The Hamilton Golf and Country Club Foundation continues its tradition of supporting local youth by awarding fifteen secondary students across Hamilton with $5,000 bursaries to assist with their post-secondary education.
During a celebratory luncheon on June 7, several students from the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board were recognized for their achievements. Among this year’s recipients were Bishop Ryan CSS student Biblina Hormoz, St. Jean de Brébeuf CSS student Ava Melanson, Bishop Tonnos CSS student Sarah Sadi, Cathedral High School student Yousif Shafeek, Wilma’s Place student Dagloria Musavyi, and St. Thomas More CSS student Iman Al Hamidi.
Established in 2015, the bursary not only rewards students for their academic success during high school but also ensures they can pursue their post-secondary dreams without financial strain.
Dagloria Musavyi, a recipient from Wilma’s Place, expressed profound gratitude for the bursary's impact on her life: "Honestly, I never thought I’d graduate high school, let alone go to college and receive a bursary. My mom is a recent single parent with six kids, working tirelessly as a PSW to provide for us. This bursary lifts such a weight off my family. I am attending Niagara College in the fall, and this money will pay for my tuition. You have helped me so much."
Dagloria also thanked her mother and teacher, Mrs. Payne, for their unwavering support and guidance throughout her academic journey. She concluded her speech with a heartfelt offer: "In two years' time, you are all welcome to a facial or cosmetic treatment, free of charge on me!"
Alan Scott, President of the Hamilton Golf and Country Club Foundation, spoke on behalf of the members: “We are honoured to have the students join us today and are excited about the impact of these awards on future generations. This bursary symbolizes the support and encouragement needed for students to pursue their post-secondary education.”
In addition to the financial support, the Foundation has implemented a mentorship program to further assist the recipients.
"We are blessed to have a rich membership, a cross-section of professions," stated Scott. "The concept is to link a bursary recipient to someone who is in the same career – a successful mentor." Recipients will have the opportunity (encouraged but voluntary) to participate in a mentorship program with a member of the HGCC in their area of post-secondary interest.
The majority of the funds for these awards are raised through the club’s annual charity golf tournament, the Dick Borthwick Memorial Golf Tournament, held every September. "Our members wholeheartedly support this initiative," added Scott.
We congratulate all the recipients and extend heartfelt thanks to the Hamilton Golf and Country Club Foundation for their generousity and ongoing support of our students’ educational journeys.