June 28, 2024 – This morning, the WindsorEssex Community Foundation (WECF) held a breakfast gathering to celebrate over $31,000 in scholarships that have been provided to students across Windsor & Essex County this year from scholarship funds held at the WECF. The event brought donors and scholarship recipients together at the Essex Golf and Country Club to celebrate the achievements of these students and thank fund holders for their investment in our young people and their future.

“We are proud to grant scholarships to eligible students pursuing their dreams by furthering their education at the post-secondary level,” says Rachelle Booth, Chair of the WindsorEssex Community Foundation Board of Directors. “Through these community investments, the WECF is able to work with local families and individuals who want to support young people and have a positive impact on the future of youth in our communities. This is possible due to the dedication and commitment of these donors and scholars, and we are delighted have had the opportunity to celebrate alongside them today.”

Affordability of post-secondary education is a top priority for citizens of Windsor and Essex County, according to the 2022 Vital Signs® report. Semiannually, the WECF conducts the Vital Signs® survey, gathering the thoughts and opinions of the residents of Windsor and Essex County in eleven key issues areas, including Learning. Access to affordable post-secondary education has long been top of mind for survey respondents.

This year, the WECF awarded a total of over $31,000 in scholarships to 16 students. The WECF’s scholarships support deserving students from across a diverse array of backgrounds, interests, and fields of study. From Criminology, Human Kinetics, Video Game Design, Dental Assisting, Electrical Engineering, to those pursuing a career in Biomedical Sciences, Business, and Computer Sciences; the WECF is proud to support these committed scholars as they strive towards their educational goals. Please join me in congratulating our Scholarship recipients:

Allie Lesperance and Matthew Lebouef: 2024 Recipients of the Constable John Atkinson Memorial Scholarship

Raeanne Schroder: 2024 Recipient of the Elaine & Harvey Snaden Fund Martha Reavley Community and Leadership Award Scholarship

Lilly Pieczonka and Amanda Atroun: 2024 Recipients of the Father Matt Sheedy Scholarship

Kellen Smyth, Emma-El St. Pierre, Aaron Berg and Cecilia Guenther: 2024 Recipients of the Gale & Irene (Knister) Taylor Scholarship

River LeBreton-Saunders: 2024 Recipients of the Larry Welsh Memorial Scholarship

Heidi Rawlings: 2024 Recipient of the Harding Electric/Morris & Ruth Harding Memorial Scholarship

Maria Zalewski: 2024 Recipient of the Kolody Family Memorial Scholarship

Erin Alaers and Paige Wyatt: 2024 Recipient of the Sharon & Gary Kelly Scholarship

Alexander Tran and Alan Bui: 2024 Recipient of the Shawn Boxe Memorial Scholarship

These students’ dedication combines with the generosity of our scholarship donors and the support of the Foundation to create a system of support and uplift young scholars throughout our community. Each one of the scholarship funds held at the WECF begins with a unique story, and in turn becomes part of the stories of the students whose educational aspirations it supports.