Class of 2025: Becca

Becca’s path from a “very, very shy” newcomer to basketball team captain and student ambassador reflects the gradual process of discovery that makes high school such a transformative time. Now, as she prepares to graduate and head to McGill University, Becca reflects on how she learned to stay present, embrace leadership roles that once scared her, and find the courage to trust herself.

‍How would you describe yourself in Grade 9? How have you changed? I was very, very shy and tentative. The biggest difference is probably in my ability to not let anxiety take over – there’s a lot that comes with growing up and going through high school, because these four years determine the next four years after that. In Grade 9, I was very much thinking about the future, about everything that was going to happen. Now I’m more focused on what’s happening in the moment and taking one step at a time.

What was your priority when you were considering different high schools? I’d been going to the same small public school for my whole life, and everyone was going to the same high school. I wanted a change. A big thing about Hudson that my parents and I liked was the study periods andthe smaller class sizes. I do ask a lot of questions—all my teachers say that!—so in a smaller class, I get more attention and find it easier to learn.

‍How did you decide where to go next? I’ve been wanting to go to McGill since I was seven years old. I have photos from when I first visited, and now it’s a full circle moment because my mom went there too, for undergrad. I’ll be studying Life Sciences.

Did you always see yourself in the sciences? In middle school, I thought I would be a lawyer because my parents are both lawyers. But with the jump from Grade 8 to Grade 9 science, and switching from public to private school, everything shifted for me as far as what I wanted to do. I loved class with Mr Migz and Ms Li—they make it fun and easy to follow along. They’ve definitely played a big role in me pursuing science.

What courses have you most enjoyed at Hudson? I really enjoyed Grade 11 and 12 Chemistry because there were so many real-life applications. I also liked anthropology with Ms Cafaro, and law with Mr. Winter. I either want to be a psychologist, which is kind of still brain-focused, or I want to be a doctor. It’s all interconnected with the potential for medical law and careers like that … there are so many different things you can do.

‍Are there any teachers you’ve really connected with in your time here? Ms Cafaro. She’s very funny, she’s always there to listen, and I go to her class all the time just to talk. I also love Rosa—she’s the best. They’re both always there for you, they’re always checking in. Having that support is a big thing, because I didn’t always make those kinds of connections with teachers. Even when you feel alone, you’re not; you have these teachers who care about you.

What’s it been like to be part of a smaller school community? It’s a more individual experience. You make genuine connections with a smaller group of people because you actually have the time to meet everyone. I know the name of every single person in my grade. You’re not going to huge high school football games, but you’re getting to do actual fun things with your entire grade. It’s easier to surround yourself with people that you enjoy because you actually get to meet everyone, as opposed to having one group. 

‍You were captain of the basketball team – what role have sports played for you during your time at school? I’ve played REP basketball outside of school for 10 years and actually just finished my career last weekend. Sports have been important to me my whole life because they give me time off from thinking about school—you always need that breather.

At Hudson, you make a team out of what you have. Building up the team and working together was rewarding because even if the SSAF is less competitive, it’s fun and everyone gets the chance to show their athletic abilities. In bigger schools, people get cut from teams; sometimes, they don’t ever get a chance to play. It’s easier to make the teams here and easier to enjoy your time because you have those social connections. The ability to play multiple sports each semester is amazing because you can do what you love instead of having to choose just one. That was a big thing for me, because I love doing anything athletic.

As captain of the basketball team, I felt it was important to get to know everyone. Grade 9 students come and talk to me even now that the season’s over, and I like that they feel comfortable doing that, because having that role model in your life or someone that you can just ask questions is so important. That responsibility brought me a lot of joy because I’m the youngest in my whole entire family, so I’ve always been the one looking up to other people. Being named captain and being there for my teammates really gave me a sense of fulfillment.

What experiences outside the classroom were the most impactful for you? The Lab Assistant program was great. You get a lab coat, and you set up experiments and labs for other grades and classes. It gives you the chance to show that you do have experience in the field. There are so many teenagers looking for jobs and internships with the same qualifications, so having that extra thing to make you stand out is important. Hudson gives you those opportunities because there are so many different clubs and leadership roles.

I’ve also been a Student Ambassador since Grade 9. I was a shy kid—I’ve always had trouble speaking to adults—so being an ambassador gave me the opportunity to face my fears, in a way. Sharing life at Hudson from a student’s perspective is so important because we actually experience the school. As a Grade 12 student, I feel responsible for showing younger students that the transition to high school is not as terrifying as you might think. Kate and Lily, two Seniors, gave me my first tour when we came for the orientation. It shows you that it’s just one big community. Everyone’s there to support you, and they’re nicer than you would expect. I’m still friends with an older student ambassador who’s now at Laurier, and we hang out and talk. Having those relationships is so important, and it helped me to break out of my shell.

Lastly, the international trip this year was amazing. I had the best time! It was only a group of 30 kids, and it was educational, but we got to do fun things. We went to an amusement park and rode roller coasters in Croatia. I think that it’s a really cool experience to travel without your parents; it gives you that sense of independence that you’re going to need after high school.

‍If you had to use one word to describe your high school experience, what would it be? One word is so difficult! Maybe, inspiring. A big thing for me has been growing and trusting myself. Even with choosing McGill—everyone around me inspired me to branch out and go further away. It’s scary, but I’m inspiring myself to do things that are hard.