Supplied by the City of Sault Ste. Marie…
Sault Ste. Marie, ON (2019 06 13) – The Sault Ste. Marie Walk of Fame Selection Committee is
pleased to announce the recipients of the 2019 Walk of Fame Award. This year’s recipients are
The Right Honourable David Johnston (former Governor General of Canada), Sharon Johnston
(philanthropist) and Sherry Walsh (Artistic Director – Dance Academy).
On October 1, 2010, Mr. Johnston was sworn in as the 28th Governor General since
Confederation. His motto, CONTEMPLARE MELIORA, meaning “To envisage a better world,”
refers to his belief in the abilities of all Canadians to imagine and create a smarter, more caring
nation and contribute to a fairer, more just world. Together with his wife, Sharon Johnston, he
focused his mandate on strengthening the pillars of learning and innovation, philanthropy and
volunteerism as well as on families and children. Mr. Johnston has inspired and launched a
number of major programs and initiatives, including “My Giving Moment” and the Governor
General’s Innovation Awards. Mr. Johnston’s family moved to Sault Ste. Marie when he was a
child. He attended Sault Collegiate Institute and played under-18 hockey with future hockey hall
of famers Phil and Tony Esposito. Mr. Johnston went on to attend Harvard University and later
obtained Bachelor of Law degrees from the University of Cambridge and Queen’s University.
Sharon Johnston was born and raised in Sault Ste. Marie. She later graduated in Physical and
Occupational Therapy from the University of Toronto. After raising a family, she earned her
doctorate in rehabilitation science. While at Rideau Hall, Mrs. Johnston travelled across the
country and abroad to advocate for mental health. In June 2016, Mrs. Johnston was appointed
Honourary Captain (Navy) for Military Personnel Command of the Canadian Armed Forces for her
work in supporting military families and breaking down the stigma surrounding mental illness.
Mrs. Johnston published her first novel, Matrons and Madams, in 2015. The second book of the
trilogy is currently in press.
Sherry Walsh was the Principal and Artistic Director of the Sherry Walsh Academy of Dance Arts
in Sault Ste. Marie for 35 years. Opening her dance studio in 1979 at the age of 17, Ms. Walsh
has trained thousands of young dancers and graduated over 300 students with their professional
teaching diplomas. Sherry obtained her professional teaching diploma under the British
Association of Teachers of Dance, achieved a lifetime membership with the Canadian Dance
Teachers’ Association and became a member of Dance Masters of America. In 2011, she became
an Associate of the Royal Academy of Dance, a corporate member of the Council for Dance
Education and Training and a certified member of the International Dance Teachers’ Association.
In 2015, Sherry became a licensed International Judge, representing Canada as an ambassador.
Sherry has inspired hundreds of young leaders locally and internationally to follow their dreams.
The Sault Ste. Marie Walk of Fame Award recognizes individuals who have achieved a provincial,
national or international excellence in a competitive athletic endeavour or cultural, academic or
humanitarian field. Nominees must have been born in Sault Ste. Marie or lived in the city or
surrounding area during their lifetime.
An awards ceremony recognizing this year’s inductees will be held at a later date. The Sault Ste.
Marie Walk of Fame is a joint project of the City of Sault Ste. Marie and the Downtown
Association.