"One Step at a Time": Students to Celebrate 11th Annual Walk With Excellence
Hundreds of graduating high school students will step into their future on Tuesday, June 11, as they take part in the 11th annual Walk With Excellence — a spirited and symbolic procession from local schools to York University.
This year’s walk, themed "One Step at a Time," was developed by the students themselves and reflects their resilience, growth, and optimism as they move from high school into post-secondary life and beyond.
The walk begins at 10:00 a.m. with a kickoff rally at C.W. Jefferys Collegiate Institute, located at 340 Sentinel Road, near Finch Avenue West. At 11:00 a.m., the students will begin their parade to York University’s Vari Hall, where an outdoor celebration awaits. In case of rain, the event will move indoors.
Participating schools this year include:
C.W. Jefferys
Westview Centennial
Downsview Secondary
Emery Collegiate
Cardinal McGuigan Catholic High School
The Walk With Excellence is more than just a procession — it’s a rite of passage and a public celebration of academic achievement and community pride. The initiative was founded and continues to be organized by Itah Sadu, storyteller and co-owner of Toronto’s A Different Booklist bookstore, in collaboration with the Blackburn Centre.
Transportation from Jefferys to York is available for those who require it, and organizers ask attendees to RSVP in advance. As always, participants are hoping for good weather, but the spirit of the day will shine through rain or shine.
“It’s a celebration of potential,” says Sadu. “Each step our students take is a powerful message — to themselves, to the community, and to the city — that their journey matters.”
The Walk With Excellence has become a Toronto tradition, shining a spotlight on the hopes and talents of youth in the city’s northwest. With music, banners, and cheers along the way, the event is both a joyful send-off and an inspiring welcome to the world of higher education.
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