Returning on June 8 as an in-person event, the annual Walk With Excellence invites graduating high school students from the Jane and Finch neighbourhood to York University’s Keele Campus to celebrate the milestone.
The rite-of-passage event, which was last held in person in 2019, represents a public demonstration of the achievements of several hundred graduating students from high schools in Jane Finch and Black Creek communities.
During the event, students will parade from C.W. Jeffreys Collegiate Institute to York University, together with faculty and community members, and participate in a showcase of the pride, talents, and accomplishments of the students as they move forward to the next chapter in their lives.
“I am thrilled that we are having the 2022 Walk With Excellence in person. In the words of Rihanna, popstar and Barbados national hero, to see our students ‘shine bright like a diamond,’” said Itah Sadu, founder of the Walk With Excellence.
It is also a celebration of the commitment, the hard work and strength students demonstrated to reach this milestone, especially considering the challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The Walk with Excellence celebrates the brilliance of graduating student scholars from Emery, Westview, Downsview, and C.W Jeffreys. We have every confidence that these remarkable leaders from diverse backgrounds will work collectively to end all forms of hate and oppression so that freedom, equity, joy, love, and social justice can reign supreme,” said Amani Kwadwo Ausar, guidance counsellor at Downsview Secondary School and member of the committee organizing the Walk With Excellence.
All York University members are invited to take part in the celebration, cheer the students on as they enter campus and listen to the remarks of the students and guests. The students will arrive in front of Vari Hall at approximately 11:30 a.m.
For more information and details on how to get involved, contact the TD Community Engagement Centre at yorkcec@yorku.ca .