FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oakville, Ont., July 29, 2024 – The Oakville Community Foundation is thrilled to announce $75,000 has been awarded to more than 30 local students heading off to post-secondary school as part of the Oakville Youth Education Award and the Miller Family Foundation Bursary, through the Community Education Awards Hub.
The Awards Hub is a one-stop, free, online source for students to access numerous community scholarships, bursaries and awards.
Oakville Youth Education Award
New for 2024, the Oakville Youth Education Award was established to coincide with The Foundation’s 30th Anniversary and provide 30 educational awards to graduating Oakville high school students pursuing post-secondary studies. The Award recognizes those who demonstrate involvement, integrity, improvement and inclusion and is not based on academic achievement.
All 30 education awards were funded by The Foundation’s Donor Advised Fundholders alongside a generous match from Foundation Board Chair Mike Miller. The Foundation is grateful to our community of local philanthropists and the following Donor Advised Funds:
C3 Foundation, Jelinek Cork Family Foundation, Les and Kathleen Ross Family Foundation, Kopriva-Robinson Family Foundation, Augy and Anna Carnovale Foundation, the Shorey Family, Carmichael-Willis Fund, Jackson Family Fund, AMPed for Life, Famille Yolaine Boileau & Pierre Matteau, Larmour McLaren Family, Kickstart Your Education and Oakville Dads.
All 30 recipients were awarded $2,000 each, given directly to their post-secondary institution. Congratulations to the following recipients:
- Ali Jawaid – McMaster University
- Alissa Morais – McGill University
- Annie Thakur – Western University
- Anunya Kapur – University of Waterloo
- Arish Shahab – McMaster University
- Blythe Cumming – McGill University
- Deborah Wan – Western University
- Hamza Faruqui – University of Toronto
- Hannah ffrench – University of Toronto
- Jillian Coscarella – Carleton University
- Karen Schwab – Carleton University
- Lilly Coulter – Brock University
- Owen Luongo – University of Waterloo
- Rachael Ni – University of Waterloo
- Rhys Difelice Hanson – Western University
- Richa Rao-Pandit – Wilfrid Laurier University
- Rida Danish – University of British Columbia
- Ritesh Nallapareddy – Toronto Metropolitan University
- Samuel Adams – Carleton University
- Santiago Guzman – Wilfrid Laurier University
- Sara Solache – University of Toronto
- Sarah Wild – Western University
- Summer Booth – Queen’s University
- Talia Mechli – University of Toronto
- TL Sutherland – Wilfrid Laurier University
- Tumpe Mwakatobe – King’s College, Western University
- Wania Atta – McMaster University
- Zain Qureshi – McMaster University
- Zunairah Qadri – McMaster University
“As Oakville’s largest community of philanthropists dedicated to the long-term benefit of our community and its members, what better way to celebrate The Foundation’s 30th Anniversary than by supporting the next generation,” said CEO Wendy Rinella. “We’re grateful for the generosity of our Donor Advised Fundholders and Board Chair Mike Miller for ensuring this fundamental support for local youth in our community. At The Foundation, we do good together.”
Miller Family Foundation Bursary
The Miller Family Foundation Bursary is awarded to Indigenous students living anywhere in Ontario, who will be attending post-secondary school full time at an accredited college or university in Canada. Students who previously qualified are encouraged to reapply.
Three recipients have been awarded $5,000 each, given directly to their post-secondary institution. Congratulations to the following recipients:
- Cole Beggs – Carleton University
- Carson Kondrat – McMaster University
- Ethan Pruchnicki – University of Waterloo
“I just wanted to extend my gratitude to everyone who helped make this award possible. The things you are doing for the indigenous community will not go unrecognized. My Indigenous grandmother was extremely proud and emotional when she heard that I won this Scholarship,” wrote Ethan Pruchnicki in a letter to the Miller Family. “Your family has positively impacted the lives of mine and many others. The money that has been provided in this scholarship will be extremely life changing and a great weight off my shoulders at university. I hope to continue to learn more about the indigenous community and spread positivity and information.”
More About the Community Education Awards Hub
The Community Education Awards Hub hosted over 1,400 student users this year, an increase of 16.6% over the previous year, and 775 applications submitted for 45 different awards.
In total, $520,000 was available to students through scholarships, bursaries and education awards, offered by 13 organizations, including: Halton Learning Foundation, Halton Region Chinese Canadian Association, Henderson Partners, IODE, Lions Club of Oakville, May Court Club of Oakville, Oakville Chamber of Commerce, Onyx Initiative, Oakville Community Foundation, Oakville Rotary Clubs, Optimist Club of Oakville, University Women’s Club of Oakville (supported by CFUW Oakville), and Woodview Mental Health & Autism Services.
Individuals and Organizations that are interested in using The Awards Hub for their educational awards management can contact us at education@theocf.org.
Community members interested in joining Oakville’s largest community of philanthropists and Donor Advised Funds please contact giving@theocf.org.
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Oakville Community Foundation
The Oakville Community Foundation is Oakville’s largest community of philanthropists with 400 Funds. The Foundation acts as a philanthropic medium, investing donations to generate new money for our community. We conduct local research to provide our diverse donors with knowledge and solutions to make an impact in the local community, both today and in the future. Thanks to the visionaries in our community who started The Foundation 30 years ago, The Foundation has granted more than $65 million to support charities locally and beyond.
Media Contact
Taline McPhedran
Communications and Events Manager
taline@theocf.org | 905-844-3562 x. 309
