Torch - Fall/Winter 2018-19

Forum for Change

Redefining Community My Q & A with Deisha Paliwal

By Tanay Naik

I n my first few months as Director of the Forum for Change, I have been inspired by Havergal’s commitment to progressive education and developing strong, lasting and, most importantly, authentic relationships with our local, national and international communities. One student in particular who I have had the opportunity to work with is our Community Prefect Deisha Paliwal. What impresses me most about Deisha is her genuine belief that the work she’s doing makes a difference. At the Forum for Change, we are committed to seeing those differences come to light by supporting Deisha’s continued engagement in local and broader communities. For this issue of Torch magazine, I sat down with Deisha to talk about her goals and ambitions as Community Prefect. Q In your busy first few months as Community Prefect, what has been the highlight thus far? Why? A  There have been so many. If I had to choose, I’d say Celebration Saturday was the highlight for me! As a school, we all gathered together to support our community partners, which filled the air with spirit and unity. Not only was the school able to contribute through donations, but we were also able to forge lasting connections. Each year, we work toward strengthening the ties that bind our school to our community partners; Celebration Saturday was the perfect start to this. Q What drew you to the Community Prefect role originally? When did this journey start for you at Havergal? A  My time at Havergal has been spent defining and redefining my understanding of community. My journey started not with a love for participating in the community, but with little to no knowledge of what it actually meant to be an engaged citizen. Participating in community partnerships, namely Grenoble and AIM Jumpstart Camp, transformed my misconceptions into understanding. The Community Prefect role presented itself as an opportunity to learn more about the communities I had not yet had the chance to explore.

Tanay Naik with Community Prefect Deisha Paliwal.

Q What is the most significant learning that’s come out of your involvement in the community? What has it taught you about yourself and about the broader Toronto/global community? A  The most significant learning I’ve gained from my involvement is that everyone has a story. Each individual brings with himself/ herself a unique set of experiences and circumstances that result in a distinct perspective. Immersing yourself in a community has taught me to never make assumptions. I should never presume to know the needs of other people; a comprehensive understanding of a community’s identity involves engaging directly with the people within it. I have learned to recognize the diversity of Toronto and the broader global community, not only in terms of ethnicity, religion, ability and sexual orientation, but also in the ways in which people approach situations and the platforms they have to contribute. Q What are your goals this year for yourself (both individually and as Community Prefect) and for the Forum For Change? A  As an individual, I hope to learn more about the perspectives that exist in communities that I have not yet engaged with; to grow as a citizen, you must first be aware of the diverse experiences, viewpoints and cultures that exist. As Community Prefect, in conjunction with the Forum for Change, I hope to work toward strengthening the school’s place in the municipal, national and global community. At Havergal, we are all working to understand the multiple perspectives on issues that exist within the school; however, it is also important that we engage with perspectives in the larger communities that we belong to.

TABLE OF CONTENTS | FALL/WINTER 2018–19 • TORCH 13