Laurel Gain - Bloor CI

Laurel has been accepted to study Computer Engineering at the U of T. She is actively engaged in mentoring younger female students in STEM by spearheading activities and events to inspire them to consider present and future opportunities in these fields. Laurel’s interests encompass not just science and math but active participation in community arts and drama programs.

Sham Al Mukdad - Central Toronto Academy

Sham will be attending Ryerson with a focus on Language and Intercultural Relations. Sham’s family fled from Syria to Turkey and were finally able to achieve refugee status in Canada when she was thirteen. She has been selected as the 2020 Valedictorian for her school.  Her school reference said, “Sham has been an enduring leadership presence in the building since Grade 9 and has always impressed me with her ability to balance her volunteer contributions with her life circumstance and A+ academics.”

Stephanie Davies-Lee - Harbord CI

Stephanie will be attending McGill in the fall to pursue an Arts and Science degree hopefully leading to graduate studies in law or medicine. Besides being on the Honour Roll for all four years at high school, Stephanie worked countless hours volunteering at St. Michael’s Hospital and the Kiwanis Kids’ Camps. As her reference said, ”Stephanie has always demonstrated intellectual curiosity coupled with unbridled drive and determination which speaks assuredly to future successes.”

Huda Hagi - Jarvis CI

Huda will be studying engineering at U of T in the fall. Her referee said that Huda has a keen sense of social justice and civic responsibility. She hopes to be a role model for young women in the STEM professions, just as she herself has been influenced by the women in her community, whose strength has allowed them to flourish in the face of adversity.

Claire Nabiry - Oakwood CI

Claire will be attending U of T taking Life Science on her road to becoming a cardiologist. She arrived in Canada at the age of 17 from Uganda and has worked hard to achieve her academic goals. The Head of Science wrote that “Claire was a mature, confident, intelligent individual who with her calmness and grace enriches the experience that is Oakwood.”

Winnie Huynh - Parkdale CI

Winnie will be studying in the Life Science program at the U of T. She is the daughter of a Vietnamese refugee to Canada and will be the first in her family to study at the post-secondary level. Her volunteer work at a long term care facility provided her with a passion to care for others. Winnie considered it an honour to provide this assistance with dignity and hard work.

MARY MACDONALD SCHOLARSHIP

Sameen Ali - York Memorial CI

Sameen will be the first female in her family to attend post-secondary education studying Biology at York University. In her own words, Sameen said, “As a woman who comes from a culture in which it is not the norm to pursue post-secondary, Mary Macdonald’s story resonates with me. Her determination to not only complete university but make a difference in so many lives is truly inspirational.”