Veteran journalist and author Kevin Donovan recalled the important stories he has helped tell during his time at the Toronto Star, but the message he hopes those who attended the recent Youth in Law and Justice event at Abbey Park High School take away is to pursue your passion.
The Oakville school hosted the 6th annual Youth in Law and Justice evening on Nov. 1. Parents, community members and industry leaders joined students and staff for a night of networking and important discussion about law and careers.
Donovan, chief investigative reporter at the Toronto Star and author of Secret Life: The Jian Ghomeshi Investigation, spoke to students about the importance of loving what you do and making a difference.
“In our lives, we all have an opportunity to make a difference, and if you can choose something in your life where you can make an impact, then it is going to be better for you and better for society," says Donovan.
After leading students through his journey of discovering his passion and becoming a journalist, Donovan stressed the importance of networking. Students had the opportunity to chat and network with community members and leaders in the legal field.
“No matter what you do, just make sure you love what you’re doing,” Donovan advises.
The Youth in Law and Justice event is planned by an executive team of students and staff at the school who arrange everything from ordering food to marketing the event. Students participate in mock trials during the school year and through this activity, are introduced to local lawyers who are invited to attend the Youth in Law and Justice evening and help facilitate discussion about law.
“All of us on the executive team believe that law is a really important thing that every student should have a good understanding of,” says Eun Seo Choi, Grade 11 student and member of the Youth in Law and Justice executive team at Abbey Park HS.
Many who attend the law and justice event have been coming for several years and marvel at how the event continues to grow.
“To see how it’s evolved is surreal,” says Jude Haj Ali, a 2014 graduate of Abbey Park HS who returns to her alma mater to attend this event. “Being a part of the Legal Eagles law club at Abbey Park really helped me with what I wanted to do after high school.”
Olga Karmanova, a Grade 12 student and President of the Legal Eagles law club at Abbey Park HS, says she has been attending the Youth in Law and Justice event for four years because of the networking opportunities and fantastic discussion.
“Youth in Law and Justice is special because it is a unique event where students can start to network with professionals in multiple fields involving law,” says Max Overton, student at Abbey Park HS. “It also allows students to get a better understanding of what they want to do after they are finished school.”