As part of its mission to support current students through scholarships and grants, the North Toronto Foundation recently invited students from interested clubs, teams and initiatives to apply for funds from the Foundation. Dubbed the Dragons’ Den by Foundation members, events such as these give alumni board members a chance to meet with current students and get a better sense of what it is that NT students are doing when they aren’t in the classroom. After the evening, Foundation members were left with a sense of amazement and pride, not only at these students’ accomplishments but also at the legacy they continue to uphold.
Using donations from alumni, the Foundation was able to grant each group all or part of their requested amount. Old familiars, such as Graffiti (the school newspaper) and the Remembrance Day Assembly Committee, were given money, the former for such things as printing fees and the latter for guest presenter fees and refreshments for visiting veterans. The boys’ hockey team was supported with a grant given towards the cost of practice jerseys, as was the Prom Committee, with an amount given for their plan for a more lucrative and exciting silent auction. PALs, a group of NT students who help new grade nine students transition into high school, also received support from the Foundation, as they help a great number of students every year.

The Foundation was also excitedto learn about some new initiatives happening at the school, including TEDx North Toronto. TEDx is an international community that organizes TED-style events anywhere and everywhere—celebrating locally driven ideas and elevating them to a global stage. In this case, the global stage was NTCI. An Aerospace and Rocketry Club has also been launched, demonstrating the school’s propensity to be a leader in the area of science and technology.

In the end, a total of $3500 was given out to the various groups. As a Foundation, we recognize that these groups continue to promote the kind of well-rounded, balanced school that North Toronto has always been, and we are thrilled to be able to support them financially. We also recognize that this support is not possible without a strong and supportive alumni, and we are grateful for their continued support. We hope that more student groups and initiatives will consider applying for grants in the future.

Caroline Conacher