4 Years at a Glimpse

8 August 2013Katie R

I am no longer a student of Brentwood College School. Instead, I am a graduate. It was a moment I have spent 12 years anticipating; from the rigorous colorings in Kindergarten to the final moments readying myself for University, the end of high school has always been on my mind. Now that it is here, the last moments that I spent so long anticipating have become my most bittersweet.

I’ve been blessed to have spent four challenging and entertaining years at Brentwood. I am not here to tell you that the road was always easy. Over my 4 years, there has been, without a doubt, struggles and disappointments. I have shared, with many of my friends, ups and downs. I have seen my friends grow and change. Sometimes things crack under pressure, and pressure and stress are no strangers at Brentwood; however, despite the trials and tribulations of one teenage girl, there are many things I am grateful for.

Without a doubt, I would not be here today without the overwhelming support from the Brentwood teachers. Sometimes people overlook the passion these people put into their jobs, but it is certain that Brentwood teachers want us to succeed. The stress can get close to unbearable, but most of the staff knows how to lift your spirits. Even simple things like Mr. MacLean and Mr. Ganley giving me an extension when my dog died, as little and unimportant as it seemed, had a big effect. Also, when a teacher takes time out of their busy schedule to assist struggling students with extra help, that kind of dedication shows. That is the kind of dedication I have always greatly admired here at Brentwood.

The moments here are to be cherished. My experience has been far from the cliché films that have been paraded on my TV screen. Unique hardly describes the times spent on and off campus. I remember the wet and stuffy cabins my Grade 9 class was stuffed into during a trip to Strathcona Park, and unforgettably, every meal being made with bitter spinach. It was a weekend I spent with my close Brentwood friends, and a moment that has been built into our collective memories. The collective grew each year, with more students added, and more experiences shared.

We were the first class to enjoy Crooks Hall, the first to experience Bamfield, and the last class with five-year Lifers. Each grad class holds something unique that bonds us together and shapes our years together at Brentwood.

So that brings me to my favorite thing about Brentwood: my Brentwood family. For me, that includes my close friends, my teachers, and my amazing house-parents, the Flynns. The friends I have made over the years have held strong by my side, and there are no words to describe the type of bonds we share from being at Brentwood. Through thick and thin, the people here have helped me survive high school. It was a pretty big achievement, but I arrive at my last post, alive and accomplished.

I have never regretted my decision to come to Brentwood. It has shaped who I am today. I have spent almost a quarter of my life at this school. The journey I have taken has left me with memories, friends and connections for life. Although I am ready and excited for the road ahead, I will miss every second that I have had at Brentwood.

Cheers, Katie Radcliffe, Mackenzie ‘13