Meet Christian ’19: a Prefect who began his Ridley journey as a Grade 6 student in 2012. A multitalented athlete, Christian is involved in year-round sports, competing on Prep Boys hockey, First Boys rugby and the Boys soccer teams. Christian brings his leadership skills to the role of Prefect, a highly-coveted position he sought after for years. Read on to learn how Christian plans to fulfil his duties as one of the school’s leaders.

Why did you choose Ridley?
I chose Ridley because of everything it had to offer to me. My family and I heard about some of the great offerings the school had and we found that my sisters and I could greatly benefit from enrolling in the school. After visiting and learning a bit more about Ridley, it made our decision very easy.

Did you feel prepared coming to Ridley?
Initially, coming to Ridley created feelings of nervousness within me. Ridley appeared much differently than my past school and coming here seemed like a very big change. I was still rather young when I made the switch to Ridley and as nervous as I was, I would say I was still prepared and excited to start this new chapter of my life.

Who is your favourite faculty member and why?
There are so many faculty members that have helped me during my time at Ridley that I am unable to come up with a favourite. The entire faculty team contributes to the school in a different way and helps create a positive experience for all of the students.

What has been your greatest challenge thus far at Ridley?
The greatest challenge for me while at Ridley has been keeping a balance between my academics, athletics, and co-curriculars. hockey and schoolwork have definitely created a very busy schedule for me. Making sure I am always on top of my academics with a busy sports schedule has definitely been difficult but has helped me develop time management and organizational skills.

What has been your greatest accomplishment thus far at Ridley?
My greatest accomplishment would have to be getting named as a Prefect. Over my past years at Ridley I have always wanted to become a Prefect because of the important role they play in the school as leaders. After participating in the application process, it was made very clear to me how much of an honour it is to become a Prefect, thus making this my greatest accomplishment.

What has been your favorite Ridley experience?
My favourite Ridley experience would have to be participating in the England rugby tour this past March break. This was a 10-day tour where our rugby team participated in the Rosslyn Sevens Tournament in England. We toured around London and Bath, practiced rugby with different schools and billeted with families from Monkton Combe School, located in Bath. This trip was a great opportunity that allowed me to experience life in England, develop my rugby skills and grow closer with other members on the trip.

What is your favourite part of Ridley life?
My favourite part of Ridley life would have to be spending time with people in my House. The House environment allows you to grow close with so many people from around the world and develop lifelong friendships. The House truly does create a strong connection between all of its members.

What part of being a Prefect are you most excited for?
I am most excited to serve as a leader and create the best possible environment within the school. One specific part of the year I am excited for is the beginning of the school year. I am looking forward to welcoming the incoming students to the school and getting to know all of them.

How has Ridley prepared you for the future?
Ridley has instilled several different values in me. It has taught me how to live a balanced lifestyle, how to be independent, how to be responsible, and it has allowed me to step out of my comfort zone and take risks. I can without a doubt say that thanks to Ridley, I have continuously grown as a person from year to year and that I now have all the necessary skills to be successful in the future.

What are your plans after graduation?
My plans after Ridley most likely involve taking a gap year in order to play junior hockey. This would be in an effort to pursue my athletic goals of playing hockey at the collegiate level.

What advice would you give prospective students about Ridley?
The advice that I would give to prospective students is to completely immerse yourself in life at Ridley. The opportunities that this place has to offer can’t be found at many other places. Involving yourself could range anywhere from joining a club or embarking on a service trip. Ultimately, taking advantage of these opportunities will only help you grow as a person.