The Scarborough Walk of Fame (SWOF) event showcases citizens, past and present, whose accomplishments bring pride to the community and inspire young people to follow in their footsteps. It was created in 2004 by a group of community leaders concerned with the negative and misleading portrayal of Scarborough by mainstream media and the social and economic consequences this type of coverage typically has on a community. These leaders were particularly worried about the impact on our young people.
The group began researching existing community projects, throughout Canada and the United States, to find one that would meet their criteria. The Walk of Fame program seemed to have all of the required components.
GOAL/MANDATE
The SWOF goal is to produce annual events that portray Scarborough in a positive light and help develop future leaders.
The cornerstone of the organization is the production of an annual event that results in the selection of individuals for induction into the Walk of Fame. Each inductee receives a ‘star’ in the Walk of Fame pathway located in the Scarborough Town Centre. These inductees are selected for their achievements in the categories of sports, art & culture, education, science,health, and entertainment and many have reached national and world-renowned status. Their stories are inspiring and motivational and provide examples of what can be achieved if you work hard and are committed to your chosen field.
COMMITTEE STRUCTURE
A Steering Committee, made-up of business and community representatives,oversees the program. There is also a Selection Committee responsible for securing nominations. Students from the Centennial College Event Management course support these committees by providing a variety of functions throughout the planning year such as communications, meeting admin support, event day set-up, hosting of inductees, and liaison with sponsors and VIPs.
