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Who can describe the curious mixture ofemotions we have all felt as new students at C.C.I.? Who can explain them? Who better than this year's Grade Nines? They have all too recently endured the exciting traumas normally associated with making your way in a new institution filled with unknown people and possibilities . . . and it is their belief that it all comes down to just wanting to FIT IN!
We can blame part of the First Day anxiety on the yarns that are inevitably spun about high school during the public school years. John Hall was informed that he would be required to "run around the track with marshmallows in his arm- pits, and then eat them after 10 laps" for initia- tion. Sarah Blakeman heard that she was going to be "picked on" just for "being a minor". Jen Gourlie scribbled some frightful words about duct- taped Grade Nines and getting impossibly lost.
Who wouldn't be just a little concerned?
Happily, these fears soon proved themselves to be unfounded, as the positive aspects of C.C.I. sur- faced. Emina Srebric took comfort in the fact that "we don't want to"- she hates winter. Carrie Bris- tow learned that high school was "way better than public school because you have more freedom". Jason Micks sums it up simply with his state- ment, "I heard that this school was a good school".
Having dispensed with high school myths, Grade Nines were then able to focus on the challenge of fitting in. In fact, as authorities on the matter, they leave some sage advice that we could all benefit from. Kevin Doner suggests that "you'll make friends as long as you're easy to get along with. You don't need to change." Rebecca Ross advises "make sure your personality shines through every- thing and be as friendly as possible". Julie Colter reminds us not to do anything we don't want to do. Sherzana Sunderji suggests "don't change your image to suit others, and don't judge people by their looks". Each and every Grade Nine ques- tioned on this issue responded that the best ad- vice for fitting in and prospering in high school is JUST BE YOURSELF:
ABOVE PHOTO: IN TREE - Brooke Andrews, Mark Young, Marty Barr ON GROUND - Edward Kern, Lisa Allen, Josh Sparling, Rebecca Holton, Shauna Rob- inson, Abbey Spies, Mark Howard, Liz DeRuiter, Trish Keneer, Tyler Finnie
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