HWDSB Students Awarded Scholarships at Empowerment Squared’s Virtual Celebration
On June 23, 2021, Empowerment Squared hosted an online celebration to award 13 scholarships to some inspiring young leaders. Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board is pleased to share that four of those awards went to current and former students!
Empowerment Squared’s commitment is to ensure that marginalized, newcomer, and refugee youth are given the opportunity to succeed in school, regardless of their past experiences and family’s economic status. The organization achieves this feat through both educational and recreational programming, along with specific programs for parents, guardians, and caregivers.
Empowerment Squared post-secondary awards and scholarships support newcomer and marginalized youth and adults who participate or have participated in Empowerment Squared’s programming to succeed in post-secondary education and ultimately empower themselves with the tools and opportunities to thrive and contribute to society.
Here are the HWDSB winners:
Anya Samuel
Black Girl Innovation Fellowship
This year’s recipient of the Black Girl Innovation Fellowship is Anya Samuel. Born in Antigua, Anya immigrated to Canada about three years ago and struggled to adapt to the education system. She joined Empowerment Squared’s Homework Circle Program where she was able to work with mentors through the adjustment period. As the recipient of last year’s fellowship, Anya was able to work alongside Empowerment Squared staff to assist in the emergency support programs for families affected by the pandemic. Anya would love to pursue acting or singing because it is a powerful way of expressing herself.
Established in 2019 by Nu Omega Zeta Sorority, Canada’s first founded black focused Greek lettered organization, the Black Girl Innovation Fellowship seeks to empower black females in high school to develop professional skills for the workforce.
Mohlil Imran
CF Lime Ridge Future Leader Fellowship
This year’s recipient of the CF Lime Ridge Future Leader Fellowship is Mohlil Imran. Born in Pakistan, Mohlil moved to Canada five years ago where she experienced challenges in learning how to speak fluent English. Drawing from her success in overcoming the language barrier, she joined the Summer Literacy Program as a mentor to support children in improving their English language skill. As a leader in her community, Mohlil is actively involved in the student council in her school and volunteering with organizations in the community. She hopes to pursue a career in health care and start a non profit organization focused on supporting children and advocating for women’s rights.
Established in 2020 by CF Lime Ridge, the Fellowship seeks to empower high school students to develop professional skills for the workforce.
Theophilus Kiadii
Ibhawoh Foundation Male Mentorship Fellowship
This year’s recipient of the Ibhawoh Foundation Male Mentorship Fellowship is Theophilus Kiadii. Theophilus immigrated to Canada with his family at a very young age. He joined Empowerment Squared’s Basketball Program to pursue his passion for sports after being unable to find any accessible basketball program in Hamilton for years. Through this program, he was able to work on his social skills, self – confidence and make new friends. He plans to graduate high school and pursue a career as either a professional basketball player or a business agent. He hopes to do well and make his family proud both through his professional and community work. He also wants to help his home country Liberia and ensure that kids have access to education and sports.
Established in 2020 by the Ibhawoh Foundation, a Foundation whose mission is to support education, youth empowerment and community development, the Ibhawoh Foundation Male Mentorship Fellowship seeks to develop supportive mentoring relationships to promote positive outcomes for young males and to empower boys in high school to develop professional skills for the workforce.
Adaora Udeze
Andrew L Goorbarry Continuing Education Scholarship
This year’s recipient of the Andrew L Goorbarry Continuing Education Scholarship is Adaora Udeze. Adaora immigrated to Canada in 2018 with her children. While working as a Personal Support Worker, she made the decision to enrol at Hamilton Wentworth Catholic Elementary school so as to complete the required prerequisite courses needed to enrol in the practical nursing program at Mohawk College. She hopes to complete the program to be better equipped to support herself and her family.
Established in 2018 by Priya Goorbarry, Director of Operations and Administration at Empowerment Squared and her sister Alicia Goorbarry, to recognize the exceptional dedication to education and charitable leadership of their father, Andrew L Goorbarry who emigrated from Guyana to Canada in 1983.
Congratulations to all of the Empowerment Squared scholarship winners, especially our HWDSB recipients! It is amazing to see your successes be celebrated and we are excited to see what the future holds for these young leaders.
Click here to learn more about Empowerment Squared. You can also find a full list of scholarship recipients on the organization’s website.
Updated on Thursday, June 24, 2021.