Old Strathcona Farmers' Market

Guestbook Old Scona Academic: More Than a School

The transition from junior high to high school is scary for everyone. You begin to question your whole identity. Who are you? What are you going to be now? For me, not only was I surrounded by new people and a new environment but, since Old Scona is an academic school, I was surrounded by people who would essentially view me as simple competition. Yet how would I compete with these students? How could I fit in with their intellectual prowess? On top of that, trivial things such as what clothes you wore, what phone you had and what makeup you used suddenly mattered much more. Given all this, it's not a surprise that it took me a while to adapt. However, in my final year of high school, I realize that the amount of worrying I did was pointless. These people, my friends, at this school have taught me more than just academics. They've taught me how to grow as an individual. Since successfully achieving at academics is a norm at Old Scona, failure leaves a stronger impact here than anywhere else. Yet these people here view failure as a means of achieving success. Without failure, how do you learn to appreciate your accomplishments? With all the low points I've encountered during my high school experience so far, the people here have been nothing but always encouraging and inspiring. Not just the friends I've made but also the teachers have been motivating. Everyone at Old Scona genuinely wants you to achieve. Those moments when you actually do succeed, you're not only making yourself proud but everyone else as well. Because of this school, I can say for my Canadian identity that I am more than a student. I am a leader yet a follower. I am a friend and an encourager. I have learned true friendship, appreciation and accomplishment. I am an Old Scona student.