A message from our 2020/2021 Valedictorian, Raymond Ma

Dear Class of 2021 of Runnymede CI... We may not have the “iconic graduation”... We never got to walk down that old wooden stage or take pictures with all our friends and family in front of the school. I know it feels like this moment that has been stolen from us. But we still did it. We graduated! Every person you’ve met here, every friend, every teacher you’ve talked to, every paper you’ve handed in, every desk you’ve sat down in, every test you wrote, every exam you’ve taken, every pencil you’ve held... Everything you’ve done and worked for during these few years at Runnymede was all for this moment. Yet here we are. Doing this whole thing through a screen. But it doesn’t matter where you are, who you are with, or what you are doing. Some of us may still be in Toronto, or a different city, or maybe even a different country. It doesn’t matter. This experience and these memories are what will keep us connected.

Take a moment to remember all the moments you’ve shared or had alone here at Runnymede. Think about every time you’ve “went to the library to study”, every time you’ve gone to pegrolls for lunch, and every time you’ve hung out with your friends after school. The joy you’ve had, the stupidity, the pain, the laughs, basically all the feeling that every teenager feels in High School. You will experience it again. Think about how every experience has brought you where you are now. There is a bright future for all of us no matter what the future holds.

I may not have the same experiences as everyone here but as this graduation commences, I encourage you all to focus on the good times. Focus on yourself, focus on your accomplishments, focus on your life, and ultimately focus on what’s going to make you happy. Because you are going to be the person making each and every choice in your life. It will always be you. Both the good and bad decisions.

We are basically living a whole new life. And believe it or not, I don’t even know what I’m doing half the time... I already switched programs just 2 weeks after starting university! It’s quite funny but... What I’m trying to say is that it’s ok to not know what to do yet.

And this graduation can mean anything to you. It can mean a start to a new job, a new school, a new business, a new year to focus on yourself, or maybe you are just going with the flow. No matter what you do it’s all up to you now.

And this might sound cheesy but take that opportunity in life, and live your life to the fullest! So. To every one of you. To everyone graduating this year, Thank you. Thank you for not only being in my life but completing this journey with everyone here. You are all amazing and I hope all of you the best.

I will miss you all but it’s time for you to celebrate!!!!!!

Raymond Ma

Valedictorian

Message coming soon!

Dear Graduates of 2021,

Congratulations! You have braved the challenges of the past year to achieve this important milestone. With resiliency, empathy and hard work, I know you will continue to make this world a kinder place for all. I wish you success in the path that you chose from here on.

City Councillor Gord Perks

Ward 4, Parkdale – High Park

This 2020/2021 award is presented to a Runnymede Collegiate Institute (RCI) 2021 graduating student who has consistently displayed the positive & inclusive values that are celebrated at RCI. This student indirectly contributed to school life by celebrating the diversity and achievements of their peers. Through their support of others and respect for student equity, they have contributed to RCI student wellness and wellbeing.

Congratulations to Selina Perez Metivier, our 2020/2021 Sky Nguyen Memorial award winner.