2019 Scholars Honoured at the ATHENA Scholarship Luncheon

(WINDSOR, ON)  The ATHENA Scholarship Fund (Windsor) and the Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce hosted the 20th Annual ATHENA Scholarship Luncheon this morning at the St. Clair Centre for the Arts.

Guest speaker for this year’s luncheon, Senator Gwen Boniface, Senate of Canada made a guest presentation entitled, “A Look at Leadership through the Rear View Window.”

The luncheon also spotlighted three local young scholars who were presented with their official ATHENA Scholarship Awards.   This year’s recipients are: Kiara Clement, Jessica Glazewski and Katherine Hirsch.

 Kiara Clement not only excels academically but also passionately helping others in the community in various leadership and mentorship roles.  This spring, she graduated from St.Clair College with a Protection, Security and Investigation Diploma with Academic Distinction and is the recipient of the 2019 St. Clair College Student Leadership Medal. She is currently President of the Student Representative Council for the 2019/2020 academic year. Kiara’s leadership activities include Member and Chair of the Leamington Mayor’s Youth Advisory Committee, Vice President of Student Affairs,2018-2019, and Student Representative on St.Clair College Board of Governors. Her community involvement includes volunteering with Crime Stoppers and The Bridge - Leamington’s Youth Resource Centre and is currently a member of the RCMP National Youth Advisory Committee.   She is the recipient of the 2018 Leamington Chamber of Commerce “Youth Excellence Award” and 2017 O.P.P. Community Award. Kiara’s career goal is to become a police officer and role model for youth.  Kiara aspires to represent the ATHENA values, pursuing her passion by giving back to her community and to mentor young women in achieving leadership success.

Jessica Glazewski combines a solid academic record with strong leadership and mentoring in community activism. In 2018 she graduated from the University of Windsor with an (Honours) Bachelor of Arts degree with Distinction in Psychology and Criminology. This year, Jessica graduated from the Child and Youth Care Accelerated program at the St. Clair College Thames Campus in Chatham with Academic Distinction. Jessica’s passion for community involvement includes her past roles as a University of Windsor Bystander Initiative Peer Mentor, a Member of The Downtown Mission Advocacy and Outreach Team and as a University of Windsor Walk Safe Volunteer and Committee Member. Currently as Bystander Initiative Campus Outreach Assistant and Research Assistant for Feminist Research on Violence against Women at the University of Windsor, Jessica shares passion for women’s issues including the prevention of sexual violence. Her career goal is to become a certified art therapist or social worker to assist survivors of sexual violence and creating a primary prevention program for youth in our community. Jessica’s passion about making a difference in her community exemplifies ATHENA leadership.

Katherine Hirsch has maintained outstanding academic excellence while serving as a student leader and mentor for young girls in sports around the world. In 2017 she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Sociology with Honours from Furman University, South Carolina.   This spring, she completed her University of Windsor Master of Human Kinetics Degree with a focus in sport and exercise psychology. Katherine is currently in her first year as a Ph.D. student in Kinesiology at the University of Windsor, learning various ways she can impact and empower female athletes through sport. Her leadership accomplishments include serving as Founder and President (April 2018–present) of the University of Windsor Kinesiology Graduate Student Association and Co-Founder and Facilitator of the HEALTHY Body Image Program delivered to female youth athletes in Windsor. Katherine’s career goal is to be a professor of sport and exercise psychology. Dr. Linda McKay, in whose memory this ATHENA scholarship is named, would be very proud of this outstanding student leader and female role model.

Selection criteria for this scholarship program include community involvement, potential for leadership, academic excellence and inspiring women to reach their full potential. The scholarships are valued at $5,000 each.  The recipients were on hand to make a brief presentation about their educational experience and career aspirations.

According to Loretta Stoyka, President of the ATHENA Scholarship Fund (Windsor), this scholarship program is in keeping with the ATHENA philosophy, which maintains that by elevating people with potential and solid values, they will be exceptional role models. It is believed by example that others will be inspired to achieve excellence. Windsor is at the forefront of the scholarship program and continues to make improvements to the opportunity each year.

The ATHENA Scholarship Program is generously sponsored by St. Clair College, University of Windsor, Windsor Family Credit Union, Anne Winterbottom, Loris Macor, Rotary Club of Windsor (1918), Rotary Club of Windsor-Roseland, Rotary Club of Windsor-St. Clair, Generator Design, Roth, Mosey & Partners LLP, Empire Communications, Caesars Windsor Cares, Marcel’s Collision and Toldo Foundation.  Media sponsors are AM800 CKLW, YourTv, CTV Windsor and The Windsor Star.

-30-

Media Contact:

Lee Anne Doyle
Chair of the Athena Scholarship Committee
519-979-1756