Meet Debbie ’20 – a student who had a life changing experience during her Grade 9 year, that inspired her and her friends to start a service-learning trip of their own! Read more to see how leadership and service have guided her Ridley career and how she plans to lead in the coming school year.

Why were you most excited to attend Ridley when you first started?

When I first saw Ridley, I was attracted by all the smiley faces when I walked around campus. After my tour of the school, I was attracted again by all the buildings at Ridley, and also the feeling of multiculturalism. I was thinking if I can study in such a pretty building and with people from so many different countries I would be really grateful for that.

What makes you proud to be a Ridleian?

Ridley has inspired me, taught me to flourish and really changed my perspectives in variety different ways. I have learned a lot and become much more mature in my time at Ridley. I am very proud to be a Ridleian.

What is your favourite part of Ridley life? 

My favorite part of Ridley is residence life. Ridley is my second home and living on campus makes me feel peaceful and happy. Being part of my residence makes me felt very included, and I like to share my life with the rest of my housemates.

What has been your favorite Ridley experience?

My favorite Ridley experience was during my Grade 9 March break. In 2017, my friends and I attended a service trip and travelled to Guatemala together. 

What is the best part of being in your boarding House?

Mandeville is a united House, and every member in this house is very kind and helpful. All students in Mandeville House knows how to respect each other and love each other. All the faculty and staff in Mandeville offer help and advice, and care about the students in this house. Also, the students from Mandeville felt happy and enjoyed staying in this House, and all of us felt included and loved. 

What has been your greatest accomplishment at Ridley?

I think my greatest accomplishment at Ridley would be organizing a brand-new service trip to China with a few of my friends at Ridley. In my opinion, this service trip did not only help the local students in China; it also allowed Ridley students to experience a different culture, so I think my friends and I have provided and created a really good opportunity for the Ridley student body. 

Who is your favorite faculty or staff member and why?

I like all faculty in Ridley College, and one of my favorite faculty members at Ridley is Mrs. Thompson, because she has been my Head of House since Grade 9, and in all these years, she has cared for me and helped me a lot when I needed it. She’s very kind and funny, and she made me feel really included and welcomed since the first day I joined the Ridley community, so I’m really grateful for her

What part of being a Prefect are you most excited for?

In the upcoming year, I am very excited to help out as many students as I can, and try to come up with more creative ideas to make a better and more enjoyable life for the student body. 

How has Ridley prepared you for the future?

Both the academic and co-curricular programmes at Ridley have prepared me for my future. All the awesome teachers who taught me before, and all the faculty who helped me before, they all are my preparation for the future. I have learned a lot from them. All the activities I have participated in is another great way to prepare me for future because each different activity teaches me a new perspective.  Ridley has inspired me. 

What advice would you give prospective students about Ridley?

The advice I would give prospective students about Ridley based on my three years experiences would be: enjoy every second and moment at Ridley, learn from Ridley and be inspired.