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When Excellence becomes activism: Inside the 2025 free for all awards
“These young people remind us that community creates opportunity.” — Lola Gayle, FFACS President
The 2025 Scholarship and Community Awards hosted by the Free for All Community Services (FFACS) was truly inspiring. Held on October 18th, 2025, at the Capitol Event Centre, the event brought together education leaders, city officials, and community advocates to honour students who turned resilience into achievement.
In attendance were Peel District School Board (PDSB) Director Rashmi Swarup, CEO Jaspal Gill, Associate Director Harjit Aujla, principals from across Brampton and Mississauga, and representatives from RBC, the Salvation Army, and Children’s Aid Society (CAS) CEO Mary Beth. Their presence signaled something larger: a united commitment to equity through education.
“We gather not only to recognize academic success, but to uplift the stories of perseverance and leadership…”
In her message, FFACS President Lola Gayle wrote, “This year’s Awards Ceremony celebrates excellence, resilience, and the boundless potential of our students. We gather not only to recognize academic success, but to uplift the stories of perseverance and leadership that reflect the love surrounding them.”
Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown added his congratulations, noting how FFACS has “Awarded hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarships, helping young people transform their lives, families, and communities.”
Director Rashmi Swarup also shared a heartfelt message, “Your dedication, excellence, and service have earned you this honour, and will inspire those who follow. As you step forward, continue leading with courage and conviction.”
The evening’s Master of Ceremonies, Andria Case, veteran CTV News Toronto journalist, brought elegance and warmth to the stage. Her presence created a tone of celebration and pride that filled the room. Parents, guardians, and educators cheered as the names of scholarship recipients echoed through the hall.
This year’s awardees included: Hayesan Thomas (York University), Bianka Descartes (University of Western Ontario), Tayari Smith (University of Toronto), Grace Smith (University of Toronto), Ranjana Tadav (Wilfrid Laurier University), Papa Tabi (York University), Monae McKenzie (McMaster University), Azaria Young (Nipissing University), Kallai Thomas (Woodbridge College), Jasmin Panda (University of Toronto), Amaya Murray (Seneca Polytechnic College), Eboni Smith, Daksh Tuli (Schulich School of Business), Abigail Kpadonou (University of Toronto), Lisa Achampong (George Brown College), and Mariah Gardener (York University).
The keynote address by John Wiggins, Vice-President of Organizational Culture, Inclusion & Impact for the Toronto Raptors, left the audience captivated. His message was clear: excellence is revolutionary.
Two honorary recognition awards were presented to Vivian Johnson, Bàrbara Macfarlane, and the Network of Black Studies Educators (NBSE) for their innovative and transformative contributions to education across the PDSB.
The night ended in applause, selfies, and standing ovations, but the deeper takeaway was unmistakable: when community and opportunity intersect, brilliance becomes unstoppable.