For Valentine’s Day, leadership hosted a couple of events for students to participate in, one being a photobooth! Students could come to take photos with a cute background and props. I was on the billboard team, painting the cardboard hearts, putting the board together, and running the stand on the day of. In the end, it came through beautifully!

Leadership Course and Personal Reflection

At the beginning of the course, I was nervous yet excited. I was looking forward to all the experiences and events I could help with. I had a goal, where I wanted to do a lot of public speaking or speaker announcements, anything where I can speak in front of groups. I also wanted to be a point person as much as possible. I wanted to help plan events and be a reliable student people could look to for help. Most of all, I wanted to learn leadership qualities. The speaking skills, people skills, organization skills, everything needed in a successful leader. I did not know what to expect from the course, but I was excited and ready for a new opportunity.  

As the course progressed, I noticed my goals changed. I realized my strengths and struggles as a leader, and the course opened my eyes to what I needed to improve on. The midterm grading conference helped with this and made me reflect on what I have done wrong and right. After the meeting, I worked on these issues. I volunteered more in extra events, handed in assignments on time, and worked on leadership skills outside of school. For example, I volunteered in a non-profit organization to fundraise for children with disabilities, helped with some wedding planning, and worked with the Model UN club, all while keeping leadership qualities like responsibility, punctuality, professionalism, and communication in mind.

By the end of the course, some of my goals have been met, while others have not. I learned more about myself, my strengths and my weaknesses. I have seen other leaders and how they work, and how I should carry myself as a leader. I have been a point person and know what it is like to lead an event. I know what I need to do and the work, thought, and time it takes. I have contributed ideas in discussions and worked with my peers towards the success of an event. Although I could not do as much public speaking, I think the goals and experiences I went through are worth more than what I wanted. 

I believe my final grade for the leadership course should be around 80-85%, similar to my midterm mark.

I believe this is a deserved grade because my punctuality has decreased towards the end of the second half of the course, however, other aspects I was lacking in the first semester have improved. I have improved in assignment punctuality and extra event participation. Out of the opportunities given, I volunteered for grade 9 vaccines and the SD43 golf tournament. Unfortunately for the vaccines, my shift was told not to show up because the vaccines finished early. However, I was able to go to the golf tournament and it was a nice experience to interact with the community and help out on the course.

I’d say when I participate in events, I actively contribute ideas and work with my peers. I interact well with others, and I am always open to contributing ideas. I never complain about the task at hand, for example, the Golf Tournament was in pouring rain, and I am always ready to help out. Based on past experiences, I believe I can lead others and collaborate well with my peers.

Overall, I have made improvements, and had some aspects lacking, which is why I believe the mark is justified.

Semester 2 Parent Teacher Night

Pinetree held a parent-teacher night where parents can meet teachers and talk about student progress. Leadership students helped guide parents and locate classrooms and teachers.

SD43 Golf Tournament Volunteering

Leadership students from Pinetree had the opportunity to volunteer for SD43’s golf tournament for staff across the district. Although it was pouring rain, leadership students helped across the course with different tasks.

Leadership Class of 2023/2024

On the first day of school, leadership helped run photo day.

I was helping in the gym, making sure students were evenly distributed in their lines, behaving, and making room for other students in the back of the gym.

I do not have any photos from this event.

Before school started, we gave newly arriving international students tours around the school.

I do not have any photos from this event.

At the beginning of this course, I remember being nervous because it was new to me. Even though I’m normally a more confident person, being around peers with more experience makes me nervous to take the initiative or speak up. I was hesitant to say my thoughts, in case they were “bad ideas,” so I was more quiet and reserved.

After being in leadership for a while, I’ve learned not to hesitate and to speak up on ideas, even with more experienced peers. When I have opinions on a topic, I express them when I can. This development has helped me learn that even if someone may be “experienced,” I should realize that my input is just as important as everyone else’s. Being worried about what people think should not stop me from sharing my ideas and participating.