Monthly Giving

"I look back on my time at Traf with fondness: the memories of early morning train rides with my best friends, running down Simpson at 3:11 pm to catch the 24 bus with just enough time to buy a Mr. Freeze before hopping on the train home. My memories are mostly of all the many experiences I had: in the lunchroom, playing soccer, tennis, badminton, performing/writing house plays, or playing cards in the rotunda. I also remember the school trips - Washington for one - a city I haven’t visited since yet feels like I was there just months ago with my classmates. Stratford was an equally memorable trip. All to say, I look back on my time at Traf and there’s no doubt of the role it had in shaping and defining me. It was not only the people I met and the experiences we shared during my five years at Traf but for all the dedicated work that had to be done in helping me graduate.  

I still remember writing my entrance exams to all the main girls’ schools in Montreal. I don’t think there was ever a question about the type of school I needed; my parents knew I needed small class sizes where I could get focused attention. I was waitlisted at first and if Traf hadn’t accepted me, I had nowhere else to go. School was never easy for me, I struggled to stay on top of my homework and to follow along with the rest of the girls. My French was so-so but my English was much worse, and I’m anglophone. I failed English in my first year at Traf as I was still struggling to read at a grade 5 level and if I looked at my grade 7 report card, there were no doubt other classes I was failing. My parents had me tested and found that I had dyslexia and as well as an audio processing problem - both things that held me back from excelling at school. My parents spent a fortune on extra tutoring after school to help me stay on top of my school work but Traf also never gave up on me. My teachers helped me through and gave me the chances I needed to learn using different methods from the other students and taught me strategies I still use today in managing my work. Most importantly, through all that, they also allowed me to be myself, play sports, and enjoy the things that are equally crucial in defining who you are in your teenage years.  

I may not have been Prefect or earned extra credits or awards but I did earn the Library Prize because of my love for reading (crazy when you think I started out failing English), but most importantly I graduated, and not just that, I graduated with high grades which allowed me to go on to graduate with Honours throughout the rest of my academic years.  

I say it all the time - Traf made me - and I’m incredibly proud of who I’ve become and what I’ve accomplished because of what I learned at Traf and what Traf allowed me to be."
 - Meghann Cundall '96, member of of Traf's loyal donor program