Brave, Resilient Champions Of Change – The Class Of 2022

Caps off to the Class of 2022, for graduating as accomplished and resilient champions of change. During their six years at UTS, they braved a move to our temporary school location at 30 Humbert and the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, with hybrid learning, physical distancing and social isolation, and yet emerged stronger than ever.  

“No other generation, since perhaps those who attended UTS during the two World Wars, faced such challenges,” said UTS Principal Rosemary Evans at the June 20 Graduation ceremony at the University of Toronto’s MacMillan Theatre, adding that the efforts of our graduating class “made a real difference in our world, both the world of UTS and the larger world, by embracing the global movement challenging privilege and demanding true equity for all.”

They rose above challenges

From championing the Me Too! Movement to Black Lives Matter to the Gender Revolution, the Class of 2022 transformed the culture of UTS, said Rosemary. She credited them for working with school lawyers to develop anti-racism and transgender policies for our school and for challenging constrictions that were too-long imposed by the sex and gender binary, as well as demanding an end to sexual harassment within our school and beyond.  

“You took concrete steps towards shaping a culture reform that would see UTS take a leadership role in these critical domains,” she said. “You acted in solidarity with Canada's First Nations and demanded to know the truth of residential schools and sought meaningful reconciliation. You called on my generation to take action on climate change and demanded our school take mental health and well-being seriously. You did all this and more during one of the most challenging periods in the school’s history. You have accomplished so much.”

They made our new home their own

Rosemary expressed gratitude that the Class of 2022 was able to return to our renewed home at 371 Bloor Street West, three months before the end of the year.

“When the doors of our new school opened, you walked in and made it your own,” said Rosemary, recalling events such as SHOW 2022 Southern Ontario Model United Nations (held in partnership with U of T’s Munk School of Global Affairs), Camp White Pine and Fajita Fiesta lunch, a time-honoured UTS tradition.

Rosemary also thanked the parents of the Class of 2022 for their donations to the Grad Class Bursary, which will support the UTS Building Fund and Bursary Fund, helping make it possible for future students to attend our school.

Invocation: May you stay forever young

Graduation was hosted by Dean of Academics Jennifer Pitt-Lainsbury, and Retiring Math Teacher Andrew Wilson delivered the Invocation, fittingly citing the lyrics to the Bob Dylan song, Forever Young, albeit with some UTS flair: “May you have a strong UTS foundation when the winds of change shift. May your heart always be joyful, may your song always be sung, and Class of 2022, on behalf of your parents, your teacher and special guests, may you stay forever young.”

Many others were on hand to congratulate our graduates including UTS Board Chair Jim Fleck C.C. 49, P ’72, UTS Alumni Association Vice President Laura Money ‘81, P ’22, UTS Parents’ Association’s Co-President Sarah Moosavi P ’22, ’24 and Guidance Counsellor Catherine Wachter. They were all so excited for the future of the Class of 2022!

Keynote: Bravely follow your passions

UTS Board Director, Carol Shirtliff-Hinds P ’16, ’17, ’20, delivered the Graduation keynote address, calling on the Class of 2022 to commit to global citizenship and bravely follow their passions.

“Being a global citizen is about having the bravery to lift others up, knowing they will lift you up in return,” she said. She urged graduates to pursue what interests them – she studied French because she liked it, and now she is the Chief Federal Prosecutor in Quebec, proof that you never know where your education will take you.

“The world is changing every day. Courses and skillsets that are common now did not exist in the time I went to university… “ Carol told the Graduates. “The point is that courses may seem strange or not popular today, but who knows what the future will bring?”

Class of 2022 Valedictorians: Caleb Na and Andrew Cheng

Both valedictorians delivered moving speeches.

Andrew Cheng ’22 encouraged the Class to be brave, bold and kind. “As time passes you will never be measured by money or titles, but by the people you inspire, the memories you make and the smiles you put on other’s faces.” He also thanked the parents for their unwavering support. “We couldn’t have done it without you.”  

Caleb said that Graduation feels like a celebration of the experiences and moments the Class enjoyed together.   

“You have purpose without qualification,” he said. “You are enough just for being who you are and enjoying where you are, right at this moment.”

Celebrating at home in the Fleck Atrium

After the ceremony, the Class of 2022, their families and UTS staff reconvened in the heart of our renewed school, in the new Fleck Atrium to be together one last time and say goodbye! We will miss you, but the world awaits. We hope for great things from you, Class of 2022, but most of all that you will make a difference for others in this world and find happiness.