Is this really only the fifth day we were at Shad? It seems like it's been forever but in a good way. Today I woke up at 7:20am and headed down to meet the rest of the Shads in the Grand Salon. Cafeteria bound, we trotted along the green lawns of the Laval campus, chatter filling the air. Following a filling breakfast of waffles, fruits, and so many other things, we headed to Kruger for a workshop. The Kruger building is absolutely stunning. You can smell the wood and see green plants everywhere and sunlight streams through the windows. Today we discussed the different problems that affect children with special needs as that is the theme for the Shad Cup this year. We split up into groups based on the category that most interested us (for me, it was human relations), and way too soon, it was lunch. Newly filled up with food we trudged to the POP building. It's darker and it's cold there, but I guess it's okay. We had a seminar hosted by Nicholas on the difference between designing and engineering and what goes in to making a product, and the basic steps. After hearing our theme everyone automatically came up with possible solutions, but we were told that we should be asking questions, thinking of more problems, and THEN at the end, think of a solution.
Physical Activity came next and we all walked to a field and played Ultimate. Everything got jumbled and crazy because there was so many people playing at the same time, but crazy in a fun way. And once again, it was time to be fed. It seems like we're eating so much these days! After dinner we had free time and a group of us went and played a volleyball game. And now, we're here in the computer lab working on our projects, so I guess this is it! Shad has been incredible for the past few days and I can't wait to become even closer with everyone.
Hillary Cheng, Shad Valley Laval 2011
Hometown: Richmond, BC
