This year, MROO (Municipal Retirees Organization Ontario) has awarded $113,00 in student scholarships distributed to 36 exceptional students across the province. The scholarships will support recipients in their post-secondary studies. All recipients are family members of current MROO members. Scholarships were awarded in each Zone (there are 9 MROO Zones) with recipients determined based on the number of applicants and specific eligibility criteria, including the student’s leadership skills, volunteer experience, and commitment to making a difference in their communities.
From Belleville (Zone 5), one student was awarded $3,000 to help with their university studies. Andrew Lupenette is studying Human Kinetics at St. Frances Xavier University in Nova Scotia.
“I am so proud to see the great work MROO is doing in our local communities. These MROO Scholarships have an enormous impact on these students’ lives and hopefully relieves some of their financial stress so they can really focus on their studies,” explains Jackie Forsey, Director of Zone 5.
MROO also awarded the $5,000 Don MacLeod Memorial Award for Leadership to Willow James from LaSalle who is currently studying Mental Health Studies, Neuroscience, Biomedical at the University of Toronto. The award honors MROO’s past President Don MacLeod and is awarded annually to one exceptional student who shows leadership at school and in their wider community. MROO also has a targeted scholarship program with Carleton University, Lakehead University, and McMaster University in 2025. These annual scholarships are given to one exceptional student (per school) whose graduate research focuses on helping to improve the lives of Canadian seniors.
“These students were chosen based on their academic achievements and efforts to give back to their communities ” said Keith Robicheau President of MROO. “MROO’s mission is to support our members and their families and improve the lives of all Canadians. We hope these scholarships will support each recipient in their studies and help them to achieve their academic and future career goals.”
About MROO
Municipal Retirees Organization of Ontario (MROO) is a not-for-profit corporation who speaks on behalf of all Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System (OMERS) pensioners and provides services and benefits to 36,000 + members. MROO is the largest OMERS retiree organization and the only one with membership open to retirees from all walks of local government life. Find out more at www.mroo.org
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
