As they fought against the Nazi regime in Europe, Canadians were recognized for their bravery and sacrifice, which contributed to a collective identity centred on values such as peace, freedom, and democracy. Through acts of service, like cleaning up beaches or honouring veterans, we alongside others demonstrated commitment to our communities and environment—further reinforcing the Canadian culture. Additionally, the war catalyzed critical discussions around human rights and social justice, laying the groundwork for further advancements in equality and civil liberties in Canada. Ultimately, the experiences of World War II not only forged a stronger national identity but also instilled a deep commitment to humanitarian principles, shaping the cultural fabric of Canada for generations to come.

“How can small changes in my habits shape my success this year, and beyond?”

If you wanted to create a habit for yourself, how would you go about doing it? Would you plan out all the steps? Would you find a friend with the same goal to help? Or would you start your habit and pray that your motivation would last long enough for you to keep going? Well, what if I told you there’s a way to help you continue your habit, without it feeling like a chore?

For the past few months in PGP, we have been studying what makes & brakes healthy habits, and how to continue them even when not motivated to. It started by reading Atomic Habits, a book by James Clear that teaches all ages how to make functional habits by making small changes in our day-to-day lives. But before we read the book, we were tasked with creating pop art photos that reflected our learning intention for the year. We had to take a photo of ourselves, edit it, and add symbols that would represent said intention. I wanted to focus on my time management, as my schedule this year is quite packed. I wanted it to show all the different aspects of my life that I had to balance, and my learning intention statement represented just that. This beginning task helped me understand the context of the task we were about to indulge in, and hopefully help me set this goal into place.

There were a lot of key takeaways from Atomic Habits, but there were a couple that helped me understand why and how to create a truly good habit. The reading for us was split into 4 segments and was primarily focused on 1 of the 4 laws James mentions in his book. The 4 laws are to make it obvious, make it attractive, make it easy, and make it satisfying. The book was split into those 4 sections, with the chapters inside corresponding with the law and showing us a new tactic to help achieve that part of the habit. If you follow these laws when creating a new habit, you are more likely to stick to it and see success in the long run. He also talked about how to use the habit loop, cue, craving, response & reward, to build a new habit. Identifying the habit loop in your new goal can help you build things that will act as a reminder to put the habit in motion. These ideas helped me understand how to create a habit I could use for my entire life, and also helped me with the creation of my artifact!

For our end product of this project, we had to use what we learned from Atomic Habits and create an artifact unique to you that represents it. My classmates chose an array of different end products, each portraying the information we learned from the book, but I wanted mine to be something that would help me achieve my intention for the year, time management, so I created the one thing I knew would help me the most, a schedule. Every day was planned out with the order of classes, homework due that day, and any extracurricular activities that would take place. It took me a long time, as I had to put every single detail and item into the schedule, but when I was finished, the product looked great.

I showcased my artifact to my parents at the PrePOL, showing them it while explaining all the different concepts I included. I used the 4 laws in it, I made it obvious was having the entire day planned out, and I made it attractive by making it visually appealing with icons and colour. I made it easy by being able to go into the app and see what was next, and I made it satisfying by being able to check off every task when finished. I am very proud of it and have been using it ever since the PrePOL to keep track of everything going on in my life. It has helped me not only keep on top of my learning intention for the year but also help put James Clear’s ideologies into place in my daily routine, which has helped me immensely. 

In conclusion, small changes in our habits can greatly shape our success not only this year but beyond. By following the principles outlined in Atomic Habits by James Clear, we can create functional habits that become ingrained in our daily lives. By utilizing tactics such as the 4 laws, habit loop and the two-minute rule, we can effectively create habits that will stick and lead to long-term success. By incorporating these strategies into our daily routines and creating artifacts that represent our intentions, we can make significant progress towards achieving our goals and ultimately shaping our success for the future.

“Why does the world need more Canada? We are a great country, with a strong government and beautiful environments, but what aspects do we have that other countries could greatly benefit from?” 

This question, our driving question, was asked to us at the beginning of the year. At first thought, people could say many things such as our government, our nature, and our immigration system. While these are important, they only touch the surface of what Canada has to offer. Throughout this project, we dived deeper into exploring why the world truly needs more Canada. 

At the start of this unit, our teachers thought the best introduction to the project would be to show the class some advantages and disadvantages of Canadian society, and would do so through The National. The National is a Canadian-wide televised news network that discusses and reports on major and current events daily. We were all tasked with watching it every night, as well as participating in Thinking Thursday, where we head to learn about a specific current event, connect it to the driving question, and present it to our peers on our allotted day. I was assigned the first Thursday, so I spent my week researching and writing about my topic, “B.C implements new guidelines to help protect bears across the province.” Doing this activity as a precursor to the multi-paragraph composition, helped me get a full grasp of what the teachers are asking of us to consider for this project. 

The next step in the project was in my opinion, the most beneficial part of the whole learning process. We spent many days as a class in split classes, one teacher teaching us how analyzing Canadian literature for allegories and concise arguments could benefit us in our essays, whereas the other taught us about Canada’s presence on the world stage. It was really difficult at first trying to find the hidden meaning behind stories while studying about Canada in the UN, NATO and NORAD. It helped me understand how to identify the underlying messages in a piece of literature, and be able to connect it to different topics, as well as supply information on Canada for my multi-paragraph composition, which was the end product of this unit.

The hardest part of this project by far was indeed the multi-paragraph composition. Before we could start writing it though, we had to pick a topic that shows how Canada has helped them in the past. I was racking my brain trying to come up with a topic, but when I considered what I cared enough about to write an essay that fit the criteria, only one thing came to mind. I quickly jumped into my research, reading and analyzing anything to do with Canada’s support of Ukraine. Canada has the biggest Ukrainian immigrant population, and my father has been one of them since he immigrated in 1979, so this topic was personal. It wasn’t difficult to find the information but to format it in a clear, concise and clever way, that was the issue. I must have written about 6 different drafts, but every time I thought I had completed the “perfect” draft, I found a flaw in it that ultimately made me start to rewrite that part. After what seemed like hours of writing, corrections and editing, I ended up with an end product I was very pleased with and was happy that the only hard part was over. But I was wrong.

This project flowed between Humanities and Maker, so we had some overlap during the middle of the project. Once we had finished our multi-paragraph composition, we had the task of turning it into a podcast script. The podcast was mainly maker-focused, but the manufacturing of the script and the creation of the podcast were equally as difficult as the essay. I had to pair down so much information for it to all fit in 5 minutes, including time for a brief interview with my dad, and the problems didn’t stop there. After it was recorded, I had to pair the interview and information even more to make sure it was interesting, informative & fit the time frame. After hours of staring at my iPad fixing audio files, I was finally finished and ready to hand in. This project was possibly one of the most challenging ones I’ve ever been tasked with, but the skills and information I’ve learned through it are things I can use to make other assignments easier, and I wouldn’t trade that for an “easy” project any day.

In conclusion, the world needs more Canada for a multitude of reasons. Not only does Canada have a strong government, beautiful environments, and a welcoming immigration system, but it also has a rich history of supporting and helping others on the world stage. Through exploring Canadian literature, current events, and personal connections, we discovered the importance of Canada’s global presence and impact. From protecting wildlife in British Columbia to supporting Ukraine, Canada has shown time and time again that it is a valuable ally and leader in making positive change in the world. By embracing the values and lessons that Canada has to offer, we can work together to create a more compassionate, inclusive, and supportive global community. Let’s strive to embody the spirit of Canada in our own lives and actions, making the world a better place for all.

World War One was one of the bloodiest, deadliest wars that killed millions and injured way more. It caused mass destruction across the entirety of Europe and has been a key factor in Canadian history. During WWI, Canada played a significant role as a member of the Allied Powers. The war had a lasting impact on Canada, shaping the country and its identity in ways that are still evident today. From the sacrifices made by Canadian soldiers on the battlefield to the changes in Canadian society and economy, the effects of WWI can still be felt in Canada a century later. This was the topic of the grade 9 exhibition this year, so join me as I take you through the different stages of creating it.

After our Nationalism project, we swiftly moved into what would be the highlight of our grade’s exhibition, World War 1 Comic Books. When first introduced to this project, I thought it would be an easy, fun, end-of-year assignment, but boy was I wrong. The instructions were to make a WW1 comic book about a battle/event that had taken place, with full details and everything. It was a tracing assignment, so in my mind that meant less drawing time, but I decided that I was going to go the extra mile, I was going to freehand draw the entire thing! Am I good at drawing? No. Because I had a stellar idea? Somewhat. Because I like to make things challenging for myself. Absolutely. We had to create storyboards before we could start drawing our good copy, so as soon as it was announced, I got started drawing. 

My story is about the last day of the war, November 11th, 1918, and is told through 3 different points of view. So not only had I decided to freehand the entire thing, but I had also decided to at 17 more panels than suggested. I realized that I was digging myself into a hole I wasn’t sure if I could get out of, but I had to try. And the moment I finished the storyboards, I jumped head-first into the comic. The rest of the time prior to exhibition was a blur. I only had a week and a half to create my comic, and that had me feeling stressed, using any free time I had to draw. I would stay up late on many occasions to draw, and before I knew it, the dreaded day had arrived.

 To say exhibition day was chaotic would be an understatement. All the grade 9’s were instructed to meet in the cafeteria at 3:15, and we quickly came to the conclusion that no one knew what the plan was after. Because we spent all our time on our comics, we didn’t really think about the decor or anything. We all frantically ran around for the next hour and a half trying to organize ourselves. The comics came at 4pm, and everyone dropped everything and excitedly gathered around Miss Madsen to collect them, but mine wasn’t there. The printers didn’t print mine, and that made me freak out. Since I was the only one doing my topic, I was lone in a group, and if I had no comic then why was I even here?! But thankfully Mr. Harris came in clutch and printed out the forgotten comics, and at 5pm, the doors opened, and the presenting started!

In the end, all the stress, late nights, and chaos of exhibition day were worth it. Seeing all the hard work and creativity of my classmates showcased in one room was truly inspiring. Despite the challenges and setbacks, we all came together to create something truly special. The experience of creating my World War 1 comic book taught me the value of perseverance and determination. It showed me that even when things seem impossible, with hard work and dedication, anything is achievable. The lessons learned and memories made during this exhibition will stay with me for a long time. So, here’s to overcoming obstacles, pushing through challenges, and coming out stronger on the other side. Cheers to a successful exhibition and all the growth and learning that came with it!