Shoshana Iny

June 2, 2020. You know what that means... school is almost over! While it seems like Grade Nine has flown by faster than ever, when reflecting on it, so many memories have been made this year. From hopping on a bus on the first day of school in September and going straight up to Camp Wanakita, to sleeping in a quinze up north on the winter camping trip, I have grown and learned so much about myself. Today, I will be sharing some special memories and challenges from this year that have helped me develop as a kid, student, and Canadian citizen.

Now, what would this blog be if we didn't go back to the beginning? And I'm talking VERY beginning, back in late August of 2019 when we first found out our classes for the year. If I'm being honest, I was rather disappointed with what I saw on my timetable, as my ICE class, where I would spend the majority of my time, differed from the classes of my close friends. While I was a bit down in the early moments, I decided to go into the ICE class in September with a positive attitude. Frankly, I have no idea why I was even worried, because right away at Wanakita I got close with both the boys and girls in 9C. Through the simple things, like making pizzas on the second day with Zuhair, Rowan and Edward, I was able to quickly form new friendships with people that I wasn't that close with in middle school. Click here to see my blog from way back when, right after we came back from the trip! The Wanakita experience, along with every day ICE life and getting close with new people, really opened my eyes. I realized that even in an unfamiliar situation, I always have the power to go into opportunities with a smile, with positivity, and with an open mindset. This lesson carried me through the year and will be extremely valuable in the future as an IB learner.

While I have learned about myself as a person, I have also learned lots about myself as a student. While I would like to think of myself as an insightful, hardworking learner, I cannot be blind to the fact that I get can really restless. Before ICE, I was stuck in this mindset where I kept telling myself to stop complaining and that I need to just grind out the work all in one sitting. This unfortunately did not go so well at the start of the year, as the classes for ICE go for almost the whole day. I realized as a student this year, that it is not only okay to take breaks, but that breaks can help you reset your mind and gain energy. Sometimes, I even made a friend during my walks around the second floor! All in all the long days in ICE really did benefit me as a student as it taught me that it is okay to have fun, to take a break, and to breath!

Lastly, going through ICE has allowed me to grow so much as a Canadian citizen. Before the program, I really did not know much, if anything, about the hardships that generations of Indigenous peoples in Canada have had to face. In middle school, people would joke about 'Indians' or make racialized 'jokes' that I didn't see the impact of, because I just wasn't educated on the issues. But after learning about the residentials schools and the struggles of Indigenous Canadians, and many other of large issues that we face as a Canadian society, I have really opened my mind towards these issues. Reading the novel Indian Horse by Richard Wagamese helped me put my privileged life into perspective. People have ignored the residential school period in Canada for too long. I realize now that we are not living in a perfect society, but at the same time, as youth we have the power to make great change, and that it is important to speak out against injustice.

To conclude one final time, (I know, this is heartbreaking,) my time in ICE has truly been a blast. Not only have I had an amazing time and bonded with so many different people, but I also learned so many valuable lessons that I will be able to apply both in and out of the class in the future. Thank you to Ms. Ross, my classmates, my parents, Jake, and everyone else that has helped me grow and challenge myself during the ICE year!

Click above to watch my final ICE documentary regarding domestic violence in Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic.