Next week we’ll be celebrating our 4th Festival of Learning. With that in mind, we thought it was a good time to reflect on all things NOISE. Some of our fantastic Alums have offered to guest blog for us about their time in the program. First up is Andy!
Today, when I reflect on my past years with the project, I realise that I’ve grown a lot because of it, because of the experiences, the opportunities, and of course, the people that I’ve met along the way.
My name is Andy Ho, and I’m a high school student at Emery Collegiate Institute, set to graduate this year. I have been with the NOISE program for the past four years, starting with its pilot year back in 2012. I was first introduced to the NOISE project by my guidance counselor in my middle school. I was reluctant to accept the offer as there was not much information about the project, and at the time, I was a very reclusive person. After being told to take the opportunity by several people, I accepted the offer.
In my four years with the NOISE project, I have been introduced to many unique opportunities and experiences, allowing me to change as a person for the better. Though the program has changed me as a person, I must say that the process was gradual, but very effective. Before I joined the NOISE program, and even throughout a good part of the first year, I was a very reclusive person. However, with the amazing people I’ve met during my first year with the program, I was persuaded to do my best with what I was comfortable doing and try what I wasn’t comfortable with.
With my first year also came my first opportunity to speak in front of a large audience, which would’ve been the first of many such opportunities throughout my years with the project. In addition to allowing me to become more outgoing as a person and giving me tons of opportunities, the people that I’ve encountered throughout the project are some of the friendliest and most helpful people I’ve met. To this very day, I’m in contact with some of the people I met in my first year with the project.
Today, when I reflect on my past years with the project, I realise that I’ve grown a lot because of it, because of the experiences, the opportunities, and of course, the people that I’ve met along the way. I’m now able to do things I could not have imagined I would be doing comfortably a few years back. The NOISE project has opened new horizons for me, and I hope it continues to do that for many others for years to come.
Blog prepared by Andy Ho
NOISE High School Fellow