By LINCOLN DEPRADINE
Trinidad-born Nickel Walker arrived in Canada almost five years ago after completing
studies at Woodbrook Secondary School in Port of Spain.
His dreams of finishing college in Ontario were put on hold until recently. That’s when he
received a $1000 scholarship from organizers of the Vernon Langdon Golf Classic
(VLGC).
“I was overwhelmed with joy on receiving the scholarship,” Walker told Share.
He made the comment last Thursday at the Finch Avenue West campus of Crawford
Adventist Academy, where VLGC organizers, sponsors, alumni and friends gathered to
unveil plans for this year’s scholarship fundraising golf event.
The 2024 event – the 15th annual – will take place on Friday, July 19 at Richmond Hill
Golf Club.
The VLGC is named after retired educator Vernon Langdon, who organizing committee
chair Aundrea Belnavis described as a “legend”.
Langdon, a Trinidadian Canadian, was the first Black principal of the Kindergarten to
Grade 12 Crawford Academy, which is part of the Seventh Day Adventist school system.
He started as a teacher at Crawford and spent 24 years at the school, including in the role
of associate superintendent of education before retiring.
Langdon is also renowned for his passion for music and sports, including track and field,
bowling and amateur golfing.
It was during his amateur golfing outings that, 15 years ago, he suggested the idea of using
the game as an opportunity to raise funds to help needy students.
“I just love golf and the thought came to me, why don’t we do something as a fundraiser
for the school,” Langdon recalled in a Share interview.
“It’s gratifying to see how the fundraising golf event has grown and how it has evolved,”
he said. “I’m glad to have a wonderful team around me and we believe in one thing – that
is, our young people: maximizing their potential. This is one way that we have chosen to
do it.”
Some scholarships recipients have become lawyers, doctors, paramedics and teachers,
“and they are making contributions to the community”, said Langdon.
Walker said the VLGC scholarship is a huge help to him as he pursues aircraft
maintenance engineering studies at Centennial College.
“I actually quit my job to go back to school,” he said. “I do food delivery in between and I
get help with OSAP.”
Registration is open for the July VLGC fundraiser that will include a continental breakfast
and 18 holes of golf.
More information is available by calling 416-633-0090; or email vl**@ca****.com.
