Striving for Gold with Duke of Ed

On a bright and sunny Wednesday morning, a small contingent gathered at Toronto’s City Hall for a flag raising ceremony. Members of Greenwood’s community were invited by the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award to take part in flag raising ceremony on October 29, 2025. Stephanie Georgopoulos ‘26 and Violet Kostoff ‘28 were chosen to raise the flag at Toronto’s City Hall with Greenwood teacher Kate Konstantinova in attendance. The flag raising ceremony was part of the program’s Awards Awareness Week, which celebrates the Award’s community and their accomplishments. Prior to this event, Ms. Konstantinova also received a certificate honouring her five years of service with the program as Greenwood’s Award Leader.

Greenwood has hosted the Duke of Edinburgh's Award for several years now by offering the program and celebrating students who have received awards. The program allows for students to step out of their comfort zone and engage with their communities through a variety of activities, such as volunteering and extracurriculars. Students who have taken part in the Award are often able to accomplish a portion of their goals through the school alone, as Greenwood’s various clubs and committees meet the program's criteria of community service and athletic and non-athletic recreation. Even Greenwood’s Outdoor Education trips qualify for the Award’s major excursion component, Adventurous Journey. 

With the amount of planning and work that goes into the Award, it’s easy for students to feel overwhelmed, but they are not without assistance. Ms. Konstantinova, a Silver and Gold award recipient herself, knows how much effort goes into the program and is there to assist students in setting and accomplishing their goals. Since her time as the school’s Award Leader, Greenwood students have had several opportunities to learn and interact with the program. Information sessions about the Duke of Edinburgh's Award are held early for Grade 9s and 10s, ensuring that they can get a head start on fulfilling their goals. Ms. Konstantinova has also brought in past award recipients to have them discuss their own experiences with the program and answer any pressing questions current participants have. With her recent position on the Award's Ontario local council, Ms. Konstantinova is excited to continue to develop new ways for students to get involved with the Award at Greenwood. 

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is available to Grade 8 to 12 students at Greenwood. Students can access more information about the Award and the application process through the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award ON tile on the Resource Board.