A trip down Cherney Lane: My memories of Gloria
The late Gloria Cherney was the founder of Summit School and an icon to the Special Needs World. Devoting six decades to special education, she was ahead of everyone’s time.
In 2001, Gloria and my former Parkdale Elementary School teacher Maria Cordova were frequently in touch regarding a few students who had been transferred to Summit, one of them being me. The 13 years at Summit School that followed changed everything. Gloria could read students well and by accompanying them, watching their actions, speech, learning process and talents, she helped them succeed in education and become remarkable people.
A lot of her time was spent visiting classrooms, which was how I met Gloria for the first time. From there to passing her in the hallway, where we chatted, something caught her attention. She was a huge admirer of classical music. When she found out I composed music on the piano and heard my first piece “Sorrows,” she began investing so much energy opening up opportunities for me in the creative arts world. Some of these involved professional projects with Jesse Heffring, then a media teacher at Summit, who was interested in my 2011 composition, “Summit School Anthem.” Gloria granted me a scholarship to the McGill Conservatory of Music, and as she predicted, I persevered and graduated.
I’ll never forget two sentimental moments. The first one was: after I mentioned to Gloria that I had organized my first public speaking event (“Special People Have Dreams”) and would be presenting at Saint Joseph’s Oratory, she spent her Sunday attending the big event. The second one was when Gloria had her 97th birthday party in June 2023, surrounded by her family and closest friends. She had gotten back into playing the piano and wanted me there. We accompanied each other playing her favourite song, chatted and much more. At one point, she gave me a long tight hug and whispered, “Promise me you won’t stop your music. Promise me you won’t stop everything you do for everybody. I’m proud of you. I love you, Steven.”
Thank you, my second grandmother, for everything you’ve done for me, students/staff from past and present to creating an amazing future humanity. We reached our twin peaks thanks to the rock, the foundation that started it all. To Gloria, I love you.
