Here are a collection of events and experiences that have shaped my life: 

• John Dearness Elementary School in London, Ontario: Student Parliament, choir,  school shows (I was Sandy the dog in Annie), writer’s licenses, special teachers, and lots of tears. 

• Youth sports: baseball, hockey, soccer, golf, and lots of being told that I was “too small.” 

• The ultramarathons: nothing has changed me quite like the experience of running 100 miles on a semi-regular basis (and actually enjoying it sometimes!)

• Oakridge Secondary School: Writer’s Craft, musical theatre (High School Musical and Seussical), choir, bands (especially jazz), Student Parliament, first partners, teachers that I’ll never forget, and a trip to France and England.  

• My bands: Cofield and The Chase 

• Eabametoong First Nation: blueberry picking, canoeing, short film making, and the lesson that “Fort Hope will never leave you.” 

• Huron University College and Western University: studying Political Science and English (undergrad) and Public Administration (graduate), HUCSC and USC, and making more mistakes than I can ever possibly acknowledge. 

• The nonprofits: HeART Youth Programs, Loran Scholars Foundation, London Youth Advisory Council, Food Vibes, Pillar Nonprofit, Worga Foundation, HeartWood Centre for Community Youth Development, 4Rs Youth Movement, and others. 

• Internal Family Systems: a profound opportunity to wrap language around my understanding of myself; level one trained.

Thanks to Sarah Lamos for the photo!