Brentwood College School - Review #7

Brentwood gave me two things I didn’t expect and that is a strong sense of home, and the belief that I could push boundaries. Growing up in Mill Bay, I knew the ocean and trees, but stepping onto Brentwood’s waterfront campus felt like stepping into a bigger world. What made Brentwood special is how it didn't force me to choose between being a student and being an athlete, instead, it supported me being both. Whether in class or on the court, I felt encouraged to grow every day. Another thing that stands out is how people at Brentwood make you feel seen. My coaches, especially Coach Blake Gage, and classmates like those on the Vikes Nation team, never let me slide by doing a half-job. They believed in my potential as both a point guard/shooting guard and a scholar. That belief shaped how I approached school, sports, and life.

The best thing that happened to me in high school was realizing that I didn’t have to live in someone else’s shadow. My uncle Eli Pasquale’s legacy is inspiring, but Brentwood helped me build my path. Being named MVP in Island AA Championship, being a first-team provincial all star, and committing to UNBC, it’s all built from lessons learned at Brentwood in courage, consistency, and humility.

If I could do something differently, I would have pushed myself into leadership sooner speaking up more in class, volunteering more early, not waiting for my athletic numbers to define me. My advice to new students is embrace both sides of yourself. Don’t hide your academic goals because you play sports; don’t push aside your sport passions because of academics. Brentwood lets you be bothand that’s powerful.

What I loved most about Brentwood was its belief in duality, being academically ambitious and athletically driven. It taught me you don’t have to pick a lane, you can run in more than one, and that running will push you further than standing still.

If you’re walking into Brentwood, look for early mornings, those are where growth often happens (on the court, in the lab, or in quiet moments by the water). Also, remember to rest, balance, and connect with friends, teachers, coaches. Ask for help. Let yourself be challenged. And when you’re overwhelmed, find someone who asks, “How are you, Milan?” That question, more than any stat or grade, stayed with me.

Academics at Brentwood were intense and that’s what I needed. I decided to study Computer Science at UNBC, and what prepared me most was the way Brentwood treated learning as more than memorization. We dissected problems, made connections, and I had teachers who would meet you after class, work through a concept until it made sense. It wasn’t all smooth-sailing, but because the support was there, I never felt overwhelmed alone.What I liked most was how school and sport were treated with equal seriousness. When I had big matches, teachers worked with me on managing deadlines. When I took harder courses to challenge myself, coaches respected that and adjusted practice accordingly. That balance taught me how to juggle pressure, a skill I’m using daily.

Basketball was huge for me. Calling plays, reading defences, handling the ball under pressure were the moments I lived for. The training was tough. 4 a.m. workouts, conditioning, film sessions, Coach Gage pushed us hard. But there was also team spirit. After a tough loss, I remember being encouraged by teammates; after a great win, everyone celebrated like we’d done something meaningful together. What I liked most about Brentwood’s athletic program was its versatility. While being strong in provincial championships, it also allowed me to grow personally learning leadership, accountability, and resilience. All those long practices, late nights, and grind prepared me for competition at UNBC, and beyond that, for handling stress in school and life.

While arts weren’t my main lane, seeing the productions and supporting friends in theatre or music gave me perspective. I was always struck by how Brentwood made space for people who loved performing just as much as those who loved athletics or academics. It reminded me everyone has a story and style. Occasionally I helped with school event production setting up sound or lighting, helping stage crew just so I could understand what people invest behind the scenes. Those experiences taught me respect for disciplines I don’t specialize in, and appreciation for the craft others bring. It's taught me that supporting others’ passions is as important as building your own.

Volunteering and leadership were part of the game. I helped younger players, participated in school-led events, and gave back wherever I could. One memorable hour was working at a community event with the athletic department, helping organize youth clinics. Witnessing younger talent, helping them see the possibilities even when they didn’t believe in themselves yet was one of the most rewarding parts of Brentwood.Also, being a student-athlete meant extra responsibility like time management, accountability, making sure school didn’t slip while sports heated up. Those extra-curricular roles mentor, teammate, event helper taught me ethics, communication, and respect.

Being around boarding and day students, there was an energy that mornings in residence brought. I didn’t always live in dorms, but spending time with boarding friends, late night study groups, sharing dorm-snacks, those moments made Brentwood feel like more than a schoolit felt like family.I appreciated house parents who cared, ones who would ask whether you slept enough, whether basketball or science lab work was overwhelming, whether you had someone to talk to. That kind of care matters when you’re balancing sports and academics.

The dining hall was one of those places you’d underestimate but it was central. After morning classes, grabbing food with teammates, swapping thoughts about yesterday’s performance or upcoming tests, those conversations over meals kept things balanced. Good food, variety, and shared tables made even stressful weeks feel manageable. One of my go-to meals was a pasta bar, or whenever they had local fish dishes. Best flavors after a long practice, especially when you were starving. Those were small highs of the day.

Mill Bay is where I grew up; being back home for weekends was grounding. But Brentwood’s campus and its proximity to the ocean gave me serenity I didn’t even realize I needed. Driving down to the shore, walking, getting fresh air, those moments reset me. When I visited UNBC, I saw how much being comfortable with nature and pace mattered, and Brentwood gave me that foundation.

Friendships at Brentwood went deeper than classroom laughter. Teammates, housemates, class friends, we shared more than schedules. We shared pressure, hopes, fears. After losses we picked each other up; after successes we celebrated together. I remember one winter night after a tough tournament loss, sitting in the common room with teammates, listening to Coach Gage share his own stories. That night, the support I felt knowing I wasn’t alone was more motivating than any stat.