Friday, February 2, 2018 3Brooklin Town Crier Jacob Ewaniuk, a grade 12 student at Brooklin High School, is one of 80 Canadians to have recently been awarded a $5,000 Horatio Alger Post-Secondary Scholarship. He plans to use it for entrance to Queen's University in the fall to study engineering. The Horatio Alger Association of Canada is a charitable organization dedicated to the simple but powerful belief that hard work, honesty and determination can conquer all obstacles. Scholarships are awarded annually to deserving high school and Quebec CEGEP students in financial need who have overcome significant adversity while demonstrating strength of character, strong academics, a commitment to pursuing higher education as well as a desire to contribute to society. Ewaniuk, who plays on the BHS senior basketball team and teaches snowboarding in his spare time, began the application process in October. It included extensive reflective essays about the adversity he's faced and how he overcame it. The scholarship will be added to what Queen's has already offered, a $6,000 academic award as well as a $1500 bursary. "I've always loved science and math," Ewaniuk says. "Oh, and chemistry, too. That gets a lot of groans from people, but I like it." His advice to future applicants is to apply early. "It's a time-consuming process, that's for sure," he says. "There's lots to fill out and you do need to make time to do it. But you need to be completely honest in your application." The Association received thousands of applications from coast to coast to coast, with each submission confirming the necessity of these needs-based scholarships: The average annual family income of the recipients was $25,145; 51% of the scholars experienced abandonment by a par- ent or guardian; 45% suffered from physical, mental, or sexual abuse; 40% faced drug or alcohol abuse in the household; 25% experienced disability or serious illness; 19% faced the death of a parent or guardian; 12% experienced the incarceration of a parent or guardian; 8% are wards of the state or in foster care; 8% have faced homelessness. Nevertheless, 60% of them manage to work during the school year and the average recipient maintains an exceptionally high grade of 89%. About Horatio Alger and the Horatio Alger Association of Canada Horatio Alger (1832-1899) was an American writer who often wrote about "rags-to-riches" young people overcoming adversity and achieving success. The Horatio Alger Association of Canada, the Canadian affiliate of the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, Inc., awards scholarships annually to deserving young people in every province and territory. Members of the Association include Wayne Gretzky, the Right Honourable Brian Mulroney, and Jim Pattison. For more information, visit horatioalger.ca. The Association can also be found on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Brooklin High Student Awarded Horatio Alger Scholarship Advertise With Us 905.655.7642