Interview with Greenwood College School Alum, Kristina Desormeaux

Greenwood has done everything to shape who I am today. I would definitely say confidence and personable skills were really built up at Greenwood. The leadership positions that I held helped me to be that way. I was head girl in my final year and also captain of the varsity girls’ hockey team. These were leadership positions that I wouldn’t have at bigger schools with more students. It pushed me to get organized, lead people, run meetings, and speak at assemblies. There are so many positions like that, and so many ways for students to step into leadership positions and become more confident people.

The school’s values are curiosity and authenticity. Teachers fostered curiosity through their teaching approach, and the way our programs were structured forced us to be curious at a young age. For example, in Grade 11, I took a Green Industries class, and for one of our classes, a worm farmer brought worms, and we spent the class learning about soil ecosystems. It was hands-on learning opportunities like that that encouraged curiosity. Authenticity is another value. Greenwood allows students to be themselves and express themselves both outwardly and inwardly. It’s a fostering environment where all kinds of kids can feel comfortable and accepted.

The community really jumps out at me when I think about what I appreciate the most about Greenwood. Having teachers and advisors who overlap in many roles—on outdoor education trips, on sports teams, and in the classroom throughout our whole journey—was really special. I still keep in touch with many of my teachers, catching up at alumni events and feeling that they genuinely care about what’s going on in my life. The overall student community also stood out. Because it’s such a small school, you become close not only with people in your grade but also across different grades. For example, I was on the hockey team throughout my entire time at Greenwood and served as captain in my senior year. The team included students from Grade 7 through Grade 12, and those bonds remain so strong that whenever I see a former teammate, I get incredibly excited. That closeness and unique environment made the experience very different from most middle school and high school experiences.

The most unique factor about Greenwood is the outdoor experiences. Every year in the fall and winter, each grade goes on an outdoor education trip with teachers who are usually teaching them that year or taught them previously. Some of my best memories come from those trips. In Grade 9, during our winter trip, we built igloos and had to sleep in them overnight, which was hilarious and unforgettable. Another trip was our sea kayaking trip in Grade 12, where we paddled 10 to 20 kilometers a day, every day, camped on random islands in British Columbia, and even though it poured rain half the time, we still had a blast. These kinds of experiences are priceless and unlike anything at other high schools.

If Greenwood were a person, I would describe them as outgoing, fun, and kind. Greenwood really forces you to come out of your shell, and that happened for me. With so many clubs and sports, the stakes were low in terms of making the team or being accepted into the clubs. I arrived as a shy Grade 7 student, and Greenwood helped me build people skills at a young age, and it’s something that I’ve really been grateful for. Greenwood is also supportive. The curriculum was hard, but the teachers were there to help you. If I ever struggled with a topic, they would sit with me, explain concepts in different ways, and provide extra practice until I understood. There was no end to how much the teachers would support you, which is something I now realize is unique to Greenwood.

The school spirit at Greenwood is a really big factor in connecting students. From Grade 7, you’re placed on a house team that you stay with until graduation, and it creates long-lasting bonds. In Grade 12, house captains take charge of fostering spirit. My year was especially fun—many of my friends were house captains, and we’d blast music at the doors in the morning, wave flags, and get everyone energized. The spirit, combined with outdoor trips, programs, teachers, and sports, makes it hard not to feel connected at Greenwood.

Something that people might not realize about Greenwood is just how connected the community is. Even with people in grades above or below me, there’s always an instant recognition. At work, sometimes I meet other Greenwood alumni, and there’s an instant bond: ‘You went to Greenwood, too?’ It feels like family. Greenwood is a part of my identity that I still carry today, and I’m very grateful for that.

Looking back, I only wish I had embraced opportunities more fully. As a teenager, I sometimes dismissed activities as lame or embarrassing, but now I wish I had thrown myself into them completely. Activities like climbing the rock wall in gym class would have been so fun if I had appreciated them more at the time. I wish I had been more grateful in the moment for the opportunities Greenwood gave me.