Why did you want to become a School Captain?

Since I was young, I have always been a leader and performer. I enjoy speaking or performing in front of audiences, and I find joy in making an impact on a large group of listeners. I have loved every aspect of Southridge since joining, and I am honoured to represent this school in my position. I have applied for as many leadership roles as possible because I wanted to have a positive impact on the community. I always looked up to the School Captains and admired their kindness, patience, and determination. I am incredibly grateful to have been elected and for the opportunity to promote positivity. 

What are you hoping to accomplish in this role? 

I would like to listen to students' ideas and concerns, represent their voices, and help organize activities and events that bring people together. I also hope to lead by example by being responsible, approachable, and supportive of others. Most importantly, I want to leave the school community stronger and more connected than it was when I started my role. 

What do you see as the strengths of Southridge?

I think one of Southridge’s biggest strengths is its strong sense of community. There is a real feeling of belonging, and students and teachers support and encourage one another. Having small classes allows for so much connection between teachers and students, which helps us to feel supported. The combination of community, opportunities, and strong values is what makes Southridge such a special place to learn and grow.

What would you like to change at Southridge?

I would like to increase school spirit throughout the community. We can show spirit for the school by being kind, respectful, and wearing our uniform with pride. Storm spirit can be increased by cheering on our teams, coming to games, making signs, dressing in Storm colours, and congratulating teams and coaches on their accomplishments. Showing spirit for houses can be shown by wearing full house colours, bringing enthusiasm to house events, and actively participating in challenges and initiatives that reward house points. Spirit brings a community together, and it is something I would like to promote during my time as School Captain.

What’s been the highlight of your time here at Southridge so far?

My highlight at Southridge would have been the overnight hiking trip with my peers at Strathcona in Grade 9. The views were spectacular and it was a wonderful way to bond with my classmates, sleeping under the stars.

What do you want your peers to know about you coming into this role?

I am a competitive dancer and spend every day at the dance studio. It is my favourite thing to do and it has given me the gift of performing! 

Additionally, I have a puppy named Archie. He is a Sheepadoodle, and he is my best friend.

Why did you want to become a School Captain?

I still vividly remember my first full school assembly, walking into the senior gym, sitting down with my kindergarten class, and seeing the school captains for the first time. And the moment I saw them, I knew that I wanted to be exactly like them one day.

And for a moment, this dream that I had vanished, because my Southridge journey was anything but normal. I was here from Kindergarten to Grade 8, left for Grandview Heights Secondary in Grade 9, and then came back for Grade 10. And to be honest, the moment I walked back through those doors, it felt just as welcoming as I remembered.

I've always believed in helping and caring for others, and experiencing that firsthand really stuck with me. And that’s when I decided that I wanted to chase my goal of becoming school captain again. I wanted to create that same welcoming environment that I felt for every student at this school. It's a role where I can genuinely inspire people, create real change, and be someone people can come to when they need help.

What are you hoping to accomplish this year as a School Captain?

This year as a School Captain, I really want to make Southridge feel more unified, becoming a community that goes beyond grade, age, or friend groups. I plan to bring more fun events, new initiatives, and genuine community-building experiences that give students opportunities to connect with one another, rather than just studying together in the same building.

What do you see as the strengths of Southridge?

The community, by far. It's something that we can always keep growing, but it's already so strong. Whether it be through the arts, service, athletics, or academics, Southridge is a place where everyone gets to know one another, and that includes the teachers too. They're so passionate about what they teach and always willing to extend a helping hand. It’s a place where not only can the students create lifelong memories, but also a place where the teachers are so deeply invested in our learning, and that’s what I believe creates such a strong community. Relationships that speak so loudly that everyone, regardless of grade or occupation, is willing to help, and that makes the whole place feel like more than just a school.

What would you like to change at Southridge?

As amazing as our community is, I'd love to see all the grades interacting more and feeling like one, instead of staying in their own bubbles. I hope for us to build stronger relationships and real friendships across grades, and that's something I'm hoping to help make happen through more social and community-building events this year.

What's been the highlight of your time here at Southridge so far?

Easily the media program, both curricularly and extracurricularly. Creating, failing, and exploring filmmaking alongside people who are just as into it as I am has been such a fun experience. It's probably why you'll catch me playing a dancing elf, a Just Dance-obsessed wannabe detective, a morally flawed gas station employee, across both Media Club and class projects. But at the end of the day, more than the program itself, it comes back to community again, because the friendships I've made through that program are one of the biggest highlights of my whole time here.

What do you want your peers to know about you?

This is just as much your school as it is mine. So if I ever find out you were too scared to come talk to me about something, I'm gonna be a little upset with you! I want to support you in whatever way I can, and I want to make a real change here, regardless of whether it’s big or small. Being School Captain doesn't make me any better or more special than any of you, so don't be shy. I'm here to represent you and be a voice for the community, so reach out whenever, because I’m here to help. Also, I can’t sing, so as long as I don’t have to help you with that, I think we’re good.