Today in Weston: 2017-06-24

Raymore footbridge and a parked bicycle cast a shadow on the swollen Humber River. The ‘rock’ with tree trunks on it is actually the remains of the old suspension footbridge abutment that played such a terrible role during Hurricane Hazel.

Interesting Fact

From City of Glendale California.

There are plans to put a leash free dog zone in or near Woolner Park. Construction will start in July according to Councillor Nunziata. Apparently dog license fees help pay for such structures.

Number of people in Ward 11 (2011 census): 62,385.

Number of dogs currently licensed in Ward 11: 1205.

Let’s hope all those using the new zone have licensed their dogs.

Today In Weston. June 21, 2017

On a cool summer solstice, staff are getting set to open Weston Lions Outdoor Pool at noon on Saturday June 24. The water’s in place; but it looks as if a bit of weeding still needs to be done.

Next week, there will be no afternoon swims but beginning Friday, June 30, the pool’s regular hours will be 12:00 – 3:45 pm and 5:00 – 7:30 pm. The pool will close at 4:00 pm on September 4th.

Weston Collegiate grad to study at Yale in September

Studying in the United States “had always been a big dream” of Debbie Dada’s. She’s “grateful” for the opportunity to do so in September.

Debbie recently graduated from the InternatIonal Baccalaureate program at Weston Collegiate and she will be studying Global Affairs while doing pre-medical school requirements at Yale University. In the future, she plans to work in global health, specifically for the World Health Organization.

She says that she’s had a “really amazing” experience at Weston Collegiate, having made several strong connections with both students and staff. One staff, Mr. Reid, in particular. He was the staff adviser to to the African-Canadian Leadership Committee, which was one of the first clubs Debbie joined at Weston. “He’s been such a great inspiration and help in this journey—especially in this limbo that is high school where you’re trying to make so many important decisions.”

Not only is Debbie a leader in her school, but she is also one within the York South—Weston community.

In early-2016, along with Shaimaa Helal, Debbie created Find Your Path, a grassroots organization that provides motivational resources and scholarships to students that are the first in their family to pursue post-secondary education. The 2017 scholarship application recently launched. Please email fypcanada@gmail.com for the application.

Since having created her youth-led initiative, she has been working with For Youth Initiative, a local non-profit organization that serves York South—Weston youth. “I’ve seen the journey of Find Your Path. Debbie is one of the main reasons why we started our youth-led network,” said Saron Sahlu, the Youth Incubator Case Lead at For Youth Initiative. “She’s written grants and attended several meetings for the network.”

Good luck, Debbie! Weston is proud of you!