Developing compassionate global citizens

At Pickering College, our mission is to instil in each individual the ability and responsibility to make the world greater, better and more beautiful than they discovered it. Through the Global Leadership Program, course studies, Morning Meetings, clubs and co-curricular activities, students have the opportunity to explore their interests and pursue their passions in an environment that encourages thoughtful discussions.

“I think we all have very different opinions, and there’s nothing wrong with having different opinions, but I do think that the most important thing is that we are able to have civilized discussions. I think there is no greater feature of a true democracy than the voice of the people being represented,” says Shyam Subramanyam, current Grade 11 student at Pickering College and this year’s Youth Action Organization (YAO) Chair.

As a co-educational day and boarding school, Pickering College is comprised of students from across the globe.“When you bring all these different people from all these different walks of life, all these different countries and all these different life paths, you bring up this opportunity for great discussion,” says Shyam. “It’s almost like this intersection in the sense that it brings together—it [Pickering College] connects all these paths.”

Specific to the Global Leadership Program, students delve into topics that are meaningful to them. “A lot of what goes on in society and a lot of our lives, doesn’t exactly deal with the tangible, it focuses more on the intangible and the stuff that you can’t control and the stuff that you learn with experience. The Global Leadership Program gives you that freedom of exploring the ideas or the changes you want to see,” says Shyam.

SOCIAL JUSTICE THROUGH A YAO LENS

Offering a variety of opportunities for students to explore work in advocacy, Pickering College’s Youth Action Organization (YAO) has been at the forefront of our student-led social justice initiatives. Students who join YAO are often interested in topics of social justice and enacting change.

“As they pursue these issues, they realize that government plays a role in addressing inequalities and the students begin to shape their own ideas about government and citizen responsibilities,” says Janet Downer, Assistant Head of School, Academics and Student Programs.

While normally hosting fundraising events such as an open mic night, PC’s YAO embraced the challenges they encountered due to the ever-changing landscape of the global pandemic and instead got creative with their fundraising and awareness initiatives this past school year. Some highlights include:

• Hosting a special Morning Meeting to raise awareness for International Women’s Day

• Running a Thanksgiving Food Drive which raised $ 2,700 CAD for the Newmarket Food Pantry (Due to COVID-19, YAO sought out monetary donations)

• Leading a Christmas Gift Card Campaign which raised over $1,000 in gift cards for Women’s Centre of York Region

• Partnering with CHATS (Community & Home Assistance to Seniors) in December to write holiday cards to seniors

Sarah Asgari ’21, the 2020-2021 YAO chair and current PC alumna studying political science at McGill University, expresses gratitude towards her team as well as to the rest of the community. “I would not have been able to do all the things I did without such a devoted group. Everyone was receptive to the new ideas and was donating more than enough; more than they had to. I am just extremely appreciative.”

“We all have the responsibility to make ourselves aware of the struggles of others and to take action to make a difference in someone else’s life,” says Ms. Downer, who acted as the YAO faculty advisor. “Whether that difference is feeding someone, providing shelter, educating or providing comfort, our small actions can lead to big change.”

And as we begin another school year, Shyam will be paying it forward using his leadership roles. “What I really try to do is advocate for other people and make sure that they get the same chances as me. If life is a race, I don’t want to win because I started ahead of people. I want to win along with others and help others start at the same place so that we can all get to the finish line, and that we can all succeed,” says Shyam. “If you see someone that’s fallen, you help them up. It’s that same principle.”

"A guiding principle for democracy is equality and human rights.”

-Janet Downer, Assistant Head of School, Academics and Student Programs