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Full of Hope House

22 August 2021
Kennedy McDiarmid, Hope ‘21
 I had two older brothers growing up, but not only did they never live with me (they were here at Brentwood in Privett House) but they were not girls. Now please don’t get me wrong, I love my brothers very much, but I wanted to watch High School Musical without having to trick them into it by saying it was a basketball movie, and I wanted to listen to the Justin Beiber Christmas album from November to January without hearing groans every time “Mistletoe” started playing. And that is exactly what I found in Hope House.

I’m going to start with the first girl I met, Airi.

Airi was my Grade 9 roommate, and the first moment we were left alone she told me I looked like Miley Cyrus from Hannah Montana because she knew “Miley from TV” and I was “one of the first white girls” she’d ever met. Our room was not only always the winner of #1 inspections (I still have the Swiffer we won) but always filled with joy and love - because of you, Airi.

Abayah came a little bit later than the rest of us, but I think she spent more time in my room than I did. She and Airi were absolutely inseparable, and nothing filled the first floor hallway quite like her never-ending laughter.

Nicole, I have never met someone so bubbly in my entire life. I mean this with the most love and admiration; hanging out with you is like spending the day with a Disney princess. You never run out of kind or encouraging words, smiles, laughter - and your joy is unmatched.

Vica and Chase, in true day student fashion, for the first two years, I barely saw you outside of the day student room, but nothing was quite as terrifying as seeing whatever you two and the other day students were up to in there - or as impressive as hearing Vica rapid fire Russian into the phone and seeing Chase absolutely dominate “Just Dance” even with a cast on.

Sophie, I don’t think I would’ve made it this far without you. Together we survived everything Brentwood has thrown at us from interesting roommates, your lockjaw at Strathcona, athletic rehab, me getting locked in the garbage room and you being the first one to laugh at me, you thinking Ms Hedquist’s husband, Terry, was an intruder, and classic shower stall chats during prep. You have been by my side through it all and been the first one to laugh with me and cry with me.

Mr DeSandoli, you have been helping and supporting us all since day one. You kind of had to - you have been our advisor since Grade 9 - but what you didn’t have to do was be compassionate, caring, and, most importantly, dye your hair pink, but you did it all anyways and that is why we call you “Dad”.

And most importantly, Ms Hedquist, you keep us on our toes, and in line, and for that I cannot thank you enough. You have not only supported us during our time here but truly prepared us for the rest of our lives. You are an immensely strong woman and an inspiration to all your Hope House girls.

To my fellow Hope lifers, all of the duty staff, and RFAs through the years, Mr DeSandoli and Ms Hedquist, you have made these past four years so amazing and memorable, thank you all for everything.

Kennedy McDiarmid, Hope ‘21



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