VLA 2026–2027 New Season Open Session | A New Beginning

On September 13, VLA held its Opening Ceremony for the 2026–2027 school year, marking the beginning of a new chapter. More than just the start of another school year, the event brought together returning members, new families, community supporters, and people who were attending a VLA event for the first time and wanted to learn more about the organization.

To help newcomers better understand VLA, David, Celine, David Frank, Tim, Wenqi, Wendy, and Zachary were invited to share their experiences and introduce different aspects of the organization. Since many people in the audience were attending a VLA event for the first time, we knew that our presentations would help shape their first impressions. I spent a considerable amount of time preparing and practicing beforehand, hoping to express our ideas clearly and give everyone a better understanding of what makes VLA unique.

As the event began, students took turns coming to the front to share their experiences and ideas. Speaking in front of a large group can be a little nerve-racking, but our preparation helped everything go smoothly. From the audience’s reactions, it seemed that people were genuinely interested in what we had to share.

The adult speakers then introduced VLA’s core values, programs, and vision for the future. They explained not only the activities VLA offers, but also the opportunities for growth that young people and families can gain through participation. One idea that stood out to me was VLA’s goal of helping young people prepare for a future increasingly shaped by technology. Beyond technical knowledge, VLA also emphasizes skills such as communication, creativity, critical thinking, leadership, and understanding others.

Mrs. Lu Jin’s presentation particularly stood out to me. She connected topics such as artificial intelligence and psychology with activities we had participated in during the previous school year. Her presentation made me realize that although many of VLA’s activities may seem unrelated at first, they can contribute to a larger purpose: helping us understand the changing world around us while also learning more about ourselves and our own growth.

After the formal presentations ended, the room quickly became much livelier. People gathered in small groups, and many attendees began asking questions. VLA’s staff and members spoke with newcomers who wanted to learn more about its programs, activities, and opportunities to get involved. Although the speeches had come to an end, the conversations continued.

From the conversations around us, it was clear that many attendees were interested in VLA’s programs and wanted to explore ways to become more involved. After spending so much time preparing for the event, it was rewarding to see people not only listening attentively but also discussing the ideas we had presented. These conversations reminded us that the value of an event lies not only in what is shared on stage, but also in the connections it helps people build.

For me, the Opening Ceremony was more than just the beginning of another school year at VLA. It showed how the organization continues to grow and how more families and individuals are becoming part of the broader Chinese community. Although everyone brings different experiences and perspectives, we come together through shared interests and a desire to learn and grow. More importantly, the event gave newcomers an opportunity to discover VLA and gave all of us a chance to keep building a community that encourages communication, learning, and growth.

On the day of the event, Oakville town councillors also expressed their appreciation for our presentations and their support for VLA. Their recognition and encouragement meant a great deal to us. It was also a reminder that VLA is gradually building connections with the wider local community and creating more opportunities for young people, families, and people from different backgrounds to connect. September 13 marked the official beginning of VLA’s 2026–2027 school year, but it also felt like the beginning of something larger. With new members, new ideas, and new opportunities ahead, I look forward to seeing VLA continue to grow in the coming year and to seeing the Chinese community we are building together discover new possibilities.

Reporter: Frank Ding of grade 9 in Abbey Park High School

Video editor: David Li of grade 8 in Rotherglen Private School