The Simcoe County District School Board (SCDSB) recently presented Tochi Nwokeke, a graduating student at Nottawasaga Pines SS, with the Umoja Black Secondary School Leadership Award. The award is an annual scholarship for a Black secondary school student who demonstrates leadership in their school and in the Black community within Simcoe County. Learn more about the award on the SCDSB website.
Tochi Nwokeke
Throughout his time at Nottawasaga Pines SS, Nwokeke demonstrated a continued commitment to the well-being of Black students and those with diverse identities. In Grade 9, he and one of his peers identified a need for a student group focused on representation, cultural celebration, and creating safe spaces, and worked with school staff to begin the Diversity and Equity Association (DEA). The group hosts annual events, informative assemblies, and cultural celebrations to help ensure that all members of the school community have a sense of belonging. Nwokeke was also selected to represent his graduating class at commencement as the school's valedictorian.
"Nwokeke is a remarkable young leader who consistently demonstrates what it means to uplift others through unity, service, and compassion," stated Rachel Cormier, a teacher at Nottawasaga Pines SS. "His leadership comes from a place of empathy and inclusion, and his impact on our school community has been both meaningful and lasting."
He is an active member of the school community beyond the DEA, competing in varsity basketball, supporting leadership activities, and achieving placement on the academic honour roll three times. Outside of the school, he "has shown a strong dedication to his community through volunteer work, participating in local initiatives and offering his time to support those in need," said Hodan Hassan, a mentor of Nwokeke's and a school volunteer.
Nwokeke plans to attend Redeemer University to pursue an Honours Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology and aspires to become a physiotherapist. He was selected as the Umoja award recipient from a pool of applicants from schools throughout the SCDSB by the members of the Equity Advisory Committee, with support from the SCDSB Human Rights and Equity Office and graduation coaches for Black students.
This initiative links directly to the SCDSB Strategic Priorities in the areas of Well-being, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Community, and Excellence in Teaching and Learning.
