MANA MATSUMOTO

Experience on another level

When Mana Matsumoto started at Pickering College in Grade 6, she had just moved to Canada from Japan.

“Coming to Pickering College was a big change for me,” Mana says. “It was a new country, it was a new school, new everything.”

She was nervous but once she started here, she found a welcoming and fun environment where she has been able to learn a lot and grow as a person. Now a Grade 8 student, Mana says Pickering College helped her reach a new level.

“I did go to an international school before, but being at Pickering College, it actually brought me to another level in terms of experience and speaking out more and just trying more things, and I think I got to reach a wider range of things than I probably would have been able to see if I stayed back at my international school,” she says.

Throughout her time in Middle School, Mana has become very involved. She is a member of student committee, was active in the robotics elective in the fall, spoke at UN Day this year, made it to provincials in a French poetry competition, and much more. Next year, Mana will be moving up to Senior School, joining her older sister Kayna who is currently in Grade 11. She said she’s excited about the change.

“I love that I get to do some more electives. I’m really looking into Spanish and vocal music and my sister is going to be there too, so I’m happy about that,” she said.