Author: Ella

PW #1 – Driving On The PCH

On December 27th 2024, I was driving with a friend on the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) heading to Malibu, it was a beautiful sunny day, and the ocean was vibrantly blue. Almost two weeks later, the Palisades fire ignited and lasted 24 days, spreading across the Santa Monica Mountains, the Pacific Palisades, and areas of Malibu.

When I returned to Los Angeles in March 2025, the PCH was still closed to all traffic, only allowing residents access. We had to take a detour, and it was my first glimpse of the fire’s impact.

Finally, in July 2025, I drove up the Pacific Coast Highway again. It didn’t feel like the same stretch of land it had always been, instead of the beautiful coastal hills, everything around me looked burnt. We saw many burnt cars, and only the frames of houses remained. My dad even pointed out a burnt Porsche 911, which was surreal to see. While many homes had been destroyed, some survived the flames. Some people were already rebuilding, clearing debris, and restoring their communities. My heart goes out to all the residents who have lost so much, but are still building back up.

Introduction to Ella

Hi! My name is Ella, I was born on January 1st in Victoria, BC and I have lived here my whole life.

A few of my hobbies include going for runs, doing yoga, and dancing. I started dancing when I was four and I have loved it ever since. Over the years, I’ve done many different styles of dance, including ballet, lyrical, jazz, and hip hop (My favourites being hip hop and jazz). Dance has mainly taught me discipline, and has given me confidence to perform in front of others without fearing judgement.

Another thing I enjoy is travelling, over the summer I spent time in Los Angeles and SoCal. My parents and I visited family friends there, and while it is only two hours away by plane, it is one of my favourite places to visit. I love the beaches, the restaurants, and of course, the shopping!

I also went to Nashville for the first time, which was such a fun experience. I visited the Parthenon, which is a replica of the original Parthenon in Greece, and toured Elvis Presley’s Graceland. The vibe in Nashville is very different from how it is in Victoria, people were quite warm and talkative towards my family, even though we didn’t know them. Experiencing both places over the summer really opened my eyes to how diverse cities can feel, even in the same country. After I got back home to Victoria, I started learning how to drive, which has been an exciting challenge that I am still working on.

This school year, I’m looking forward to building new friendships, meeting new people, and making the most of all the opportunities ahead.