‘Appreciate every fleeting moment’

everybody, my name is Ella Rush. I am a Grade 12 in Groves’ House, and I'm going to be expanding upon the topic of appreciation. I’ve been at Shawnigan for a while now – since September 2020, which was the start of my Grade 9 year. It's about 1,383 days, give or take a few.

 

I remember my first day at Shawnigan vividly. As a bright enthusiastic kid, I immediately ran up to my room excited to see what this place had in store for me, and very excited to meet my roommate. When I got into my room, a team of Grade 12s helped me settle in and comforted me during the move. Eventually, I grew close with them and the whole House, and over the course of that year, they did so many little things to help me adjust to the environment, and over time I think that's what I began to appreciate about this school: the little things. 

 

At Shawnigan, I feel like we do a great job of appreciating and showing thanks. I mean, we did end up picking the word “appreciate” for the word shirt this year, and we are constantly celebrating successes in our community, as well as showing up for those we wish to thank. But in our fast-paced society, we are sometimes swept up by achievements, the pursuit of success and determination. All of which are great, don't get me wrong, but in this environment sometimes we overlook the small things that make life better.

 

The truth is that some of the best things at Shawnigan lie in the simple and ordinary moments that we tend to take for granted. 

 

The interpersonal network and foundation of our school is composed of the little things. The way we don’t cut corners in the quad, the way we stand to applaud, the way we try to put our hand up instead of out, the way we all believe that our House is truly the best one on campus. It's the little things that hold us all together. 

 

As I reflect on my Shawnigan experience, I realize that the memories I'll cherish most aren't necessarily the ones that you might think. I won't remember some big mistake or embarrassing moment. But what will stick with me are the small, seemingly insignificant moments that made each day special.

 

I'll remember the laughter shared at the Groves’ tables during lunch, the inside jokes whispered during class, the feeling of pride during an inter-House win, and the excitement of the first field hockey game of the season. I'll remember the way we ran to try and sneak to use the Groves’ elevator as juniors, the way we battled over a small game of Uno, and the bliss of that morning walk to breakfast amongst my closest friends. But I think what I will remember the most is the way it feels to belong, to truly belong. 

 

You know, sometimes people ask me the question, “Would you do it all over again, just once more?” And my answer to that is… no. I wouldn't want to do it again just once more, I would do it several times over. I would want to live in and cherish the little moments for eternity if I could, because those moments have not only shaped my Shawnigan experience, but they have shaped me into who I am today. And as I look back on my years, I realize that it's not the grades, awards, or mistakes that defined my journey, but rather the small everyday moments that fostered connection, growth, and appreciation.

 

So while I have been here for around 1,383 days, I know that I am leaving with over 10,000 little memories that will last me a lifetime. So do me a favour if you can, make a conscious effort to appreciate every fleeting moment here, because before you know it those everyday moments will become everlasting memories. 

 

Ella Rush is a 2024 graduate of Shawnigan Lake School and one of two Grade 8 Prefects for the 2023-24 school year. She will be attending the University of British Columbia beginning in fall 2024.