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Eight post-secondary students with a history of academic excellence, community leadership and inspiring women were honored Friday at the annual ATHENA Scholarship Luncheon.
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“The bar keeps getting higher every year,” said ATHENA committee chair Lee Anne Doyle. “These students are top of their class, and in very challenging programs. And they all seem to be involved in doing things in their community.
“They are reaching out and doing volunteer work and helping promote goodness in the community. The other thing we have found is the recipients are mentors. They are always mentoring others.
“They’re always in leadership positions, whether it’s on campus or organizations that they’re involved with.”
The annual luncheon was canceled twice because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but the scholarships were still awarded. Organizers on Friday honored eight scholarship winners, including those who received awards in 2020 and 2021.
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The 2020 recipients were Tara Chan, Paige Coyne, Celina DeBiasio and Sierra Scott-Kilgo. The recipients for 2021 included Alessandra Ceccacci, Jacqueline Eboh, Anumita Jain and Trevor Ramieri. Each winner received a $5,000 scholarship.
They were all celebrated during the Friday luncheon at St. Clair College Center for the Arts.
The ATHENA fund provides scholarships to post-secondary students who excel academically, get involved in their community and serve as outstanding leaders. The winners must also have track records of helping girls and women achieve a better quality of life and reach their full potential as community leaders.
“These scholarships are not limited to women,” said Doyle. “It’s basically anybody who assists with increasing leadership opportunities for women and quality of life in the community. Mentoring, team building, pursuing diversity.”
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The guest speaker on Friday was Kathleen Thomas, retired executive director of the Multicultural Council of Windsor and Essex County.
“She did a fabulous presentation on leadership and welcoming communities,” said Doyle. “And how good leaders promote diversity in their communities.”
The scholarship fund was established as a charity in 2004. Donations to fund the annual scholarships come from corporations, academic institutions, service clubs and individuals.
Doyle said Windsor remains the only city in Canada where the scholarships are awarded.
“The idea was that we would get the younger generation to elevate them in the community, and recognize youth role models in our community,” she said.
The luncheon honoring the 2022 recipients is scheduled for Nov. 18 at St. Clair College Center for the Arts. The guest speaker will be University of Windsor Chancellor Mary Jo Haddad.