SMCS Student Receives ‘Above and Beyond’ Recognition by U of T
At St. Michael’s College School (SMCS), learning often reaches beyond the classroom. For Cruz Molina, Grade 12, that meant taking part in a design programme that challenged both his creativity and persistence—earning him some well-deserved recognition.
Molina recently received the ‘Above and Beyond’ award through the Building Black Success Through Design (BBSD) programme, run by the University of Toronto. The three-month programme introduces students to architecture and creative design through a structured, hands-on process, where participants attend weekly sessions, work with mentors, and develop a final concept tied to a real community space. Students choose between an architecture or creative arts cohort depending on their interests.
“It was an honour to be part of the architecture cohort and see the power space holds over the development and success of individuals,” says Molina. “Both age and ethnicity are the factors that open and close doors to education, status, and simply the skills that would allow one to reach the goals they’re aspiring to achieve.”
Over the course of 12 weeks, Molina attended weekly sessions on Wednesday evenings and Saturdays. Mid-week sessions featured guest speakers from across the design industry, while Saturdays were dedicated to hands-on work where he developed drawings, refined his floor plan, and built a physical model with guidance from mentors.
The programme began with a visit to the Wildseed Centre, which opened in July 2021, and became the focus of each student’s final project. The space is rooted in community, activism, and Black artistic expression, and students were asked to design something that would contribute meaningfully to that environment. The new space sought to overcome discrimination and foster activism and art as means of equality. Mentees had the opportunity to be part of a positive change that followed the theme of ‘belonging’.
Working in the architecture cohort, Molina was tasked with creating his own design intervention for the site. He chose to develop an amphitheatre-style gathering space—something that could be used for storytelling, conversation, and shared experiences. The idea was to create a space where people could come together, feel included, and connect with one another.
From a technical standpoint, the project required more than just a concept. Molina’s design relied heavily on geometric planning, using circles and arches to shape the amphitheatre. That meant working through precise radius calculations and spatial layout decisions to make sure everything fit and functioned properly. He also prioritized accessibility, incorporating an open central area so the space could be used by people of all abilities.
Beyond the core structure, Molina expanded the scope of his work. While the assignment only required a single intervention, he designed the entire surrounding floor plan to support how the space would be used. Along the way, he encountered layout and overcrowding challenges and had to adjust his design multiple times to make it work. He also added a featured skylight, bringing in natural light and tying it to the broader theme of hope and openness within the space.
“I was very pleased to hear that Cruz was recognized with the BBSD Above and Beyond award,” says Norah Higgins, guidance counsellor. “His mentor recognized Cruz’s commitment to design, his strong work ethic, and his willingness to keep pushing through failure to achieve success. Cruz is a humble, genuine, and intellectually curious student who cares deeply about his community and finding a sense of belonging. His success in this programme reflects Cruz’s growth both as a student of design and as a St. Michael’s Man.”
What stood out most was how he approached the process. Molina consistently refined his work as the programme progressed. His design didn’t come together all at once—it developed through repetition, problem-solving, and a willingness to rework ideas when they weren’t landing.
That level of effort is what the ‘Above and Beyond’ award is meant to recognize. It’s given to a student who not only completes the project but also exceeds baseline expectations. Molina’s combination of technical detail, expanded scope, and persistence made him a clear choice.
“I was honoured to complete the programme with the ‘Above and Beyond’ award, which was presented to an individual who went beyond the expectations and truly put the time, effort, and admiration into their intervention,” adds Molina. “I feel I earned recognition for my complex design, which was challenging and time-consuming. Mentors witnessed me fail, but I continued to move forward with more precision. I feel what made it most evident was my persistent attendance, ongoing questions, and participation.”
The experience left a clear impression on Molina, who plans to continue exploring architecture programmes at Carleton University and the University of British Columbia. He came away with a stronger interest in architecture and a better understanding of the impact of thoughtful design. It gave him a clearer sense of how architecture can influence the way people experience a space—how it can bring people together, support community, and shape everyday interactions.
“Truly, this experience deepened my passion for architecture as I realized space holds a severe impact on well-being, success, and the development of future generations. I learned how I can shape how people feel, connect, and move through a space.”
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