How can one describe in words the memories and the friendships created among 46 friends at Shad Valley? How can we fully express our thanks to all those who put in so much work to make this experience happen?

“We take the best, and make them cry.” – Dr. Leonard Lye, Program Director at Shad Valley Memorial University.

And there we were: a group of people so much more than friends, people who had shared unforgettable experiences, long lasting laughs, seemingly impossible challenges, and finally, seated in a secret location, sharing never-ending tears, with the words of Dr. Lye echoing in our heads. I looked around me at each one of the sobbing people I had gotten to know so well and wished that I could spend every last moment before my departure from Memorial University with these people.

And I did.

Signing MUNth books, sharing last laughs, last tears, last thanks, and all the fantastic, hilarious memories that we now shared as a group, as a family. Who in the room wanted this experience to end? Nobody. We stayed together until the unwanted sun rose, much too quickly, in the Newfoundland sky.

I was one of the first to leave Memorial, and as I said my final goodbye’s and the taxi pulled out of the driveway, letting me catch a final glimpse of some of the friends, smiling with wet eyes, waving goodbye, I realized that the friends I had made at Shad would last me my whole life and that I, along with everyone else who enjoyed the Shad experience, would be able to look back upon the experiences for comfort when times get tough.

To me, Shad Valley was so much more than any words can describe. When I get home, people will ask me if I ‘liked it’, if I ‘made new friends’, if the ‘people were nice’, and I will be faced with the impossible task of giving to them a snapshot of the fullest 4 weeks of my life. I know that I can’t do the Shad experience justice for all that I learned and all the amazing memories I’ve had, but if you’re reading this debating whether Shad will be right for you or your child, know that no matter what kind of person goes to Shad it will turn out to be one of the best summer experiences imaginable.

What truly made my Shad experience so special was the people: not only the unique students who attend, but the teachers who put in so much work to make Shad the incredible and rich learning experience that it was for us. Each of us is hugely grateful to these teachers for creating the past 4 unforgettable weeks.

Matthew Walker
Shad Valley Memorial University "MUN"
Hometown: Toronto, Ontario

Last Day of Shad –The Saddest Day Ever!

When I first received my letter of acceptance into the Shad program months ago, I said to myself, “this is going to be an interesting summer!” Well, it turned out that this statement was too modest. This summer was the most exhilarating, stressful, funny, knowledge filled experience I have ever had.

The last day of Shad started off with the Shad Lakehead Dance. Organized by the dance committee, the 4-hour dance was a huge success! Dancing to fast songs was the best ways to keep the tears from coming. Even though popcorn wasn’t the best food choice for a dance, it turned out to be pretty decent after all. After holding back on the tears for too long, the girls slowly started to shed tears when the last song came on.

Soon after the dance was over, we received our month books and everyone took out their pen and started to sign each other’s books. With 65 people pouring their memories onto the page of the month book, the feeling of the end was starting to form. The rain started to pound on the windows and the saddened atmosphere became even thicker. The weather was a mirror of our feelings. As the first Shad left for her plane, it struck me that Shad Valley was now over! Shad ceases to exist if all Shads aren’t present.

I realized that time had flown by very fast and that we had become a close family. In a small amount of time, we had come to a point where everyone had some everlasting memory with one another. As daylight came and the first batch of people left for the airport, all Shads wept with tears. After landing in Toronto, everyone parted ways and as I took the last glance at my friends I realized I had made friendships that I will keep forever!

In a short month, Shad had taught me more than I could have ever learned in a school year. Time management was a huge part of my learning at Shad. Everything is possible if you believe you can do it and if you look at things in an optimistic way than life becomes a lot more beautiful. For all Shad Valley Lakehead 2009 participants, I will miss you all very much! All the places in Canada are now linked with memories of people in my Shad experience!

Neha Singh
Shad Valley Lakehead University
Hometown: Markham, Ontario