This blog post is part of a series on the happenings of Munk One students and alumni over the course of Summer 2020. Check back in the coming weeks as we feature more students and their various stories of self-discovery, academic exploration, and more. In this post, Zaiboon Azhar (’20) writes about her experience as the Ontario provincial ambassador for a nation-wide virtual prom held for the class of 2020. 

By Zaiboon Azhar

Prom: it’s often referred to as the pinnacle of a high school experience. There are entire movies dedicated to the night where you get to celebrate four years of growth, accomplishment, and hard work. In March, the class of 2020 was already excited; girls shopping for dresses, guys planning their promposals. University applications had already gone in, the weather started improving, and everyone was finally ready to enjoy their last few months as kids.

That is, until the pandemic hit.

What began as an extended March break became a few extra weeks, and then months, of quarantine. High school seniors on the brink of celebration were faced instead with isolation and disappointment. Those feelings were smothered by the overwhelming nature of the pandemic, making many feel that grief toward something as trivial as a senior experience was invalid. It’s not specifically the lack of a glorified celebration that incited such difficult emotions for many, but rather the absence of unity, comfort, and the sense of togetherness one desires upon completing a four-year-long journey with the same people; many of whom you’re unlikely to spend time with again.

As a senior myself, I was acutely aware of the emotional impact quarantine was having on youth. I wanted to ensure that, at a time of such loneliness and hardship, high school seniors had some semblance of celebration to look forward to. I applied to represent Ontario on a national committee run by Student Life Network (SLN), dedicated to providing the class of 2020 with a virtual prom amidst the pandemic. What began as a small idea to unite students on social media snowballed into a week-long, cross-country event that would make history.

During the planning process, it was clear that support was plentiful. It presented itself through CIBC, who offered to make a donation to Kids Help Phone for every student who signed up for the event. It came in the form of brands who were eager to support the initiative: Disney, Kernels, and Dominos, to name a few. It resulted in national interest spurred by the countless media outlets who were eager to spread some good news during a bleak period of time.

As a provincial ambassador for the event, I had the incredible opportunity to represent SLN on several media outlets. I grew up watching Power and Politics on CBC with my dad, admiring the intelligence and eloquence of Rosemary Barton, the host of the show at the time. Little did I know that only a few years later I would be interviewed by Barton herself live on national television, easily creating one of my most memorable and fond experiences. But it didn’t stop there — the event received national coverage, and I was interviewed by several other media outlets, from Global News to the Toronto Star. We were gradually releasing information on what the actual night would look like, and with each featured guest came heightened excitement. From Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to Rick Mercer, David Suzuki to Finn Wolfhard, we had an incredible lineup of Canadian talent ready to connect with our viewers.

Appropriately titled #PromIsOn2020, the resulting live stream attracted over 14,000 students from across the nation, raising over $150,000 for Kids Help Phone. Though it was not your conventional prom experience, I could not be more honoured to be a part of a one-of-a-kind charitable event that allowed students to have fun and simply be kids during a period of anxiety and stress. It was so important to me that students across the nation realize that it is okay and valid to experience disappointment and sadness toward the outcome of the year, regardless of the severity of other, simultaneous situations – this is a sentiment I expressed countless times across many interviews. It was my priority for youth to feel seen, included and appreciated during such a crisis. The reality is the mental challenge of the pandemic was and is still having an impact on youth. It is incredibly fulfilling to know that #PromIsOn2020 did not only serve students for a night; through the donation to Kids Help Phone, the event will continue to help youth in times of difficulty, supporting the resources kids need to succeed.