Category Archives: Leadership 11

February was all about love, fun, and of course, leadership! I had an absolute blast being part of the Valentine’s Day event, where my main role was photo taker extraordinaire 📸. But looking back, this wasn’t just about snapping cute pics—it was about problem-solving, teamwork, and making sure everyone had the best experience possible!

💡 The Idea & The Pivot

Originally, I suggested setting up a Polaroid photo booth to add a fun, vintage vibe to the event. BUT—plot twist—Polaroids and our lighting situation weren’t exactly a match made in heaven. Instead of giving up on the whole photo idea, we pivoted and decided to roll with phone cameras instead. This way, everyone could still get their pictures taken without any technical hiccups. A key leadership takeaway? Flexibility is EVERYTHING. When things don’t go as planned, the best thing to do is adapt and keep moving forward! 🚀

📷 Photo Time = Hype Time

On the big day, I wasn’t just taking photos—I was hyping people up and getting them excited to join in! Some people were a little shy at first, but with a bit of encouragement, they totally got into it. Honestly, that was the best part—seeing people go from hesitant to fully embracing the moment. A huge part of leadership is making others feel comfortable and included, and I loved getting to do that!

🎯 Theme Connection: Principles of Leadership & Teamwork

This event was a perfect example of what it means to be a team player and a leader. A big part of leadership is recognizing that challenges will always come up, but strong teams find ways to work through them. Instead of scrapping the photo idea when Polaroids became an issue, we worked together to find a solution that still gave people a fun experience. Being adaptable, supporting each other, and keeping the energy high made the event a success.

Leadership isn’t just about making decisions—it’s about creating an environment where people feel encouraged to participate and have fun. I had to use communication skills, hype people up, and make sure the whole experience felt welcoming. This event reinforced that strong leaders and teams develop great relationships and work through challenges together! 💪

📌 Concrete Examples of Leadership in Action

✅ Problem-Solving & Adaptability:

When I realized Polaroids wouldn’t work due to lighting, I didn’t let that stop the photoshoot idea. Instead, I quickly suggested using phone cameras to ensure the event still had a fun, interactive element. This demonstrated my ability to adapt to challenges and think on my feet—a key leadership skill.

✅ Encouraging Participation

During the event, I actively encouraged people to take photos, making them feel comfortable and excited to join in. Many people were hesitant at first, but after some cheering and positive energy, they became more engaged. This is proof of my ability to foster an inclusive and enthusiastic atmosphere, a core part of being a strong team player.

✅ Reflecting & Improving

In our debrief meeting, I contributed to discussions on how to improve future events, specifically suggesting better advertising to clear up confusion about pricing. Identifying areas for improvement and offering solutions shows leadership through self-awareness and commitment to growth.

📢 Lessons Learned & Future Glow-Ups

At our debrief meeting, we talked about what worked and what could be better. One BIG takeaway? We need to advertise more! A lot of people thought they had to pay for photos, which made some hesitate to participate. Next time, we’ll make sure the messaging is crystal clear so more people can enjoy the fun. Communication is everything, and this event was a great reminder of how important it is to get the right info out there! 📝

🎊 Final Thoughts: A Total Success!

Overall, this event was such a win! I had so much fun, and it really reinforced the importance of adaptability, quick decision-making, and bringing people together. Leadership isn’t just about calling the shots—it’s about solving problems, supporting your team, and making sure EVERYONE gets to be part of something awesome. Can’t wait for the next big event! 💕✨

December Dump: Spirit Week and Winter Formal 🎄🍕

December was a whirlwind of fun, creativity, and moments that tested my leadership skills in unexpected ways. From rallying Spirit Week participation to turning a food station into a party zone at Winter Formal, this month had it all. Here’s a breakdown of how it all went down and what I learned.

Getting Ready for Spirit Week 🎉

Spirit Week isn’t just about dressing up—it’s about strengthing school spirit and making sure everyone feels involved.  Each day had a fun theme:

• Monday: Pajama Day (peak comfort vibes).

• Tuesday: White Lie Day (the T-shirts were iconic).

• Wednesday: Jersey Day (missed it due to a field trip 😢).
• Thursday: Christmas Day (time to bring out the festive fits).

• Friday: Vacation Mode (think sunglasses and laid-back outfits).

I also emailed my ideas for the week to Ms. Rioux and Ms. Macpherson, focusing on themes that would be fun, easy to participate in, and accessible for everyone. Seeing so many classmates join in made all the effort worthwhile.

Day of the Week: Spirit in Action 🎭

During the week, I didn’t just participate—I encouraged others to join in, too. Whether it was complimenting someone’s White Lie T-shirt or hyping up Pajama Day, I made it a point to spread positivity.

Key Themes in Action:

• Public Relations and Communication: By sharing ideas and engaging with classmates, I wanted to make sure Spirit Week was inclusive and exciting.
• Teamwork: Collaborated with teachers and peers to ensure participation levels were high throughout the week.

Winter Formal: Food, Fun, and Improvisation 🍣🎶

Winter Formal was a whole other adventure. My main role? Managing the food station and making sure everyone got their fair share of pizza, chicken, sushi, and more. I arrived 30 minutes early to help set up and stayed afterward to clean up.

But when I realized I wasn’t allowed on the dance floor, I had to do something and get creative. With some help from Chami (shoutout to the real MVP), I turned the food station into a mini-party zone. He brought me a speaker and some lights, and just like that, I had my own little dance floor in the food room. It became the go-to spot for people to vibe and grab a snack—a win-win!

Key Themes in Action:

• Project Planning: Managed the food distribution efficiently while creating a fun atmosphere in the food room.
• Adaptability: When plans didn’t go as expected, I found a creative way to stay involved and contribute to the event’s success.
• Leadership: Took the initiative to keep the energy alive in a new, unexpected way.

Lessons in Leadership and Teamwork 📚

Both events taught me valuable lessons about leadership:

• Teamwork: Whether it was encouraging Spirit Week participation or coordinating with Chami at Winter Formal, collaboration made everything smoother.
• Adaptability: When things didn’t go as planned (like missing Jersey Day or being confined to the food station), I found ways to turn setbacks into opportunities.
• Communication: From emailing teachers to hyping up classmates, clear and effective communication made a huge difference.
  

What I Learned 🌟

December showed me the power of positivity, creativity, and teamwork. It’s not always about sticking to the original plan—it’s about finding new ways to contribute and make the most of every moment. From festive fits to impromptu dance parties, this month was a reminder that leadership is about showing up, adapting, and creating joy wherever you can.

Here’s to turning challenges into memories and making December a month to remember! 🎄✨

November 27, 2024, was the day of Grade Nine Day, and let me tell you, it was a wild ride!

Getting Ready📋

Grade Nine Day wasn’t just about lunchtime hilarity—it was the result of weeks of preparation, brainstorming, and collaboration. Leading up to the event, I worked closely with Chloe and Alexia, the point people for the day. They had a lot on their plates, so I made sure to be someone they could count on since I was a part of the Q/A crew with them which didn’t need a lot of preparation.

During our planning meetings, I brought ideas to the table—suggesting activities and examples of what we could do to make the event exciting for everyone. At the same time, I was open to hearing others’ ideas, knowing that the best plans are the ones shaped by collaboration. Whether it was tweaking my suggestions or jumping on board with someone else’s vision, I wanted to ensure we had a team vibe that worked.

I also made it a priority to show up to every meeting, staying positive and ready to contribute. Even when we faced challenges (hello, last-minute adjustments), I kept the energy lighthearted and focused. By the time November 27 rolled around, I felt ready to take on anything Grade Nine Day could throw at us—or so I thought.

Day of the Event🎊👯‍♀️

November 27, 2024, will forever be etched in my memory as the day I turned lunchtime awkwardness into a mini-adventure. It was Grade Nine Day, and I was ready to shine—or so I thought. My assigned role was to man the Q/A station. Easy enough, right? Except…no one had any questions. Or answers. Or even interest.

There I was, standing at my lonely desk, trying to look busy, when inspiration (or desperation) struck. Instead of just waiting for the action to come to me, I decided to go where the people were! That’s when Matthew, who was on security duty, and I hatched our master plan: Operation Hype Up the Hallways.

For the rest of lunch, we roamed the school like we were on a Grade Nine Day world tour. We popped into classrooms, waved to students in the hallways, and invited anyone within earshot to come join the fun. Was it embarrassing? Absolutely. Walking into classrooms filled with people from every grade, trying to sound convincing to the grade 9’s while everyone else stared, was peak cringe. But honestly? It was hilarious, too. Matthew gave the whole thing a security-officer-meets-hype-man vibe, which made the awkwardness totally worth it.

How I Put Leadership Skills to the Test🤓

Grade Nine Day wasn’t just an event—it was a crash course in teamwork, quick thinking, and making things happen even when they don’t go as planned. Here’s how it all went down and how I connected it to the leadership themes we’ve been working on.

Teamwork: When Everyone’s Ideas Matter

From the start, I wanted to make sure Chloe and Alexia, the event leads, had all the support they needed. I showed up to every meeting, pitched activity ideas, and stayed open to everyone’s input. Whether it was refining plans or jumping in to help, I understood that being a good team player meant listening, contributing, and building off others’ ideas.

When lunchtime came, and my Q/A station turned out to be a total flop (seriously, not a single person stopped by!), I didn’t just stand there awkwardly. Instead, I teamed up with Matthew, who was on security duty, to hype up the hallways and classrooms. It was teamwork in action—figuring out how to fix a problem together.

Leadership: Stepping Up When Things Go Sideways

This event was a real test of leadership for me. When things didn’t go as planned, I didn’t freeze or give up. Instead, I took charge and thought on my feet. I decided we’d ditch the Q/A station and take the Grade Nine Day hype directly to the students. Walking into classrooms mid-lesson to convince people to join was super awkward—but we laughed it off and made it fun.

It felt great to step up, be visible, and confidently lead the charge, even if it meant doing something out of my comfort zone.

Communication: Talking the Talk

Good communication was key both before and during the event. At our meetings, I listened carefully to feedback, shared ideas, and made sure everyone felt heard. During the event, I had to adjust my approach to talking with students, balancing humor and energy to convince them to join in.

Teaming up with Matthew also meant communicating well—figuring out how we’d split the work and keep things running smoothly.

Problem Solving: Turning a Flop Into a Win

When the Q/A station didn’t work, I had to think fast. Instead of letting the day fizzle out, I came up with a new plan to get people involved. This meant hitting the hallways, visiting classrooms, and keeping the event lively despite the hiccup. It wasn’t what we originally planned, but it ended up being one of the most fun parts of the day.

What I Learned

Grade Nine Day taught me so much about leadership and teamwork. From the planning stages to the big day itself, I learned how to adapt, stay positive, and work with others to make the event a success. Even the most awkward moments turned into something memorable because I didn’t give up.

So here’s to Grade Nine Day—a mix of challenges laughs, and a whole lot of learning. Sometimes, all you need to turn things around is a little creativity, some good teamwork, and the willingness to embarrass yourself in front of a classroom full of people. 😄

Pumpkin Carving, Playlists, and Making Connections 🎃🎶

One of the highlights of the fall season at school was the Pumpkin Carving Event, where I had the chance to get creative, connect with new people, and learn a little something about myself in the process. From managing music to carving pumpkins, it was an afternoon full of laughter, challenges, and memorable moments.

Setting the Scene: Communication through Music 🎧

My role during the event wasn’t just about carving pumpkins—I was also in charge of creating the vibe through music. I spent time putting together a playlist I thought would get everyone hyped for fall fun. But as it turns out, not everyone agreed with my music choices!

A few people (jokingly, I hope!) told me my playlist wasn’t their favourite. Instead of taking it personally, I saw it as an opportunity to communicate and connect with others. I asked for suggestions, added their song picks, and quickly learned how music can be a conversation starter. Even if my playlist wasn’t a hit with everyone, it was fun to see people laugh about it and engage in the event more.

Carving Pumpkins and Breaking the Ice 🎃

The actual pumpkin carving was a chance to meet and connect with some of the new international students at school. I made it a point to introduce myself, ask about their carving ideas, and get to know their stories.

This experience really reminded me of the power of communication in building relationships. By being approachable and starting conversations, I was able to help them feel included and part of the school community. It didn’t matter if their pumpkins were perfectly carved or hilariously lopsided (mine wasn’t a masterpiece either!)—what mattered was the fun we had working together and sharing the experience.

Reflecting on the Fun 📚

Looking back, the Pumpkin Carving Event taught me a lot about how small interactions can make a big impact. From managing the music to chatting with students from different backgrounds, I learned how communication isn’t just about words—it’s about being open, approachable, and willing to adapt to others.

A couple of key takeaways for me were:

1. Be flexible: Not everyone will like your playlist, but being open to suggestions creates a more inclusive atmosphere.
2. Take initiative: Starting conversations, especially with new students, helps build connections and make people feel welcome.
3. Have fun with imperfection: Whether it’s a playlist flop or a pumpkin carving fail, embracing the humor in situations keeps things light and enjoyable.

More Than Just Pumpkins

This event wasn’t just about carving pumpkins; it was about connecting with people and creating a welcoming space. I’m glad I got to be part of it and can’t wait for more opportunities to learn, laugh, and grow through fun school events.

The Spooky Scavenger Hunt 👻🎃

Let me tell you about one of the most exciting school projects I’ve been a part of recently—the Scavenger Hunt! Not only was it a blast to plan and pull off, but it also turned out to be a major lesson in teamwork and communication. From wild brainstorming sessions to last-minute clue adjustments on event day, this scavenger hunt was all about staying connected and working together. Let’s dive in

Planning the Madness: Where Ideas Took Flight🚀

Our brainstorming sessions were essentially a blur of ideas! We discussed themes, hints, and routes in order to create an enjoyable and interesting scavenger hunt.

This stage highlighted the curricular competency of creative thinking: we generated creative solutions by bouncing ideas off one another and refining them through discussion. Everyone contributed something unique, and the collaborative environment ensured every voice was heard. By respecting and building on others’ suggestions, we transformed individual ideas into a cohesive plan. This process showed me how collaboration strengthens creativity and problem-solving.

Event Day Adventures: Communicating on the Go 🎉

Then came event day—the real test of our curricular competency in communication! My job was making sure everyone knew the plan: where clues were, how teams were doing, and if any last-minute adjustments were needed. There were moments when things didn’t go exactly as planned (it’s all part of the fun, right?), so I had to think quickly, communicate clearly, and keep the vibe upbeat.

My primary responsibility was managing the café and gym areas, where participation was optional. I had to effectively communicate to draw students in and make the scavenger hunt exciting. I didn’t wait for students to approach; instead, I proactively introduced myself, explained the event, and encouraged them to join. Guiding participants involved giving clear instructions and adapting quickly when unexpected issues arose, such as adjusting clues on the fly or answering questions.

In these moments, I realized how essential it is to tailor communication to the audience—keeping directions simple, being approachable, and maintaining a positive attitude all helped ensure participants felt welcome and motivated.

Post-Hunt: Looking Back, Laughing, and Learning 📚

After the hunt was done, I took the time to reflect on how things went and gathered feedback from participants. There were definitely some funny moments that seemed even funnier once we were done! I shared some of the feedback with the team and suggested a few ideas for making future events even better. It felt good to know that we were all learning from the experience and could improve next time.

The Real Takeaway: Communication for the Win! 🏆

This scavenger hunt was such a great reminder of how powerful communication is. Here’s what I learned along the way:

• Sharing ideas freely: Don’t be shy—pitch those wild ideas! You never know which one will spark something awesome.
• Listening to others: Listening isn’t just about hearing; it’s about really understanding and building on what others say.
• Clear instructions: Keeping things simple and clear makes everything go smoother, especially on a busy day!
• Constructive feedback: Talking honestly about what worked (and what didn’t) helps everyone get better and have more fun next time.

Looking back, this scavenger hunt taught me that communication is so much more than just talking. It’s the whole experience—sharing, listening, laughing, and making things happen together! Can’t wait to carry these lessons into my next project. Here’s to more adventures and great teamwork ahead! 

Also shoutout to Ms. MacPherson for letting me borrow her leadership shirt!

Pinetree Secondary Spirit Assembly 2024                                 September 18th 2024                    

Event Participation:

At the Spirit Assembly, I got to be the point person for the hype crew, and it was my first real leadership job. Honestly, it was both scary and super fun! In the beginning, we were all dancing together, and I loved getting everyone hyped up right from the start. Throughout the assembly, I was jumping around, cheering people on, and making sure the energy stayed high.

Whenever the teachers were performing, I had my flash on, adding to the excitement. It felt great to see everyone joining in.

Even though it was challenging to be in such a prominent role, I loved every minute of it. This experience boosted my confidence and showed me how much I enjoy leading and working with others. Overall, being a part of the hype crew was a blast, and I learned a lot about teamwork and keeping the energy up!

Curricular Competency:

The competency I focused on was creative thinking, aligning with my course goals of adapting to challenges and finding solutions under pressure.

Steps Done:

To become proficient in this area, I:

• established a lively atmosphere right away by encouraging everyone to dance and become excited for the assembly as soon as they entered the gym.
• worked along with the hype crew to think of entertaining and   improvised ways to engage the audience, which helped to maintain a high level of energy throughout the event. 
• used creative methods to keep the audience and the hype crew enthusiastic and involved throughout the event.

Evidence of Curricular Competency:

• Feedback from teachers who recognized our ability to engage the crowd creatively and effectively.
• The assembly continued smoothly, with both the hype crew and the audience maintaining high energy, demonstrating that our creative solutions were effective

Learning Objectives: What specific skills or knowledge do you hope to acquire by the end of this course? 
Explain why these are important to you.

I want to improve my communication and multitasking abilities in my Leadership 11 course. I’m a social butterfly who enjoys interacting with others, but I become a little overwhelmed when I take on too much at once. I’m realizing that I occasionally need to take a step back and concentrate on completing tasks one at a time. For me, these abilities are crucial since leading well requires juggling a lot of duties while maintaining good communication.  Additionally, succeeding at this will allow me to manage both my academic and social life free of stress!

Application of Knowledge: How do you plan to apply What you learn in this course to real-world situations or future academic/career pursuits? Provide examples.

​​I want to use the time management skills I learned in Leadership 11 to help me reach my future academic or professional objectives as well as in everyday situations.  Improving my ability to multitask, for example, would allow me to manage social occasions, extracurricular activities, and school without being overwhelmed.  It will help me learn how to prioritize activities and maintain organization, which will be very helpful when managing several projects or deadlines.

Personal Growth: In what ways do you expect this course to contribute to your personal development?

Consider aspects such as critical thinking, problem-solving, teamwork, and communication skills.

These time management abilities will be crucial in the future for any fast-paced profession I decide on. I’ll stay on top of everything if I can break down and approach problems step-by-step, whether I’m managing several tasks at work or managing big projects.

I believe that Leadership 11 will have an important effect on my own growth,  in particular areas like teamwork, problem-solving, and critical thinking. I’m excited to improve my critical thinking abilities because leadership requires making decisions quickly and coming up with solutions on the spot. This will improve my ability to understand events and make more educated decisions. Additionally, I want to get better at addressing problems and learning how to deal with them when they happen without feeling overwhelmed.

This course will encourage me to collaborate with others more successfully. I am aware that being a leader involves more than just giving instructions; it also includes collaborating with others and ensuring that everyone is in agreement. 

Challenges and Strategies: Identify potential challenges you might face in achieving your goals for this course. What strategies will you employ to overcome these challenges?

One of the hardest challenges I might face in this course is feeling overwhelmed when trying to handle too many tasks at once. Since I sometimes take on more than I can manage, I could struggle with balancing the responsibilities that come with building leadership skills. To deal with this, I’ll focus on taking things step by step, setting clear priorities, and staying organized using tools like to-do lists. I’ll also work on staying positive and reminding myself that it’s okay to make mistakes. Staying patient when things don’t go as planned is another area I want to improve.