2024 Grads Present Capstone Projects

2024 Grads Present Capstone Projects

by Linda Baker, VHS 1969

As a part of Career Life Connections 12, which is a graduation requirement, students develop Capstone Projects to showcase how they have demonstrated engagement and growth in the three core competencies: communication, critical thinking, personal and social development. They do done this in one of two ways: developing and executing apassion project, or presenting artifacts that represent experiences/achievements/ interests.

Vic High’s new Multi-Purpose Room was the hub of this year’s Capstone Project presentations, with student displays spreading into the adjacent Community Center and the Vining Street Entrance. Each student’s project was assessed by staff as family, alumni, friends visited displays and chatted with students.

Annika (shown above) began riding almost nine years ago and loves it. She developed empathy with her horse, and ended up nursing Quinn through rehabilitation therapy as she herself was recovering from stomach surgery. She also learned to surrender to events, and developed understanding and patience. She’s also an accomplished artist, expressing her experiences through her art which garnered her an exhibit at Saanich Recreation Centre.

Anhuan ended up missing almost his entire Grade 10 year. His family travelled to Mexico when his grandfather became ill, and ended up staying when his grandfather died and the global pandemic kept them there. He continued studies online, learned to play the guitar, wrote lyrics, and now uses music software to express his connections with others. Anhuan was an active member of the Vic High Leadership Team and credits the Leadership teachers with invaluable mentoring as he learned self-discipline, teamwork, and the joy of helping others.

Arlo follows in his dad’s footsteps as an avid drummer and percussionist. But then, when your dad has performed at Rifflandia, your brothers play drums and guitar, and your dad soundproofed a room in your house, expressing feelings and releasing physical energy through drumming is pretty much second nature.

Aviva has danced for 10 years, four of them at Vic High as part of Platform 61. She loves the movement, the expression of herself, the creativity, and the friendships she’s developed. She’s also an active sportswoman, playing volleyball, basketball and soccer at Vic High. All these experiences increased her confidence, and she says that while Vic High isn’t the most athletic school, its culture of inclusivity is invaluable. She values her friendships with many international students and looks forward to attending McGill in the fall. Its unique Bachelor of Arts and Sciences program will provide the flexibility to narrow her path as she develops critical thinking and writing skills. (She’s also signed up to volunteer with the Vic High Alumni whenever she’s back in Victoria.)

Rayan has been in Canada just two years and loves Vic High. Her family arrived here from Syria not long after she learned about her diabetes, a condition she says makes her special. She wants to become a doctor, and help others manage their diabetes. Right now, as she completes Vic High’s Hairdressing Program, she also works as a cashier at Thrifty’s Broadmead, and at a hair salon. We know Rayan will achieve whatever goals she sets for herself. She has already adapted to live in five different cultures – and languages. Her native language is Arabic and she spoke it and Kurdish in her youth. When she was nine, her family moved to Turkey and she learned Turkish.  Their next home was in Germany – a stop en route to Canada – where she learned German. And she began learning the perfect English she speaks only on arriving in Canada. A most extraordinary young woman.