Spirit Magazine - Summer 2012 'The World Outside the Classroom'

SPIRIT COMMUNITY MAGAZINE SOUTHRIDGE SCHOOL

Summer 12/ Issue 28

The World Outside the

Classroom

Inside this Issue Surrey and Vancouver . . . . . . . . . . . . Pgs 2-3 UBC and Galiano Island . . . . . . . . . . Pgs 4-5 Around BC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pgs 6-7 California, Ottawa and Quebec . . . . . Pgs 8-9 Halifax, Cuba and France . . . . . . Pgs 10-11 Spain and Scotland . . . . . . . . . . Pgs 12-13 Australia and Alumni News . . . . . . Pgs 14-15

surrey and vancouver Surrey Law Courts After learning about the Canadian judicial system the Grade 11s were more than excited for our field trip to the law courts. Upon arrival the rules and regulations of the courts were explained: basically, no cell phones, no running and no more than three students per case.

Before we could roam around and watch the various trials that were happening that day we had a question period with a judge. The judge was more than enthusiastic about her job; explaining her role and the difficulties she faces when making her decisions. The question period was very informative and interesting but towards the end we were just itching to get into a courtroom and see for ourselves. The first few cases I attended dealt with theft and fraud, one involving a minor who stole from a liquor store and the other a more elaborate fraud scheme that amounted to $10-15,000. It was really interesting to watch these individuals represent themselves in these cases and the effect it had on the judge in comparison to the strategic manner with which a lawyer presents a case. The first cases, although interesting, were nothing in comparison to the trial that we watched in the afternoon in a section of the court where we had to go through a secondary metal detector due to the trial that we were about to watch: R v. Bacon. A dramatic double take was required for me to realize that the pre-trial of Jarrod Bacon was happening the day our grade was at the law courts. The rule of maximum three students was lifted as the entire grade shuffled into the courtroom. We waited anxiously to see the man that was constantly making headlines for his notorious gang affiliations and crime sprees. The plexiglass that separated us from him was not enough to stifle the shivers that ran down our spines as he walked into the courtroom. We watched his stone cold face glance around the room to register the 66 students. Never have we been so still or quiet than as we sat and watched this trial.

This field trip is one that will resonate with me for a long time, mostly because it was such a cool experience considering I want to be a lawyer, but also because I will never forget making eye contact with Jarrod Bacon. - Kiran Mangat (Grade 12)

World Religions Field Trip Before travelling to each place of worship, I thought that each holy place would be completely different. Despite the clear differences in appearance, it was interesting to find out that all the places of worship had the same sacred and friendly environment. The people we met on the trip were welcoming and

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knowledgeable about their own spiritual values. They seemed happy to educate us about their beliefs, but they also allowed us to think freely about what we personally believe in. I am not particularly religious, so this trip helped me to understand how important religion is to many people. - Jessy Sidhu (Grade 8) I really enjoyed the world religions field trip because it gave me an opportunity to learn about other religions. Normally when we learn about the different places of worship, we hear about them but seeing the inside in person was a whole different experience. It was an experience you know you would not get otherwise; parents do not normally take you to places of worship other than your own religion’s. This field trip gave me an experience, of how other places of worship function and how they work altogether. Like they say, some people are visual learners and by seeing the inside of these places of worship we really got the opportunity to understand and see how that religion worships their Supreme Power.

- Simrat Dial (Grade 8)

Playland Whoosh! The train cars on the wooden roller coaster rush by, followed by the screams of the passengers. I’m sitting on the sideline, noting the potential energy building as the coaster climbs the hill, and the stream of kinetic energy released on the way down. During my field trip to Playland, science was obvious in every ride and attraction.

Of course, there are some required duties that you must fulfill upon arrival in the park. My class and I sampled the mini doughnuts, rode rides, and screamed in haunted houses. However, the main focus of the field trip to Playland was to teach us about how physics is used in theme parks. To do this, we were given booklets explaining concepts, and worksheets we could complete to apply this information.

Field trips make the connection between the classroom and real life. I remember learning about energy in the science lab; many of my peers groaned and complained of the lesson being boring. However, when you show students how this can be applied outside of school, this information becomes excit-

surrey and vancouver ing and very, very important. By incorporating school subjects, field trips provide memorable fun as well as valuable learning experiences. - Taylor Sidhu (Grade 7)

Chinatown Going to Chinatown was a great experience! I loved experiencing the life of a Chinese scholar by walking through the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Gardens, a magnificent display of their homes.

Learning to play the traditional Chinese game of featherhack was a great new take on the traditional American game of hacky-sack. The most intriguing of all during the trip was the walking tour, where we were taken around a couple of blocks of Chinatown, learning about the culture and history of Chinese immigration to Vancouver. Had I walked around the place by myself, I would never have been able to pick out the specific buildings of historical significance. I particularly enjoyed learning about the world’s thinnest building. Topping things off with traditional Chinese food was a perfect way to finish this amazing field trip. - Jaren Wong (Grade 10)

but my favourite part was the tour of the garden. We were lucky that it was sunny that day, because it really accented the beauty and elegance of the garden. What I found most interesting was the intricate symbolism within. Just when we thought that we had seen all there was to see, our guide would point out yet another detail that we had taken for granted. It was really neat to see how someone not only of the past, but of a different culture, would live. All in all, I came home with a brain and stomach full of new experiences!

- Cassia Armstrong (Grade 10)

Vancouver Aquarium I really liked going to the Aquarium. It was a fun time where we got to see different animals for our science unit “who is killing the Fish?” The part that I enjoyed the most was seeing the animals in the Amazon part of the Aquarium and the 4-D experience of Happy Feet. I think that this field trip was one of my best field trips that I have been on!

- Dhruv Natha (Grade 7) In April our Grade 7 class had the opportunity to go to the Vancouver Aquarium on a field trip for science and French.

When we first arrived, I had a chance to walk around and see all of the fish and animals that were there, and to learn more about each one. I also attended a fifteen minute version of Happy Feet in 4-D, which was a great experience. This show included the full effects of wind on my back and feet, bubbles falling from the ceiling, water being sprayed in my face, and a seat that moved. Then I saw a beluga whale show, and I had the opportunity to take part in some labs. The labs were absolutely my favourite part. Here I was able to touch a sea anemone, a sea urchin, a hermit crab, a sea star, a sea slug, a Californian sea cucumber, and a clam. These amazing creatures all felt unique, and I enjoyed this experience very much.

The instructor dissected a baby squid for us, so that we could see what they looked like on the inside. I not only got to learn so many new things this day, but I also experienced things that I had never done before. This was an incredible field trip and one that I will always remember. - Kyla Davies (Grade 7)

After learning about British Columbia’s development and the history of immigration, including that of the Chinese, to our province, a trip to Vancouver’s Chinatown was a great way to wrap up the unit. In Chinatown, the Grade 10s partook in a walking tour of the area, a tour of the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Gardens, a game of traditional featherhack and a Chinese lunch at the Jade Dynasty. My favourite part of the trip was the walking tour. I have been to Chinatown many times, but I have never had the chance to learn about its history. I enjoyed learning about the history of the different buildings as well as what life was like ‘back in the day’.

- Shelby Raeburn (Grade 10) I had a great time in Chinatown! We were able to walk through both history and modern culture, tying in and experiencing what we’ve read about in class, as well as learning new things. Every aspect of the field trip was extremely interesting.

I really enjoyed getting to explore the town through the walking tour and learning about the stories behind each structure, playing an ancient Chinese game, and trying out new foods,

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UBC and galiano island The Canopy Walkway is an excellent place to learn how to respect the forest around us. With a lightweight ground and no nails or pins poking inside of the tree instead of harming the forest you are respecting how important it really is. Along the way you will have a tour guide and will have a blast walking on suspension bridges. There are even field trips from the age of Kindergarten. I hope you will be adventurous and visit this attraction. - Maya Kobylanski (Grade 4) The bridge is held up by a rope that is in an intricate pattern.

This works like a Chinese finger trap: the more you pull the tighter it gets and there are absolutely no nails digging into the tree. Don’t believe me - go see for yourself at the UBC Botanical Garden. - Graeme Lister (Grade 4)

Nitobe Memorial Gardens

UBC Canopy Walk We need to appreciate the forest to ensure that it is there for years and years. One of the ways to appreciate the forest is to go on walks in the forest. My group and I went on this amazing canopy walk with a tour guide. We learned many things about how the forest works and all the different types of trees. Our tour guide mentioned that one of the main reasons to appreciate the forest was to make sure it is there for our grandchildren. We want our forest to be there when we are older because it helps us. - Julia Thind (Grade 4)

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Nitobe Gardens was incredible. I loved how it was the path of life and you could make decisions on where you go and if you end up on a dead end you can reflect and then try again.

The tea was bitter but I drank it all so I wasn’t rude. The gardens were beautiful too! Everything seemed to be intertwined through the circle of life and that’s what the garden is all about. I like how all the lanterns represent different stages in your life. Overall, I loved this field trip.

- Molly Maguire (Grade 6) This was the first time I went to a Japanese garden and the first time I ate Japanese food (sushi). I also was able to participate in a traditional Japanese tea ceremony. And we took a tour of the gardens, which I thought was really neat. This was a very enjoyable field trip and I would like to go here again on my own time. - Rohin Sandhu (Grade 6) I learned a lot about Japanese culture and their attitude towards nature. We also participated in a traditional Japanese

UBC and galiano island Galiano Island

tea ceremony. We also went to the Kamei Royale restaurant and had a traditional Japanese bento box. I really liked this field trip because I felt like I was a part of the culture when I was there. - Taj Grewal (Grade 6) Nitobe Gardens was an incredible field trip. Once we entered the garden I was amazed. The garden was beautiful. I especially liked the turtle shaped island. There were lanterns and each lantern symbolized a part of life. The turtle shaped island was made because turtles symbolize immortality to the Japanese. Nitobe Gardens was one of my favourite field trips that I will never forget. - Esha Gill (Grade 6)

When the majority of people here in south Surrey think about British Columbia, they think of their homes, or the beach, maybe some forests, or the skyscrapers of Vancouver, but to me, that is not British Columbia. A while back, a group of five Grade 10 students, including me, and four Grade 9 students along with an exchange student from India went to see the real British Columbia in the form of Galiano Island. The ten of us went along with Ms. Szymczak and Ms. Beer for a weekend bike and kayak trip along BC’s beautiful coastline, away from the buildings, the computers, iPods, phones, all of that.

We were straight camping and cooking our own food, and entertaining ourselves with Frisbees, and footballs. The biking was tough, but it was well worth it for the views of the small island. One of the days we biked to a point called Bluff Peak which had a wonderful view of some of the other Gulf Islands and the ferry routes, and to be honest, I could have sat up there all day. The view was breathtaking, and everywhere you looked there was always something to see, something to look at, or something to provoke thought. I think for us, the experience from this trip was to rekindle our love for the outdoors of British Columbia and to really appreciate where we live and the beauty around us. It is always good to learn to look past the cities and see the beauty of what British Columbia really is.

- Alan Madsen (Grade 10)

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around bc Sea to Sky Outdoor School When we went to Sea to Sky Outdoor School I gained a lot of knowledge about the earth. The most challenging part was the rain because we had to do all of our activities in the rain.

The most exciting part was the polar dipping because it was like the coldest water ever.

- Jayda Anderson (Grade 4) I feel the most challenging part was hiking while it was pouring down with rain! I solved it by wearing rain gear and by just having fun!

The most exciting part was probably sleeping in the cabins! It was like a huge sleepover!

- Syra Aujla (Grade 4) The field trip was just awesome. The only un-exciting part was sleeping. I did lots of things I had never done in my life. The coolest fact I learned is that slugs have 27,000 teeth!

- Gene Chen (Grade 4) I liked going back home because it is just plain fun to see your parents look surprised that you know more than they do.

- Erin Kwak (Grade 4) The most exciting part of the trip was going canoeing. I was a risk-taker because I haven’t gone in a canoe before. The canoe ride was so fun but I thought we were going to tip over.

- Rhea Sidhu (Grade 4) The most challenging part of Sea to Sky was when my group went to the beach and made art with natural items that come from the ground. It was so hard to have an idea without a problem like crabs everywhere. I solved it by putting our art in the water but after us talking about it, it floated away when we weren’t looking and then it was gone.

The good thing was when Ms. Raber took a picture. We used creativity for that problem. Olivia Tones-Svendsen (Grade 4) The other challenging thing was drying our socks by using the heater but some of the socks burned up, but we used creativity and figured a way of drying our socks without burning them! - Eva Lofing (Grade 4)

Camp Summit In September, we went to Camp Summit in Squamish. It was an outdoor camp, which included activities like rock climbing, canoeing, mountain biking, going for walks, learning about

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nature, and playing sports like volleyball and soccer in our free time. Camp Summit was a great camp because it was a very fun and educational experience. I would definitely go again! - Jacqueline Mrakuzic (Grade 7) Camp was a really unforgettable experience for me. This is my first year at Southridge, and camp was a great way to start off the year. The entire Grade 7 went to camp Summit for four days in September. This really helped with making friends and having fun to start the year. It was so great to do all of these fun activities outdoors, and the leaders at the camp were really great and outgoing. They always strived to make it the best experience for us, and they made it a very memorable camp trip.

I love to be outdoors, and this was a really enjoyable experience. We sang songs, told stories, and did high-ropes, rock-climbing, archery, and much more. This was my favourite school field trip this year, and really, ever! This really brightened my experience at Southridge and I have great memories from camp!

- Amy Doerksen (Grade 7)

Bamfield Experience Home of the 200 marine biologists, fishermen and naturelovers, Bamfield, BC is the place to be, where the love of the land and water is valuably appreciated. With my feet dangling off the dock and a paintbrush in my hand, I was in the utmost serene solitude of Bamfield, British Columbia. Sitting in the middle between the sea and land, I was confused and drawn by my senses to where I wanted to explore. The sun’s beams placed along the bare blue sky reflected off the ocean’s water, sparkling along the island as I began painting the beautiful scenery I was surrounded by. The sailboats lay moored to the docks with ropes and anchors while the fishermen were at work. Purple starfish along the bare rocks on the shore were like little touches of embellishment, decorating Bamfield’s beautiful waters. Across the water was a bundle of cottages, surrounded by great, big, tall trees, framing each individual home as I continued to paint more components into my picture.

Light brushstrokes painted along my paper, embracing the innocence and peace of Bamfield’s little town, incorporated with bright greens and blues to illustrate the nature quality of this place. The green gardens were found along every cottage I set my eyes on; vivid green grass sprung out of the ground, as speckled pops of colour became the delicate petals of flowers, adding to my masterpiece as I was close to completing. As my last final touches were placed on my painting, the beauty of Bamfield was the only thought in my mind. Never have I been able to be surrounded by such peace, wonder and beauty — where the sky is always blue, sun is always shining, and the environment is ever so green and striking.

- Stevia Hatzikiakos (Grade 12)

around bc Canoe Trip At the end of September, a couple of my peers and I travelled to Quadra Island on a canoe trip for two nights, three days.

Fortunately, the weather was lovely, and we did not face any

on our rain gear and went kayaking in the pouring rain, and it turned out to be really fun!

Going to Strathcona taught us to take what life has thrown at us and make the best of it. It also taught us about supporting one another through tough times, and to always make sure that everyone is included. At the time of our out-trip some of us may not have been having much fun, but afterwards, we left with a wonderful experience that we will laugh about for many years to come. - Nicole Ure (Grade 9)

Band Trip to Sun Peaks

pouring rain. The trip cannot be described with mere words.

Surely, canoeing for the majority of the day did seem like an exhausting task at first, but once just sight-seeing the areas around the islands we abandoned all those pessimistic thoughts. On the second day of the trip, in order to get to our destination, we had to pass through a narrow stream of river, which had a long strip of log blocking our path. All of us managed to carry our canoes over the log with ease. However, when it was Jacob Green’s and his exchange Angus Beattie’s turn to carry their canoes over the log, Jacob lost his balance and slipped into the shallow water, and luckily enough, we even took a video of it. Though he was drenched, it was all for the laughs. Along with your friends, you travel with several others you probably have never even talked to, but this trip will establish strong bonds between you and them, and will certainly leave you with several memorable events you can never forget. - Ryan Kang (Grade 10)

Strathcona Provincial Park Strathcona was an amazing adventure. The part which tested our characters the most was definitely the out-trip. We took a two hour bus ride to a marina, where we camped for the first day. It was perfect... until the rain started pouring down.

The only shelter we had was three tarps: two for sleeping under and one that made up the “kitchen.” Our rain gear was soaked immediately after we stepped outside of the bus. At first, we were frustrated with the weather, as it meant that our gear was getting soaked.

It was raining so hard that we were forced to dig trenches underneath the tarp so that we would have somewhere semi-dry to lay our sleeping mats and sleeping bags down. With the rain pouring down on us, no one was in very high spirits. The thought of having to stay out there in the pouring rain for three more days was almost enough to make us call our parents and get them to pick us up right then and there!

In this situation, we had two choices: we could have complained the whole trip, or we could have embraced the weather and made the best of it. Our group decided on the second option. We put

I’ve been part of the music program since Grade 8 and one of the best experiences along with performances are the trips.

Every year, the jazz band and the choir go to Manning Park, and the concert band goes to various places such as Kelowna and Whistler. This year we went up to Sun Peaks for Con Brio Festival 2012. Although not everyone could come, we were still excited to travel with our friends, have a good time with each other and make some good music. We performed the three pieces we worked hard on with our best abilities and although we didn’t win, the effort spent in learning the music truly showed off as we heard ourselves making such beautiful music. Other than performances, we also had free time and clinics, and despite all the rules and curfews, we still had lots of fun and made the most out of the two days we were given.

The trip to Sun Peaks was a really memorable experience and I can’t wait for next year’s trip. - Stella Lee (Grade 11)

Cycling the Kettle Valley Railway After two long days of biking, we had finally arrived at our final destination: Skaha Lake in Penticton. We were exhausted of course, but what did we decide to do? Go for a swim. The boys, Kurt Madsen, Justin Ho, Alex Leroux, Kevin Liu, Nick Tennant, Brent Mosher, Alan Madsen, Alex Dactu-Romano and I jumped into the lake and with high pitched squeals from the cold, made our way to the yellow buoy not far from the shore.

There we proceeded to play a game of Ninja, and anyone who got out had to jump back into the water. In and out of the water, our laughs and screams filled up the area as Ms. Lai and other kids came up to watch us play around and have fun in the lake. I think that this was the best part of the trip, not only because it was refreshing after two days of biking, but also because it gave us an opportunity to enjoy ourselves. I know that this was a biking trip but this trip was more than that. Of course biking close to 100km from Myra Canyon in Penticton in two days was the main goal of the trip, but the times that we were not on our bikes: cooking Kraft dinner and hot dogs for breakfast, sitting around the campfire setting marshmallows on fire, playing in the lake, and talking hockey together on the bus ride back home was more of a time for us campers to spend time together. I’ve gone on this trip twice now and every year there are new memories and stories that are written. So come along to Kettle Valley Railroad, and enjoy the ride!

- Jarvis Kim (Grade 12)

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california, ottawa and quebec

California Basketball Tour The 2011-12 California basketball tour was an unforgettable trip for our team. On the court our team faced stiff opposition and we quickly learned how to work together. Together we learned some valuable lessons, which were put to use back in Canada. We witnessed stars in the making at the UCLA Bruins game and similarly watching the Lakers game gave us a chance to learn from the pros while enjoying the chance to be in the same building as some Hollywood stars. Though we ventured down south to experience tougher teams, we ended up strengthening our friendship amongst each other.

The trip allowed us to connect with each other off the court. The visit to Universal Studios got our minds off basketball and allowed us to enjoy a day as friends rather than teammates. The famous Venice Beach became the setting for our pickup football game and we cherished every moment we had in the L.A. sun.

We had an opportunity to witness a different type of basketball on the courts of Venice Beach where local players were playing pickup games of street ball. This tour had the best of both sides. As a basketball team we improved from tough play and analyzing professionals. As friends, we got to know each other and create bonds that will last far past graduation.

- Shahbaj Dhillon (Grade 12)

Forum In February of this year I had the unique opportunity to travel to Ottawa to take part in Forum for Young Canadians, a conference where young

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Canadians come together to understand the government of Canada and share their views on the current issues that Canadians face. I was one of 80 students chosen from all across Canada to participate in this conference. There was a student present from each province and territory of Canada, from the small towns of Roddickton, Newfoundland, and Fort Smith, Northwest Territories to larger cities such as Vancouver and Toronto. The diversity of students from rural and urban areas proved to be crucial when discussing key issues as students from small towns felt that the most pressing issue in Canada was education whereas those in more urbanized areas felt that transportation was most pressing. Throughout the week we shared ideas, debated issues and negotiated solutions in order to better understand the varying ideologies of the country we live in. The most amazing experience for me was being on Parliament Hill. We had the opportunity to visit Parliament almost every day while we were in Ottawa. We attended a question period, learned about the Senate and the House of Commons and had dinner with our respective MPs. During the forum we also held mock elections and mock question periods of our own, giving us the chance to understand what it feels like to be the Prime Minister and the intensity of the pressure one has thrust upon them when acting as the governing body. Overall my experience at Forum is one that I will never forget; I met individuals who will forever remain lifelong friends in a city that I will call home for the next four years!

- Kiran Mangat (Grade 12)

Rugby in Montreal I played rugby during my time at Southridge since Grade 6, when I was first introduced to the sport. Over the years, I’ve had my bruises and bloody noses. According to my mother’s records: six stitches, a broken toe, three broken toenails, and too many black eyes to count. I’ve played in a lot of tournaments and play-days, but the one that stands out in my mind is the rugby tour to Montreal, QC for the CAIS National Rugby Tournament. Not only because we finally got a chance to travel as a team, but how we bonded as a group. After living, practising, eating, and playing together as a team for a week on the road, we came away from the tournament with not only a 4th place finish, but also a stronger group as a whole. We travelled to the host town of Sherbrooke, QC on a large tour bus along with a local school, Lower Canada College. We were slated to play the host school, Bishop’s College, in our first matchup as a sure win for the home team in front of their loyal fans. We came out, played a strong game, and ran away with the score, upsetting the home favourites in our opening match.

california, ottawa and quebec Playing other rugby powerhouses such as Upper Canada College and Trinity College (Coach Trevor Julian’s former high school), we fared very well and ended up in the semi finals. Matched up against Crescent School, it came down to the last minute of play. Down by seven points, a quick sequence of plays gave us the late try with time expired. Needing the conversion to put us into overtime, it was kicked just shy of the bars, and we took home 4th place.

While the result wasn’t what the guys were hoping for, seeing the boys step up and give their all was rewarding enough.

- Matt Froh (2010 Grad)

Québec City Exchange My mind started to awaken at the sound of the alarm and it took me a while to realize that I was in bed in Québec City. I checked my clock to see 7:00 am, the exact time I would wake up back home, only three hours ahead of what I was used to.

I changed into one of my many uniform options, courtesy of PSQ, and then heard Mathilde’s mother call, “Les filles, on mange!” I climbed the stairs and entered the dining room to see the table set and my plate already full. The whole family sat down together and talked about the coming day’s events in a cheerful and lively manner. It was a nice change for me, since my family always eat at different times in the morning and we hardly get to say a word to each other. I appreciated how they all put in the effort to get up at the same hour to eat together, and it immediately felt like I was part of their family. Since it was my first morning, I was nervous and quiet, only because the speed at which they spoke in French was a bit beyond my abilities.

Nevertheless, the family encouraged me to participate and I began to feel more comfortable as the meal went along, and of course as the weeks passed.

After taking the bus right from Mathilde’s doorstep to the center of Old Québec, la Carre de Ville, we walked to Le Petit Seminaire de Québec or “PSQ”. The walk was right through beautiful Old Québec and I can honestly say I was happier to walk in the -17°C weather through the gorgeous town than to get a ride. Even after five weeks, this routine never got old, and it was always a great way to start my morning. When I got to the school that first day I was immediately greeted by all of Mathilde’s friends, who somehow already knew me by name. I couldn’t have asked for a better welcoming; I was bombarded with questions, compliments, and people who would enthusiastically tell me everything they wanted to do with me during my stay. When they realized I wasn’t too strong in French, they slowed down to help me understand, and even attempted

to translate into English if I was having difficulty. By the time the day was over, I was relieved; not because I was exhausted, but because I felt sure that the next five weeks would be some of the most memorable weeks of my life.

- Julia Lauzon (Grade 11) When my Québec exchange student, Jeanne, left Vancouver after a seven week stay in October, I was able to hold back tears because I knew I’d be seeing her soon. When January finally arrived, I headed east to the Old City of Québec ready to settle with Jeanne and her family for the next month. The first week was difficult, adapting to the new school, people and language.

However it wasn’t until Québec’s annual Carnaval that I really got to embrace the culture. It was similar to the 2010 Olympics here in Vancouver in that it really brought everyone together.

Tourists from all over the world were there and, like me, were experiencing true Québec culture. Everyone at the Carnaval de Québec was full of energy and the festivities were endless.

Jeanne was there to show me around and I could tell she was very proud of her city and community. Walking around the old city of Québec during the Carnaval made me miss my community at home, especially Southridge. If I had gone to Québec at a different time of the year, and missed this traditional celebration, my perspective of Québec would have been completely different and my desire to travel and explore would be altered. Living in a different city for a month, especially one with such rich culture and tradition taught me a lot; however experiencing their culture and traditions was what allowed me to learn even more and created an overall unforgettable trip.

- Serena Bonneville (Grade 10)

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halifax, cuba and france country. Overall, the trip was one of my most memorable at Southridge, and I hope that the next generations of students are able to experience trips like this during their time in high school. - Kristine Ramsbottom (2011 Grad)

Jazz Band Trip to Cuba

Debating in Halifax In April of my Grade 12 year, I found myself on planes headed to debate tournaments more often than I was in the classroom. After about three weeks of competition I was going to my very last high school debate - Senior Nationals in Halifax, Nova Scotia, with my partner Kiran. On that final plane ride Kiran and I prepped our case on Israel, running through arguments with flight attendants and our very devoted mothers and coach who made the trip with us. We were both exhausted but ready to make our last tournament together our best.

The opening ceremony the first night was wonderful. Friends we had made over the last five years were all together in one place, most of us for the last time. That’s what was so great about that tournament - even as the competition began we were all just happy to debate with our friends, and spend time together before we all split off to our next steps. But friendship was not the only thing that made that trip so memorable. Kiran and I had never debated so well in our entire debating career. Every round was strong, which made us feel like everything we had worked towards as partners had really paid off. We supported each other after each debate, and made sure that no matter what, we were enjoying every minute of it. After our rounds we were able to experience Halifax, and its fish and chips, quaint buildings, and friendly locals. The atmosphere was so positive and fun. I couldn’t have asked for more for my last tournament. As the weekend came to a close, we continued to keep up a strong calibre of debating, and spent as much time as we could with our colleagues from across the

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Many visitors to Cuba only have the chance to see Cuba through tourist-tinted glasses. However, when the Southridge senior jazz band visited Cuba this year, we were able to see an intimate side of the country. Cuba is world renowned for its fine musicians; the birthplace of the greats, an education system that continues the process, and a culture that nurtures and encourages musical development. Our musical journey began at an art school in Cienfuegos. At age eight, these children are streamed into the arts and spend their days focusing on music, art, and dance. Needless to say, they have a magical mixture of raw talent and fine-tuned technical abilities. Truthfully, I wasn’t expecting their impressive technical skills; I went into their performance thinking that they would be talented, but free-spirited jazz musicians. After witnessing some stunning classical music performances, I was to stand corrected. It turns out that jazz is the pastime of the students — classical music makes up their curriculum.

Following their wonderful performance, most of us were worried that we wouldn’t be received with much enthusiasm. We were to stand corrected: as soon as we began our opening tune of Boogie Lou the crowd, of all ages, came alive. The young students were, without exaggeration, screaming with excitement and the entire audience was dancing. This rare display of jazz in school was as thrilling to them as Jay-Z making a guest performance would be for us. We couldn’t help but feel like rock stars — this kind of recognition is rare in life.

The memorable performance was only to get better; when we began to play Oyo Como Va, a classic Cuban song, the crowd joined in singing, and thanks to their help, the song took on a life of its own. The performance was emotionally moving.

Other than making me feel like a rock star, the performance made me realize the sad disconnect that we have in our society; the music that our youth listen to has little in common with the music our seniors listen to. Music in Cuba provides a bridge between people of all ages yet in North America it only further separates generations. Seeing the audience of young students, teachers and parents all enjoying the performance together was a foreign sight. Teenage girls, having started an on-the-spot synchronized dance, got the entire audience on their feet and everyone was able to seamlessly join in the dancing; a dance

halifax, cuba and france that after a week in Cuba we never quite mastered. When we finished our set the audience was upset, and so was most of our band.

Specifically, some of our band’s newly acquired groupies were devastated (but very excited when we returned that night for dancing lessons). At the time, I thought it was going to be the most amazing performance I would ever have the joy of being a part of, but Cuba would once again, prove me wrong.

- Lauren Bromage (Grade 11)

Memories of the Canadian Battlefields Tour In the summer of 2009, Dale Kurylyk led a small group of students on a tour of the Canadian Battlefields and Anne Boyle and I were invited to join them. I will be forever grateful for this opportunity as it enabled me to literally walk in the footsteps of my grandfather, who served in the Fourth Canadian Division during World War I. After spending a few glorious days in Paris, we drove out of the city to visit our first Commonwealth Cemetery. It seemed to be in a farmer’s field, in the middle of nowhere, but, as soon as we entered the gate and started to read the words on the gravestones - Vancouver, Red Deer, Flin Flon, Winnipeg, Halifax… - we all began to realize the significance of this trip.

More than the locals, we knew what these men had given up to fight and die here. The words from John McCrae’s “In Flanders Fields” never seemed more true. We must not break faith with them.

I also have fond memories of driving under a canopy of maple leaves as we approached Vimy Ridge and finding a tiny perfect red maple leaf in a trench, in July. When you visit Canadian cemeteries in France, you are standing on soil that has been given to the people of Canada but nowhere does it seem truer than in this place, where hundreds of Canadian maple trees line roads and pathways. It really feels like it’s ours.

Later in the trip, when we were crossing into England, a passport control officer asked me the purpose of our visit and, when I explained, he stamped my passport, looked me in the eye, and said, “All you had to do was say Vimy Ridge.”

I could go on and on. In Dieppe, we visited a tiny run down museum that had been built by the locals to commemorate the Canadians who had landed there so many years ago. The building sagged, as if it had been hit by artillery during the war and never repaired, but the spirit of sincere gratitude in the displays and in the eyes of the elderly men who escorted us through their museum still brings tears to my eyes. And, who could forget, a group of our students climbing up a nearby cliff and singing “O Canada” in such loud voices that we

could hear them all the way down in the village square.

And, then, there was Menin Gate.

At 8:00 every evening, the people of Ypres conduct a ceremony at Menin Gate to remember the lives that were lost liberating their city at the end of World War I. During the ceremony that we attended, a group of our students were invited to lay a wreath on behalf of the Southridge community.

In our final reflections, as we prepared to return to Canada from London, it was evident that we had all been moved by the sacrifices and the achievements of the Canadians who fought in Europe during both world wars. It was really hard not to be proud of being Canadian on this trip. Every day, we met at least one person who thanked us for Canada’s contribution to both world wars. This was a trip that none of us would ever forget.

- Gail Robinson (Faculty) My trip to Europe in 2009 with Southridge was nothing short of incredible. As we flew overseas, we travelled back in time.

We started off in beautiful France, and then our itinerary took us to Belgium, then finally England. In each country we had the opportunity to explore national landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, the Palace of Versailles, Westminster Abbey and many, many more; but mainly the historical footprints that were left there. We visited countless museums, battlefield sights and cemeteries, embracing each and their unique aspects.

Experiencing the different cultures in these countries was unforgettable, in addition to building on to my knowledge of the two world wars. Every location we went to was engaging and the trip itself was overflowing with historical information. Whether it was Juno Beach, the serene l’Abbaye d’Ardenne or Beaumont-Hamel, we were always learning something new and always interested. We were also given the opportunity of a “Platoon Experience” which simulated a small part of what it would be like as a soldier. We were dressed in uniform, given a portion of what a soldier’s gear would weigh, an unloaded rifle and a helmet. After we were all geared up, we started platoon exercises such as lining up, equipping our gas masks, running, ducking, etc. It was quite a challenge already, and that was just a small part to the life of a soldier. As that example showed, the trip gave us a very profound appreciation for everyone’s efforts in both of the world wars, and it is something I will carry with me throughout my lifetime. Europe is absolutely beautiful with an incredible amount of history and I would love to go back and explore more.

- Emily Sheard (Grade 12)

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spain and scotland was there that I said my final words of goodbye to those who had welcomed me into their lives so kindly.

- Emma Mittermaier (Grade 12)

Scotland

Spanish Exchange Laying my head back on the headrest of the seat, I cannot help but take note of the Spanish couple to my left, fascinated by the rhythmic, flawless sound to the language. Unable to communicate with those around me, I take a look at the time, anxious that we might miss our final flight to Murcia, Spain; southeast of Madrid.

In April 2010, Maddy Adam, Lisa Ball and I flew half-way across the world to dive into a world unknown to each of us.

The moment we arrived in Madrid was to be a moment of excitement where the sweet smell of the undiscovered would soak in and ignite a passion for discovering. Unfortunately this moment was interrupted by panic as we ran down the airport in order to make our flight.

Unsure as to where to go, we got in line at a desk that was run by the airline we were flying with. As it came to be our turn, Maddy, who had a grasp of the Spanish language, attempted to explain to the lady that we were late and were wondering if we had missed our flight to Murcia. She delightfully enlightened us with the fact that we had missed our flight, were to stay overnight, (our luggage had unfortunately gone through) and we were to fly in the early morning. Instructed to move out of the way, we paused in shock, each of us searching for a more convenient solution. But “if life throws you a curve ball, hit a grand slam off it,” which is exactly what we did. We wandered around the airport until late at night until we were able to locate the buses to the hotel. A situation that seemed so disastrous turned out to be one of my greatest memories; it was then that I ordered my first glass of milk in Spanish and it

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My exchange to Scotland was one of the most unforgettable experiences I have ever had. Spending a month in a place you’ve never been before is an experience in itself, but my exchange and her family did everything they could to make my trip extraordinary. Each of my days in Scotland was filled with sightseeing, new experiences, and meeting new people right from the minute I stepped off the plane. After first meeting my exchange’s family I felt right at home and from there my trip just continued to get better. Edinburgh is one of the coolest cities I have ever been to; everywhere you turned each of the buildings looked like something out of a history textbook, and the city itself was like nothing I have ever seen before. I remember walking down the main shopping street of Edinburgh, taking pictures of everything I could, not wanting to forget a moment of my trip. As I was completely overwhelmed by the beauty of the buildings and stores, my exchange Claire looked at me and said, “Don’t you want to take a picture of the castle?” I turned around to look to the other side of the street and wondered how I had managed to miss the huge world famous castle behind me. Aside from the castle I got to see so many other sites in Scotland including the famous Forth Rail Bridge, the Gleneagles Hotel and the many hills and beautiful countryside. I got to try many new things, such as eating haggis and going to school in another country. The sites and experiences were amazing, but the people that I met and the relationships I formed are something that I can never forget. There are so many people who I shared memories with in Scotland who I still keep in touch with, especially my exchange. Living with somebody for a month can have its ups and downs but we developed an amazing relationship and had so many great memories together. I hope to go back to Scotland in the future and visit the people that I built friendships with, but for now my first trip to Scotland will continue to be my most memorable experience.

- Shania McDonald (Grade 11)

spain and scotland

From Scotland to Australia One of my greatest passions in life is travelling. It’s one thing to learn about history while sitting in a classroom but to experience it personally has a whole other impact. Conveniently Southridge offers service trips to different countries and, more uniquely, exchange programs.

I applied for my first exchange when I was in Grade 9 and went to George Watson’s College in Edinburgh where I had the time of my life. I learnt a lot about myself and even challenged myself living away for four weeks.

I couldn’t bring myself to try haggis but witnessed the culture and perks of Edinburgh in many ways. For example I watched the Highland games, and always had a jacket because the rain was constant.

As you can imagine living with someone for four weeks has its challenges. Time management, sharing and cooperation were all out to the test but in the end my exchange Emily and I pulled it off with a blooming friendship. This past summer (2011) Emily came back to Canada where we were reunited for seven weeks.

Because my first exchange went so well I found myself bitten by the travel bug once again, and this time I was heading to

Australia. Right off the bat the 24 hour journey down pushed my limits but the overall experience made the trip totally worthwhile. Between the people I met, kangaroos I petted, the oceans I swam in and my spoiled trip to Sydney my stay in Melbourne was one of a kind.

I would recommend an exchange trip to anyone and everyone; I could rant for hours on this topic!

There is no better way to experience a country or city than by fully immersing yourself into its everyday life and you get the opportunity to form lifelong friendships and pen-pals, which media like FaceBook help to sustain.

- Brylee Zanatta (Grade 11)

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australia triathlons ever except for that one. But any one of you thinking about applying for exchange, please do it! It is an unforgettable experience that will change your life!

- Harris Wong (Grade 10)

Australia Australia. Wow. The trip I had to Central Coast Grammar School was one of those trips that will stay with me for the rest of my life. When I’m forty and looking back on high school, this will be the part that I remember most. The people, the place and the life there just made my trip. The first day I got there everyone was so welcoming and friendly and I made so many lifelong friends. I not only made Australian friends, but I also got a lot closer to the people who came with me on exchange. Looking back on the experience, I cannot think of one part that I did not like. I was so lucky to have everything work out for me and I would recommend the exchange to anyone. Probably the most memorable part of my trip was the triathlon. I was on a team with two of my “mates” and I was doing the 20k bike leg. Never participating in a triathlon before, it was safe to say I was pretty nervous for it. Most of my friends that were accompanying me on this trip did triathlons for the state, which is like a provincial level.

I think it was safe to say that they had a slight advantage over me. While they were all decked out in their fancy bikes and teardrop helmets, I was in shorts and a t-shirt riding on an old road bike. Oh, I forgot to mention, since my exchange was in Grade 11 and was competing in the senior division which included Grade 12s, I was a 15 year old competing with full grown 18 year olds who were twice the size of me. I don’t know if any of you have been to the Sydney Olympic Rowing Park, but the track around it is massive. A flat track all the way around combined with an enormous head wind made for an interesting race. Needless to say I was in the lower half of the pack for most of the time, but I had a lot of fun nonetheless. I think we came around 127th out of 300 teams, which is not too bad. It was an amazing thing to do because I have not participated in any

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Despite many amazing opportunities during my time at Southridge and since my graduation, my exchange to Australia in Grade 11 is still one of the greatest experiences of my life so far. At first I was hesitant to apply for exchange because I get very homesick, and I didn’t know how well I would cope on another continent. Even after my exchange came to stay with me in Canada, I was still unsure of the whole thing. But once I landed in Australia, I absolutely fell in love with the country.

The beautiful beaches, the laid back attitudes and the wonderful people made my eight weeks there absolutely amazing. I had been at Southridge since Grade 2, and was pretty set in my ways of who I hung out with and what I did with my free time. In Australia, I wasn’t bound by any of the cliquey Grade 11 behaviours that I experienced at home, and I felt free to be friends with everyone and truly be myself. That feeling of being fully myself was something that I brought home with me, and I believe it enriched the rest of my time at Southridge.

I also had amazing experiences in Australia that I never would have been able to experience at home. From climbing the Harbour Bridge in Sydney, to petting kangaroos in a wildlife park, to venturing north to the Great Barrier Reef, I was able to discover so much of what Australia has to offer. It was incredible to feel completely immersed in their culture, and do things like walk down to the footie game on Friday night with my friends.

Today I am still great friends with many of the people I met in Australia. Just last year, four of my Australian friends came to visit me at school in California. Currently, I am planning to return to Australia in the new year for a couple of months. I am confident that the friendships I made while on exchange are going to last for the rest of my life. Exchange was by far my best memory of high school, and I know I will carry those memories with me forever. - Halee Dams (2009 Grad)

alumni news Brendon Morfitt (2001) – is a VFX digital artist.

Stephanie Harrap (2003) – completed her degree in Human Kinetics at UBC and has just completed her Master’s degree in physiotherapy at the University of Sydney, Australia. She is now hiking the base camp of Everest, and plans a trip to Asia before returning to Canada.

Nikki Hair (2004) – graduated from UBC in 2008 with a BSc, majoring in biology with specialization in conservation then took one year off and entered UBC Law School in 2009 and exchanged at the University of Manchester. In law school she completed an internship with Surrey Courthouse as a judicial intern and is articling this summer at Boyd & Jahani Law. Ruby Laskin (2005) – will be starting medical school at Temple University in August 2012 and is excited about all the opportunities that the patient population of Northern Philadelphia has to offer.

Alex Liang (2006) – graduated from Parsons School of Design and founded his own online fashion and culture magazine.

Bryce Gieschen (2007) – graduated from the University of Western Ontario BMOS program and is currently cruising the Meditteranean.

John Howorth (2008) – is in the co-op program of the Faculty of Business and Economics at Wilfrid Laurier University.

Taylor Luckock (2008) – is in the Faculty of Music at UVIC. Jenny Guo (2008) – graduated in Science and Fine Art from Washington University of St. Louis where she was involved in Greek life and student affairs.

Kevin Reid (2008) – started his own apparel company in 2010 and is now taking time out from his Bachelor’s of Industrial Design degree at Carleton University to work with a design company in Denmark.

Joey Lam (2009) – is currently a Rhetoric (pre-law) major, double minoring in Public Policy and Human Rights at University of California, Berkeley. He would like to go on to law school or government work. He was a legal assistant at a boutique law firm after freshman year and will be doing a sales/marketing internship this upcoming summer.

Teresita Aristizabal (2010) – is attending the Sauder School of Business at University of British Columbia and her career goal is to become a Chartered Accountant specializing in forensic accounting. She is hoping to complete her co-op work terms at Deloitte, since they have recruited her for a national leadership conference in August.

Valerie Ward (2010) – is studying biomedical sciences at University of Guelph and will potentially go on to medical school or something in the science field… not entirely sure!

Chase Mackenzie (2010) – started a B.Sc. Honours biology, considered Life Sciences first year at Queen’s University, but changed since he is not medical schoolbound. He would like to do research or work in biomedical sciences (microbiology, public health, etc.) and is considering a Master’s in genetic counselling, public health, or microbiology/immunology. He will be participating in a field study at Queen’s Summer Work Experience Program (SWEPs) in public health or biological laboratory.

Aavis Bhindi (2010) – was accepted for direct entry from Southridge into the Bediee School of Business program at Simon Fraser University; he completed second year and has 2 ½ years left. He is currently working at Golden Tree Jewellers and Pandora and is applying for co-op this summer; his goal is to graduate with a Business degree.

Annam Bhatti (2010) – is enrolled in the Faculty of Medicine at University College Dublin, Ireland and plans to become a general practitioner.

Krittika D’Silva (2011) – is studying bioengineering at University of Washington, Seattle and has been researching prosthetics in the university lab since September 2011. This summer she will also be doing research at Harvard. She loves the Honors Program at UW and has found a nice community of other hardworking peers within it.

Julia Walls (2011) – is taking “Honours Specialization in Rehabilitation Science” and a minor in linguistics at University of Western Ontario. Her current career goal is to attend graduate school for speech language pathology, but is considering physiotherapy.

Rowan Laird (2011) – has completed a Foundation Year Programme (King’s) at University of King’s College/ Dalhousie University and plans to study Combined Honours in history and biology. She started in Arts and was able to transition to Arts/Sciences. Possible career goals are international relations, anthropological study or teaching.

Lindsay Mosher (2011) – is studying commerce at Queen’s University and is currently interested in majoring in marketing.

Eric Wu (2011) – is enrolled in the Faculty of Science of University of Toronto and is interning this summer.

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the world outside the classroom To be quite frank, anything that deviates from everyday classes is enjoyable. It’s an exciting and memorable way to learn something new from all fields of learning, from sports (Vancouver Whitecaps visit) to music (Japanese Taiko Drumming). These class field trips are an easy way to keep students engaged in what they’re doing while at the same time staying entertaining.

Stephanie Pak (Grade 7)

The most exciting part is going on field trips to learn new things.

Noah Ladhani (Grade 4)

I can’t wait to go to Sea to Sky again next year!

Sarah Tisdale (Grade 4)

I am going on the cycling trip once again.

Actually...third time!

Soung-Jae Bong (Grade 12) I field trips. I thought outdoor school made education very fun.

Arjan Dhaliwal (Grade 4) Spirits were high and students were engaged as they connected classroom curriculum to what they were seeing and experiencing – from a teacher’s perspective, it doesn’t get any better than that!

Robyn Sneath (Faculty)

For more information about Southridge School, please contact us at:

T. 604.535.5056 F. 604.535.3676

www.southridge.bc.ca | 2656 160 St., Surrey, BC | 604.535.5056

Editor Dorothy Podmore Design culleycreative Thanks Contributors Photos Various Send us your news at alumninews@southridge.bc.ca Please contact lboudot@southridge.bc.ca with your address