June 19th, 2026

By Peyton and Isla, students at Grand River Collegiate Institute.

On May 7, 2026, Grand River Collegiate Institute (GRCI) hosted the 4th annual Asian Heritage Day, bringing together hundreds of students from the Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) to celebrate, honour and embrace Asian culture around the world.

The day was the culmination of many months of hard work and planning leading up to the conference.

The day began with remarks and warm wishes from WRDSB Chief Executive Officer, Scott Miller. Students from fourteen different secondary schools enjoyed hearing from a panel of Asian leaders in our community. The panel shared their wisdom and stories of their lived experiences in Waterloo Region, highlighting how they overcame obstacles that led them to successful careers in their diverse fields.

Students also had the opportunity to watch a live martial arts demonstration by black-belt artists, who showcased their skillful movements and impressive choreography. This was followed by a Bollywood dance sequence performed by GRCI students.

As the conference continued, students had the opportunity to participate in a variety of workshops, which honoured the many vibrant Asian cultures across the world. The workshops included cricket, henna, taekwondo, Chinese music instruments, Asian games, and Asian arts. 

At lunchtime, students enjoyed a feast of diverse cuisines from around the world.

This day was a meaningful opportunity for all of us to be together and enjoy each other’s beautiful cultures.  

#StudentVoice Series

This article is written by a WRDSB student. Student journalists embody WRDSB’s commitment to creating space for students to tell their stories. They are ambassadors for their peers as they share their personal experiences and stories about their schools and communities in their unique voices.