SWAC Students Celebrate Resilience and Growth at End-of-Year Celebration

Students, families, educators and community partners gathered at Sheridan College to celebrate the achievements of the Class of 2026 during the School Within a College (SWAC) End of the Year Celebration ceremony.

The event recognized students from across Halton whose path to earning their Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) was built on perseverance and a willingness to embrace new opportunities.

SWAC is an innovative partnership between the Halton District School Board and Sheridan College that helps students transition to their post-secondary pathways while completing their OSSD. Hosted at Sheridan College's Oakville campus, SWAC allows students to use the college’s academic and gym facilities in addition to the opportunity to earn two college credits while completing their secondary school diploma. Through SWAC, students are able to access social services, a one-on-one academic advisor and financial support for their college applications.

Throughout the End of Year Celebration ceremony, speakers highlighted the resilience and determination demonstrated by SWAC students as they balanced academic requirements and personal responsibilities while preparing for their futures.

Rebecca Newcombe, System Principal - Student Success, reminded students of the courage it took to join the program.

"Whether you joined SWAC from Halton Hills, Georgetown, Milton, Oakville or Burlington, you all embraced one major thing in common. You took a chance," she said. "You are standing here today even stronger than when you first started."

Newcombe continued: “We hope your time at SWAC has better prepared you to continue to excel, to follow your dreams and to live your life of fierce optimism."

The ceremony also featured an address from Curtis Ennis, CEO of the HDSB, who praised students for their persistence and determination.

"On behalf of the Board of Trustees and the Halton District School Board, we are so incredibly proud of you," said Ennis. "That cycle of always believing, of always hoping, always dreaming, is what brought you here today."

For many students, SWAC served as more than just a pathway to graduation.

Ryann Longboat credits the program with helping improve her outlook despite time spent away from school.

"The SWAC program has completely altered the course of both my academic and personal life for the better," said Ryann. "I was experiencing housing insecurity and had been out of school for around three years. This program provided me with the resources and environment to catch up and graduate in a semester."

Through SWAC, Ryann completed required credits while also gaining access to valuable learning opportunities and mentors.

"Most of all, I gained a newfound sense of confidence through the support of my high school teachers Nick and Sherry and my college professors," she said. "They helped me feel prepared and ready to start the next chapter of my life."

Students also spoke about the unique learning experience that SWAC provides.

"The SWAC program is a great alternative to traditional learning environments," said Maya Carpenter. "We are responsible for our attendance and grades, but we still have the constant support of the teaching staff if and when we need them."

For Layth Khan, SWAC became one of the most meaningful experiences of his secondary school years.

"SWAC has easily become my core memory of high school," said Layth. 

He described the sense of community within the program as one of its greatest strengths.

"The sheer level of care for each student is remarkable," said Khan. "Everyone felt like family, and I loved it."

The ceremony also celebrated students' future plans, which included apprenticeships, skilled trades, post-secondary programs and employment opportunities. Several students were recognized with special awards for academic achievement, leadership, wellness and community building.

The celebration concluded with a valedictory address from student Kat Bolce, who reflected on the resilience shared by her classmates and the many different paths that brought them to graduation.

"Our journeys have been anything but linear," she said. "Yet here we are. Not because the journey was easy. Not because everything went according to plan. But because when life became difficult, we kept showing up."

As graduates crossed the stage and celebrated with family, friends and staff, the ceremony reminded attendees of the impact of meaningful relationships, personalized learning and unwavering belief in student potential.