Yuvika Dandiwal

It was exactly 15 months ago that I visited the school for the last time before leaving for my flight to Maple-syrup land aka Canada. As I dashed out the exit door with some large “Dairy Milk Fruit and Nut” bars (courtesy to our beloved Rosa ma’am), my heart was numb, which was not an unusual occurrence at the time, and so was my brain (now this was highly unusual; pardon my immodesty). I wish I could say I glanced at the school building with my eyes feasting on its grandeur one last time. But I neither had the emotional strength nor the gallantry to rebel against a possible Indian superstitious custom lest I miss my flight. So, I reflected on my experiences once again, psychologically relished every last bit of those memories, and off I disappeared into the mist.
For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Yuvika Dandiwal, a graduate of Class of 2018, valedictorian and School Head Girl (2017-18). Credits to partial assimilation into an individualistic culture, I have grown accustomed to some humble bragging.
It might seem like I have fallen off the face of the earth, so, here are some updates about what I have been up to these past few months:
I am enrolled in the Bachelor’s of Arts program at McGill University with a major concentration in Psychology and a minor in Educational and Counselling Psychology. I was awarded the Hugh Brock Scholarship upon admission, which has allowed me to expand my academic pursuits on top of some unavoidable pressure to maintain a certain GPA. Serving as a volunteer at the Douglas Mental Health Institute here in Montreal, I am an unofficial ambassador of mental health and assist in reintegration of clients into the community. I would set the ball rolling for 2020, by starting work as an ABA Therapist, a tutor intern for students with learning disabilities, and as a Research Assistant at a lab devoted to studying eating patterns.
On rare occasions, when homesickness seeps in, I call my parents and channel that feeling into working harder, and endeavouring*. There seems to be a cure for homesickness, there doesn’t seem to be any for “schoolsickness.”
Corny sentimentality aside, I am highly grateful for the eight wonderful years I spent here. My heartfelt gratitude to Executive staff, teaching staff, support staff, friends, juniors, the basketball court, soccer field, the building, and to the one reading this. See you next year. Until then, “Endeavour,” my friend.

Yuvika Dandiwal
2017-18