TFS - Canada's International School

DESTINATION / DESTINATION Institut Français de la Mode PROGRAMME / PROGRAM Management for Creative and Fashion Industries GABRIELLA D. Alessandra has been an athlete for as long as she can remember. At just two years old, her parents enrolled her in a Sport Ball program, where she quickly fell in love with soccer. Fast forward to today, she is beginning her post-secondary journey at Quinnipiac University in Connecticut, where she was recruited to play NCAA Division I soccer and awarded a full athletic and academic scholarship. This accomplishment didn't come without a lot of hard work. Balancing academics and athletics, while completing the rigorous IB program required dedication and support. "My teachers were always there for me providing extra help with school work and time management," she says. From the moment Gabriella stepped into TFS in Grade 3, having just relocated from Switzerland, she brought with her a fresh perspective shaped by her unique background. She quickly found solace in the school's creative spaces, where her imagination could flourish. "I found comfort in the creative spaces," she says. Those creative spaces, especially the visual arts wing, became home. As early as Grade 6, Gabriella's art teacher recognized her advanced knowledge, understanding and skills, inviting her to participate in the Level III visual arts class. Though she attended the class on a part-time basis, often during her lunch breaks, Gabriella embraced the chance to learn alongside older students. "She believed in me on day one and took me under her wing. It was her support in me that allowed me to thrive." From then on, art wasn't just a subject for Gabriella; it was a calling and a vehicle for expression. Determined to create space for other students like her, Gabriella spent her senior years championing the arts at TFS in every form: as an Art Prefect, a four-year member of Art Council, and eventually in a newly created role, Director of Art Events, established in recognition of her influence and involvement. From fashion shows, coffee houses and musicals to art installations and even through TFS' 60th anniversary play, Gabriella's creative direction helped mould the school's artistic landscape. Her creative thinking extended beyond the canvas, such as through her Extended Essay. It was here she explored the cultural appreciation of fashion through the lens of the Irish fashion designer Jonathan Anderson, who works on behalf of the Loewe brand. Gabriella also analyzed collaborations between fashion houses and international artists, exploring how their work reflected genuine DESTINATION / DESTINATION Quinnipiac University PROGRAMME / PROGRAM Dual degree: Sport and Entertainment Management + Business Masters ALESSANDRA P. Winning the S.W. Karrys Family Scholarship at graduation, an award in recognition of a high-achieving student athlete pursuing athletics at university, is a testament to Alessandra's hard work on and off the field. Alessandra says soccer helped her develop a strong competitive spirit and lifelong friendships. And she credits the discipline of training with contributing to her academic success. "Soccer has always been an outlet but it's also been challenging," she says. "Balancing the demands of a rigorous academic environment, especially during the IB years, with intensive travel for recruitment in Level IV, combined with working as a lifeguard and swim instructor, required strong time management skills." The experience she gained at TFS will help manage the next chapter as she works towards an accelerated dual degree that includes a BA in Sport and Entertainment Management combined with an MBA. A passionate student-athlete and leader, Alessandra made her mark on the TFS community. As Athletics Prefect she promoted girls' involvement in sports, worked to boost school spirit and engagement in athletic events and helped organize the Terry Fox Run, a new Jump Rope for Heart initiative, as well as other school-wide programs. Though her commitment to soccer was paramount, she made time for other leadership roles as well. A passionate environmentalist, she launched the plant lending library during Earth Week and led discussions through the national Climate Action Accelerator Program. As head of crew for the senior dance show and part of the fashion show, Alessandra seized every opportunity to challenge herself creatively. Looking back, her advice to other students is the advice she heeded herself: "While you're here, get involved as much as possible. There are so many clubs, councils and teams you can experience. And know that, while it can be challenging, there are so many resources available to you. Everyone here wants to help and wants you to be successful." cultural appreciation, applying both conceptual depth and personal insight. "It's really the conceptual thinking that I value the most out of all of it. If you look into most of my work for the IB art show, they were all mostly built off conceptual ideas." That same motivation has guided her next steps. Gabriella is headed to Paris to study at Institut Français de la Mode, where she'll pursue a Bachelor of Science in Management for Fashion and Creative Industries. Though the program is rigorous, it's also hands-on, requiring a six-month internship in the first year. It's an ideal fit for someone who's always learned by doing. "They want you to be put into the field straight away and that in my mind is really how you can learn." Looking back, what Gabriella is proudest of isn't one project or title, but her mindset. "I'm a risk-taker. There's been many moments at TFS where I've decided to take risks. Despite receiving pushback, I've still done it and it's so important to do so," she says. "I'm proud of where it has led me to today." 47 TFS

• Cover