Havergal College & The Havergal College Foundation Impact Report 2020-21

A Catalyst for Change During the 2020 – 21 school year, Havergal College and the Advancement & Community Relations Department were thrilled to announce a new award, known as the Catalyst for Change Award, that was created by recent Havergal graduate Erin Sade 2020. The award was designed to recognize a Grade 12 student who puts their heart into promoting anti-racism awareness, building relationships and making Havergal a more inclusive community. It will be presented annually at graduation going forward. Erin developed an enduring interest in activism in Grade 6, when her teacher assigned the class to participate in Project Give Back. She chose the Yad Vashem Twinning Program, in which Jewish youth learn about and dedicate their Bar/Bat Mitzvah to children who died in the Holocaust. Erin’s work on this project inspired her to engage young people in anti-bullying and anti-racism causes through Holocaust awareness. For her remarkable work, she received the Cantor Kraus Catalyst for Change Award from Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, which served as inspiration for the name of Havergal’s new award. Since receiving the prestigious Cantor Kraus Catalyst for Change Award, Erin continues to be recognized for her efforts.

In 2020, she was awarded The Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Award, the highest accolade a young person can receive for their social action or humanitarian work. The honour is presented to those who foster, develop and inspire positive change in the lives of young people. Erin wishes to give back to Havergal as an annual donor, and now, through the award, each student recipient will be able to direct this annual donation to the area of their choosing. Erin now attends medical school at the University of Central Lancashire in the United Kingdom. Reflecting on her time at Havergal, she is optimistic about the school’s future and the positive change this new award could inspire. “It is a way to celebrate diversity and, hopefully, it will motivate students to push for change,” she says. When asked about the message she would like to pass on to new Havergal students, Erin reflected on the importance of family. “When your mom drops you off at the top of the walkway and waits until you’re inside the building, don’t be embarrassed and don’t get mad. She’s the reason you’re even here. You’ll thank her later,” says Erin. “Stay back and talk to your teachers after class because that’s where you will learn the most. Stop worrying about tomorrow, but learn from the past. In the words of Elie Wiesel, ‘Never be silent. We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.’” The Havergal community thanks Erin and her family for their important contributions, not only for their role as donors, but also for their inspiration around positive social action and humanitarian work within our student body. For more information about giving or awards at Havergal College, please reach out to Executive Director of Advancement & Community Relations, Tony diCosmo, at tdicosmo@havergal.on.ca. Erin Sade, Class of 2020