Just when you thought spring couldn’t get any better, SAC is back with the most iconic Spring Spirit Week yet. From April 28 to May 2, ditch the dull and embrace the sunshine, the retro fits, the food, and the vibes. SAC has a lot in store for you, and you definitely don’t want to miss out. Let us usher in the season of warmth together!
Monday – 80s and 90s Day + Retro Movie
Put on your throwback playlist because we’re rewinding to the 80s and 90s. Watch Ferris Bueller's Day Off in the caf at lunch, grab some popcorn ($1, going to SickKids!), and flex your freshest throwback ‘fit.
Tuesday – PJ Day + Student vs. Teacher Soccer
It's game time. Teachers and students go cleat-to-cleat in a soccer match while everyone else chills on the field picnic-style (bring your lunch!). Come to the field to see an exciting game and get some free snacks!
Wednesday – Adam Sandler Day + Clothing Drive
Come cozy, give back. Rock your baggiest fit while supporting a great cause. All donations go to Diabetes Canada! Everyone who donates will get a sweet treat!
Thursday – MAC Merch Day + Club Showdown
Rep your club and battle it out for the crown for the coveted Mac title. The last clubster standing will be awarded with their own giftcard, and a generous pizza lunch for all members of the club. Make sure to rock your MAC merch!
Friday – BBQ vs Soccer Parents + Carnival Day
The moment we’ve all been waiting for. Get ready for MAC’s biggest event of the year.
Carnival Day is going to be next level. We’re talking:
🎟️ BBQ Lunch Combo – Burger or hot dog, pop of your choice, only $5.
❄️ Snow Cone -- $1, proceeds going to SickKids
🍦 TWO ice cream trucks + a funnel cake truck.
🎉 Inflatables – Bootcamp obstacle course, 4-player gladiator joust, and more for $1
🥊 Boxing arcade, snow cones, music, games, and a punching bag that’s ready for your end-of-year rage.
🎵 Live DJ/music station to set the vibe.
🕛 Extended lunch from 11:30 to 12:50.
This is the last school-wide event of the year, and it’s your chance to celebrate everything we’ve made it through together. We want to make sure everyone heads into the warmer months with joy, and this carnival is our first step.
Spring is here. School’s almost out. Let’s make it count. See you all there!
Sincerely,
SAC 2025
🦁💙

Hey MAC!!
Before we dive into the warmer weather and spring season, SAC wants to highlight the incredibly fun, spirited and community-building hockey buyout we hosted on February 27th. Our very own Mackenzie Lyons took on Earl Haig Secondary School in an exciting matchup. Over 100 WLMAC students and teachers showed up to support our LYON athletes on the ice and we raised over $1000 for the Right to Play charity organization ❄️🏒
It was a highly thrilling and competitive match, full of cheering, face paint and an undeniable amount of school spirit. The energy and spirit throughout the community was truly infectious. We are proud to share that our LYONS emerged victorious after showcasing an incredible sense of talent, teamwork, grit and dedication. 🙌🦁
The hockey buyout was a true reflection of the high calibre of our LYON coaches and athletes and an incredible celebration of the spirit and sportsmanship throughout our community. 🥅Ⓜ️🏒
SAC is looking forward to our upcoming MAC’s Got Talent event and May spirit week, so make sure to stay tuned for what’s to come as we enter Spring! 💝🌼💐🌟🌙

As July brings an adventurous summer ahead, let’s recall the past year just one more time. Exam week is over and I’m sure we can all look forward to a restful break. With big events such as the Semi Formal, Prom, the Athletic Ceremony and more, this year has been truly unforgettable! To sign off this school year, we say our goodbyes to Mr. Johnson and Mr. Morris, and we thank them for creating an amazing environment at Mackenzie!
Mr. Johnson. A name of this school. A name that echoes and resounds within the halls of this school and will go on to do so long after his physical presence departs us. A hard-working and ambitious principal who treated this school like his second home. His radiant smile and his sincerity toward students will never be forgotten. From spirited dances on SAC Tiktoks to his drive for spreading diversity in the school within clubs, councils and the student body, Mr. Johnson has been remarkable. Always willing to advise and guide students around him; the title of a supportive principal is just not enough to describe him. His outstanding dedication is present in the countless emails and phone calls he makes to keep families informed of the school environment as well as contacting important individuals to assure Mackenzie runs smoothly. Mr. Johnson has created incredible change at Mackenzie, and although his time here has come to an end, he has undoubtedly brought positivity to the lives of students around him. We thank you Mr. Johnson and wish you all the best for what's to come!
Words of Students:
“Mr. Johnson has been an outstanding principal, arguably the best I have encountered. Under his guidance, Mackenzie has become a place of equity and inclusivity where every student's voice is valued. He has never failed to greet students and is always willing to engage in conversations, even amidst a busy schedule. His passion for his work has been inspiring, and we are grateful for his contributions. We will miss you!” - Crystal Cai
“There’s no denying that it takes a great principal to run such a diverse, driven, and ambitious group of high school students at Mackenzie. Over the last 5 years, Mr. Johnson has done an incredible job at fostering a positive, inclusive, and welcoming learning environment for all. His care and attention to detail does not go unnoticed, as Mr. Johnson makes an effort to remember all the students names and faces, while working hard to ensure that student voices are amplified and well represented. Mr. Johnson has been nothing less than the most amazing principal a school could ask for, and will be missed dearly as he moves on to the next chapter. Best of luck Mr. Johnson, we love you!” - Nicole Poroshenko
“Mr. Johnson was a force to be reckoned with. He made sure every student felt included and he was never shy of taking measures to spread positivity. He created an environment where students were comfortable and happy to be at Mackenzie. He brought great energy to the school, and would always wave to students after school. He will be missed!” - Samia Khan
“At the helm of Mackenzie’s leadership for 5 whole years, Mr. Johnson has been an advocate, a mentor, and a great leader. Managing a whole high school with over 1000 students can be a grueling task, but Mr. Johnson does it with a smile, making sure he says “Good Morning” or “Hello” to students passing by in the halls. If you know him you would know, but he is a very open and approachable principal, and Mr. Johnson never shies away from participating in school events, such as Food Day, Mactoberfest, and other great events we have here at WLMAC. Let’s not forget that Mr. Johnson was the principal during the pandemic, and it is beyond me how he managed to manage and lead during those burdensome times. It is unfortunate to have someone like Mr. Johnson go, but I believe he will go on to do great things wherever life takes him. I sincerely thank Mr. Johnson on behalf of all WLMAC students, for an amazing 5 years full of high school!” - Daniel Park
Listen to this special episode of "A Day in a Life of" to get insight about Mr. Johnson's hobbies, amibitions, journey to our school and beyond.

As we finally approach our well deserved break, let’s glance back at the core memories that have been made through Semester 1, from our spooktacular Mactoberfest, to our dancing and prancing at the Sounds and Steps to remind us of how far we’ve come. Recalling our highs and lows, it’s valuable to cherish the memories we’ve made throughout 2022, but also to look towards the future with spirit. Here are the views of Anna (Gr. 9), Berfu (Gr. 10), Kailey (Gr. 11), and Amaya (Gr. 12).
What is one holiday classic you will watch this winter break and why?
Anna: “The movie ''elf,” and the nutcracker ballet.”
Berfu: “Home alone because it’s the best movie ever.”
Kailey: “Probably Coraline. Idk I watch halloween movies during christmas (I know plz dont judge)”
Amaya: “I will be watching Scrooged, it's my mom's favourite and I've always loved it because of how the 'moral of the story' type thing wasn't crazy cheesy and was actually very uncomfortable and hilarious. It's an all time great Bill Murray movie.”
What are a few New Year's resolutions you are planning on manifesting or choosing to let go of?
Anna: “I want to be better with time management, and spend more time with my family. I also want to let go of paranoia.”
Berfu: “Probably get more organized.”
Kailey: “I tend to not make New Year's resolutions since I never follow them; but if I had to prob sleep early!!!! (like around 10:30 pm)”
Amaya: “In the new year I'm definitely planning to take better care of my body and be more mindful of my health. When I get intense weeks of school work, sometimes I neglect my own health too much and it's really important to do better, so I definitely want to take better care.”
How will you embrace “The season/spirit of giving” this winter break?
Anna: “Spending a lot of time with my family I don’t get to see often. Also, I want to make a gift for the guy that plays guitar in the subway every morning.”
Berfu: “Not sure.”
Kailey: “Embrace? bro im ready to collect free food from everyone B) (jk, spirit of giving I just give ppl my mental support since I got nothing left - i'm broke ;-;)”
Amaya: “Everybody says that the holidays aren't about gifts but I absolutely love gift giving. I love using the holidays as an excuse to give my friends gifts that I know they'll love. Things relating to inside jokes, and stuff they have been talking about throughout the year. It's so nice to see their reactions.”
When you think of a Winter Wonderland, what is the first thing that comes to mind?
Anna: “Snow and lights in Canada’s Wonderland.”
Berfu: “Snow.”
Kailey: “Alice in wonderland? (idk its really random)”
Amaya: “When I think of winter wonderland it's all snowing and I think of hot chocolate. All the stereotypical holiday/winter things have always been so much fun to me. I love embracing the season.”
(How) do you plan to prepare for culminatings and exams over the break?
Anna: “I printed a million worksheets of ICS that we did over the semester and I plan on going over them over the break. But, I also want to give myself a break since I will have dance and school in the New Year.”
Berfu: ”I’m probably going to catch up on other assignments before going into culminating assignments and maybe study for exams.”
Kailey: “I love how you used the word prepare.... it's more like "procrastinating" and gaslighting yourself into thinking you'll be fine after the winter break even though you know full well you’re not.”
Amaya: “For me, even though I'm in grade 12, because of covid I've only had 1 semester of exams, so I'm a bit worried that I don't know how to prepare. I definitely want to be diligent. I'm going to use the break to make a schedule for all of January and cover different sections of units. I have 3 exams this semester, all stem courses, so I'm going to take advantage of studying with my friends to make sure I properly understand.”
Name one way you have or have not changed throughout 2022.
Anna: “When I started high school (so that's a slay), I feel like I’ve found a good group of friends, and I have been drinking a lot more water than I have in my entire life.”
Berfu: “I’ve matured and music taste stayed the same and I started to spend more time off my phone.”
Kailey: “One thing I have not changed: getting my hours of sleep!!! I never slept past 12am and I'm trying to keep it that way :)”
Amaya: “For me personally so much of my life changed drastically this year so there's no denying that I've changed a lot this year too, but one way I definitely haven't changed is knowing when to advocate for myself or others. I think being a nice person is not always the same as being a good person and I've always done my best to prioritize the latter. I'd rather know I treated someone good, if nice isn't necessarily the right answer.”
To offer yourself as tribute for the next issue: https://forms.gle/hJXoUpKoH46pekMd7

Unfair. Cruel. Confining. The words revolved around Joe’s head, blurring the world he stared at out through his window, as he counted every drop of rain rippling down to the sill. A little meatball who felt maybe a few ounces on the meaty side, Joe was having trouble with a relationship. Not the type where he had had a fight with his mom, or disagreed with his brother. No, Joe’s issues had been running far longer, and were going to run much deeper with every day. Joe hated the look of food. And he especially despised what it did to his body.
Joe stepped away from the window to study his reflection in the mirror, but quickly realized it was a rookie mistake. His self-esteem had just deteriorated to almost nothing. Food was the villain of giving him his plump body, and the consequential lack of energy and surplus of depression. Frankly, this was a daily routine Joe kept to himself. Bathroom. Crying. Sleeping.
Now he can hardly ever be enthralled by the sight of the delicious, heavenly, simply divine foods he once relished. The worst? Though it’s his arch nemesis, it’s all he ever thinks about. And today is no different.
He decided to call Jess, his fellow meatball friend whom he trusted with his whole heart. The only one who might come even close to understanding the torment his mind goes through. A charismatic queen who loved helping people out no matter what, Jess picked up the phone right before it went to the tone. “Hellooo lovely,” she responded, voice bright and unrestrained as usual. She was beaming over the excitement of a gig she had just finished. As Joe glumly recounted his nuisances, though, her mood suddenly shifted into one that was whist and worrisome. “Here, just wait. I’ll be pounding on your doorstep like there's no tomorrow!”
And so, she started the car and rumbled all the way down the flooding streets of Meatball Mania to Joe’s, where she parked her car and dashed towards the door. Almost the instant after she had begun ringing the doorbell frantically, it creaked open ever so slowly. There stood her dear meatball friend right across from her - pale as a ghost. She jumped up and hugged him. “Oh what you’ve been going through… I think it’s time I help you out here with another one of Jess’-jolly-Jackpots. I will stir you up with something so irresistibly mouthwatering, you will have no choice but to devour it right in front of me. Let’s make mini meatballs together!”
Jess knew that Joe wasn’t going to talk much, especially since he wasn’t super comfortable sharing about his eating disorder. But, she was determined to help Joe turn around his perspective on food, about which she knew what Joe was ignoring: at the root it stemmed from his lack of self-love. And what better to foster some compassion than cooking mini meatballs, her Christmas specials?
Soon after, one could hear not only Jess’, but Joe’s cackles too, from outside the kitchen. It was the first time in ages that he was genuinely having fun, and more importantly for him, having fun with food. He and Jess were cooking together, laughing together, and he was truly enjoying the smell of these meatballs. As he tentatively picked up an extra baby meatball to take a gracious bite, Jess felt her heart fill. At that moment, she had never seen Joe so happy, his eyes so bright, and it felt like she'd finally gotten a breath of fresh air.
From that day on, Joe started eating a small breakfast every morning. Although he didn't take lunch to school immediately, as he wasn’t yet comfortable eating in front of others, he still took some snacks mindfully when he came home. Change does not have to be automatic, or even fast. It can be gradual, and as long as it comes from an open heart and is faced with an open mind, starting a change will transform your life.
If you know anyone with an eating disorder, you can support them by encouraging them to seek professional help, avoiding talks about weight, offering help with meals, supporting them through their struggles, and advocating for them through their recovery journey.
Becoming an ally is not a replacement for medical treatment, but as much as they might need professional help, those with eating disorders need friends.
Project Metropolis will be selling meatballs on Food Day. Come support us and buy a bowl, 5 warm meatballs for $3!

The “An Act of Kindness” challenge is now well underway, and our participants have reported their findings for the first week. The conditions of the challenge prompt participants to be more conscious of their day-to-day interactions with others, and challenges them to commit as many kind acts as they can! Last week many kind acts were performed by Jason Cameron, Pilaws, the pilgrimage, Darren Cheong, Edna Nortey, CountyKnight, Sabrina Daracan and Misheel Batkhuu; keep reading to discover their findings!
Has anyone ever recognized your kindness this week?
Misheel Batkhuu: I'm initially inclined to say trying to give out tips, to everyone I thought could benefit, on what and how to study for an upcoming Calc test. Unfortunately and fortunately, that was less kindness and more human decency. The best act of simple kindness I did may have been the moment one morning I looked out of a bus window and caught the eye of a girl in a passing bus. I smiled at her, slightly so it could be sweet and not creepy. She smiled back. It made a difference in my day, and I hope it did for her too.
Darren Cheong: Helped someone out with some hw
Jason Cameron: help somebody in woodshop with a lathe project for a period
Sabrina Daracan: I went downtown to visit my friends and while I was at the station, I saw some tourists who got lost cause they weren’t familiar with the ttc so showed them the map and directed them to wherever they wanted to go.
Edna Nortey: This week has been an extremely off week, and I haven't been very happy or motivated. The kindest thing I did for someone else this week was probably dishing our sincere compliments. I am someone who always acknowledges positive things about another person (because I truly enjoy receiving such comments), so despite feeling so drained I made sure to keep doing that.
Josh w: I tutored some of my friends who needed help with computer science. It felt good to be helpful to others and to see them overcome their challenges.
Polar Bear: I noticed one of my friends was having an off day. So at school I tried to make conversation to check-in, though they weren't up for talking. So when I got home, and texted them to see if they were more comfortable talking online, and they were, I eventually helped express their feelings and allowed them to cope with what was going on.
aphids: I gave someone my seat on the TTC on the way to school.
Was there ever an opening for you to be kind this week that you missed out on?
Misheel Batkhuu: I should have bought more baked goods from Gardening Club. They had so many at the end of Mactoberfest, had cut down the prices substantially, and have a lot of initiatives they want to place funds towards. I'll be sure to support them next time:)
Darren Cheong: no
Jason Cameron: unsure
Sabrina Daracan: I don’t think so. I tried my best to help people out when they needed it.
Edna Nortey: There were plenty openings, I was just not feeling up to them I'm afraid.
Josh w: Nothing comes to mind.
Polar Bear: I do not believe so.
aphids: Not that I remember. There are often buskers in the halls around the subway that many people walk past without acknowledging. I'd prefer to not be one of those people except often my budget is limited and social anxiousness go brrrrr
Did anyone do anything kind for you this week? If so, what happened?
Misheel Batkhuu: 8-quart Instapot bundled up in my arms, I was running (or scuttling) towards a group of friends at the subway station waiting for a train. One guy, who had no association whatsoever with why I was carrying a giant pressure cooker, took one look at me, held out his hands, and offered to carry it. That was kind.
Darren Cheong: I woke someone up when they arrived at their bus stop. We became (sort of) friends after exchanging contacts.
Jason Cameron: yeah, can't recount it.
Sabrina Daracan: I bought 20 timbits at Tim Hortons just before they closed so the cashier lady gave me extra donuts.
Edna Nortey: During Mactoberfest, a few people lent me some money so I could get something small to eat. I had been working on the event the entire day, and my backpack was locked up in the library.
Josh w: I went to somebody from my church's house this Friday for a Bible study session. They were very hospitable to me, and they provided me with food and drinks. I felt very thankful for them afterwards, and I will remember their act of kindness.
Polar Bear: I was really stressed for an upcoming test, and one of my friends helped me to study and checked-in with me every once and a while to see if I was doing alright.
aphids: My friend sent me cute animal gifs when I was being irritable and tired. They were cute (obviously) and pretty heartwarming.
What are your goals for the next check-in?
Misheel Batkhuu: I'm going to try actively looking for opportunities to be kind in ways that go above and beyond; I want to give energy, not just share it sometimes.
Darren Cheong: continue to be nice
Jason Cameron: unknown
Sabrina Daracan: Do more things for people and spread kindness.
Edna Nortey: Get my motivation up and do some notable acts!
Josh w: I would like to be able to honestly answer a 5 on the "How do you think the challenge is going so far?" question, as I feel like I was not very engaged this week.
Polar Bear: My goal for the next check-in is to increase the number of kind acts that I commit.
aphids: To remember this event exists! And notice when I can do something kind
That wraps up the first week! Everyone in this group has had a different experience, and it’s very interesting to look at their findings. Stay tuned for next week’s installment of Make or Break - An Act of Kindness!

For this edition Make or Break, 8 of Mackenzie’s students have accepted the kindness challenge. The “An Act of Kindness” challenge forces you to stop and think about your actions and interactions to make them as cordial as possible. Follow along as Jason Cameron, Pilaws, the pilgrimage, Darren Cheong, Edna Nortey, CountyKnight, Sabrina Daracan and Misheel Batkhuu take on this challenge!
Do you believe you are a kind person?
Misheel Batkhuu: No. I don't mean to sound smart and snobby, but I think I like the idea of being kind. I do genuinely want to learn to be kind, helpful, compassionate, and good. I have a tendency to be a bit mean and cold though sometimes, and I don't think that's kindness. I would really like to be kind and uplifting, or at least try to be so, even at my lower points.
Darren Cheong: no
Jason Cameron: I believe most of the time and even when I'm not like seemingly kind I usually mean it in a nice way
CountryKnight: I'd like to believe that I am a kind person.
Sabrina Daracan: I’d say so
the pilgrimage: probably
Pilaws: To be honest not really. I believe I'd rather be kind than not and am generally an empathetic/ sympathetic person. Real kindness? no clue what that would mean.
Edna Nortey: I think of myself as a compilation of many different versions of myself that shifts and transitions based on who I'm with or what I'm doing. Though the definition of kind is subjective, I consider myself a kind person—generally. Although it is not always apparent, I try my best to consider others and go out of my way to do things for others whenever I can. My day to day life is full of many amazing people, and I doubt I'd have such a great network if I didn't have at least a little kindness in me.
Has anyone ever recognized your kindness?
Misheel Batkhuu:I think the biggest, longest, and perhaps only case of imposter syndrome I have ever dealt with (and am still dealing with) is people telling me I'm kind when I don't see myself that way. Most often, I get told I'm kind when I give compliments... it's not always a compliment to me, because it implies I'm not sincere when I am. Especially when one person described me as someone who "gives compliments like water." I guess that doesn't count as recognizing kindness then:') But by all means, when I try to be kind, it definitely doesn't go unnoticed because I either get kindness in return or gratitude for my attempt, or laughter at my cheesiness, or any combination of the three<3
Darren Cheong: sometimes
Jason Cameron: Yes But I cannot provide an example.
CountryKnight:I don't know, maybe? if so, not explicitly. If I did something like very kind, then I usually receive the same treatment back or the other person thanks me.
Sabrina Daracan: Yeah someone thanked me for helping them before
the pilgrimage: my friends definitely do
Pilaws: People have complimented my "nice"ness and kindness before but I'm not really good at taking compliments or believing them.
Edna Nortey: Many people around me have acknowledged my conscious efforts to be kind. It brings me happiness to know my actions brought positivity to something else. Most of all though, people comment on the unconscious mannerisms that I have. Whether that be in the way I respond in a conversation, to subtle observations that make other people feel appreciated. This may just be the fruit of my parents' ways (the kindest people I know), but either way a win is a win.
Do you believe kindness genuinely makes the world a better place?
Misheel Batkhuu: Yes. I think it's the small acts, the small efforts, that can make a big impact, if not in the world, in someone's world. And the best part is, kindness often has a multiplier effect. It starts within you and when you try to do something meaningful for someone else, it makes that person happy, and it makes you happy, and then you both feel inspired to go out and sprinkle kindness into others' worlds too. I believe we have within us the capability and the compassion to make a difference through kindness, and a difference, however big or small, is changing the world.
Darren Cheong: yes
Jason Cameron: Yes, random acts of kindness are great!
CountryKnight: Yes, I do believe kindness genuinely makes the world a better place. I think that a little bit of kindness everyday, can change yours or someone else's life.
Sabrina Daracan: Yeah definitely. I feel like if everyone just put their pride aside and spread kindness, the world would definitely be better.
the pilgrimage:absolutely
Pilaws: Yes.
Edna Nortey: Kindness is one of the driving factors of our world. Whether it be genuine or manipulative, many people strive to be seen as kind people. On a global scale, and with our current situation, we need to exercise compassion and kindness not only to other communities, but to ourselves, to ensure our collective survival.
Can you remember a kind action someone (a family member, friend, stranger) did for you?
Misheel Batkhuu: I remember I lost my student ID card in Grade 9 somewhere and couldn't find it. When I came into class two days later, there was a letter mailed to the school for me. Enclosed was my ID and a handwritten letter from a stranger... Joseph something, telling me they had found it on the road somewhere and hoped I hadn't worried too much over it. They wished me a good day and God's blessings. That meant a lot to me and still does.
Darren Cheong: yes
Jason Cameron: My friend held the door open for me when I was walking into school ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
CountryKnight: I was feeling really sad one night, and one of my friends stayed up late to chat with me and support me.
Sabrina Daracan: A bus driver let me on the bus even though I forgot my presto
the pilgrimage: My friends would help me with schoolwork, club activities, and extracurricular work whenever I asked.
Pilaws: My friend once gave me a hug.
Edna Nortey: For about 4 consecutive years now, I've had terrible luck when it came to Secret Santa. Either my gift would have no consideration, or my gifter would openly complain that they didn't want to give me something. In the winter of the 8th grade, I had once again gotten a pretty bad gift. My gift consisted of a damaged slinky and a lightning mcqueen nightlight (which was actually pretty cool, if not used) in a no frills bag. I was happy that I had at least received something this time, but it was quite apparent that not much time nor effort was put into getting me something. Unbeknownst to me, my classmates and teacher had raised money to buy me a gift, and it was sent straight to my door. To this day I treasure all I received from them.
Do you find that you feel better after doing a kind action?
Misheel Batkhuu: Yes. Actually, "better" doesn't really cut it. "Good" is how I feel.
Darren Cheong: sometimes (usually i feel i have an obligation to give help if if possible)
Jason Cameron: Yeah, direct quote from my boom I read when I was like five "It's that warm feeling somewhere up there" (It was like a book about teddy bears or something)
CountryKnight: Yes I do, it fills me with a unique sense of joy.
Sabrina Daracan: Yeah. Small things can make someone’s day so I always feel good knowing I probably made a difference.
the pilgrimage: yes
Pilaws: Partially yes, but mainly because I then feel like i'm being useful to others.
Edna Nortey: Usually I feel very happy after doing something nice for another, but my enthusiasm sometimes falters when its overlooked, taken for granted or is to someone who's been mean.
Have you ever wanted to do something for a stranger but felt nervous to?
Misheel Batkhuu: Not that I can remember... If it has anything to do with the question, I do experience extreme awkwardness along with the incapability to say "hi" to people I know but haven't spoken to in a while. Holding back on that social factor is in a way holding out on kindness and empathy I could be giving.
Darren Cheong: sometimes
Jason Cameron: Question unclear, currently stuck—send help!
CountryKnight: Yes many times, I feel like it is harder to do something kind for someone else, in terms of the action being personalized, although if it is generic kindness, it's a bit easier.
Sabrina Daracan: No I’ve always done things as long as it helped others.
the pilgrimage: I don't think so
Pilaws: All the time.
Edna Nortey: Very often actually! I find myself wanting to give someone a compliment, or offer them something, but I grow anxious and then think "nevermind!". In hindsight, this was likely the wrong reaction. I should have gone ahead and tried to make someone's day.
Have you ever wanted to do something for a stranger but felt nervous to?
Misheel Batkhuu: Initiative and motivation to be kind more openly and more often, if not all the time.
Darren Cheong: getting used to helping people
Jason Cameron: Idk something good I guess
CountryKnight: I don't really know at the moment, I think as I go through the challenge, my goal will become more apparent.
Sabrina Daracan: See other people’s perspective and spread kindness
the pilgrimage: I'm just doing this for fun
Pilaws: Mainly fun and pushing myself out of my comfort zone.
Edna Nortey: I hope to become more aware of my actions and how they affect others.
That wraps up the pre-challenge thoughts! Stay tuned for all the kindness in store over the next few weeks!

The school year has been off to a great start, and it’s been great seeing the Mackenzie family so fresh and alive again. Gone are the days of unanticipated school closures and being fixed behind a screen to learn. With the new hustle and bustle of Mackenzie, we hope you feel welcome in our school community—especially you niners. We promise high school isn’t half as scary as you may think. Just as we were all collectively easing into the demands of academia and our extracurricular endeavours, we, your Project Metropolis team, took to the hallways to discover just how people are adapting to the new school year.
This article contains real and unfiltered accounts from WLMACs very own: fresh ninth grader Warisha Shams, latest sophomores Daphne Tu and Julieanne Romeo, talented 11th graders Dimitra Ramirez Gianopoulos and Asia Philips, and fascinating senior Conrad Sandler.
1. What do you miss about summer break?
Julieanne: Going out and spending time with friends + No school/no homework + Sleeping in
Conrad: I miss having more free time to spend on my hobbies and with my friends.
Warisha: I miss hanging out will my old friends from middle school, and visiting family/ doing tourism in Europe.
Daphne: Everything!
Dimitra: Being able to sleep in every day and not having to worry about being late for school every morning
Asia: Free time
2. Mackenzie offers so many things to cater to its population; what is one thing you are looking forward to taking part in this year?
Julieanne: Volleyball
Conrad: I didn't really participate in extra-curriculars last year and am looking forward to taking advantage of some this year, such as MUN and Baking Club.
Warisha: I am definitely looking forward to tryout for girls' volleyball team as well as be a part of the school newspaper and HOSA!
Daphne: I am most looking forward to semis!!!
Dimitra: Sports, specifically basketball and volleyball
Asia: Volleyball
3. What class are you most excited to attend every day?
Julieanne: Right now I like Business or fitness
Conrad: I enjoy all my classes this semester, however, if I had to pick a favourite it would be history.
Warisha: I am most excited to attend English everyday so far. My teacher has made it extremally engaging with the friendly environment and many class discussions that we have.
Daphne: The class that I am most excited to attend everyday is business!!
Dimitra: Definitely Canadian Law, I really enjoy how engaging the class is and our class debates
Asia: Chemistry
4. Were you nervous about anything entering this year? If so, why?
Julieanne: I was nervous about my classes and teachers
Conrad: I was and still am apprehensive about university applications and what life post high-school holds for me. While I'm excited for what the future holds, I still have a lot to figure out.
Warisha: I was a little nervous about the whole high school environment. It seemed quite intimidating at first - but I am a little more used to it now since it's already been a week.
Daphne: I am nervous about exams because they are not too slay!
Dimitra: Yes, playing sports again and trying out for the school teams. This is due to the fact that last year I tore my ligament and just recently I got back into playing sports.
Asia: Yes, for my course load
5. What is the most fascinating item that you have in your backpack?
Julieanne: Deck of cards
Conrad: My kindle, I'm currently reading 'A Walk in the Woods' by Bill Bryson.
Warisha: Most fascinating item in my backpack is my earbuds.
Daphne: Green tea infused mints...?
Dimitra: Probably a portable charger that I have never used but everyone else always needs one so it’s good to have
Asia: Erasable markers
6. We’ve finally jumped over the pandemic hurdle (for the most part). What is the best thing about post-Covid life?
Julieanne: Not having to wear a mask , Being able to hug and hangout with people
Conrad: I enjoy being able to move onto other things in life without the constant overbearing presence of Covid to worry about. It's nice to be able to forget about it and put that chapter behind me.
Warisha: Being able to join clubs and live a normal teenage life.
Daphne: Being able to see my friends more and livelaughloving life
Dimitra: Not having to worry about really long lines to get into stores and school
Asia: Being able to go out again
7. There is much more to life than school and studying, so what do you do on your own time?
Julieanne: Draw and dance practice
Conrad: Over the summer I have picked up cooking and baking which I enjoy in my free time. I have always loved music and I enjoy sports.
Warisha: I like to hang out with my friends on my own time and do other extracurricular actives. I also like taking walks to the park almost everyday and watching movies with my mom.
Daphne: I like to watch tv (my favourite netflix original show is never have i ever- everyone should watch it tbh)
Dimitra: Usually I spend my time going to the gym to lift or play basketball
Asia: Sports
8. We are so lucky to have a snazzy school website and app thanks to the talented Project Metropolis team. What are you thinking of maclyonsden so far?
Julieanne: I think it is very useful and resourceful. It helps me find events via the calender and find my classes using the school map.
Conrad: Very well done! I'm sure it'll only continue improving.
Warisha: macslyonsden is quite a well designed and useful website! Haven't used it a bunch but I know I will soon.
Daphne: 11/10. Literally the best website/app ever and Edna is the best team member every. They are so lucky to have her <3
Dimitra: I love both the app and website because they’re really helpful, especially when I forget what day it is or what time class finishes. My favourite thing is definitely the school calendar since it is always up to date with the events going on around the school.
Asia: Haven’t payed much attention
School in September is full of new experiences and routines. No matter what your timetable and commitments look like so far, we hope you have a safe, healthy and happy school year Mackenzie!

**Winter break is officially here! Look forward to cozy days of sleeping in, relaxing time to enjoy time with family and friends, and most likely some assignments to put in the back of your mind. **
Some things that happened this week:

We hope you enjoyed three food days, where our school's marvellous clubs sold food in the main gym. Another thank you to the clubs!
Maclyonsden is hosting a new winter-themed doodle game! try the game yourself here.
MSC t-shirts were distributed today.
MCPT's third tower defence workshop was held on Thursday, December 16th.
MCPT is opening up club hoodie orders! get a hoodie today here.
Math club's Pascal, Cayley, and Fermat contests have opened. Find the registration form here.
Sounds of the Season by Mackenzie's Music Council has been released on YouTube! find their wonderful performances here.
Wednesday was a late start.
As of Wednesday, there will be no more guaranteed schoolwide wellness breaks. Wellness breaks will be decided on a class-by-class basis, and wellness breaks will not be permitted on late start days.
Rapid antigen tests were sent out this week to all students. These tests should be used if you are showing symptoms of COVID-19, or suspect you were a close contact with someone with COVID-19.
Creator's Joy Holiday E-card drive ends today. Make sure to get those e-cards in!
Mackenzie E-Sports club is hosting a competitive Minecraft Bedwards tournament! Find the registration link here.

Extra note:
Stay safe, everyone. As daily COVID cases increase this season, it is more important than ever to make sure you take appropriate safety measures to stop the spread of COVID-19.
Have a good winter break!

Five weeks into a six week challenge, we are closer than ever to reaching the finish line. It's clear those left are going to make it, but the question is whether they intend to hold on to this habit when prying eyes are gone. Let's hear our final three participants' thoughts:
**With 5 weeks done, do you feel as if being in bed by 11 will be a steady habit in a week? **
Ayesha Rivera (Grade 11): “I think that in a week being in bed by 11 will continue to be a steady habit as I've already gotten used to doing so.”
Julianne Ho (Grade 11): “The past 5 weeks have proven my old self wrong in showing that I can be productive and maintain a proper sleep schedule at the same time! I now have no good reason to ruin this habit after I (hopefully) finish this challenge.”
Misheel Batkhuu (Grade 11): “Yes! Or at least the feeling that not sleeping by 11 is terrible will be ingrained into my mentality completely.”
Are you looking forward to being done with the officialties of this challenge?
Ayesha Rivera (Grade 11): “Honestly, I am looking forward a bit to being done with the officialties of this challenge as it does cause a bit of pressure that has me worried at times.”
Julianne Ho (Grade 11): “No, I kind of like having that feeling of being grounded in discipline and having rules to follow when everything else in life can get disorganized from time to time. I have also grown a liking to the weekly check-ins because I haven't journaled or given time for myself to reflect the same way I have the last few weeks in a long time.”
Misheel Batkhuu (Grade 11): “Hmm... I'm not sure. I fear the officialties is what kept me so committed to this, but I'm always learning new things about myself.”
Are there any noticeable changes between benefits and drawbacks (from this challenge) observed in the first week and now?
Ayesha Rivera (Grade 11): “In the first week I wasn't able to notice any benefits as I just started the challenge, however, 5 weeks in I've been feeling less groggy in the mornings with more energy. As for drawbacks there were none for the first week and still none up until now.”
Julianne Ho (Grade 11): “HAHAHA the benefits of getting enough sleep don't exist anymore for me :'). I miss them, they actually gave me such a surprising amount of clarity! Now after week 5, I actually feel much more sleep-deprived (as I should on <6 hours). I honestly think that's a good thing. Previously, I had grown used to the numbness of constantly being tired, but now I am more in tune with my body and can physically feel it when it tells me to take better care of myself. Buuuut on the other hand... I have started drinking coffee (very, very weak coffee) only for feeling less groggy in the early mornings and the sake of keeping peak focus from caffeine (I literally count the hours before tests). Let's just hope I don't develop a dependency on it, what can go wrong?"
Misheel Batkhuu (Grade 11): “Maybe. I still face the challenge of dragging my sister off her computer and into bed on time. The benefits remain the same in essence but are increasing in magnitude. I'm getting less energized but that's because I'm sleeping less hours. However, my good habit/routine practices are back in, and I know for a fact that I wouldn't have had the energy or mindfulness to bounce back into wellness if I wasn't organized and committed to one good habit: sleeping by 11.”
Has (keeping up with) this challenge contributed to more or less stress for you?
Ayesha Rivera (Grade 11): "It has contributed a bit of stress as workload for my courses has increased and I find myself spending more time on homework meaning that I'm working later into the night. This makes my night routine a bit more rushed than previous weeks causing a bit of stress as I need to ensure that I'm in bed by 11.”
Julianne Ho (Grade 11): “More stress, but unlike the usual challenges life throws my way, it's a good stress that keeps me in check and I would like it to stay (surprisingly).”
Misheel Batkhuu (Grade 11): “Overall, less stress. Knowing I am keeping up with one healthy commitment that is my own decision actually alleviates stress because that means that even if I flunk my physics quests or struggle over getting relative acute angles, at least I've got my sleep routine together. At least I'm not a complete failure:')”
How do you feel moving on with this challenge for Week 6?
Ayesha Rivera (Grade 11): "So close to finishing the challenge, I'm excited for the final week!”
Julianne Ho (Grade 11): “ONE MORE WEEK LET'S GOOOO (but I'm still hoping to keep going after this). I'm really excited to finally complete this challenge!!!!”
Misheel Batkhuu (Grade 11): “Never been better:)”
Which best describes you right now?

Ayesha Rivera (Grade 11): Option 2 (woozy, dizzy)
Julianne Ho (Grade 11): Option 5 (sunglasses, chilling)
Misheel Batkhuu (Grade 11): Option 10 (popcorn, vibing)
If you would like to make any suggestions for our next "Make or Break" series, we would love to hear your suggestions! Send them in through here: https://forms.gle/9XwhusCA63ueVxCm9

As we find ourselves at the halfway point of our first “Make or Break,” our participants have not only divided experience and perspective-wise. What was once seven is now four. Let’s see how these troopers are doing:
What changes have you noticed in your routine (sleep, morning, work)?
Keren (Grade 10): “I find myself rushing in a way to get to bed by 11:00. I stop doing my homework around 10:40 or so and quickly shower before going to bed.”
Ayesha Rivera (Grade 11): “I've noticed that my routines overall have become more efficient as I have gotten used to the new routines I've set for myself and they cause less stress, especially in the mornings, because they ensure that I don't forget to do anything important.”
Julianne Ho (Grade 11): “A huge change I've noticed about the way I sleep is the lack of needing to use sleep methods. Previously I would need to fall asleep watching calming videos or listening to music, but now I can go directly to bed and fall asleep on command without any assistance. This also means I can be awake enough to put my alarm on the table before falling asleep, which actually makes it more audible for me in the morning - I've noticed my bed muffles the vibrations. I've also achieved my goal of regularly being productive in mornings, meaning I am fully awake when arriving to my first class of the day. Rather than panicking and frying my nerves when learning new concepts, I can actually slowly work through it and figure them out myself!”
Misheel Batkhuu (Grade 11): “I've gotten a lot less productive at night, and a lot more during the day. I don't know if it's my general (changing) attitude or particular circumstances, but I spend most of my hours right up until 10:30 doing easy note-taking, or dare I admit it, SOCIALIZING. I make up for it in the early morning when I ensure I have at least an hour to be at least 80% full engine productive. I'm also relying on my TTC transit time to do quick 5-10 minute tasks.”
What changes have you noticed in your energy levels and performance?
Keren (Grade 10): “I have noticed that the effect of getting a little more sleep than before and being less tired has stopped. Lower energy levels throughout the day with spikes of high energy.”
Ayesha Rivera (Grade 11): “Lately I've been feeling less groggy in the mornings and felt ready to get up and get my day started once I've woken up.”
Julianne Ho (Grade 11): “Waking up early has given me enough time to eat breakfast everyday, and because I'm still not hungry around lunch time from breakfast, I try to maximize my productivity then. When I become hungry, it is perfect timing afterschool, which means I don't have a large energy crash anymore. Without the 3-hour afternoon naps, I can now sleep peacefully at night.”
Misheel Batkhuu (Grade 11): “I'm feeling well energized throughout the entire day! I no longer fall asleep in class except for a few short moments:) I don't know if, again, this is due to "particular" changes in my personal life, or if it's due to this challenge. However, it was an interesting and welcome shift. I feel like although I'm still sleeping and getting up at the same time, for the same amount of time, I'm feeling much better over time. I feel fully refreshed and ready to go all hours of the day. I'm surprised if this really is proof of the quality of my sleep improving so fast and so soon, and it is exciting. Not only am I sleeping early and not only does that make me feel inclined to be productive, I'm actually in the right state of mind to be productive and happy now:)”
How do you feel when you talk to or think about people who sleep regularly by 11?
Keren (Grade 10): “I think if myself as a person that goes to sleep at 11, since I’ve been doing it for three weeks. I think if an efficient person who can get everything thing done quickly and get a lot of sleep, or someone who goes to sleep early to wake up at like 5am.”
Ayesha Rivera (Grade 11): “Talking to others who sleep regularly by 11, I feel encouraged to continue with the challenge as they seem more energized during their day and I really want to experience that as well.”
Julianne Ho (Grade 11): “When I talk to people who sleep regularly by 11, I think they seem very put-together. I used to aspire to have their ability to find and stick to a schedule that works for them. They always seem to find leisure time to do fun activities I wanted to try.”
Misheel Batkhuu (Grade 11): “I'm wowed by their consistency and accountability for their health. I wonder how they feel... do their bodies and minds feel as fresh and able as mine? Do they actively, subtly, or not appreciate it if they can? Why did they start or why do they keep sleeping by 11? Were they simply forced into it, or is it just a routine they've gotten used to?”
How do you feel when you talk to or think about people who (can) sleep later or have an irregular sleep schedule?
Keren (Grade 10): “Very disorganized, and maybe having to do things at the last minute.”
Ayesha Rivera (Grade 11): “Thinking about those who sleep later or have an irregular sleep schedule, I feel that they'd feel tired during their day and possibly have less focus in class because they are so fatigued.”
Julianne Ho (Grade 11): “They feel very relatable, as if they know exactly what struggles I have. I had many friends that I would be open and vulnerable to very late at night, or work together past midnight (before this challenge). I get the impression they sacrifice some of their happiness in order to balance leisure and work time with an active social life, however they seem like they can finish their work easily under pressure (which I could not do). It also gives me the sense that they aren't feeling the healthiest mentally.”
Misheel Batkhuu (Grade 11): “Oh they're missing out. Whenever someone mentions not getting enough sleep, or having slept late, I wish I could just tell them to do this challenge with me. It's not that I want to be a mom, but I really do think, especially after I'm noticing the quality of my sleep improving now, that making it a habit of getting in bed by 11 is worth it.”
How do you feel moving on with this challenge for Week 4?
Keren (Grade 10): “Pretty confident. I’m surprised I’ve lasted this long.”
Ayesha Rivera (Grade 11): "Heading into week 4 of this challenge I'm feeling pretty good and am hopeful to see new benefits arise.”
Julianne Ho (Grade 11): “I think it's starting to become more sustainable for me, I've found a good balance between productivity and procrastination. I can feel myself getting into the routine, both mentally and physically. I used to pull all-nighters somewhat often, though now my circadian rhythm has definitely shifted as I can't seem to stay awake past 11:30 pm-12 am.”
Misheel Batkhuu (Grade 11): “Week 4! Wow, time sure does fly:) I feel great, definitely excited to see if this excellent quality of sleep holds up.”
Which best describes you right now?

Keren (Grade 10): Option 5 (sunglasses)
Ayesha Rivera (Grade 11): Option 4 (blushing, content)
Julianne Ho (Grade 11): Option 4 (blushing, content)
Misheel Batkhuu (Grade 11): Option 4 (blushing, content)
If you would like to make any suggestions for our next "Make or Break" series, we would love to hear your suggestions! Send them in through here: https://forms.gle/9XwhusCA63ueVxCm9

The first two weeks are without argument among the most eventful, dramatic ones of the school year… and they’re even more so when you’re trying to forge a new habit. Here are the thoughts of our “Make or Break” series participants two weeks into sleeping by 11:
Is this challenge getting easier, harder to keep up with, or the same?
Keren (Grade 10): “I think it has stayed the same. Completed homework before bed hasn’t been possible, but I’ve been able to finish it in the morning.”
Alexandra Miller (Grade 11): “Harder!”
Ayesha Rivera (Grade 11): “This challenge is becoming somewhat easier because I feel more tired from the day and I end up sleeping earlier because of this.”
Julianne Ho (Grade 11): “This challenge is getting much harder to keep up with, in order to finish my increasing workload I find myself needing to wake up very early in the mornings, which was one of my biggest difficulties before I had started trying to build this habit.”
Misheel Batkhuu (Grade 11): “I find that it's getting harder, not necessarily because of the challenges I complained about last week, but mostly because I'm getting lazier and lazier. I only start wrapping up my studies for bed around 10:50, whereas I used to be so adamant about being in bed by 10:30 so I could read with my sister. I guess I might be losing a bit of momentum.”
Are the benefits of this challenge increasing, decreasing, or the same in effectiveness and magnitude?
Keren (Grade 10): “They have stayed the same.”
Alexandra Miller (Grade 11): “When I get in bed by 11 I notice a big difference in my energy levels and well-being! It makes me want to go to bed by 11.”
Ayesha Rivera (Grade 11): “The benefits of this challenge have stayed the same as I haven't noticed any new benefits, nor have I lost the benefit of having a bit more energy as a result of having time allocated for sleeping.”
Julianne Ho (Grade 11): “I would say the benefits of this challenge remained the same in effectiveness and magnitude overall, however, I believe some benefits are decreasing while others are increasing when focusing on them individually. In the previous week, I was feeling the positive effects of having long sleep times, such as less sleepiness in class and irritability. This week I had felt the benefits of enjoying the early morning, such as being able to wake up much earlier than I ever thought possible for myself, as well as getting my day started with a boost of productivity.”
Misheel Batkhuu (Grade 11): “They're about the same. I'm still glad I'm doing this though. I don't struggle to get out of bed in the morning, I still run long-distance some mornings (the days aren't consistent, but the times a week still are), and I'm more attentive in class than I was in previous school years. Like, I actually find myself learning in class now, rather than suffering and going home to suffer again as I attempt to teach myself late into the night.”
Are there any drawbacks in this challenge that you're noticing incrementing, decrementing, or remaining in magnitude?
Keren (Grade 10): “Finishing homework has become more of a challenge.”
Alexandra Miller (Grade 11): “As more of my extracurriculars start-up, I have less time to do my homework which makes me go to bed later (or not do it).”
Ayesha Rivera (Grade 11): “There haven’t been any noticeable drawbacks in this challenge so far.”
Julianne Ho (Grade 11): “A major drawback I've noticed incrementing after Week 2 is, as predicted from Week 1, a somewhat low productivity rate that is not quite matching the increasing workload. Another drawback that had taken me by surprise is the energy crash that occurs after school - I find myself accidentally taking a nap (which personally always lasts for 3 hours, no more and no less), which wastes the perfect time in my daily schedule for schoolwork and causes insomnia late at night.”
Misheel Batkhuu (Grade 11): “I've never noticed drawbacks and that fact remains the same for me.”
How do you feel moving on with this challenge for Week 3?
Keren (Grade 10): “A little nervous…”
Alexandra Miller (Grade 11): “Hoping to do better than this week!”
Ayesha Rivera (Grade 11): “I feel positive moving on with this challenge because I feel that I am getting used to my new schedule.”
Julianne Ho (Grade 11): “Week 3 might be the toughest of this challenge yet, as there are many upcoming tests and quizzes that I need to prepare for. I believe this might be the "make or break" week, where other habits that change my daily schedule have to be solidified or I will fall behind and would be forced to leave the challenge. ”
Misheel Batkhuu (Grade 11): “Very determined to be more disciplined and less lazy about getting in bed on time and ensuring I follow the other habits I was trying to pair (bedtime reading, morning long-distance running). I also have to make my morning routine MUCH more efficient. I think waking up early falsely gives me the impression I have time to dilly dally but really, that "extra" time should be designated for intense (or light) studying I couldn't do the night before.”
Which best describes you right now?

Keren (Grade 10): Option 9 (no expression, deadset)
Alexandra Miller (Grade 11): Option 5 (sunglasses)
Ayesha Rivera (Grade 11): Option 7 (weary, eyebags)
Julianne Ho (Grade 11): Option 3 (crying, sobs)
Misheel Batkhuu (Grade 11): Option 1 (angry, determined)
If you would like to make any suggestions for our next "Make or Break" series, we would love to hear your suggestions! Send them in through here: https://forms.gle/9XwhusCA63ueVxCm9

One week after the challenge began, we find ourselves once again with our “Make or Break” series participants for an update on their status. Let’s see how they’re doing:
Have you come across any challenges? How are you approaching them?
Keren (Grade 10): “I don’t think I have yet, the homework challenge has not been much of an issue since it’s only the first week of school. However, I did have to do homework one morning. I actually didn’t mind, because I found that I was much more productive and had a good nights rest, where as I am burnt out trying to finish my homework at around 9-12pm.”
Alisa Wu (Grade 11): “I tend to start getting ready to go to bed at 11:00-11:20, so after I'm done my nightly routine, I get to bed at 11:40, but then fall asleep at 12. It's a challenge to get to sleep sooner, but I feel that the extra 30 min shouldn't make a big difference.”
Alexandra Miller (Grade 11): “I have a lot of extracurriculars after school which makes it hard to complete my homework before 10:30. To approach this challenge I’m trying to do my homework faster and more efficiently.”
Ayesha Rivera (Grade 11): “I've had some trouble adjusting to a schedule with school as it is drastically different than my routine/schedule from summer. To approach this challenge, I've been trying to keep my current schedule generally consistent to hopefully adjust faster.”
Julianne Ho (Grade 11): “Before I started this challenge, I was sleeping much later (around 1-2am). I had not well adjusted to sleeping early, and I had experienced insomnia in the first half of the week because of it. Now that I have gotten used to sleeping by 11, it has become slightly easier everyday. Another challenge I face is an increasing workload that wasn't present in the first week, and I am currently in the process of rearranging my schedule during the day to be able to get enough sleep and stay productive.”
Misheel Batkhuu (Grade 11): “I sleep with my grade 6 sister (she has her own room, but we enjoy each other’s company). As of now, I can easily manage myself and be in bed by 11. It takes considerable effort to force my sister to do the same. Sometimes that means shutting down the wifi in the house which gets me an earful of “You’re the worst sister in the world!”s and “I hate you”s but we reconcile eventually. Then, there’s the issue of us talking in bed about life. Honestly, I enjoy these conversations we have because they’re either super funny or super philosophical. They are too exciting and long, though, for one trying to fall asleep though at 11. I guess we’ll try to shorten them a little bit, as well as maybe climb into bed by at least 10:30 to comply.”
Have you noticed any changes in your behaviour or performance throughout the day? (mood, energy) Are they mostly positive or negative?
Keren (Grade 10): “I’m definitely have a much more positive attitude and more energetic in the morning, however, I still find my self tired in the afternoon since I’m still getting used to full school days after not having them for over a year.”
Alisa Wu (Grade 11): “MUCH more energetic and focused.”
Alexandra Miller (Grade 11): “Not at the moment, but I home to encounter some soon!”
Ayesha Rivera (Grade 11): “I haven't noticed any significant changes as of yet, however, I do think that had I not joined the study, my energy levels would be lower because of getting less sleep.”
Julianne Ho (Grade 11): “I've noticed that I feel much more energetic and happy with more sleep. I used to feel very weighed down and heavy, but I have felt lighter on my feet recently and feel motivated to be active when I have time. Another change that I found significant is not feeling exhausted in classes to the point where I fall asleep, and therefore have not ruined my regular sleep schedule from taking naps. Overall, the changes have already shown to be positive.”
Misheel Batkhuu (Grade 11): “I can't really tell for my general mood or behaviour around others. I'm the kind of person who tries to be positive but also goes loopy or gets irritated for no reason without realizing. I think I'm the same person. I do feel more organized and motivated to not procrastinate though, and my study/work habits have definitely improved in efficiency.”
Have you initiated any changes in your routine?
Keren (Grade 10): “I make sure to shower earlier, at least getting in the shower at 10pm so I’m not rushing to get into bed. Since I’m going to sleep at 11, I have found that I wake up a little earlier and faster, which gives me time to sit on the balcony (if the weather is not to cold) and finish some homework or read. This is something I really like, because it starts my day off right (not on my phone as much in the morning) and gives me time to read which I didn’t have time for before.”
Alisa Wu (Grade 11): “Not since the beginning of the experiement.”
Alexandra Miller (Grade 11): “I put my phone outside of my bedroom every night.”
Ayesha Rivera (Grade 11): “I have started to get ready for bed at a consistent time that is earlier than which I normally get ready for bed.”
Julianne Ho (Grade 11): “A change I have tried to implement so far is trying to do all my regular homework before dinner and saving the time afterwards for doing whatever I wanted, such as working on clubs, reading, or playing the ukulele. This advice was given to me by a friend that sleeps early on a regular basis and isn't part of this challenge!”
Misheel Batkhuu (Grade 11): “I've started running long distance some mornings and plan to make it a routine for certain days of the week, which I would have never had the energy to do before... heck I could barely even wake up in time before, much less consider doing some exercise.”
How do you feel moving on with this challenge for Week 2?
Keren (Grade 10): “I feel pretty confident and satisfied with the benefits of choosing to do this challenge.”
Alisa Wu (Grade 11): “Good!”
Alexandra Miller (Grade 11): “I want to keep going!”
Ayesha Rivera (Grade 11): “I feel a bit uneasy as I know that my workload will start to get heavier and my routine may have to change to adjust to it.”
Julianne Ho (Grade 11): “I can see the workload severely increasing just from the first week, so I believe it will be difficult to balance this challenge and remain productive enough. I had definitely seen the benefits from the first week already though, and I have just as much incentive as the first week to see this challenge through!!”
Misheel Batkhuu (Grade 11): “Good! I'm excited for what's in store, and as of now, I still think I got this in the bag. I'm definitely not stopping any time soon.”
Which best describes you right now?

Keren (Grade 10): Option 5 (sunglasses)
Alisa Wu (Grade 11): Option 5 (sunglasses)
Alexandra Miller (Grade 11): Option 6 (geeky)
Ayesha Rivera (Grade 11): Option 3 (cry)
Julianne Ho (Grade 11): Option 4 (happy, blushing)
Misheel Batkhuu (Grade 11): Option 4 (happy, blushing)
If you would like to make any suggestions for our next "Make or Break" series, we would love to hear your suggestions! Send them in through here: https://forms.gle/9XwhusCA63ueVxCm9

Too often, high schoolers find themselves caught up in a vicious cycle of procrastination, time-wasting, speed-running, late to no sleep, and poor results. At this point, we’re well aware of the importance of sleep, but we’ve trained our brains too long into casting it outside. That is why, as we begin a fresh school year, five other brave soldiers and I are challenging ourselves to be in bed by 11, ready to sleep, for six weeks straight. Typically, it’s believed that a habit takes six weeks to break or make. Let’s see if we can make a habit of sleeping by 11, and maybe other ones might be built or shattered in the process.
Here are the pre-start thoughts of our first “Make or Break” series participants, taken September 8, 2021:
Why did you choose to take part in this challenge?
Keren (Grade 10): “I thought it would be a great way to keep a consistent sleep schedule during the beginning of the school year. Coming back from vacation I want to get my jet lag under control as fast as possible. I know that sleeps important and I want to improve mine. I want to be able to wake up early without feeling too tired.”
Alisa Wu (Grade 11): “Over the summer, I've read about the importance of habit building and sleep (Why We Sleep Book by Matthew Walker), and I felt very inspired after reading those books. They helped me stop sleeping at 2-3 am and helped me sleep consistently at 12-1 am. I thought that this challenge was perfect and thought it could further help me achieve an even better sleep time.”
Ayesha Rivera (Grade 11): “I chose to take part in this challenge so that I could use it as an opportunity to start creating better habits and improve time management skills.”
Julianne Ho (Grade 11): “Often I have trouble concentrating and my thoughts feel jumbled when I'm sleep deprived. A problem I usually face is wanting to enjoy the morning by waking up early, but it's difficult for me to sleep earlier and I constantly end up with a lack of sleep. I feel much more productive in the early mornings and would like to make that a habit. Another issue I face is that I'm a heavy sleeper, and sleep deprivation really just exacerbates the situation. Multiple alarms can go off and I would completely miss them (this previously included a carbon monoxide alarm), or if I do catch them I'd turn off the alarms and "sleep for another 5 minutes". I believe having a solid reason to get to bed earlier rather than "just because I want to" will make me more determined to see this challenge to the end.”
Misheel Batkhuu (Grade 11): “I've tried committing to improving my sleep habits many times before, and only one time, did I come close to sleeping at a good time (before 11)... for about three nights before I fell back into my regular routine. The thing is, no matter how busy or unbusy my schedule is, I always fail to prioritize my sleep, which I really should. I feel as if participating in a publicly updated and open challenge like this will force me into this habit, especially if I'm keeping it up for six weeks. It's a measurable goal, at least in my opinion.”
Anonymous (Grade 12): “I know a lot of my lack of sleep comes from procrastination because I know I can always stay up late to complete work. I usually set a hard limit to go to sleep around 2 or 3 am anyway so if I can just make that earlier, I'm hoping to improve my sleep schedule and work ethic.”
What do you hope to gain from these six weeks? (goals, desires, dreams)
Keren (Grade 10): “A good sleep schedule, and a way to create new habits.”
Alisa Wu (Grade 11): “I hope that after these 6 weeks, I can go to school without dozing off in class (which happened a lot last year) and I can have more effective retention of class material.”
Ayesha Rivera (Grade 11): “I hope that I'll be able to gain better sleep and I hope to be able to create a sustainable work schedule by learning to section off time properly with the goal of getting in bed and sleeping by 11.”
Julianne Ho (Grade 11): “I'm hoping that developing this habit will result in other lifestyle changes as well, such as efficient time management, being able to trust my self-discipline, and being more focused in my everyday work. Even if I don't succeed, I'm still interested in seeing if this motivates other people to work on self-improvement!”
Misheel Batkhuu (Grade 11): “I hope to build the habit of consistently sleeping at a good time. I want to get used to dropping whatever I'm doing and sleeping without worrying because I'll just wake up the next morning refreshed and ready to continue. I hope to develop a consistent clear mind so I perform better in all aspects of my life, including school and family responsibilities (maybe I'll stop being so irritable). I want to get better at managing my time, and hopefully, as I'm forced to realize what's most important, I can also drop other bad habits of mine like wasting time procrastinating or scrolling pointlessly through social media, Webtoons, etc. Beyond myself, though, I hope that this challenge can help motivate other people to also develop healthier and more consistent sleep routines:)”
Anonymous (Grade 12): “Getting more sleep, less procrastination, better focus”
What challenges can you see yourself facing?
Keren (Grade 10): “Having homework, and not having time to finish it. Since I have extracurricular activities, and usually only get home by 9, that doesn’t give me a lot of time to do homework. [I also fear] just not being tired before 11 in general, having a hard time falling asleep”
Alisa Wu (Grade 11): “The first week would be difficult since I would have to solely rely on willpower rather than habits.”
Ayesha Rivera (Grade 11): “Challenges I can see myself facing is workload, procrastination, and getting over previous sleep habits, specifically the times I was used to sleeping at.”
Julianne Ho (Grade 11): “Some challenges I can definitely see happening result from wasting time during the day and pushing all my work to be done in the night time. I see myself spending time watching random YouTube videos, checking messages, having too many "breaks" in the daytime, then rushing my work starting at 10 pm. Often I also want to help others but never save enough time to work on my own projects unfortunately. This might lead to pulling all-nighters just to meet deadlines.”
Misheel Batkhuu (Grade 11): “Struggling to let go of my obsession with games, and then struggling to finish an assignment. Having trouble sleeping at night because I couldn't finish the assignment and I'm stressed the time I set out in the morning won't be enough.”
Anonymous (Grade 12): “Too much work/due dates piling up, not being able to sleep at an earlier time even if I get in bed because of current sleep schedule.”
Are you making plans to help you overcome challenges? If so, please specify.
Keren (Grade 10): “Homework challenge: Being efficient and managing the time that I have, waking up early instead of staying up late to finish it.”
Alisa Wu (Grade 11): “I'll set an alarm to remind me to start getting ready to go to sleep.”
Ayesha Rivera (Grade 11): “To overcome potential challenges I'm aiming to start any work given right away/finish it as early as possible and create a general schedule that I can follow to help me stay on track.”
Julianne Ho (Grade 11): “I'm going to stick to using site blockers for social media platforms and stop using electronics right before sleeping. I will also use a to-do list but will try not to spend too much time organizing it as to stay time efficient. Doing activities that make me feel determined and productive such as exercising or doing tough activities earlier will hopefully stop me from laying around and waiting to start them too late in the day.”
Misheel Batkhuu (Grade 11): “I'm mentally preparing myself for one, letting go of and living without the things I don't need, and two, for the prospect of dropping my pencil and then figuring out a steady time to wake up. If I have to sleep at 10:30 and wake up at 12:30 to keep up with this challenge, then so be it. Once my timetable gets stabilized and I figure out what each class looks like, I'll organize a rough schedule/map of my day and each course study slots.”
Anonymous (Grade 12): “Not drinking caffeine drinks after 8 pm, planning to work on projects early.”
How do you feel right now about starting school with this goal in mind?
Keren (Grade 10): “I feel a little more prepared for something that I didn’t really think about (sleep schedule) before starting this challenge”
Alisa Wu (Grade 11): “Motivated.”
Ayesha Rivera (Grade 11): “Starting school with this goal in mind makes me feel somewhat less nervous as it gives me a bit more structure to follow for the beginning of the year.”
Julianne Ho (Grade 11): “Honestly, I'm feeling more pressure because this has been a habit I've wanted to include since middle school and haven't been too successful with. Heading into Grade 11, I would like to focus more on responsibilities rather than kicking bad habits for the entire year. Getting started earlier on pushing these bad habits out are higher on my priority for the first few weeks of school, so I'm excited to get started!”
Misheel Batkhuu (Grade 11): “Super excited. I got this.”
Anonymous (Grade 12): “Good but might not be able to meet this goal throughout the six weeks depending on my workload. Also might affect my ability to stay up late when I actually need to.”
Which best describes you right now?

Keren (Grade 10): Option 4 (happy, blushing)
Alisa Wu (Grade 11): Option 4 (happy, blushing)
Ayesha Rivera (Grade 11): Option 3 (cry)
Julianne Ho (Grade 11): Option 2 (dizzy)
Misheel Batkhuu (Grade 11): Option 6 (geeky)
Anonymous (Grade 12): Option 4 (happy, blushing)
If you would like to make any suggestions for our next "Make or Break" series, we would love to hear your suggestions! Send them in through here: https://forms.gle/9XwhusCA63ueVxCm9