Each year RAYS (Resources for Area Youth Success), a charitable organization based in Creemore, awards scholarships and bursaries to qualifying local youth to support them in their post-secondary education. Since 2012, RAYS has contributed over $350,000 in scholarship and bursaries to students to assist with the financial costs of attending a Canadian college, university or trade program. These financial awards help to cover tuition, academic textbooks, and living expenses while pursing a degree, diploma, or trade school and apprenticeship certification.
To date, RAYS has awarded 26 scholarships of up to $20,000 over four years and 54 bursaries of up to $1000 per year, all made possible through the generous donations of RAYS donors. Amy Hinchey, a RAYS 2018 scholarship recipient in her fourth year at Carleton University, says that having the financial stress removed “thanks to the RAYS scholarship has allowed me to focus my energies into being more involved with campus life and my community.”
To be eligible for either a bursary or scholarship, students must reside in the RAYS catchment area and attend a local high school. In addition, scholarship candidates must have a minimum 80% average in Grade 12 and demonstrate community leadership. “RAYS Scholarship Committee members were very impressed with the quality and number of student applicants in 2021 even during this past academic year of disruptions caused by COVID – very remarkable,” says Barbara Lemaire, chair, RAYS scholarship committee.
In total, RAYS awarded three scholarships and nine bursaries this year to students all commencing their studies Fall 2021. “We are delighted with the growing response to our bursary program,” says Nick Forrest, chair, RAYS bursary committee, adding that there are still four more bursaries available to award for 2021. Grace Millsap, a RAYS 2020 bursary recipient currently in her second year at Ridgetown (Ontario Agricultural College), University of Guelph, credits the program not only for its financial contribution, but for its mentoring component as well. “The mentor portion of the bursary has helped me immensely while making decisions about my courses and knowing that I always have someone there to reach out to for advice, guidance and support through my schooling, jobs and life,” says Grace. “I am very thankful to RAYS for allowing myself and other students to pursue their dreams.”
RAYS is pleased to announce this year’s scholarship and bursary recipients.
Applications for RAYS 2022 scholarship and bursary program open November 30, 2021. For more information, including how to be a donor, please visit our website: raysscholarships.com You can also find us on Facebook/Instagram: @raysscholarships
Rina Barone is chair of the RAYS communications committee.
2021 Scholarship Recipients
(payable up to $5000 per year, for a total of up to $20,000 per student)
Student: Graydon Farness, Nottawa, Collingwood Collegiate Institute
College: Trent University
Program: Teacher Education
Student: Lauren McDermid, Duntroon, Collingwood Collegiate Institute
College: Wilfrid Laurier University
Program: Science
Student: Hannah Oakey, Nottawa, Collingwood Collegiate Institute
College: University of Guelph
Program: Science, Animal Biology
2021 Bursary Recipients
(up to $1000 per year per student)
Student: Jessica Byam, Stayner, Stayner Collegiate Institute
College: Georgian College
Program: Biotechnology
Student: Alesha Gibson, Stayner, Stayner Collegiate Institute
College: Georgian College
Program: Opticianry
Student: Maeve Marling, Stayner, Stayner Collegiate Institute
College: Olds College, Alberta
Program: Agriculture
Student: Nolan Campbell, Singhampton, Collingwood Collegiate Institute
College: Cambrian College
Program: Powerline Technician
Student: Claire Gillis, Stayner, Stayner Collegiate Institute
College: Fanshawe College
Program: Child and Youth Care
Student: Kennedi Newell, Stayner, Stayner Collegiate Institute
College: Georgian College
Program: Social Service Worker
Student: Brooke Corcoran, Stayner, Stayner Collegiate Institute
College: Fanshawe College
Program: Pre-Health
Student: Tristan Goodfellow, Mulmur, Centre Dufferin District High School
College: Conestoga College
Program: Computer Engineering
Student: Kole Walker, Stayner, Stayner Collegiate Institute
College: College of Trades
Program: Cabinetry Apprenticeship