In 2003, NASA launched the Mars Exploration Rover aptly named ‘Spirit’ to embark on a journey of discovery that would broaden our understanding of our sister planet. The objectives given to Spirit were immense; collect data on the surface geology of Mars and search for past water activity, as well as searching for clues about past environmental conditions that could have supported microbial life. As per the original mission plans, scientists were given a 90 Martian-sol (92 Earth
days) timeline to collect all the necessary data after which it was predicted that the rover would lose its capacity to operate.

However, in a true demonstration of resilience, the ‘Spirit’ rover operated for 6 years, 2 months, and 19 days, more than 25 times its original intended lifetime, travelling 4.8 miles (7.73 kilometers) across the Martian plains. This amazing journey led to monumental accomplishments such as collecting evidence of an ancient explosion at a bright, low plateau called Home Plate, capturing ‘dust devils’, and finding traces of water and its impact on rocks.

Of course, this compels us to ask the question as to who named this rover which demonstrated the very qualities embedded in its name. That credit goes to Sofi Collis, a third-grade learner who demonstrated the intellectual acumen to win a NASA-sponsored essay competition from over 10,000 entries. For Sofi, her pathway in life is forever now attached to the majesty of Science and the spirit of discovery.

It is this very Spirit that is the heart of the Cedar Learner Pathway, a pragmatic philosophy on which our younger learners develop the culture of our school, while nurturing their own identities. From the success of Project Sky to achievements in sports and academia, our younger learners
follow the footsteps of the trailblazers before them in their journey of discovery. And so with that thought process, we felt it would be apt to have our younger learners of Grade 1 who are embarking on their Cedar Pathway, celebrate the achievements of the class of 2024 by selecting the name of
the yearbook.

Always one to pioneer ‘traditions’, here starts a new one at Cedar. We believe in our principle of ‘Stronger Roots-Stronger Cedar’ and so our Grade 1 learners have selected the badge of ‘Spirit’ for the graduating class. Just as a rover captured the hearts and imagination of the world through
resilience and hope in the quest for knowledge, may all future endeavours of the Cedar graduates be guided by the very qualities embedded in the badge of Spirit.