Dr. Frank J. Hayden Secondary School

When the King's Baton arrived at M.M. Robinson High School on a warm May morning, it carried the weight of nearly a century of athletic history woven into the very fabric of the Burlington community. Students lined the hallways, teachers gathered near the atrium display and a quiet hum of anticipation ran through the building. For many, the moment had been months in the making.

Students from across the Halton District School Board took centre stage at Burlington Central School on the evening of April 29 for the annual Students in the Spotlight showcase, a fundraising event hosted by the Halton Learning Foundation (HLF) celebrating student talent while raising critical funds to support families facing financial barriers.

Milton District High School and Abbey Park High School made waves in the agricultural technology world at the first ever AgRobotics Ontario Challenge, a new educational robotics competition designed to engage high school students in solving real-world problems facing modern agriculture.

What began as a classroom assignment became a chance for students to connect with their community, support meaningful causes and see firsthand the difference they can make. Students at Aldershot School took philanthropy beyond the classroom this year, turning research into real-world impact through the Youth and Philanthropy Initiative (YPI).

Kindness. Connection. Community. These are the guiding principles that shape Curtis Ennis’ leadership as Director of Education for the Halton District School Board. They are also what earned him the 2026 Community Builders Award from BurlingtonToday, recognizing his lasting impact as a compassionate and community-driven leader.

From a young age, White Oaks Secondary School grad Dasha Metropolitansky seemed destined for law. At 13, she was selected for the Canadian National Debate Team. She represented Canada at three world championships and ultimately ranked as the second best individual debater in the world.

When the Toronto Sceptres hit the ice, they aren’t just representing the city: they are showcasing the deep pool of talent nurtured within the Halton District School Board. In a remarkable alignment, three HDSB alumni earned spots on the Sceptres' 2025-26 roster, turning professional dreams into reality while remaining deeply connected to their local roots.

Students at Abbey Park High School in Oakville recently demonstrated how technology and compassion can work hand-in-hand, building more than 80 devices for children with disabilities as part of the Hacking for the Holidays campaign. 

Students, families and staff gathered at Rattlesnake Point Public School on Feb. 26 for Brilliant Black Futures: A Celebration in Honour of Black History Month.

The event prioritized meaningful connection and learning, bringing together members of the community to celebrate Black excellence and learn about how the HDSB supports Black students and families. 

From Kilbride Public School to Dr. Frank J. Hayden Secondary School and eventually Yale University, Olivia Muhn’s journey has been defined not by choosing a single path, but by learning how to walk many at once. 

The auditorium at Aldershot School was filled with the sounds of community and collaboration as students from the Aldershot School and nearby elementary schools shared the stage with the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra (HPO).

For Jessica Clement, the journey from growing up in Aldershot to building a career in film, television and arts education has been anything but linear, and that’s exactly how she knows she’s on the right path.