Sadie's Leadership Journey

My Leadership Journey

If I had to pin down one moment from CSLC in October 2025 that changed my perspective, it wasn’t a specific speech or a scheduled workshop. It was the spirit. Standing in a room filled with hundreds of students who were all unapologetically passionate about making a difference made me realize that leadership isn't just about holding a position. It’s about contributing to a pulse. 

Connecting CSLC to Relay For Life

I’ve always had an interest in the healthcare field and community service, but CSLC was the catalyst that turned those interests into a concrete project. Before the conference, the idea of starting Relay for Life at our school was just a "maybe." Hearing stories from other student leaders who tackled first-time projects gave me the confidence to realize that someone has to be the first to start a tradition. CSLC taught me the art of the planning. Organizing an event is 50% logistics and 50% storytelling. I learned how to communicate a vision so clearly that others wanted to join the committee, not because they had to, but because they didn't want to miss out on the impact we were making.

Leading Relay For Life

The most rewarding part of leading this initiative hasn't been the spreadsheets or the permission forms, it’s been the "firsts." Seeing the first team register, watching our committee brainstorm our own Luminary ceremony, and realizing that we are creating a blueprint that students will use long after I graduate. Being the "founding committee" means we get to set the tone for what empathy and school spirit look like here.

Impact & Community

The biggest impact has been seeing everyone come together for the same goal. Since this is the first time our school has ever done Relay for Life, it’s been cool to see students from all different grades and groups helping out. It has made the school feel more connected because we are all working on something that actually matters. It’s not just another school event; it’s something we’re building together from the ground up.

Personal Growth & Future Goals

If I could give one piece of advice to a student considering CSLC or starting a brand-new initiative, it’s this: lean into the "newness." It is intimidating to be the person who says, "We’ve never done this before, but we’re doing it now." But that is exactly where growth happens. My future goals involve diving deeper into the world of medicine and community health, and this experience has been the best introductory course I could have asked for.

If Sadie’s story has moved you and you’d like to support her journey, please consider donating to her Relay For Life fundraiser.

Every contribution makes a meaningful difference:https://support.cancer.ca/site/TR/RelayForLife/RFLY_NW_odd_?pg=entry&fr_id=30970