Grade 8 Reflection

by:  Sidika Dhalla, 8I

The past three years of my life will without a doubt be the most memorable years of my life.  The teachers, principals and students at Hazel McCallion have taught me meaningful lessons and interesting things about life.  But all good things do come to an end, and this is unfortunately my last year at Hazel McCallion.

My most rewarding experience at Hazel McCallion would have to be in Grade 6, second term, when I got the honour role for the first time.  Actually, since I got my first term report, I always thought that my teacher had made a mistake and I was supposed to make it on the honour role, but when I did make it, I felt so proud of myself that I forgot all doubts that I had.  Forgetting academics for a minute, my most embarrassing moment also took place at Hazel.  June 2000, I was playing soccer with my friends, someone kicks the ball (not mentioning any names) and it hits me right smack in the nose!  Needless to say, my clothes were ruined from the blood stains.  The funny part is that one guy, who back then laughed at me, is now a really good friend of mine - and he actually apologized!!  (Good job Zane).  That is obviously something that I would erase from my video tape of my life at Hazel McCallion.

When I first entered the school boundaries as a student of Hazel McCallion, I was excited, scared, and very unsure of myself.  Grade 5 was a really bad year for me and I was hoping to make many new friends at Hazel.  I was also scared that many people wouldn't be my friends because of the impressions of myself that the kids I was with in grade 5 gave me.  Right now, I have many friends and I'm really happy with my life and my time.  I'm enjoying my life as much as possible and worrying as much as I used to back in Grade 6.  I am confident in myself, but not so much as to cause people to say I'm conceited.

In the past two years, I have made many friends that will remain with me for the rest of my life.  I'd like to thank them for bearing with me for this long.  Since all my friends are special to me, I don't have one special thanks.  I'd like to thank, (in no particular order), my once upon time enemies (j/k), Harpreet, Sheena and Manpreet who are now three of my best friends, also Neelu (I'll miss you), Rishika, Maria, Mylien, Amarjot, Zane, Debbie, Saba, Emina, Joy, Sheena and Manpreet (cya guys at RH!).  And I'd like to say a goodbye, but not a final farewell to Harpreet, Nikhil, Helton and the other Sheena (have fun at Streetsville).  And last but definitely not the least, I'd like to say thanks to my teachers, Mr. Burlock (where ever he is), Mr. Ducker, Mrs. Archibald (congratulations on the baby).  Mr. Taylor (no more notebook checks...hopefully) and, of course, Miss Seguin for being the most funniest (sorry for the grammar, but don't worry you taught us well) teacher a Grade 8 could ever have.

I'm not really looking forward to any particular part of grad night, but if I had to choose it would be the dance obviously...NO PARENTS!!  Haha. 

I'm actually kind of scared to start high school because we go from being the oldest in our school to the youngest in high school.  But I know I have to keep a positive attitude and try to meet as many new people as possible.

I'd like to give a final thanks to everyone I've met at Hazel McCallion.  I'll miss you all.  Wish me luck for high school!