Dylan Robinson is a sophomore at Marlborough School, where she and her sister Chloe founded a Canadian Student Club. Their mission, to connect and teach fellow students more about their neighbours to the north. This month, Dylan and her club will be participating in the Terry Fox Run. If you can't join us in Santa Monica, you can still support her team, The Canadian Violets, by sponsoring their run.
Canadian of the Month
Dylan Robinson
Student at Marlborough School
Founder of Marlborough Student Club: The Canadian Club
What brought your family to Los Angeles?
We moved from Toronto to Los Angeles nine years ago for my mom’s work. So, I didn’t really have a choice to be honest. But on the first day we went to Disneyland - and so any kind of hesitation or dislike we had for LA, disappeared almost instantly. We were like - “We’re home!” I am one of three sisters and am so happy we did the move. I really do love it here. And while Toronto will always be a part of me, I do call LA my home.
Tell us about the Canadian Club you organized at your high school?
I go to a fantastic school in LA called Marlborough. It’s an all-girls school located in Hancock Park. My younger sister, Chloe, and I founded the club last year after President Trump imposed 25% tariffs on Canada and suggested Canada should become part of the United States. And while it seemed funny at first, and not to be taken seriously, it actually started to be taken very seriously. Which really surprised me. So, we thought why not take this opportunity to let my community at school see how amazing Canada is. And how different it is. And how joking about Canada’s sovereignty isn’t actually funny.
And then there was the case of the tariffs - which is not just important to Canadians but Americans as well. The economic impact on us all is huge and now with our club, we are learning about that as well.
As a Canadian going to high school in the US, what are things you are proud of or like to share about Canada with your classmates?
I am so proud to share all the great things Canada has to offer. Last year was especially special when the Toronto Blue Jays made the World Series - My sisters and I showed up in Blue Jays gear every day during the series. Yes, it was like walking into the lion’s den but we were so proud to represent. I also love to share some colloquialisms with them - like “Eh” and even though I’ve pretty much lost my accent, I pull it out once in a while. I love to also share all the amazing art we create in Canada. We have so much talent, like Broken Social Scene, Ryan Gosling, The Weeknd and Feist. It’s always fun to mention to a classmate - “Hey, they’re from Canada!”
Your group is participating in the Terry Fox Run on Sept 27th in Santa Monica. What is the name of your team so people can support you?
Named after Marlborough’s colors - or should I say “colours” - Our team name is The Canadian Violets.
What type of career do you want to focus on?
I know I want to work in oral healthcare. I’d either like to be a pediatric dentist or an oral surgeon. Not sure as of yet. But that’s where I’m headed.
Do you think you will go to University in the US or Canada?
I’m not sure as of yet. I just started my sophomore year so I have definitely started thinking about it. My mom went to the University of Toronto and my Dad went to McGill and Cornell - so all are definitely on the table.
What do you miss about Canada, and what is the first thing you like to do when you go back to visit?
I miss my family in Canada the most. Those family dinners were always so special. We used to live in Seaton Village on a little one-way street. Always felt so homey. The community is something I really miss. I also miss my runs with my dad to Casa Loma and then getting a hot chocolate and Timbits from Tim Hortons after. I miss the greenery–and the feeling of going outside and being surrounded by trees in every direction. It’s the small, everyday things that I once took for granted that I now miss the most. Whenever I’m back in Toronto one of the must-do activities I love to do is walk along Bloor Street to Yorkville and grab dim sum with family at Dynasty and then for dessert over to Summer’s for ice cream where we can sit and people watch on that big rock. It’s the best.
