Les essais gagnants 2017 Award Winning Essays 2017 www.partenariateneducation.ca www.thelearningpartnership.ca www.partenariateneducation.ca | www.thelearningpartnership.ca Partenariat en Éducation Partenariat en Éducation est The Learning Partnership is a national charity dedicated une organisation caritative nationale dédiée à l’amélioration du to enhancing publicly funded education to prepare students in système d’éducation publique et a pour objectif de préparer les Canada for a globally connected world by building partnerships élèves pour un monde connecté globalement en établissant des between government, education and business. We do this partenariats entre le gouvernement, l’éducation et le monde des through innovative student programs, executive leadership for affaires. Nous misons sur nos programmes scolaires novateurs, nos educators, knowledge mobilization and policy, tribute celebrations occasions de perfectionnement du leadership, notre mobilisation of excellence, and collaborations across Canada. Since 1993, des connaissances et des pratiques, nos célébrations en hommage more than 6.9 million students have participated in The Learning à l’excellence et nos collaborations partout au Canada. Depuis Partnership’s programs. 1993, plus de 6,9 millions d’élèves ont participé aux programmes de Partenariat en Éducation. Merci infiniment à tous nos partenaires / Special thanks to our program partners: Donneur corporatif anonyme/ Anonymous Corporate Donor Bureau national : National office: 45, av. Sheppard Est, bureau 400 45 Sheppard Ave. East, Suite 400 Toronto, (Ontario) M2N 5W9 Toronto, ON, M2N 5W9 Tél. : 416.440.5100 1 800.790.9113 Tel.: 416.440.5100 1.800.790.9113 @TLPCanada TLPCanada company/TLPCanada TLPofCanada #TurningPointsTLP A Message from National Program Manager “Everyone and everything that shows up in our life is a reflection of something that is happening inside of us.” Marni Angus – Alan Cohen National Program Manager The Learning Partnership As British playwright David Hare says, “the act of writing is the act of discovering what you believe.” The pages of this anthology are filled with a range of stories written by students that highlight a significant event – a turning point – that has changed the trajectory of their lives. The stories are insightful, thought provoking and inspirational. Students in Grades 6 through 12 have demonstrated courage, resiliency and character through their essay submissions – and we are proud of each and every one of them for opening up and sharing their story. This year, more than 18,000 students from Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland and Labrador submitted an essay in English or French. On behalf of The Learning Partnership, we thank all students who participated in this year’s program. It truly takes courage to share such personal accounts and we are impressed by the incredible fearlessness you have demonstrated. We also give special thanks to the many judges, teachers and partners whose time, dedication and contributions continue to make Turning Points possible. To our hard-working staff members, it is your passion and efforts that make Turning Points such an impactful and successful program across the country. We thank you and we feel privileged to work with you. Reading all of these stories gives us at The Learning Partnership great confidence in the future of our country. Marni Angus National Program Manager, Turning Points The Learning Partnership Turning Points | 1 Table of Contents Alberta Winners’ Essays Grade 7/8 French ......................................................37 Grade 6 ......................................................................5 Mon ange gardien ................................................ 37 A Pine Tree Painting ................................................ 5 Derrière la musique ............................................... 38 My Grandpa and the Dimes .................................... 6 Profiter de chaque moment ................................... 39 My Brother .............................................................. 6 Grade 7/8 ..................................................................7 Newfoundland and Labrador, Her ......................................................................... 7 Central Region Winners’ Essays Paper and Ink .......................................................... 8 Grade 7/8 .................................................................41 Memories Waiting to be Made ................................ 9 A Moment in the Spotlight .................................... 41 Grade 9/10 ..............................................................10 There Are No Such Things as Little Things ............. 42 Two Seconds ......................................................... 10 Never Let Anything Stop You ................................ 43 A New Perspective ................................................ 11 Grade 9/10 ...............................................................44 Perfectionist .......................................................... 13 Black and White .................................................... 44 Grade 11/12 ............................................................14 Across Canada ...................................................... 45 From the Ashes ..................................................... 14 Dreams ................................................................. 46 Confusion into Clarity ........................................... 15 Missing Pieces ....................................................... 17 Newfoundland and Labrador, Eastern Region Winners’ Essays Manitoba Winners’ Essays Grade 7/8 .................................................................48 Grade 6 ....................................................................19 A Whale in a Sea of Words ................................... 48 The Gift to Happiness ............................................ 19 Epiphany ............................................................... 49 Drowned in Thoughts ........................................... 20 Cancer .................................................................. 50 Precious Time ........................................................ 20 Grade 11/12 .............................................................51 Grade 7/8 .................................................................21 Sunset................................................................... 51 Adapting to my Pain ............................................. 21 What the Mind Can’t Remember, A Restored Mindset ............................................... 22 the Heart Never Forgets ........................................ 53 Standing Up for Cherry Boy ................................... 23 Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick Winners’ Essays Labrador Region Winners’ Essays Grade 7/8 English .....................................................25 Grade 7/8 .................................................................55 I Choose Life ......................................................... 25 The Arguments They Had ...................................... 55 The Fall and the Climb Back Up ............................. 26 Never Forget ......................................................... 56 Epiphany ............................................................... 26 Turbulent Childhood ............................................. 57 Grade 9/10 English ...................................................27 Grade 9/10 ...............................................................58 The Earth Shaker ................................................... 27 My Happy Pill ........................................................ 58 Summer of Sixteen ............................................... 29 One Mutual Friend ................................................ 30 Healthy Roots Bear Sweet Fruit .............................. 31 Newfoundland and Labrador, Western Region Winners’ Essays 11/12 English ...........................................................33 A Blossoming Tulip ................................................ 33 Grade 7/8 .................................................................60 It’s All About Forgiveness ....................................... 34 The Broken Bond .................................................. 60 Frog Attack ........................................................... 35 The Cherished Memories ....................................... 61 Open Arms ........................................................... 62 2 | Turning Points Grade 9/10 ...............................................................63 Grade 11/12 French ..................................................93 Her Sacrifice .......................................................... 63 Compte à rebours ................................................. 93 Gâteau aux fruits .................................................. 95 Un appel. Trois mots. Ma vie a changé Nova Scotia Winners’ Essays permanente. ......................................................... 96 Grade 6 ....................................................................65 All Good Things Must Come to an End ................. 65 My Parents ............................................................ 66 Ontario, Niagara Peninsula Aboriginal Area Management Board (NPAAMB) Winners’ Essays They That Have No Other Meat, Bread and Butter, They Are Glad to Eat ............................................