GNS Student Shows the Meaning of Home in Writing Contest

June 12, 2020

Junior School

GNS

Congratulations to Nathan Papps ’27 who has been named the Grade 5 Grand Prize winner in the Habitat for Humanity Canada national writing contest, “The Meaning of Home.” Nathan won a grant of $30,000, which will go towards Habitat for Humanity Victoria and will help build multiple homes in the region.

“I was surprised and excited when I found out I had won,” he said. “This was my first poem and I worked hard on it, so I am very proud. It makes me happy that the money donated by Genworth will help build homes for 11 families in Victoria.”

Nathan’s poem is titled “Where the Heart Is” and centres around the making of a home. He wrote the poem in the fall when his class was finishing up the Grade 5 Human Anatomy Unit.

“I pictured each part of the house like a part of the body,” he explained. “Even though the brain is responsible for our feelings, I know that the heart is a symbol of love. So, just like a body can’t survive without a heart, I think a house isn’t a home without love. Whether a house is big or small, new or old, fancy or plain—it’s just an empty building until a family moves in and makes it a home. I hope that the homes this money helps build make the families very happy.”

For Nathan, poetry gives him an outlet to express his feelings while using his imagination.

“Poems can paint a picture with words, and they have rhythm like music,” he said. “People sometimes think that girls are more creative than boys, and last year the grand prize winner for every grade was a girl, so I wanted to write my best poem to show that boys can be thoughtful, caring and creative.”

Way to go Nathan for sharing your fantastic way of storytelling!