On April 24th, members and staff of Black Diamonds attended the first annual Black Excellence Gala at the Palacio Palace in Mississauga. This extraordinary event invited Black Students’ Association (BSA) students and staff from secondary schools all over the Peel District School Board to a night filled with acknowledgement, amazing dress wear, prizes, fun, and food.
This event idea came from a graduating Rick Hansen SS student, Sarah Smith, who envisioned a night that would celebrate culture, excellence and unity among Black students around the board. Her idea was enthusiastically approved by the board and took the planning into her own hands with the help of dedicated staff.
“The main reason I wanted to have this gala,” Smith explained, “was to create an opportunity for Black students in Peel to flourish and have fun with their own community. When I first joined, I was the event planner, and it was a lot of work —it was a big job. The following year, I became the president, and I found myself in two very demanding roles. During my time as part of my school’s BSA, I truly felt that Black students across Peel needed a chance to celebrate all the hard work they have done. They deserve a night to relax, have fun, and bask in the glory of everything they have accomplished throughout the school year.”
Smith pulled together BSA representatives from secondary schools including Meadowvale, Cawthra Park, Mayfield and our very own school, to bring the vision to life. Through many meetings and late-night planning sessions, they created an unforgettable evening, leaving a lasting impact on many who attended.
“Although it was a tad bit stressful pulling this event together, our planning committee created such a memorable night!” said grade 12 Tryston Hall-Luckman. “I’m looking forward to seeing how much this event expands as the years go on.”
One of the most unforgettable parts of the night was the dance floor. Seeing everyone come together to dance, sing, and hype up each other was a powerful reminder of the strength and beauty of community. The energy in the room was breathtaking, filled with laughter, singing, and a deep sense of connection. It didn’t matter what school you came from — everyone moved as one.
By the end of the gala, students, teachers, and guests were still dancing and singing along to the music, and soaking in the joy of the night, not ready for it to end. There’s no doubt the second annual Black Excellence Gala will be something to look forward to.
THE NORTH STAR 