This past week, we traded the halls of campus for a suite at Scotiabank Arena, hosting over 60 alumni, guests and staff members for our HTS Alumni Toronto Networking Evening at the Toronto Raptors game. With a turnout representing decades of graduating classes, the evening served as a beautiful cross-section of our alumni community. We reconnected with both established alumni professionals and recent graduates seeking advice from those who walked the halls long before them.
There is something unique about an HTS gathering. Whether you graduated in 1993 or 2021, there’s an immediate common ground. We heard stories of iconic drama production moments, legendary athletic games, and the shared experience of the rigorous, yet rewarding journey that is an HTS education.
While a Raptors win provided the backdrop, the real "action" happened in the conversations throughout. Networking can often feel like a formal chore, but the casual atmosphere of the arena allowed for organic connections that felt more like a family reunion than a professional mixer.
Seeing staff members like Mr James Darling and Ms Nickie Thompson reconnecting with former students is always a highlight of these events. It serves as a reminder that at HTS, the relationship between educator and student doesn't end at graduation; it often evolves into lifelong mentorship and friendships.
Events like the Toronto Networking Evening are a core part of our strategic vision to cultivate a vibrant network that inherently supports one another. Our alumni are doing incredible things in Toronto and beyond, leading tech startups, practicing law, innovating in healthcare, and making waves in the arts. By bringing everyone together, we create a space where these diverse paths can cross, leading to new opportunities, friendships, and collaborations. As the final buzzer sounded and we made our way out into the cool Toronto night, the sentiment was unanimous: we need to have events like these more often.
To the guests who joined us: thank you. Thank you for bringing your energy, your stories, and your HTS pride to the game. You made the evening a resounding success. To those who couldn't make it this time, don't worry, the HTS Alumni program is being re-imagined to feature more events like this one and a Homecoming weekend that you won’t want to miss!
Whether it’s a game night, a gallery opening, or a simple coffee meet-up, the goal remains the same: to keep the HTS family connected. Until next time, keep cheering, keep connecting, and as always, Go Hawks (and Raptors)!