From Doubt to Direction

In April, I had the incredible honour of receiving the Distinguished Alumni Award from the Holland College Foundation and Alumni.

Standing at the podium, I felt an enormous wave of gratitude not just for the award, but for the journey that led me there.

Because if you had asked me back in high school what my future looked like, I couldn’t have told you.

I left with more doubts than direction. I didn’t feel particularly gifted or confident, and I wasn’t sure where I fit in.

Where It All Started to Shift

That changed when I walked through the doors of Holland College.

Something clicked for me there.

For the first time, I felt engaged. The curriculum, the hands-on approach, and the supportive environment all aligned with how I learn and work best. I didn’t feel like I was just memorizing things to pass, I was applying real skills to real projects. And I loved it.

The Project I’ll Never Forget

Our final day as students was one I’ll never forget.

We were tasked with pitching a major conference destination, live, in front of a packed auditorium of peers and instructors…while being recorded.

I went all in.

When I finished, I couldn’t believe I received a standing ovation.

Two instructors pulled me aside and said,

“You were meant to do this. Save that recording, you’ll want to look back on it one day when you’re successful.”

That moment changed me.

It was the first time someone said out loud what I hadn’t yet let myself believe.

Their belief in me became fuel.
It helped shape the way I saw myself, not just as a student, but as a leader, speaker, and builder.

Full Circle

Receiving this award has brought that memory full circle.
It reminded me that sometimes, we just need one person (or two) to see something in us before we can fully see it ourselves.

To the instructors who encouraged me, to the Holland College Foundation, and to my family and friends who’ve been in my corner every step of the way, thank you.

Final Reflection

We don’t always know where our path will lead and sometimes, we feel completely lost.

But in those moments, we can choose to believe that we’ll find our way.
To stay open. To trust the process.
And to notice the quiet clues all around us, the people, the moments, the nudges guiding us toward what’s next.