This high school graduation tassel is more than a keepsake—it’s a symbol of the life I built after moving to Canada in 2nd grade and growing into myself at St. Mary’s College in Sault Ste. Marie. The first two years of high school were anything but normal; COVID hit halfway through freshman year, and the constant back-and-forth of lockdowns made everything feel uncertain. Still, this tassel represents resilience. I kept up with my classes, pushed through the challenges, and found pride in doing well despite the world feeling like it was upside down.

By the time junior and senior year rolled around, this tassel had a whole community attached to it—student council meetings, cross-country races, track practices, and entire semesters spent learning and thinking in French. Being in the French Immersion program for all four years was incredibly difficult, but I passed my DELF exam and became officially bilingual. Graduation felt like the closing of a huge chapter, one filled with growth, friendships, and accomplishments I never expected. This tassel isn’t just a piece of fabric; it’s the proof that I made it through and came out stronger.