Elska Comox Valley Grad 2021

𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐝 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟏- 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐄𝐥𝐬𝐤𝐚

I have been photographing this brilliant grad since she was a kid, in family portraits and on stage dancing for Pantuso Dance. I have numerous photos of her seared happily in my permanent memory because her smile was so radiant - and it still is. Elska is joy, and also a buddle of warmth and kindness. She has an incredible air of knowing who she is, and at the same time a gentle humbleness. And she laughs easily, a valuable trait as she enters the social justice program at UBC (I wish I could join her) and makes her mark in the world.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐢𝐠𝐠𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫?

I think the biggest surprise has been how my school, and myself, have been able to cope and push through this year with all of the crazy pandemic restrictions. I was surprised at how much fun I still had this year. I went into the year with low expectations because I knew I wasn’t going to get to do all the grad activities I had been looking forward to since grade 8. I think the school, my friends and I really made the best of the year.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭’𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫?

I think the hardest thing this year has been coming to terms with the fact that I’m moving on to the next step in my life. It was hard for me to accept that this chapter in my life was coming to a close. Especially since I have a very busy life, it felt like the end of the year crept up on me, and all of a sudden it was time for me to graduate.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐭𝐨?

I’m really excited to move to Vancouver and start my first year at UBC. I found a program that I’m passionate about and I can’t wait to learn new things and grow. I’m also looking forward to a new environment and meeting new people.