Nex’s Story
The bullying started in Grade 8 when Nex was in middle school. At first, he tried to ignore the small comments but by Grade 10, the verbal attacks escalated to the point where going to school felt unbearable.
Nex asked teachers, the principal, and the counsellor for help, but beyond quiet reprimands, nothing changed. He began skipping math to avoid his bully, then all classes, and by January he was failing nearly everything.
Feeling trapped, unsupported, and desperate for relief, Nex turned to cannabis to cope. When his family discovered he’d been smoking and skipping school, tensions rose and Nex shut down. Now, school and home both felt unsafe for Nex.
A friend told Nex about the Take a Hike program, which sparked hope for a safe learning environment. Though some family members encouraged him to “stick it out,” his mom supported the move. Nex joined Take a Hike in January 2022—and for the first time in a long time, felt accepted and seen.
Despite the exclusion he’d experienced, Nex always believed in the power of connection. Raised in a household of seven and grounded in his Indigenous value of inviting others in, he naturally helped build community within his cohort. He encouraged his peers to put their phones away, join group activities, and embrace the raw, face-to-face connection that weekly outings and multi-day trips offered. In therapy group sessions and while out on the trail, Nex inspired others to try new things and support each other—finding for himself a sense of belonging that felt both new and deeply healing.
Academically, though, he faced a steep climb. Years of missed classes meant he needed to complete multiple Grade 10, 11, and 12 courses in just a few months to graduate on time. With Take a Hike’s support team behind him, Nex built an ambitious study plan. He worked from early morning until midnight, pushing through burnout and using new coping strategies instead of avoidance. When he spiraled, staff met him with patience and encouragement; when he doubted himself, they reminded him how far he’d come.
On the second-to-last day of school, Nex finished his final requirements and rang the bell with his head held high. Each toll became a thank-you to those who believed in him, a tribute to every kilometre hiked and hill climbed, a celebration of his grit and hard work, awe at completing nine courses in four months, and a reminder to anyone listening that they matter—and that anything is possible with the right support.
In June, Nex stood on the graduation stage with two of his Take a Hike peers and delivered an inspiring valedictorian speech. Today, he works two jobs, is saving for a car, and is planning a year of travel—backpacking, hiking, seeing the world. Inspired by the Youth Worker at Take a Hike who supported him, Nex plans to apply to post-secondary to become a student support worker and work for an organization like Take a Hike in the future.
