Suddenly, that comfortable life came to an end. I went through a lot when I was in Grade 9. And for a girl who had never experienced real failure before, the pain I faced was far too big, and I couldn’t handle it. I fell into depression, and I lost the ability to smile. All I could feel was a wound in my heart that hurt every time I woke up in the morning. Whenever I tried to smile, tears came instead.

Coming to Stanstead was, in a way, an escape from the reality I didn’t want to face. But when I arrived here, I didn’t feel excited—I felt pressure, guilt and fear. On top of that, I couldn’t speak English at all. And because of the pressure and the language barrier, I cried every single day.

I still remember one moment from last year. It was last September, in Mr. Winquist’s History class. We had our first chapter test on Quebec history. I didn’t understand a single thing he said in class—not because he was a bad teacher (actually he is one of the best teachers I’ve had) but because my English was horrible. During the test, I couldn’t even understand the questions. I ended up handing in a blank sheet. Afterward, Mr. Winquist tried to encourage me, but I couldn’t understand his words, and I stood there half crying, feeling powerless.

I got 20 on my first-ever History test. And honestly, the teachers probably felt like I was impossible to help.

But they never gave up on me. They found hope in me, and they kept believing in me, even when I couldn’t speak, couldn’t understand and couldn’t stop crying. And because they didn’t give up, I didn’t give up either.

As time passed, I learned English and something important: when you choose gratitude—when you choose to smile, even a small smile—people become kinder. And when people treat you with kindness, you become happier too. Gratitude creates a cycle of happiness, and that cycle changed my life.

The biggest lesson I’ve learned here is the importance of gratitude.

Many people focus on what they don’t have. We compare, we want more and we feel like what we have now is not enough. But being grateful for what we already have changes your heart. It helps you to be present. And it brings more kindness into your life.

I’m grateful that I can be here. I’m grateful that I can smile again.

We understand the value of light because we’ve experienced darkness. We appreciate strength because we remember moments of weakness. And we learn gratitude because we know what it feels like to lose things.

This school taught me that.

So thank you—for giving me a place to grow, to learn, to make mistakes and to become a better version of myself.

Also, I want to take a moment to thank my mom, my teachers, my roommate, my friends, my Wolfe girls, my coaches, and everyone who has helped me become a better person.

Whatever happens today, I am grateful.