DAIRY FARMERS OF ONTARIO, ONTARIO MINOR HOCKEY ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCE THE 2020-2021 SEASONAL WINNERS OF $8,000 POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION BURSARIES
Five recipients selected from across the province from 2020-21 season
Five high school students who made a big impact in their schools, and in their communities — in addition to being recognized as top players and volunteers in the OMHA — are the winners of $8,000 post-secondary bursaries from the Dairy Farmers of Ontario.
The five recipients include Dylan Pergentile, who received the highest average of 98.83% in the 26-year history of his school in Grimsby, Ontario. Named Salutatorian during his graduating year at Blessed Trinity Catholic Secondary School, Pergentile also received the Governor General’s Academic Medal for highest average in Grade 11 and 12.
He is now attending McMaster University for Integrated Biomedical Engineering and Health Sciences.
“It allows me to continue studying physics, biology, chemistry and math which I all really enjoyed in high school,” said the former West Niagara Flying Ace.
Maintaining a 98 percent average is challenging enough, yet deciding to learn Mandarin on top of his regular academics proved to be no issue for another bursary award winner, Lindsay, Ontario’s Henry Stephenson.
“I find Mandarin really interesting because it’s so different than English,” said Stephenson. “I’ve got a big stack of books that I’ve been studying and trying to get as much speaking in with people in town as I can.”
Along with his busy hockey schedule, Stephenson played many other sports and is a Level 10 piano player with the Royal Conservatory of Music.
“Henry’s on a different path than most. He’s an elite young man and he’s going to do amazing things. It wouldn’t shock me if one day we’re all working for him,” said coach Trevor Catherwood.
Stephenson is in his first year studying Bioengineering at McGill University.
After finally making the OMHA Finals in one of his final years of minor hockey, Aidan Proderick’s season was cut short because of COVID-19 when the season was cancelled in March 2020.
Like many of his peers, he was saddened but ultimately understood the gravity of the situation.
He was one of the players who spoke with the local media on behalf of his Loyalist Jets team shortly after the announcement.
“I was extremely proud at the way they handled themselves and the maturity and conduct and the way they expressed their disappointment,” said his coach Chris Kelly.
Proderick is now enrolled in the General Arts and Economics program at Queen’s University.
Another bursary award winner joining Proderick at Queen’s is Luke Bailey of Lambeth, near London, who is studying Commerce.
Whether it was peer to peer tutoring during the pandemic or coaching one of his neighbours who is a Special Olympian, Bailey stood out by helping those around him.
“During the pandemic where we had a lot of online learning taking place Luke found a way to continue supporting students in this online environment and it just goes to show you the type of person that he is,” said teacher Kenji Takahashi.
The final recipient is Oakville, Ontario’s Evan Muller. Along with hockey, volunteerism has always taken up a large portion of Muller’s schedule.
Over the last year he received a federal grant for the Fresh Food Project where he worked with local farmers to create baskets of fresh produce to donate to the local food bank. This endeavor continued his passion for giving back to the community, previously helping out with the Kerr Street Mission and Santa Claus Fund.
“Hockey means everything to me. It’s where I’ve made most of my friends,” said Muller, who is studying Management and Organization Studies program with a major in Accounting at Western University. “I’ve definitely learned a lot from the coaches and role models.”
Aidan Canning of East Gwillimbury and Jakob Pedersen of Oakville were awarded the Wally Scott Bursary of $1,250 as part of the OMHA Bursary Program.
The Dairy Farmers of Ontario Bursary program provides minor hockey players recognition for their outstanding contribution to community service, athletic and academic success. Applications for 2022 Bursary Program will be announced later this season.
“DFO is happy to partner with the OMHA as part of our MilkUp program, which was created with youth success in mind. Under the MilkUP brand, we commit to providing a meaningful, measurable and enduring effect on youth sports and highlight the benefits of milk in a healthy, active lifestyle at all ages and skill levels,” said Cheryl Smith, Chief Executive Officer at DFO. “Our MilkUP brand campaign aims to reintroduce milk to Ontario youth in a way that inspires, celebrates and motivates teens to find the strength and energy on their journey in realizing their untapped potential. The bursary program will recognize some of the outstanding Ontario youth athletes who demonstrate MilkUPs values: perseverance, originality and heart.”
“We are extremely proud of the five recipients chosen for the Dairy Farmers of Ontario Bursary this year,” said Ian Taylor, Executive Director of the OMHA. “Their desire to give back during a challenging year in hockey and their excellence in the classroom shows their leadership as people and players. I am confident these five great athletes and students will continue to shine in their post-secondary education.”