YOUNG ESSAYISTS CELEBRATE 150
The Regina Leader-Post and Saskatoon StarPhoenix are proud to present the winners of a provincial writing contest for students in grades 8-12.
On May 1, I woke up with a sound scattering around me because my parents were about to take the Canadian citizenship test.
The wind was blowing and the sun was shining brightly in the sky. They were excited and were wishing themselves good luck to pass the test.
For the past week, I had been helping my mom study from a book called Discover Canada. After getting ready, I wished my parents good luck and left for school. On my way, I was thinking about what is so special about this soil, the soil I was walking on.
When I first came to Canada, I was only 10. Now, I am 14 and soon I will be calling myself Canadian. I think about what it’s like being a Canadian. Is becoming a Canadian worth it?
As a teenager living in Canada, I have joined the volleyball team in school. I still remember when I wasn’t able to play any sports in Pakistan, since all the teams involved only boys. In Greystone Heights, I see girls and boys both playing at the same level, and thus I am inspired of the equality in Canada between women and men.
In Chapter 2 of the book, The Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship, the Canadian constitution states that man and women are equal. I remember in my home country my mom always used to convince me to become a doctor since girls there always chose to be doctors. It was the only choice I had until we moved to Canada and my mom told me to choose any profession my heart wants.
At first, I was stunned for a while that I can choose whatever I want, but then I understood that Canada is an equal country to all.
I remember this article I read about Terry Fox while helping my mom study. I heard of Terry Fox before in school. I was surprised that it’s been 37 years since Terry started his run to raise money and awareness of cancer. Canadians still participate in cancer research because of Terry. Canadians still remember his story, and they honour, respect and learn from him. We do the Terry Fox Run in school to admire his effort and legacy that lives on with the hundreds of millions of dollars raised for cancer research. At the end of the article, it said that Terry Fox is an inspiration to all Canadians and the presentation of the Terry Fox statue and events every year in the Discovering Canada book proves to me that Canadians do honour a person’s legacy.
I remember my grandmother was a victim of cancer in my home country. There wasn’t much attention given to cancer treatment in Pakistan. However, in Canada, due to Terry Fox’s actions, cancer research has been very successful.
Canadians also wear happiness on their hearts for all to see, and in this way spread happiness among each other. One day, a stranger walks past me and says, “Hello.” I couldn’t help but smile and reply back to him, “Hi.” I have noticed that in Canada, people are open and extend their hands and hearts to help put a smile on each other’s faces.
I walk past a pond, which is always beautiful, dazzlingly clear and breathtaking. Canada has access to clear and fresh water and clean atmosphere, which is beneficial for my health. There is no pollution in Canada either!
Banff was very beautiful when we went there by road for the first time. There were half snowcapped, rolling mountains and tall, rich green trees everywhere. We would enjoy the view of the lake and go on a nature walk just to take a breath of Canada’s fresh air. There were deer and foxes in the forests. The view was like what some people only see in movies, it was magical.
Canada is a vast land in my eyes, and it has a variety of diverse ecosystems. Canadians are all from the same soil that is under my feet, soil that is rich, native and pure. It is the soil where my growth will be healthy, happy, known and remembered.
My train of thought about Canada broke when I heard the bell ring. I arrived at school in time to join swarms of students rushing in to get to class.
I know that I’m proud that I’m going to be a part of this soil.