So, I’ll see you at the airport in a few hours!
Sounds good.
But before I go, one last question…
Ok…
On a scale of 1 to 10 how was Shad?
11.
This response was not a mathematical error due to lack of sleep, but my honest evaluation of Shad. Before I get to the general stuff – a bit about what I’m supposed to be talking about – July 22rd. The day continued from the night before as we all tried to get some last minute practising in for our Variety Show acts or put finishing touches on the monthbook. Eventually, most of us found our way to bed for a few hours of sleep before Open Day.
As with most days of Shad, we woke up tired and made our way to the cafe for breakfast. After saying the first of our goodbyes to probably the only fruitless cafe in existence, we went to get ready for our big day. The variety show committee went to go get set up and the rest of us dressed up for our big day; the girls looking gorgeous in dresses and skirts and the guys in dress pants doing what they do best – looking handsome.
We then walked across the beautiful UBC campus to explain our projects one last time to the Open Day guests and congratulate each other on jobs well done. Parents were greeted with hugs and the sight of them brought about the realization that we would all be leaving soon. This sparked a flurry of picture taking, which only ended when we were hurried out for lunch.
The food at lunch was amazing, and meeting the parents, Shad supporters and others who had made Shad so fantastic was equally amazing. There were closing speeches and recognition from one of our program directors and our valedictorians. Our valedictorians presented in verse, reminding us of our memories and jokes and summing up the experience.
Next, was the variety show with piano, vocal, zither, guitar, band and dance performances of everything from traditional music to recent hits. There was even a ‘comedy’ performance from the Handsome Men’s Club and a “Love You Tender” music video remake. As was demonstrated throughout the month, the talent amongst our group of 51 students was immense and another reflection of incredibleness of Shads.
After the variety show, we headed back to res for a different kind of closing ceremony. I want to keep the ceremony a surprise for next year’s Shad’s, so I won’t give away too many details, but I will say it demonstrated the connections we had all forged and left us all even more attached to each other.
We were then presented with our super cool Shad clothes and monthbooks and settled in for a long night. We signed each other’s monthbooks, trying to put our relationships and memories into words for the rest of the evening and forget that we would have to leave in the morning.
Shad was truly the experience of a life time – it taught me about life, myself and many other things. It helped me make friendships with people I will stay in touch with for the rest of my life and truly changed my life. As our valedictorians said:
It’s about the experiences we have and the people we meet,
It’s about the friendships we build and the times, oh so sweet!
As we stare into the stars at night and breathe the same air,
We will know that all of us stand under the same sky, even if unaware;
We feel warmth upon reflecting on all the great memories we had,
We realize that none of this would have been possible if it wasn’t for SHAD!
Julie Van de Valk, Shad Valley University of British Columbia 2010
Hometown: Waterloo, Ontario
