Matthias Hannesson
Shodan-ho 2022

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     I was born on November 9th, 2005 in Lethbridge Alberta. We moved to Nanaimo just after my first birthday. The first few years of my life were relatively simple. I loved the normal life of a young child, and grew up happily. As I went into school, I developed a love for mathematics. This is something that has carried on with me throughout my life.

 

     My life changed significantly when I was about 7 years old. This was the age when I first started to play piano, and when I first started to train in Karate. I still do both of these things to this day, and they have had a significant impact on my life. 

    A few years ago, I entered high school. While it was certainly different from what I had experienced before, I found I was able to adapt with relative ease. It was in high school that I had many new and significant experiences. I made new friends, joined clubs and continued to develop myself.

    When I was in grade 9, I joined musical theatre, something almost completely new to me. It had a big impact on me and was something I really enjoyed. This was also the year that the Covid pandemic began, which changed everything!! Things were difficult at times, but I managed, and pushed through.

     Life goes on as ‘they’ say. My experiences in music have been positive and motivating. I participated in several mathematics programs which have been valuable. I also continued to train in Karate, with the black belt now not too far away. Unfortunately, I was unable to grade at the grading I was working towards, due to my participation in a summer program known as “Shad”. Since I returned from Shad, I have continued to train towards my black belt. I am now in grade 12 and am applying to universities. I hope to eventually get my PhD in math. And I hope to keep training and achieving higher belts in karate.