I have had the wonderful privilege of knowing Elise since she was in grade 6 at North Saanich Middle School. I was the vice principal at NSMS while Elise was in grade 6, 7, and 8. And as luck had it, I was transferred to Parkland the very same year that Elise started in grade 9. And I must say, one of the wonderful things about working first at North Saanich and then at Parkland is the incredible sense of community and connection. This is a very special place—this school, this community, and the great support network that exists in this room.

When I think about what is really important to a young person I think about three things—family, friends, and school.

I would like to talk a little bit about Elise at school. Elise was a superstar. She modelled resilience in a way that I have seen in no other. When I talk to my students about what I value and what I think is important it is this–effort and engagement–not whether you get an A or not. In school and life effort and engagement are foundational building blocks.

This is why Elise was a superstar and a model of what it means to be student. I asked Elise's NSMS and Parkland teachers to tell me what she was like as a student and here is some of what they said:

Elise had amazing dedication and commitment to her school work. She loved sciences and she was really motivated to do well in school. She saw real value in learning. She and I discussed how this was in contrast to some other students her age, and she expressed how she couldn't fathom not caring about learning in school. Her ongoing passion for learning was remarkable, given all her health concerns.

Elise overcame many obstacles during her battle and yet had the determination to put her everything into all that she did. After missing much of her grade 6 year, Elise worked hard to achieve honour roll status by the end of grade 7 and continued to work equally hard in grade 8.

Elise always kept a brave face on despite her illness and condition. I will remember her for her bright smile and willingness to help others. She also had a dogged determination. She was the guinea pig for our new 3-D printer. I asked her to try out a new program that neither of us had used to draw a simple object that we could try and make a 3-D print of. She figured out the program and produced a rather complex object - The Tardis from Dr. Who (looks like an old English phone booth). After designing this on the computer we had to try and get the printer to read the file. After many failed attempts and redesigns a 5 step process was developed that would transfer the program from one format to another so we could get it to print. From start to finish it took about a month. There were times when she was really frustrated with it, but she stuck to it and we had a successful first print.

I taught Elise when she was in Grade 10 and 11 and what I remember most is how bold and outgoing she was during class discussion. Many students are afraid to speak in front of their peers but Elise never had any qualms about sharing an answer or an anecdote with the class or with me. She was so happy to be at school and participate!

She would often tell me a week in advance when she was going in for treatment or testing so I would develop and prepare a project that she could do while away. I would give it to her a couple of days ahead of time, but invariably she would come back the next day with it all complete.

Elise added a whole other level of engagement in my SS11 class, which elevated the entire class's level of understanding. I looked forward to seeing if she was able to make it to my class, because I knew if she was there she would be listening and would speak confidently on issues.

When all is said and done Elise, without consciously doing so, was a model of how to live your life. Put up a valiant battle to overcome challenges or disease while simultaneously living life to the absolute fullest. I am so glad to have known Elise.