Les essais gagnants 2017 Award Winning Essays 2017 www.partenariateneducation.ca www.thelearningpartnership.ca www.partenariateneducation.ca | www.thelearningpartnership.ca Partenariat en Éducation Partenariat en Éducation est The Learning Partnership is a national charity dedicated une organisation caritative nationale dédiée à l’amélioration du to enhancing publicly funded education to prepare students in système d’éducation publique et a pour objectif de préparer les Canada for a globally connected world by building partnerships élèves pour un monde connecté globalement en établissant des between government, education and business. We do this partenariats entre le gouvernement, l’éducation et le monde des through innovative student programs, executive leadership for affaires. Nous misons sur nos programmes scolaires novateurs, nos educators, knowledge mobilization and policy, tribute celebrations occasions de perfectionnement du leadership, notre mobilisation of excellence, and collaborations across Canada. Since 1993, des connaissances et des pratiques, nos célébrations en hommage more than 6.9 million students have participated in The Learning à l’excellence et nos collaborations partout au Canada. Depuis Partnership’s programs. 1993, plus de 6,9 millions d’élèves ont participé aux programmes de Partenariat en Éducation. Merci infiniment à tous nos partenaires / Special thanks to our program partners: Donneur corporatif anonyme/ Anonymous Corporate Donor Bureau national : National office: 45, av. Sheppard Est, bureau 400 45 Sheppard Ave. East, Suite 400 Toronto, (Ontario) M2N 5W9 Toronto, ON, M2N 5W9 Tél. : 416.440.5100 1 800.790.9113 Tel.: 416.440.5100 1.800.790.9113 @TLPCanada TLPCanada company/TLPCanada TLPofCanada #TurningPointsTLP A Message from National Program Manager “Everyone and everything that shows up in our life is a reflection of something that is happening inside of us.” – Alan Cohen Marni Angus National Program Manager The Learning Partnership As British playwright David Hare says, “the act of writing is the act of discovering what you believe.” The pages of this anthology are filled with a range of stories written by students that highlight a significant event – a turning point – that has changed the trajectory of their lives. The stories are insightful, thought provoking and inspirational. Students in Grades 6 through 12 have demonstrated courage, resiliency and character through their essay submissions – and we are proud of each and every one of them for opening up and sharing their story. This year, more than 18,000 students from Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland and Labrador submitted an essay in English or French. On behalf of The Learning Partnership, we thank all students who participated in this year’s program. It truly takes courage to share such personal accounts and we are impressed by the incredible fearlessness you have demonstrated. We also give special thanks to the many judges, teachers and partners whose time, dedication and contributions continue to make Turning Points possible. To our hard-working staff members, it is your passion and efforts that make Turning Points such an impactful and successful program across the country. We thank you and we feel privileged to work with you. Reading all of these stories gives us at The Learning Partnership great confidence in the future of our country. Marni Angus National Program Manager, Turning Points The Learning Partnership Turning Points | 1 Table of Contents Alberta Winners’ Essays Grade 7/8 French ......................................................37 Grade 6 ......................................................................5 Mon ange gardien ................................................37 A Pine Tree Painting ................................................5 Derrière la musique ...............................................38 My Grandpa and the Dimes ....................................6 Profiter de chaque moment ...................................39 My Brother ..............................................................6 Grade 7/8 ..................................................................7 Newfoundland and Labrador, Her .........................................................................7 Central Region Winners’ Essays Paper and Ink ..........................................................8 Grade 7/8 .................................................................41 Memories Waiting to be Made ................................9 A Moment in the Spotlight ....................................41 Grade 9/10 ..............................................................10 There Are No Such Things as Little Things .............42 Two Seconds .........................................................10 Never Let Anything Stop You ................................43 A New Perspective ................................................11 Grade 9/10 ...............................................................44 Perfectionist ..........................................................13 Black and White ....................................................44 Grade 11/12 ............................................................14 Across Canada ......................................................45 From the Ashes .....................................................14 Dreams .................................................................46 Confusion into Clarity ...........................................15 Missing Pieces .......................................................17 Newfoundland and Labrador, Eastern Region Winners’ Essays Manitoba Winners’ Essays Grade 7/8 .................................................................48 Grade 6 ....................................................................19 A Whale in a Sea of Words ...................................48 The Gift to Happiness ............................................19 Epiphany ...............................................................49 Drowned in Thoughts ...........................................20 Cancer ..................................................................50 Precious Time ........................................................20 Grade 11/12 .............................................................51 Grade 7/8 .................................................................21 Sunset...................................................................51 Adapting to my Pain .............................................21 What the Mind Can’t Remember, A Restored Mindset ...............................................22 the Heart Never Forgets ........................................53 Standing Up for Cherry Boy ...................................23 Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick Winners’ Essays Labrador Region Winners’ Essays Grade 7/8 English .....................................................25 Grade 7/8 .................................................................55 I Choose Life .........................................................25 The Arguments They Had ......................................55 The Fall and the Climb Back Up .............................26 Never Forget .........................................................56 Epiphany ...............................................................26 Turbulent Childhood .............................................57 Grade 9/10 English ...................................................27 Grade 9/10 ...............................................................58 The Earth Shaker ...................................................27 My Happy Pill ........................................................58 Summer of Sixteen ...............................................29 One Mutual Friend ................................................30 Healthy Roots Bear Sweet Fruit ..............................31 Newfoundland and Labrador, Western Region Winners’ Essays 11/12 English ...........................................................33 Grade 7/8 .................................................................60 A Blossoming Tulip ................................................33 The Broken Bond ..................................................60 It’s All About Forgiveness .......................................34 The Cherished Memories .......................................61 Frog Attack ...........................................................35 Open Arms ...........................................................62 2 | Turning Points Grade 9/10 ...............................................................63 Grade 11/12 French ..................................................93 Her Sacrifice ..........................................................63 Compte à rebours .................................................93 Gâteau aux fruits ..................................................95 Un appel. Trois mots. Ma vie a changé Nova Scotia Winners’ Essays permanente. .........................................................96 Grade 6 ....................................................................65 All Good Things Must Come to an End .................65 Ontario, Niagara Peninsula Aboriginal Area My Parents ............................................................66 Management Board (NPAAMB) Winners’ Essays They That Have No Other Meat, Bread and Butter, They Are Glad to Eat .............................................66 Grade 11 ..................................................................98 Father, No Father, Step Father ...............................98 Grade 7/8 .................................................................67 Be Grateful ...........................................................99 The Power of Friendship ........................................67 A Song, a Breath, and a Goodbye .........................68 Grade 12 ................................................................101 The Shiny Day .......................................................69 Mother-Daughter, Daughter-Mother ...................101 History and Truth: The Key to my Self-Discovery ..102 Grade 9/10 ...............................................................70 Pipe Bomb ..........................................................104 Sacrificing All ........................................................70 Junior High, Exceeding Stereotypes, Gender Expectations .............................................72 Ontario, North Bay Winners’ Essays Chasing Time ........................................................73 Grade 6 ..................................................................106 Grade 11/12 .............................................................74 Phoenix Friendly ..................................................106 Helpless ................................................................74 The Move of my Life ...........................................107 I Can Fix You .........................................................75 You See the Worst ................................................77 Grade 9/10 .............................................................108 Disconnected by Circumstances ..........................108 Always the Stupid One ........................................109 Ontario, Greater Toronto Area Winners’ Essays Chopsticks to Forks: A Journey of Change ..........110 Grade 6 English ........................................................79 Grade 11/12 ...........................................................111 Bud to a Flower.....................................................79 Pressing Send ......................................................111 Cool, Not Weird ....................................................80 What's Your "Thing"? ........................................112 Isaiah Changed my Life .........................................80 A Life Worth Remembering .................................114 Grade 7/8 English .....................................................81 As Colourful as Black and White ...........................81 Ontario, Sudbury Winners’ Essays The Fight That Matters the Most ...........................82 Brace Yourself: This is my Life ................................83 Grade 7/8 ...............................................................116 Change of Perspective .........................................116 Grade 9/10 English ...................................................84 The First Stride ....................................................117 Twelve Minutes .....................................................84 I Can Stand Alone ...............................................118 Hidden Scars .........................................................85 In Memory ............................................................86 Grade 9/10 .............................................................119 Chroma ..............................................................119 Grade 11/12 English .................................................88 Into the Darkness ................................................120 A War Within ........................................................88 Would You? ........................................................121 The Pink Ribbon ....................................................89 Dreaming in the Dark ............................................90 Grade 11/12 ...........................................................122 Pills .....................................................................122 Grade 9/10 French ....................................................92 Not Feminine ......................................................124 Ce qui fait un bon ami ..........................................92 A Spark, A Dream, A Vision .................................125 Turning Points | 3 Saskatchewan Winners’ Essays Grade 7/8 English ...................................................127 From Fat to Slim ..................................................127 Wounds Too Deep for Healing .............................128 Eva......................................................................129 Grade 7/8 French ....................................................130 Ma grande soeur.................................................130 Mon frère ...........................................................131 Participating Schools ..................................................132 In Appreciation ...........................................................136 4 | Turning Points 2017 Alberta Winners’ Essays Alberta Winners’ Essays GRADE 6 Angelica Dungca First Place – Grade 6 Calgary Catholic School District A Pine Tree Painting Art class was always my favourite because we didn’t have homework and I’d always been fascinated by art. It was an average day, mid fall, and the sun was shining high and reflecting on the window in art class. We sat down at our usual tables, eager to work on a project our teacher had promised we’d work on. As we were settling down she announced that we were having a special guest! Her name was Veronica Funk. She was a professional artist who was going to work with us on a project. Veronica came in and introduced herself, then later explained what we were going to do. First each of us had to pick a picture of a tree and make thumbnail sketches of it in our sketchbooks. After that, everyone was to sketch their tree on a canvas. Next we needed to add the plaster for the texture of our tree and had to paint the canvas and add the patterns in the background and we’d be finished. The next art class everyone started sketching on their canvases. I was doing tons of erasing on my canvas. I didn’t like my sketches and I wanted to give up and restart. Veronica was going around the room and when she went past my canvas she saw that it was blank. She asked what was wrong and I told her how I didn’t like my sketch and wanted to restart. She told me about how this also happens to her. She said all I needed was patience and lots of practice. She shared some tips and helped me finish my pine tree painting. This was my turning point. I realized that it’s important to have patience and to not give up too quickly because then you can complete more things. I learned that with the right people to guide you, you can achieve anything. It’s amazing how that small tip from Veronica has changed how I approach things. I always try to give things a bit more time and patience and not give up as easily as I used to. Angelica Dungca loves reading, writing and playing volleyball. She is a dedicated and hardworking student and loves to ask questions and participate. Angelica is very artistic, a skill that has helped form her writing. Angelica is kind, outgoing and a helper to all. Turning Points | 5 2017 Alberta Winners’ Essays Halen Pogson Second Place – Grade 6 Calgary Catholic School District My Grandpa and the Dimes When I was 4 years old my grandpa in Nova Scotia sadly passed away from cancer. We called him Poppy but his real name was Brian James. Then we heard about a story from my grandma’s friend that said, “After you lose a family member, or friend, you’ll start to find dimes. This is a sign that your loved one who passed away is always looking out for you.” So we started to be more aware. We found LOTS of dimes, tons of them, and I knew he was watching because all of them were shiny and new, not old rusty dimes. I have some stories about the dimes. Here’s the best one: One year after my grandpa died, my Nanny came from Nova Scotia to visit us. When my mum was a young girl their house burnt down. The one thing that was saved was her graduation ring but somehow it was misplaced. Years later my nanny and mum were cleaning our basement and found a ziploc bag with the graduation ring in it. Guess what was inside? A new dime! There was a screw nail inside the bag too. Surprisingly, grandpa was a carpenter, a man of all trades. I just knew he was looking out for us. Another time, my sister, Mom, and I went to Costco to get a new membership card. Before that, we had the Terry Fox run at school. My sister and I both ran for our grandpa who died of cancer. But my sister needed help spelling Poppy so her teacher wrote it down. My sister kept the paper in her jacket pocket. When we went to Costco she dropped the paper that said “Poppy” and guess what was beside it? A SHINY DIME!!!! That’s when I had my turning point. Those two important things changed my life. It taught me to believe in heaven, God and my loved ones who passed away. It taught me to believe there’s always someone with you to help you. I moved forward to always believe in things that may not be real. Halen Pogson is an outgoing, cheerful and hardworking student who puts a great deal of effort into his work. Halen is an avid hockey player, golfer and artist and enjoys spending time with his sister and parents. He has a great sense of humor and a wonderful, genuine personality. Nova Moffatt Third Place – Grade 6 Calgary Catholic School District My Brother I don’t really remember a time when my brother wasn't with me, by my side, laughing at my crummy jokes, playing video games with me, sharing memories. I can't even faintly imagine a time when those memories will stop; the feeling of comfort that feels so normal, the thing that brings so much joy into my life, such an average everyday thing. I remember the moment my brother came into my life. 6 | Turning Points 2017 Alberta Winners’ Essays It was a chilly March day in 2009, in our old, cramped, stuffy apartment. I woke up to the sound of a baby crying. I thought to myself, what is that awful noise? It came again and again, the loud, piercing, splitting noise of a baby crying its little heart out. At that moment I knew my baby brother had arrived. My mom had said I was getting a brother. “Now you'll have even more toys to play with,” she’d said each day. That and “Be extra nice to your new brother.” But now, now I knew. I knew my loneliness was cured. I would be whole. I would always have a shoulder to cry on, always have the comfort of a friend. That feeling is a feeling that will always be in my heart. This feeling of responsibility made me feel grown up and in authority. But I also had another feeling, a selfish, childish feeling. I realized I wouldn't always have centre stage. I wouldn't always be the middle of conversation and that everything was no longer all mine. I’d have to share and cope with disappointment. I didn’t like that feeling very much. It made me feel even younger than he was. I ran to my mother and there he was, his cute baby face smiling at me from the comfort of our mother’s arms. The peaceful moment of pin-drop silence lasted about one second. Then his hawk-like cry came back and mom was hushing my brother … rocking him … giving him milk … from a baby bottle. Nova Moffatt is an avid reader which has contributed to his excellent writing abilities. He also likes to draw, play video games, and hang out with his friends. Nova is kind, funny, a strong leader, and someone who tries his best while working to learn from his mistakes. GRADE 7/8 Sydney Knight First Place – Grade 8 Calgary Catholic School District Her I used to hate myself. I used to avoid looking in the mirror because I didn’t like the person who stared back at me. I cried myself to slumber for a little over year. Some days I prayed not to wake up the following morning. I was screaming for help but no one ever took the time to listen; I was so afraid and I could never build up enough courage to ask for it. I hadn’t told anyone about this because I was afraid that my parents would put me through years of therapy and force tiny colourful pills down my throat and that's exactly why I never did. I thought that I could deal with these powerful emotions on my own but I couldn’t. All of my insecurities just became more and more present and everything I detested about myself could suddenly be listed in under a minute, but then something transpired. On January 12th, 2016 I woke and for the first time with a smile on my face. I sang for the first time in what seemed like forever and I danced for the first time in what seemed like even longer. For a year I hid Turning Points | 7 2017 Alberta Winners’ Essays under blankets and behind closed doors, I had listened to the saddest music one could probably ever find and stalked instagram pages filled with depressing quotes that I thought explained my situation for hours and hours on end but that glorious day changed everything. That was the day that I turned on the radio and found the songs that made me feel good. That was the day I viewed my insecurities as my strengths, the day I viewed my thick thighs as a blessing and the day that I saw my chubby cheeks as adorable. For the first time, everything was all right. That was the day I let someone in. I let a girl with eyes bluer than the sky on a perfect summer’s day and hair that looked like perfect strings of gold, break down the barriers that I used to keep my demons in and I was right to do so because that girl is now my best friend. I love her more than anyone could ever know because I’ve told her everything that I hated about myself and she somehow twisted my words to help me view all of those pesky insecurities as my strengths and my imperfections as my superpowers. She is my rock, the one who I can call when I need a shoulder to cry on. It's been a little over a year since the day that changed everything and I've finally realized why that day had such an impact on my life. I still feel these things, I can still look at my body and pick apart what I don’t like about myself, I still cry, I still listen to my sad music, and I still think things that can bring the happiest people to tears. But, because someone believed in me, I can now trust people, I don't feel like I have to hide in fear of getting judged. I can wear shorts with confidence and I'm certainly not afraid to be myself in front of everyone. I’ve never been happier and I’m so thankful for my best friend because she’s never left my side and she’s always believed in me even when I couldn’t believe in myself. I’m proud to say that I haven’t viewed the world the same since. Sydney Knight enjoys reading, watching Netflix and spending time with her friends. She is involved in drama and has a beautiful singing voice. Nicole Caetano Second Place – Grade 8 Calgary Catholic School District Paper and Ink Ac orrupt city. A city that - despite its flaws - I love. The city of São Paulo, a metropolis of streets and smog. People crawl through alleyways and creep through sidewalks, all clothed in neat little debonair suits, wielding their suitcases like medieval shields as they trudge their way to work. With all the crowded, full avenues, it’d be a miracle to make it across the city without any sort of delay. This story isn’t about the busy living conditions I was exposed to as a kid, though. This is about that one puny comic book store huddled among a jumble of pawn shops that I was as devoted to visiting as a junkie is to his dealer. My dad introduced me to the world of literature, something brandishing infinite possibilities, endless plots. He led me to the store. It had no door. A door would’ve been fairly useless, in the store’s defence. Considering how there was no doorway, or even a wall to cloak the front of the store, I asked my dad why this was. “So the giants can pick up their favourite comic books without causing any serious damage.” He replied simply; a sweet lie that got my six-year-old imagination fired up. After a couple of minutes’ debate on the rights of giants, we stepped inside. Countless aisles, stocked with comic books! 8 | Turning Points