They’ve Got The Whole World In Their Hands

Seventh Annual Walk of Excellence for Scarborough Grade 12 students 

By Stephen Weir

It happened Tuesday.  The young man pictured in this week’s Caribbean Camera holding a big blue globe says he had got the whole world in his hands.  And, on this day in Scarborough, so too did over 500 graduating Grade 12 students from Emery, Downsview, Westview, C.W Jeffreys and Father James McGuigan high schools.

The weather was perfect for the students who took part in the Seventh Annual Walk of Excellence. The day started at the CW Jefferys high school near York University.  All of the students were in the high school auditorium before heading off on a 4km march up to the main entrance of York University.

This year the Walk With Excellence had a fifth school involved in the parade - Father James McGuigan High School of the Toronto Catholic District School Board. "It is wonderful to have the public and Catholic students walking together as a community of young minds who have demonstrated student achievement and academic excellence, says Shannon Ashman one of the Walk founders. 

The parade of graduating students was a fun event, the teenagers had school banners, and yes, even a blow up globe of the world with the words “The World Awaits You” painted on it.  Making sure the graduating students arrived safely at the University CUPE union members and volunteers from the Toronto Caribbean Carnival were parade marshals along the route.

Once at York the students gathered in a courtyard and listened to live music and two brief speeches from organizer Itah Sadu and the university’s vice provost, Alice Pitt.

The point of the annual parade is to mark the graduation of the students and to encourage them not to end their studies at Grade 12. 

“ I want to welcome you all today to York,” said Alice Pitt, “ to the students.  And whether you decide to come to York or any other post secondary school, I hope you will all be back her in 4-years to show me your degrees.”

According to event organizer Itah Sadu, this year’s theme is the reason that pilot Paul Bolt was brought in to give the Keynote address. Bolt is a Transport Canada Check Pilot and the Manager, Flight Training and Standards (Rotor Wing) for Ornge, Ontario’s air ambulance service provider.

He began his aviation career in the Jamaica Defence Force 25 years ago; where, among other things, he served as an infantry platoon commander, helicopter pilot, flight instructor and Standards Officer. He is now a Canadian and lives in Mississauga.

CUPE volunteers and organizer Itah Sadu (l)

After the walk, the talk and a free lunch, the students told me that they were  “pumped” about the fact their high school days are now behind them, and most seem very keen to continue their studies at York come this September.