Scholarship & Awards

Overlea Marc Garneau Alumni Scholarship

Background

The scholarship was the first award for graduates established in 1991 by the Overlea Marc Garneau Alumni Association. It is presented annually to two students (one male and one female) who have decided to pursue studies at the university or community college level.

Eligibility

To be eligible the recipient must have achieved high academic standing, attend post-secondary studies and demonstrate financial need.

Selection Criteria
  • Demonstrate superior communications and interpersonal skills
  • Possess strong leadership qualities and good judgement
  • Demonstrate these attributes while making positive contributions to the school community during their years as a student at Marc Garneau Collegiate Institute

Dr. Hany Rafla Humanitarian Award

Background

This award was established in 2000 following the untimely passing of Hany Rafla, a graduate of the Overlea Secondary School Class of 1980. The Award was presented annually until 2012 and put on rotation every 3 years thereafter. 

Eligibility

To be eligible the recipient must pursue post-secondary studies in the Life Science field and demonstrate financial need.

Selection Criteria

  • Demonstrate the qualities of altruism, charity, and compassion towards others during their high school career
  • Participate in activities that have helped other people, and contributed in ways that have improved the community
  • These were qualities and characteristics that were synonymous with Hany Rafla

Winston Walcott Award

Background 

This award was established in 2003 following the sudden passing of Winston Walcott. He was a graduate of Overlea Secondary School Class of 1975. During his time at Overlea, Winston participated in various team sports as well as track and field. Winston exemplified true sportsmanship by being relentless in achieving his academic and athletic goals; he was supportive of teammates, and demonstrated outstanding leadership qualities.

In his adult years, Winston continued his involvement in athletics: he played soccer, he managed his son’s football team, and at the time of his passing he was coaching a minor basketball team in his community. Winston was a committed husband and father who cared deeply for his community and was always willing to be of service. This award was established as a tribute to honour Winston’s life achievements. 

Eligibility

To be eligible the recipient must have achieved high academic standing, attend post-secondary school and demonstrate financial need.

Selection Criteria

  • Demonstrate community engagement
  • Dedicated to academic growth
  • Exemplify leadership qualities
  • And superior sportsmanship

Excellence in Visual Arts Scholarship

Background 

This award was established in 2015 and chosen by the Visual Arts Department with the MGCI Alumni Association

Eligibility

To be eligible the recipients must have achieved high academic standing, attend post-secondary school and demonstrate financial need.

Selection Criteria 
  • Excellence in over-all visual arts production
  • Student has made valuable artistic contributions to MGCI
  • Preference given to students that are enrolled in senior Visual Arts classes
  • Preference given to students that demonstrate financial need
  • Preference given to students who pursue post-secondary studies in a Visual Arts related field

For the Love of Art Scholarship

Background 

This award was established in 2015 and chosen by the Visual Arts Department with the MGCI Alumni Association

Eligibility

To be eligible the recipients must have achieved high academic standing, attend post-secondary school and demonstrate financial need.

Selection Criteria 
  • Excellence in over-all visual arts production
  • Student has made valuable artistic contributions to MGCI
  • Preference given to students that are enrolled in senior Visual Arts classes
  • Preference given to students that demonstrate financial need
  • Preference given to students who pursue post-secondary studies in a Visual Arts related field

Abbas Kolia Community Leadership Award

Background

This award was established in 2020 by members of the community around Garneau to honour the memory of a community leader, Mr. Abbas Kolia with its focus being Community Leadership.

Undercover Kindness: The “Defilia To” & “Vicky Xu” Kindness Bursary

Background

This bursary was established in 2018 to honour the initiative, commitment, enthusiasm and kind-hearted nature of two Garneau Alumni. Their firm belief in the power of kindness as an agent for positive change in our world has made the Garneau community a happier and kinder place. Most importantly, this belief, embodied in their work with the Undercover Kindness Club, is a powerful example of the importance of compassion, generosity, inclusion, integrity, gratitude and respect.

Eligibility

To be eligible the recipient must pursue post-secondary studies and demonstrate financial need. 

Selection Criteria
  • Demonstrate commitment to the vision of a kinder world or have actively participated in project(s) that has had a positive impact in the community
  • Is compassionate, aware, wise, open-minded, imaginative & creative/innovative
  • Supplemental Application Required

Greg Lang Business Award

Background 

This award was established in 2020 on behalf of Greg Lang, a Business teacher who at the school from 1973 to 2000. Upon his retirement he joined the Alumni Board. In that capacity he was responsible for the financial and investment management of the Alumni financial portfolio.

Eligibility

To be eligible the recipient must pursue post-secondary business studies in the field of Economics, Accounting, Business Finance or Mathematics.

Selection Criteria  
  • Academic achievement, dedication and interest in Business Studies
  • Open to students pursuing post-secondary studies in the Business, Politics or Finance related field
  • Financial necessity  

Principal’s Award

To be introduced in 2021, the description will be updated soon!

Leadership in Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Award

Background

The award was established in 2021.

Eligibility

To be eligible the recipient must pursue post-secondary studies and demonstrate financial need. 

Selection Criteria
  • Leads by example towards the goals of equity, inclusion, social justice and advances equity, diversity and inclusion within and/or outside the school through outstanding dedication and excellence or community outreach and activism

The Ron Thorpe Science Award

Background

This is a new award established in 2021 by retired Science teacher: Ron Thorpe. Created to lend support to students interested in and pursuing post-secondary studies in the fields of: Biological Sciences, Health, Earth, and Environmental Science.

Eligibility

To be eligible the recipient must pursue post-secondary studies in the science(s) fields of: Biological Sciences, Health, Earth, and Environmental Sciences

Selection Criteria

  • Academic achievement, dedication and interest in the natural world
  • Open to students pursuing post-secondary studies in the field of science 
  • The student is involved and demonstrates interest in living things, and is actively engaged in making connections and acquiring the knowledge and skills that will help them to understand and consider critically the role of science in their daily lives, and the impact of scientific developments on society and the environment.
  • Financial necessity

The Alumni Health Science Award

Background

This award, established in 2022, has been created to support a student interested in and pursuing post secondary studies at a recognized Canadian Medical Science Institution or University in the field of Health Science (eg. Allied Health, Bio Medical, Nursing, Nutrition, Medical Technology).

Eligibility

To be eligible, the recipient must have achieved high academic standing and have attended MGCI from grade 11 to grade 12.

Selection Criteria

  • High academic achievement
  • Open to students pursuing post-secondary studies in the field of Health Science

The Canadian Achievement Scholarship

Background

Established in 2022, the Canada Achievement Scholarship, is a university scholarship worth $5,000 per year over four years ($20,000 total).

The scholarship will be awarded to students in financial need, who are new to Canada, who demonstrate high academic potential and who have made significant contributions to their community. There will be two awards in 2022.

Eligibility

New to Canada within the last six years

Selection Criteria

  • High academic standing / potential
  • Active participation in the community (whether at school, in the broader community or in support of family)
  • Financial need
  • Post secondary studies at university level

Ed Ochiena Athletic Award

Background

Established in 2022, this award is in honour of a past teacher, Ed Ochiena. Ed had a wonderful life spanning both professional sports and a lengthy career in education at East York Collegiate and Overlea/Marc Garneau. His gentle manner combined with his wise ways endeared him to everyone he came in contact with. Whether Ed taught you, worked with you or played with you, Ed shared his passion for living with everyone.

Eligibility

Participated on a school varsity team for a minimum of 4 times (4 different teams - eg. basketball, soccer, volleyball etc. (junior /senior)

Volunteered their services to aid in athletic events like intramurals, banquets, refereeing, team manager, statistician, etc

Post secondary studies at University level

Selection Criteria

  • Financial need
  • Academic standing - an overall average of 70 percent or higher
  • Must have attended MGCI for a minimum of three years

Mortgagejake Arts and Athletics Scholarship Award

Background

This award was established following the untimely passing of Jake Abramowicz on September 18 2021. Jake grew up in Flemingdon Park, attended university and became one of Canada’s top mortgage brokers. He was a committed supporter of the arts and a passionate sports enthusiast. His many acts of kindness and spectacular generosity will be dearly missed by friends and strangers alike.

Jake was proud that his family's journey in Canada began in Flemingdon Park; consequently, this award was established in his honour. This Award is presented to a graduating student pursuing post-secondary college/university studies and has a passion for one (or both) of the arts and athletics and has also demonstrated a commitment to helping others throughout their high school years.

Eligibility

Post secondary studies

Exemplifies a passion for the arts/athletics

Demonstrated a commitment to helping others throughout their high school years

Selection Criteria

  • Financial need
  • Post secondary studies