Valedictorian Reflection

By Ryan Meadwell

Graduating Class of 2001-2002
 

             Graduation night, is a night that I will remember forever. There are many things graduation night will bring. One, lots of happiness but also tears will be brought to eyes of those who we may never see again. It will be hard to say good-bye to people you have enjoyed your time at Hazel with. Friends I may have only met just this year or last year or the year before that. But I’m sure that when each graduate receives their diploma that joy will fill their hearts and happiness will overcome the sadness. But on graduation night, I will not only feel happy but also a bit relieved and proud of myself for completing 3 years of some of the hardest school work that I have ever encountered. High school will only get harder but until then, I will enjoy each and every bit of success that I achieved during my time at Hazel McCallion.

             When I first came to Hazel, it felt like being in kindergarten again. Everyone was bigger than I was. I was at the bottom as grade six where as the year before I was on top as fifth grader. As the years past I grew not only in height but as a person. I have seen my self go from a 75% student to an 82% student.  I have become more focused on school but as well kept my focus on sports. As I take my last step out of Hazel and head towards high school I feel as though I have changed so much and from the way I look at it, I have.  

            In grade six when I first came into the school, I had been told that Hazel had everything to offer when it came to sports. This got me hooked on the school right away. But as I made my way through grade 6 and grade 7, I began to realize that sports isn’t everything. I then began to try and get into other things like technical stuff, like working with computers and things like that, and I really began to like it. Taking a chance, and getting into something you don’t know much about, is much different. But what is really funny is the fact that I really want to start pursuing a career in computer science. So, if I were to start all over again right from the get go, I think I would have taken more chances and got into other aspects of life other than sports. 

            Many memories will be left behind, times when you could not have been better, and when you were so happy that you could not think of anything else except the happiness that you felt right there and then. But for me, I will have many memories to look back on. Some very good ones, but also ones that I wish never happened. But for now I will not dwell on the bad, but look primarily at the good. I won many championships playing sports and Hazel McCallion and was fortunate to have the 3 best years a kid could ever have. When High School rolls around, lots will change. I may not be able to stay as involved when it comes to sports. This year, as a graduate, the Senior boys volleyball team won the Peel championship. I was very fortunate to be able to play on such an amazing team with so many hard working players and two hard working coaches who guided us to a championship.  Without them, we never would have made it. I would have to say that winning that championship would be the best memory I will ever have. The reason for this is because, when I arrived at Hazel in grade 6, I was picked to play on the volleyball team. As the year progressed, I became a better volleyball thanks to two people, Mr. Koruna and Ms. Tolone. In that same year, Mr. Koruna gave me the experience of a life time, as a little sixth grader, he asked me to come to the provincials with the senior team. I felt very proud of myself but thankful as well because I knew that with out Mr. Koruna and Ms. Tolone there was no way that I would have been even considered to go and play with them. I was the first in Hazel player in history to go to the provincials as a grade 6.  

            But when grade 7 rolled around, I met Mr. Riddell, who helped me in every aspect of my life. Mr. Riddell, was the most amazing person. He helped me with school, taught me life lessons, taught me how to focus with the task on hand, but we were still able to have lots of fun. Now grade 8, I am graduating and with out the help of these three people in particular, I probably wouldn’t have made it. 

            I will never forget Hazel McCallion. Although I have yet to go through high school, college or university I don’t think that there will be a school with so many dedicated and hard working teachers as this one. Hazel McCallion will always have a place with me for as long as I live. Thank you for all that you have done for me Hazel McCallion and hopefully, someday, I can re-pay you with what you have given me.