special contribution by Dan McIntosh
Students have had about a month to acclimate to life at Pearson College, so UWC Day represents somewhat of a milestone and unofficial benchmark for the 2025 school year. All 18 schools in the UWC movement take part, along with the national committees and countless alumni around the world.
Pearson’s 200 plus students, faculty, and staff dug into more than half a dozen activities on the traditional territory of the SC’IȺNEW Nation during the September 21st event aptly themed ‘Voices for Peace.’
Kelp Huggers hit the water on Pedder Bay in Big Canoes to explore the incredible kelp forests, learn about their ecosystems and even sample some tasty kelp pickles. 
The Student Alliance for Old Growth Forests discussed how to protect our majestic giants, then scoured the campus grounds removing invasive species like Scotch Broom and English Holly with the expert assistance of the Metchosin Invasive Species Cooperative.
Precious Plastics mobilized to take on one of the globe’s greatest pollution challenges by creating plastic collection points for each campus house and turning some of the recyclable materials into crafts.
Crafts were also the selling point for the KULE fundraising group – literally. The jewelry made by students will be sold at local markets to help local communities in Murang’a County, Kenya.
Meanwhile, the Period Pixies produced 50 necessity boxes along with notes of positivity to distribute to women’s shelters around the area. Metchosin House shuttled students to a local operation for some hands-on experience in sustainable food production, while the Butterfly Project created notes of hope, love, and empowerment to deliver to strangers in nearby communities. 
It’s no coincidence that UWC Day coincides with the United Nations International Day for Peace. Two missions aligned to make the world a better place and on Sunday Pearson did its small part on the water, in the forest, and in the community, it calls home.