LITTLE ALUMNAE Achievement
2022 Junior Alumna Achievement Award : Hannah McCormack ’ 99
WHAT HAS CHS MEANT TO YOU ?
I ’ m a proud Crofton House “ lifer .” I was at the School for 12 years . I had lots of firsts there : friendships that remain to this day , introduction to the topics that I would later continue to study , mentors and teachers I looked up to , leadership experiences like being a House Captain , and all the co-curriculars . CHS helped me become the person that I have grown into .
WHAT CHS EXPERIENCES HELPED SHAPE YOUR CAREER PATH ?
I started my listening career even as a little kid in the Mini Woods , playing games and putting on plays with others . Having such a small , close-knit community allowed me to develop close relationships with people . I think having leadership values instilled in me and having the confidence to use my voice and stand up for myself — thanks to learning in an all-girls ’ environment — helped me accept my skill set and drove me to pursue what wasn ’ t the traditional path at the time . I probably use that skill , that confidence , every single day in my life .
Hannah is a Registered Clinical Counsellor working in the independent school system as a personal and postsecondary counsellor . She obtained her BA from the University of British Columbia and completed a diploma and MA in Counselling Psychology .
Hannah initially worked supporting at-risk youth with barriers to employment and those with complex developmental and behavioural conditions . Since 2010 , Hannah has worked with JK – 12 students , often supporting them to deal with learning differences and adverse childhood experiences .
2022 Distinguished Alumna Achievement Award : Ambassador Aliya Mawani ’ 91
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE IMPACTS YOU ’ VE EXPERIENCED FROM AN ALL-GIRLS ’ EDUCATION AT CHS ?
Daily reinforcement that , as a girl , all options and pathways were open to me as they would be for any boy . The importance of supportive relationships with other women ; I think that , unconsciously , I have replicated that throughout my life because I realized how important and formative it was for me . And the importance of connecting with community through volunteerism .
WHAT SKILLS LEARNED FROM CHS HELPED WITH THAT VOLUNTEERISM AND WITH THE CITIZENSHIP ASPECT OF YOUR DIPLOMATIC CAREER ?
Listening and communication . There were quite a few activities , from presentations , public speaking and house competitions to being Assistant Editor of the Croftonian , that were great ways to get comfortable speaking to different audiences and formulating convincing written arguments — both of which are crucial for a diplomat .
Participating in debating was a really important way I learned to listen — you have to be actively listening to come up with your next argument . Active listening is a very underrated but incredibly important skill when it comes to engaged citizenship . If you want to participate , you need to know people ’ s needs and how you can influence or contribute . You need to actually listen because there ’ s often a question behind someone ’ s question and a difference between what you think is needed and what the need actually is .
HOW DID CHS SUPPORT YOU IN FINDING YOUR PASSION FOR DIPLOMACY ?
Crofton House does a good job of situating itself in the world — not just being a Vancouver school or a BC school , but having a global outlook . As students , we were exposed to a diversity of perspectives and issues through our studies , speakers and the alumnae network . This nurtured my interest in what was happening locally and globally , and my passion for learning about people and their stories – which is really at the heart of diplomacy .
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