The Purpose of the Individual, Is the Common Purpose of the Crowd

Bullying is an epidemic in our country, a blemish on our superior record of the upbringing of our youth. High school for many, is a place that represents an intolerable pit of doom with an endless stream of verbal abuse, physical mishaps and social conundrums. It has to stop.

Princess Margaret Secondary is an oasis on the brutal horizon of high school oppression. The palm trees of inclusion sway in a cool breeze of self confidence and high esteems. The spray of the lapping waves in the pool reflects the refreshing scene of a social model that all students should encourage.

A common undertaking at Princess Margaret Secondary is the well known, high-five. This gesture of affection and appreciation is a pandemic that has infested the school and the people who associate themselves with it. Despite the fact that there are certain cliques and social groups that keep to themselves, the local atmosphere within the school is positive and is stricken with a sense of optimism that everyone feeds ravenously off of. This entitles everyone to connect with one another. Like a crowd. It is harder to control an individual because they have a certain purpose but a crowd is different, it has a common purpose, the purpose of an individual. In this case, this purpose is to function as not as a school but as a family. A community. A living organism that dominates each of its movements with precise control.

There is much to learn from a school like Princess Margaret Secondary. Let every school catch the plague of positivity and optimism, for each and every one of us has a purpose. Why not find and establish a place where you can express your views without being judged? This is what schools everywhere should look up to, and hopefully one day, all schools will see each other as equals. Lets call them, extended family.

That Guy

You know me. I am “that guy”.

 I am that dude you see ambling down the dim drive. I am that kid who throws the newspaper on your roof every morning. My identity is a mystery. I move with meaning and strike with elegancy. I am Taurus burning bright on a clear night sky. Yeah. You know me. Dmitry Ivanovsky discovered the virus, the pathogen, the disease. I discovered the white blood cell, the remedy, the cure. I am the oil of oregano. I am organic and clean, sustainable and righteous. I am Batman’s butler, always giving advice and offering my loyal service. I am 24/7.

Who am I? I’m “that guy”.

You may ask what sets me apart, let me tell you. I am the strings to your guitar, the battery to your television remote, the service to your cell phone.

I am “that guy”.

I developed the first photograph. I saved the Titanic from sinking. I rode the last unicorn. When I was a young boy, I won the Nobel Prize for my scientific research in climate change. I invented the term wireless. I have the power to control the elements: earth, air, water and fire. I am the last Airbender. My inexplicable ability to enthral myself in colloquies and hold engaging conversation allows me to be triumphant over daily drowsiness and fatigue. Take that Redbull. Ka-Pow. I am unimaginable goodness like the secret ingredient in Dr. Pepper or the never ending questions over how the world was created. I am the smallest particle, the sub-sub-subatomic particles. I am the 27^th dimension. I’m that guy who’s going to college.

I’m the guy whose life has infinite possibilities.

You know me.  I’m “that guy”.

2011 - The Final Battle

As the dusk of grade 12 is approaching on the horizon, the high academic warriors prepare their broadswords and battleaxes for the university entrance wars, supplemental application brawls and the scholarship clashes. The written material is being fortified, edited, checked, and rechecked. The competition for the best references is tight and the pressure to be the top countryman and astute swordsman is at its peak. Lightning between the adversary's eyes are flashing wildly with the fire of a blacksmith's forge and for good reason. The fight for their future is about to begin. Light from the post-secondary sun ominously glows upon the barren and grim battlefield. For many, faltering in combat due to the might of their opponent is all too common. Although the experiences of these losses can be crushing, with a new mindset and sharp pencil, any man or woman can prevail. There will always be another future engagement, always another contested scholarship, and always another encounter with a new rival. These are what the mercenaries of each graduation class face and to the bitter end they will fight for their freedom to an education and ultimately for their goals to be a better gladiator in whatever field they end up in.