If we think the pandemic has wrought havoc in our lives, how about the kids of all ages, who have had to adjust to an entirely new way of life and education?
In June, signs started popping up all over lawns in Leaside and beyond congratulating grads – a tangible sign that life does go on, and kids do move on. They are continuing to achieve, no matter what the environment.
In this issue writer Janis Fertuck features four outstanding graduates of Leaside High whose accomplishments are already extraordinary and whose futures are bright: Katerina Benevides, with an entrance scholarship to the University of Toronto, literally has stars in her eyes as she contemplates a future as an astronaut. Delaney Brookes, who won a Major Renewable Entrance Scholarship from McGill University, is planning a future in biological research. Multi-award-winning graduate Crystal Jin, entering the engineering science program at the University of Toronto, hopes to launch her own start-up in the future, while Shashank Ojha won the prestigious Schulich Leader Scholarship worth $100,000 to study engineering at Queen’s University.
Another outstanding Leaside student, Kate Uhlman, who’s in her third year of med school at McMaster University after already completing an MBA and Master of Science, found she had some time on her hands during the pandemic. She also recognized a need during library shutdowns to make books available to children without ready access to reading materials. She launched Children’s Book Bank, which provides free books to children and families in high-needs neighbourhoods across the GTA. Read more about Kate and her personal drive in Susan Scandiffio’s profile in our next issue.
These are only a handful of the energetic and imaginative kids who call Leaside home. As we head into August, and uncertainty hangs over the upcoming school year, these young people are testament that, despite the pandemic, the kids are all right!
