OTAEF News Highlights From 2007

“Nearly 75 students applied this year for scholarships” notes the Foundation’s executive director, Betsy Sharples. “As part of the Foundation’s recent review and modest restructuring, this year’s applicants were asked to demonstrate a general understating of the importance of Ontario’s trucking industry to the province’s economy and our general standard of living”. In addition to submitting an academic transcript, each student was asked to complete an essay that answered “why is the trucking industry important to Ontario’s economy?” in order for his/her application to be considered for a scholarship.

“It was great to read the essays that were sent in as part of the students’ application packages” say Scott Smith, chairman of the OTA Education Foundation.

“Our goal of enlightening some Ontario post-secondary students about the trucking industry was clearly met with respect to this year’s applicants. In some cases, the students really did quite a bit of research to answer the question”. All scholarship applications had to be sponsored by an Ontario trucking or allied product/service company that employs one of the student’s parents in order to be considered for an award. In addition, one outstanding student entering university from high school was awarded the J. O. Goodman Award, and one outstanding student entering college from high school was awarded the C. V. Hoar Award (see separate releases).

University Scholarship Recipients:

Student Name	City/Town	CollegeName	Field of Study
Melanie Cosgrove	Mississauga	McGill University, Montreal	Science/Pre-Med
Soomin Han	North York	McMaster University Hamilton	Life Sciences
Nina Harnarine	Richmond Hill	University of Toronto, Toronto	Forensic Science
Jessica Macmillan	Jasper	McMaster University, Hamilton	Medical Radiation Services
Janice Yiu-Ying Yu	Mississauga	University of Toronto, Toronto	Life Sciences
Jeffrey Ferguson	Newmarket	University of Ottawa, Ottawa	History
Shannon Scott	Mississauga	Ryerson University, Toronto	Business
Mellissa Buttineau	Pickering	University of Windsor, Windsor	Mathametics/Education
Andrew Hercules	Toronto	York University, Toronto	Political Science
Erin Broadfoot	Stratrford	Nipissing University, North Bay	Masters –Education
Karen Sadler	Newmarket	University of Ottawa, Ottawa	Religious Studies
Matthew Boyd	Tottenham	Nipissing University, North Bay	Education
Sarah McDonald	Paris	University of Waterloo, Waterloo	Applied Health & Science
Nikolas Eaves	Guelph	University of Waterloo, Waterloo	Engineering
Jaclyn East	New Liskeard	Nipissing University, North Bay	Liberal Arts

 

College Scholarship Recipients:

Student Name	City/Town	CollegeName	Field of Study
Allison Neil	Frankford	Sheridan College, Oakville	Applied Arts Animation
Casey Roth	Bright	Algonquin College, Ottawa	Health Sciences
Sherry Lotz	Wellesley	Conestoga College, Kitchener	Early Childhood Education
Scott Elgie	Sarnia	Lambton College, Sarnia	Engineering
Jeremy Forde	Barrie	Georgian College, Barrie	Computer Programming
Trevor Longhurst	Uxbridge	Durham College, Whitby	Gas Fitter (Apprentice)
Kim Crawford	London	Fanshawe College, London	Early Childhood Education
Kase deJonge	Plattsville	Durham College, Oshawa	Music Business Mgnt.
Allison Harrison	St. Catharines	Algonquin College, Ottawa	Library & Information Tech.

The quality of the applications for the J. O. Goodman Award this year was exceptional” says long-term selection committee member Harold Gilbert a former Deputy Minister for the Ontario Ministry of Transportation and Communications. “I don’t recall a year when we have seen so many deserving students”.

In a field of outstanding applications, Melanie Cosgrove, a student graduating from Lorne Park Secondary School in Mississauga with an average mark of 94 %, stood out with her accomplishments. She achieved the highest marks in most, if not all, of her classes in each of her four years in high school, while participating in a diverse range of activities, such as leadership in her school’s fundraiser for the Children’s Wish Foundation. In addition to making the honour roll each year, she was also recognized as school Valedictorian and received the Academic Excellence Award, the Math Award, and the Cooperative Education Award.

While applying herself to her academic studies, Melanie also devoted hours of practice and world travel to train and participate in ski racing events with the International Ski Federation. “Melanie’s application was strong in all of the assessment criteria, without exception” noted fellow selection committee member Michael Burke, President and CEO of the Transportation Health and Safety Association of Ontario. “As a group, we feel completely justified in awarding Melanie with the J. O. Goodman Award for the 2007/08 academic year”.

The J. O. Goodman Scholarship Award winner is selected each year from all qualifying scholarship applications from students who are entering their first year post-secondary studies at a recognized university.

“We see this as a great opportunity to assist one local student each year”, comments Gord Grant, president of Grant’s Transport Limited. “Not only do we offer some financial assistance to deserving student, but this gives us a chance to be seen as a good corporate citizen in our local community”. When asked why the scholarship is awarded to the top math student, Grant replies “as a trained engineer, I have a great deal of respect for mathematics, and those who excel in it. I had no idea that the first recipient of our award was headed off to university for an engineering degree, too”.

Not only is this year’s recipient accomplished in the mathematics component, he also had the highest overall average mark in his graduating class, having also been awarded the Governor General’s Medal for being top in all classes. Upon completion of his under-graduate degree, Mr. Hutten-Czapski hopes to attend medical school.

In addition to his academic accomplishments, Mr. Hutten-Czapski is involved with the Ottawa Chapter of the Children’s AIDS Health Program as the media representative as well as several other volunteer positions. He has also co-founded his own organization called Spread TREES not AIDS, which has a dual focus on the environment and HIV/AIDS awareness. “The premise of the organization is simple”, notes Hutten-Czapski. “Through a simple donation, a tree is planted and money put towards HIV and AIDS education through the Children’s AIDS Health Program and other affiliated organizations”. Initially, efforts will focus on the nation of Haiti, which “has been devastated by deforestationand by HIV”.

The Grant’s Transport Scholarship Award is awarded annually and funded by an endowed fund administered by the OTA Education Foundation, Inc.

“We feel privileged in many ways to be able to help educate an individual each year who is already an asset to his/her community”, says Vernon Erb, president and chairman of the board at the Erb Group of Companies. “We feel so strongly at Erb about the importance of community service, that it is included in our Mission Statement”.

Since Vernon Erb began his business in the 1950s, the Erb Group has enthusiastically contributed on every level to the progress and well-being of the charitable, sporting, religious and social organizations within the company’s local area. Vernon always felt that by providing service and satisfaction, success wouldfollow naturally in his business – and it has. “We believe that the student whoprovides service and satisfaction to his/her community will also enjoy success as aresult of this commitment”.

The Service to Community Scholarship is available to any student enrolled in his/her first year of post-secondary studies a recognized Canadian university or college. The scholarship will be awarded annually and is funded by an endowed fund administered by the OTA Education Foundation, Inc.