It’s only day 4 of Shad and we’ve only just begun to delve into our month long adventure but already, all 48 of us have formed bonds that will last much longer. Today, like all the days previous, and hopefully to come, has been filled with new and exciting experiences. Our RIM (Research In Motion)/Shad Cup theme has been revealed! The music room was discovered – my favourite moment of the day, and we had our first Shad “Olympiads”.
During the Olympiads, we split into our houses and competed in events both mental and physical. We cheered loudly in good natured competition as groups raced, desperate to cross the line first in the “caterpillar race”. Our general knowledge was put to the test in a game of trivia where everything, from Frankenstein to koala fingerprints, was discussed.
The theme of the Shad Cup project is to develop a something for the rapidly aging population of Canada while keeping in mind three main factors – money, environment and the client. We then have to present our ideas to a panel of yet unknown judges. All the Shads are very excited and suspense is still building as the members that form each team have yet to be announced.
The discovery of the music room was definitely a momentous event for me. A group of us were walking on our way to the kitchens when we passed a previously locked door that was propped open. Inside was a dance studio that contained an old, but serviceable piano. We stayed there for hours and the halls were filled with the mingled sounds of piano passages, guitar chords and many voices singing in unison (shout out to Andrew Lloyd Webber for the fabulous music in the Phantom of the Opera!).
So far, Shad Valley has been one amazing activity after another. I feel so comfortable around my fellow Shads that it’s hard to believe that I’ve only met them recently. The environment here is warm and accepting, pushing us to learn passionately, expand our horizons and test our limits.
Michelle Au Yeung, Shad Valley Université Laval 2010
Hometown: Richmond, Britsh Columbia
