Samantha Stieber

Even though grade 9 has sadly been cut short, the memories made and lessons learned throughout the ICE course remain. There were so many moments this year in ICE class that are unforgettable. From winter camping to the Toronto Islands my classmates and I are lucky to have participated in so many extraordinary experiences.

A highlight of my time in ICE was the trip we took as a grade to Ottawa. I had lots of fun on the trip and bonded with my classmates. I got closer to my friends and became friends with people who I hadn't talked to before. We got to go bowling, go to restaurants and ride around the city.

I also learned a huge amount in Ottawa about the origins of the city, and it's role as the capital of Canada. We toured art and history museums which taught me about Canada's culture. We were also able to attend a questioning session in the parliament building where I learned more about how the government works. This allowed me to get a much better grip on politics in Canada and helped me develop opinions on political parties and issues. The trip to Ottawa gave us a first-hand in-depth look into Canada's identity and the role our capital plays in it.

After taking part in the ICE course, I highly recommend it. The course gives you a first-hand look at our country's identity. Teachers give insightful and valuable lessons and urge you to form your own opinions on prominent subjects. I appreciate everything I learned this year, and can't wait for next year's classes.