Written By: Rachel Kay (Grade 12 Student)

Fabulous? Inspirational? Encouraging? Incredible? I can’t decide which word best describes my experience at CSLC (Canadian Student Leadership Conference). I knew it was going to be good, but I didn’t know what the best part of “good” was until I experienced it.

Very early September 19, Parker Campbell, Mandla Mthembu, Miss Buick, Miss Bonneau and I(Rachel Kay) headed to the CSLC conference in Halifax Nova Scotia. Our adventure in leadership was just beginning.

We arrived at the airport in Halifax and were promptly greeted by a lobster….our first taste of the East Coast. We were then whisked away on a bus and were off to an energetic start meeting students from across the country. The trip began with a preconference tour of Nova Scotia that included Peggy’s Cove, the Bluenose, Citadel Hill, the site of the historic Halifax explosion and a tour of the Halifax Sea Port to name a few.

The energy of the leadership students that attended the conference was amazing. There was so much to learn from the many guest speakers and breakout sessions that we all got to attend. One of our favorite speaks was Kathy Buckley. She is a deaf comedian with an amazing life story that makes us all appreciate the one we have. No matter whom you are, she will touch you with her story, just as she did us. Kathy had us crying and laughing constantly throughout her performance. She is an inspiration to us all.

We all agree that CSLC has made us better leaders. It has boosted our confidence, and communication skills. All of this makes us more excited to be a part of the team that is bringing this type of leadership and energy to our school and to our community when we host the provincial leadership conference next September. My classmate, Parker Campbell, summed up CSLC Halifax 2015 in saying, “It was like a giant pep rally every day.” This was an experience that we all have gained so much from.