Local graduating high school students celebrate their next big step in life at U of T Scarborough

Students and staff walked from West Hill Collegiate Institute to U of T Scarborough to conclude a day of festivities focused on honouring local Grade 12 students. (Photo by Raquel Russell)
Students and staff walked from West Hill Collegiate Institute to U of T Scarborough to conclude a day of festivities focused on honouring Grade 12 students. (Photo by Raquel Russell)

Raquel A. Russell

Yesterday more than 400 Grade 12 students gathered at U of T Scarborough as part of the Walk With Excellence – a six-year annual event that honours graduating high school students.

Following a ceremony at West Hill Collegiate Institute students, faculty and staff from 10 Toronto District School Board (TDSB) high schools in Scarborough made the kilometre trek to campus – a symbolic representation of students’ transition to post-secondary education.   

Student from Sir Oliver Mowat Collegiate Institute carries a Walk With Excellence sign as students enter U of T Scarborough.
 A student from Sir Oliver Mowat Collegiate Institute carries a Walk With Excellence sign as students enter U of T Scarborough. (Photo by Raquel Russell)

At U of T Scarborough, they were met with a steel pan performance by students from Cedarbrae Collegiate Institute students before remarks from select guests.  

Walk With Excellence Grade 12 students were met with a steel pan performance at U of T Scarborough.
Students were met with a steel pan performance at U of T Scarborough. (Photo by Raquel Russell)

One of those guests was Ali Javeed, a first-year U of T Scarborough student, who this time last year was a Grade 12 student from R. H. King Academy at his own Walk With Excellence event. At that time, Javeed was worried about his next steps.

Now, as a psychology student in the Arts & Science Co-op program, he shared how fulfilling his first year was with the group of students gathered in the Meeting Place.

Ali Javeed, a first year U of T Scarborough student, spoke to students gathered for Walk With Excellence about his university experiences.
Ali Javeed, a first-year U of T Scarborough student, spoke to students gathered for Walk With Excellence about his university experiences. (Photo by Raquel Russell) 

“I know you guys are nervous about post-secondary – I’m in post-secondary and I’m still nervous about it, but that’s okay,” he said before sharing practical advice about university life.

U of T Scarborough Principal Bruce Kidd also gave remarks and encouraged students to keep their eyes on their studies and “follow their passions.”

Bruce Kidd gives remarks at the Walk of Excellence closing event at U of T Scarborough
Bruce Kidd gives remarks at the Walk of Excellence closing event at U of T Scarborough (Photo by Raquel Russell)

The festivities included lunch and music before students travelled back to their high school campuses. 

Walk With Excellence is an initiative founded by Itah Sadu and A Different Booklist done in partnership with TDSB, with collaboration from U of T Scarborough.

Community activist and author Itah Sadu at U of T Scarborough for the Walk With Excellence.
Walk With Excellence founder, community activist and author Itah Sadu at U of T Scarborough. (Photo by Raquel Russell)