By Emily Wei, Columnist
Two years and 13 columns later, my time as a columnist for the Parkview News has finally come to an end. It seems that I have been nothing but words on paper since I began so it is ironic that it is hard to find the words to explain just how much this experience has meant to me. When I started as a columnist, I was merely beginning grade 11 at Halifax West High School and now I end it as a graduate, about to attend university. Although I wrote these columns for the community to stay up to date with our local high school, it has turned out to be somewhat of a journal for me. Everyone warned me that the three years of highschool would fly by and I didn’t believe them until now but luckily, due to my monthly reflections for “Out of the West”, I am able to reminisce on the simultaneously best and possibly most stressful years of my life!
It seems that for the past two years, the community has been reading my columns without knowing the person behind them. Well, now that my time at the West is over, I think it’s time for me to come out of the shadows a little! To start with, this newspaper has played a big part of my life throughout highschool but so has Geoff Regan’s Youth Constituency Council, Debate Club, ballet, and piano. Aside from these, it would be hard to forget about Student Government where I have been Vice-President, Junior Secretary, Liaison of Breakfast Club, and Liaison of Public Relations/Promotions. All of these activities combined with my experience as a columnist have aided me in receiving the Lieutenant Governor’s Education Medal in grade 11 along with the Queen Elizabeth II Medal at graduation where I also made Principal’s List! In the fall, I will be attending Dalhousie University for Nursing on the Lockward Renewable Scholarship, Dalhousie Entrance Community & Leadership Scholarship, and the Halifax West Liberal Association Bursary. The plan is to graduate in 3 years and then hopefully go to Medical School to eventually become a surgeon (and that’s a big “hopefully”)!
There have been countless people who have shaped me into who I am today but I would like to say a special thank you to my family, Mme. Fougere, Ms. McKay, Ms. Mastro, Mr. Wadden, and the lovely staff at the Parkview News. Additionally, I would like to acknowledge my grade 5 teacher,
Mr. Shupe, for showing me immeasurable kindness when I needed it most. Whether you’re reading this with your morning coffee, on your work break, or to fall asleep, I hope you enjoyed and thank you for coming along on my highschool journey with me!
Photo by Jason Dent on Unsplash
