Day one at Shad Valley Lakehead
The long awaited first day of Shad Valley finally arrived in the wee hours of the morning today for the 2011 Lakehead Shads. The sixty-five Shads at our campus began the day early to travel to Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, Ontario, coming from each end of Canada and even from other continents.
There was an energetic buzz in the air as the Shads arrived at LU throughout the day. Everyone enthusiastically jumped into introductions and light-hearted chatting that gradually transformed into passionate discussions about our many and varied interests.
We were firstly given the tasks of settling into our dorm rooms and familiarizing ourselves with names and the LU campus, through group games and a scavenger hunt. However, by the end of the day, we had been assigned and had started our first business project for the month. Before heading back to our door rooms for curfew at 12 o'clock, we engaged in a group discussion about leadership and its role in our newly commenced projects. After the moderated discussion ended, we dispersed into smaller huddles to continue the conversation, talking until the last possible minute.
Personally, although only a day has passed, I am already feeling at home and looking forward to discussing several topics with fellow Shads. Our group seems bright and dynamic, the staff eager to share, and the schedule packed—this month at Shad is quite promising. I can't wait to see how it unfolds.
Aurélie Paré, Shad Valley Lakehead 2011
Hometown: Moncton, NB
