SCHOLARSHIPS

CINDY HE - Central Toronto Academy

We are delighted to announce Cindy He as the recipient of the D. Barbara Goldring Scholarship. Cindy was the unanimous choice of our committee, as she truly embodies the values that Barbara held dear — a lifelong pursuit of knowledge, a deep commitment to community service driven by passion rather than obligation, and a genuine desire to create inclusive and supportive communities.

As the daughter of immigrant parents, Cindy has a keen understanding of the challenges many new Canadians face, and she has quietly, yet resolutely, overcome any obstacles in her path.

She has contributed over 300 hours to school and community service and is deeply involved in every aspect of school life.Outside the classroom, Cindy serves on Student Council, leads the student newspaper she founded, presents at Model UN conferences, and plays a foundational role in the Women in STEM Club and the Asian Students Association — both of which she also founded. Her volunteer efforts extend into the broader community, from supporting events at the Toronto History and Railroad Museums to coaching tennis for children and leading her school’s badminton and Ultimate Frisbee teams to success.Academically, Cindy excels in all subjects. Whether in the sciences or the arts within the demanding AP program, her marks consistently remain in the high 90s.

In the spirit of Barbara, who studied nursing alongside our own Mary Aziz, Cindy plans to enter the field of medicine with a focus on pharmacology and cancer research. She has accepted an offer from McGill University — the very city where Barbara once studied.

In the words of one of her referees: “Cindy is humble, talented, generous, and driven to lift others up while pushing herself to excel. Her humility conceals someone truly extraordinary who delivers with consistency and grace.”

We believe Barbara would have cherished the opportunity to meet Cindy. We are honoured to support such a remarkable young woman as she begins the next chapter of her journey.

SARAH JAVED - Bloor Collegiate Institute

We are delighted to announce Sarah Javed as the recipient of the Mary Aziz Scholarship. Sarah is a first generation Canadian growing up in a neighbourhood of immigrants and refugees. She saw firsthand the barriers that limited opportunities for these families. These experiences have inspired her to commit to two causes- fighting poverty and addressing health care inequity.

Academically Sarah shines. She operates at a rigorous pace in the AP TOPs program which requires industriousness and higher order thinking to be successful. She stands out as she not only excels in the math and science courses but also in business, French, music and English classes.

Her high school transcript shows no mark below 94% and 18 courses with a mark of 100%. Last semester Sarah achieved 100% as the final grade in all her courses.

Sarah’s over 1000 volunteer hours in the community and at school are incontestable. They include tutoring young children, volunteerism at Michael Garron Hospital, youth leader for the Crescent Town Tenants Union, leading food drives that provide food for over 1000 members of the community yearly, at the Ontario Science Center as a science camp leader, involved in the U of Ts Hackathon and their Adventure in Science program.

But the activity, that as one teacher puts it, lights up her face is her time volunteering at Michael Garron Hospital in the emergency, MRI and pediatrics departments. Her favourite is the information desk where she speaks Urdu to families without English, addressing their health concerns and their fears.

At school Sarah mentors grade nine students through the Bloor Leadership Team and has helped organize the lunchtime nutrition program. Sarah often dedicates her lunchtimes to helping junior students with math and science.

Sarah will attend U of T in their Life Sciences Program to reach her goal of becoming a polylingual physician/ scientist. She will be someone who bridges language gaps in healthcare, creates new therapies and advocates for a Toronto free from poverty. As she says- if my parents can build a new life from one suitcase- I will keep going until I wake up to a more equitable Toronto.

MARIISHA DUMBUYA - York Memorial Collegiate Institute

Mariisha is a first-generation Canadian who has faced and overcome numerous challenges in pursuit of her lifelong goal of becoming a pediatric nurse. These experiences have inspired her to excel academically and to dedicate herself to meaningful volunteer work in her community, as well as to leadership and advocacy within her school.

Her passion for healthcare is evident through her involvement in the school’s Health and Wellness Specialist Program and her participation in the University of Toronto’s summer mentoring program, where she explored various healthcare fields and conducted research on opioids and the social determinants of health. She also gained valuable clinical exposure by shadowing nurses in the NICU and ICU at St. Michael’s Hospital.

Mariisha is actively engaged in MemoWeConnect, an initiative focused on raising awareness about mental health issues. As a committed member of the Key Club, she helped organize a food pantry that supports 20 families per month, distributing over $50,000 worth of nonperishable food over two years. Additionally, she led a five-week program for youth at the Keele Community Hub, focusing on healthy coping strategies, emotional development, and self-esteem.

Her school advisor describes Mariisha as someone who truly embodies the spirit of the UWC award—resilient, service-minded, and determined to overcome adversity in the pursuit of a better future.

RAAFAH FERHAD - Riverdale Collegiate Institute

To say that Raafah excels academically would be an understatement. In addition to consistently achieving outstanding results in science and mathematics, she successfully completed all the extended French courses offered throughout high school. Raafah will also be the first woman in her family to attend university—a milestone she embraces with a deep sense of responsibility and pride.

In support of her academic and career aspirations, Raafah has worked as a pharmacy assistant since the age of 15. Her dedication and competence have not gone unnoticed; she is regularly entrusted with the training of co-op and university students.

Equally committed to giving back to her community, Raafah volunteers her time in numerous meaningful ways. She tutors students through the Academic Pathway Tutor Program and is a passionate advocate through her involvement in the Black Student Alliance and the Muslim Student Association. She is also an active member of the Swim Club, Math Club, Health Research Club, and the Digital Audio Association.

Beyond school, Raafah contributes to literacy initiatives with the Leacock Foundation and plays a vital role at the Harari Heritage Centre, where she supports cultural preservation and community engagement.

As Raafah herself has said, these are not just extracurricular activities—they reflect her deep and genuine commitment to equity.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations and best wishes as she pursues studies in life sciences, with the goal of earning a medical degree.

Raafah’s future is undoubtedly bright.

SOPHIA KARIM - Central Technical School

We are proud to celebrate Sophia’s graduation from the LAWS (Law in Action Within Schools) Program, a prestigious initiative in partnership with the University of Toronto Faculty of Law and Osgoode Hall Law School. During her time in the program, Sophia has distinguished herself by earning two academic excellence awards.

In addition to her outstanding academic achievement—maintaining a 95% average—Sophia has been an active and valued member of the Specific Arts Program. Her dedication extends beyond academics: she is passionately engaged in issues of race, gender, and class, and she approaches all her work with a strong sense of purpose and integrity.

As a proud Muslim woman, Sophia identified the need for greater community support and took the initiative to co-found the Girls Muslim Association.

Through this group, she enhanced the school’s prayer space and fostered an environment of cultural awareness and inclusiveness.

Sophia is also a committed leader, serving as the head of the School Arts Council, where she supports both students and local artists, and as the co-founder and president of the Graduation Committee.

MONAÉ MCKENZIE - Danforth Technical and Collegiate Institute

Monaé is a recent Canadian, having arrived from Jamaica with her mother and siblings just three years ago. Her scholarship application stood out clearly for its deep commitment to social justice, aligning powerfully with the values we uphold.

In her own words, Monaé shares that it is here in Canada where she has found both safety and a renewed determination to advocate for justice—justice that is inclusive and protective of all, regardless of status or circumstance.

Currently serving as Vice President of External Affairs on the student council, Monaé is a passionate advocate for student voice, particularly through her involvement with Voices in Black Excellence. She also founded the Intersectional Feminist Group, where she champions women's voices and prepares young women to step into leadership roles. Her leadership extends beyond advocacy; she played a key role in organizing school-wide fundraisers, directing all proceeds to support women’s shelters.

In addition, Monaé represents the student body on the Parent Council and contributes meaningfully to the Caring and Safe Schools Program. Her dedication to community is matched by her excellence on the rugby field—her personal arena for growth—where she leads with both grit and discipline.

As one of her teachers expressed, “What truly sets Monaé apart is her ability to lead with compassion, turning ideas into action while uplifting those around her. She is a testament to the power of determined, socially conscious leadership.”

It is no surprise that Monaé aspires to pursue a law degree after completing her undergraduate studies. We are confident that she will continue to be a powerful force for equity and justice in all that she does.

SAHRISH PATIL - Monarch Park Collegiate Institute

Sahrish is the first member of her family to be born and educated in Canada, a role she embraces with great pride and responsibility. She serves as an inspiring role model for female Muslim students in both her school and wider community. Her dedication to advocating for underrepresented voices is demonstrated through her leadership roles as an executive member of the student council, school ambassador, and president of the Muslim Student Association.

In pursuit of her aspiration to become a pediatric oncologist, Sahrish has contributed numerous volunteer hours at both Michael Garron Hospital and SickKids. She believes in a holistic approach to healing—complementing scientific knowledge with empathy, cultural awareness, and emotional support to address all dimensions of a patient’s well-being.

Sahrish also volunteers at Kumon, where she supports young children in developing their reading and math skills. In addition, she contributes to S4W, where she has created mental health awareness initiatives for students across the Toronto District School Board.

Academically, Sahrish is an exceptional student in the International Baccalaureate program at Monarch Park. Through her studies in biology, chemistry, and psychology, she has developed advanced skills in independent learning, research, and inquiry. Her IB counsellor has remarked that her graduation will leave a significant void in the school community—a testament to the lasting impact she has made.

KWABEA ADDO WILLIAMS - Jarvis Collegiate Institute

Four and a half years ago, a very young girl and her two brothers left Ghana and immigrated to Canada. Since then, Kwabea has navigated her teenage years and the challenges of adapting to a new country and school system with remarkable independence and resilience. Motivated by a strong desire to give back to her community, Kwabea has become an inspiring leader.

She currently serves as the President of the Black Students’ Association, tutors students in grades one through six, and holds an ESL tutor certificate. She is actively involved in church activities, plays on Jarvis’s rugby team, and also teaches rugby to youth during the summer.

Her commitment to service extends further through her involvement in clothing drives for shelters, community clean-ups, and leadership in Project Canoe — an initiative that supports children from low-income families by helping them develop leadership, resilience, and teamwork skills through outdoor education. This mission strongly aligns with her deep passion for biology and the natural world.

Kwabea firmly believes in the transformative power of education and strives to become the role model she once needed — a young woman of faith, purpose, and determination, committed to uplifting others.

She will be pursuing studies in the Biomedical Sciences Program, where we are confident she will continue to thrive and make a meaningful impact.

AAMENA YUSUFA - Rosedale Heights School of the Arts

It is a rare and remarkable occurrence to receive an application from a student who demonstrates such exceptional talent in both the arts and sciences. Aamena is one of those extraordinary individuals whose academic excellence knows no bounds.

As the child of first-generation immigrants, Aamena has been deeply shaped by her family’s journey and cultural heritage—elements that inform both her artistic expression and her life goals. As she eloquently writes, these experiences have taught her to lead with empathy, act with intention, and serve with heart.

Aamena has been twice elected President of the Student Council at Rosedale and has been chosen by her peers to serve as this year’s valedictorian. She is a student who not only recognizes needs in her community but works tirelessly to address them. In response to global events, she co-founded the Muslim Jewish Student Alliance, creating a safe and joyful space for interfaith dialogue and connection.

Beyond her leadership roles, Aamena is a Raven Buddies mentor, a student ambassador, a fashion show designer, and President of the Ceramics Club. She also dedicates her time as a volunteer at the ROM summer camps.

This fall, Aamena will begin an architecture studies program, drawn to the powerful role that built environments play in shaping a sense of belonging and in fostering community, reflection, and healing.

As her student advisor put it, “In my 15 years as an educator and counsellor, I can confidently say she is the most exceptional student I’ve ever worked with.”