June 16, 2022
What is your name, age, school, and what community are you from?
My name is Alexander Joseph Paul. I am 18 years old. I go to Wagmatcookewey School, and I am from Wagmatcook First Nation.
What clubs, teams, or groups are you involved in at school, and after-school?
I am involved with the Bra d'Or Archers Association in Baddeck. This is an after-school thing for me and I have been involved with this club for about 5 years now.
What’s your favourite subject in school?
My favourite subject would have to be History. I love hearing about things that have happened, not just here, but throughout the world.
If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be, and why?
It would probably be New York City. There is a lot of Broadway there and I absolutely love Broadway.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I like to listen to music in my free time, and do archery. Archery has always been something close to my heart and has helped me through difficult times.
What are your plans for when you graduate, and why? What do you see yourself doing ten years from now?
My plan after graduation is to attend Cape Breton University to study psychology, and to hopefully start in the Canadian Armed Forces as a psychologist.
Do you have a role model? If so, who? And why?
I have a role model, but he has since passed. His name was Lorenzo Dredge. I saw him as a father during the time he was alive. He was always open-hearted and had open arms for anyone. He never judged you for anything. He was a great listener, and always had the best stories to tell. We did archery together a few times a week and we would go to 3D archery competitions throughout the province. He was my role model because of how he would just look at everything and everyone with such a positive attitude. I miss Lorenzo dearly, and think of him a lot. I think he would be proud of what I've made of myself.
What is your best memory from your high school years?
My best memory would have to be making my ribbon shirt. This was a recent one. An elder in the community, Maily, helped me make it from scratch. Welalin Maily.
What is the best thing about your school?
How inclusive and accepting everyone is, and how we do daily prayers and offer smudging and sage to students.
Who has made an impact on you?
I would say quite a few people have widened my perspectives. However, my personal coach, Stephen Kerr, has definitely made a big impact on me. He's taught me right from wrong, and has always been there for me. I appreciate him a lot, even though he can joke up a storm. I've had times where I felt like giving up everything - my school, archery, everything. But he pushed me through. He's seen me change into a better person, a more respectful person. The first time we met, I feel like I was rude and inconsiderate. I would have outbursts and I just wasn't considerate of other people. I have since become the opposite. I respect everyone and take everything into consideration. I thank Stephen for that.
Is there something you'd like to see in your school or community that isn't there now?
A place for our youth to go to, and be themselves. We used to have a youth centre, but now we don't.
Do you have any words of advice, a personal favourite quote, or a thank-you?
"One day at a time, and try to stay positive. The darkness always comes before the dawn." - Stephen K