Three deserving student-athletes from Ontario’s High Schools have been awarded $800.00 scholarships from the OFSAA Alumni Association this year. Over 50 applications were received from the following eligible associations: CWOSSA, GBSSA, NEOAA, NOSSA, SWOSSAA and YRAA.
This year’s winners are: Sydney Lacarte from Englehart HS, Jace McGrail of Lambton Central CVI in Petrolia and Summer Madronich representing St. Joan of Arc CHS in Barrie.
Congratulations!
Sydney Lacarte is a grade 12 student who plans to study Business at either Nipissing University or Wilfrid Laurier University. During her time at Englehart HS, Sydney was part of the cross country, basketball, volleyball, badminton, and track & field teams while maintaining an 91% average in her academic courses. She was also part of the school’s graduation committee, the intramural committee and numerous fundraisers during her high school career. Sydney had extensive community involvement including working at a local nursing home, assisting with the town of Englehart in organizing and running activities to support youth mental health awareness programs, and volunteering as a coach in youth basketball, volleyball and track and field programs. In her personal statement, Sydney stated that “school sports has taught me how to communicate, listen, make friends, handle pressure situations, and most importantly how to become a team leader and team player”. One of Sydney’s teacher-coaches said this about her importance to the athletic program at Englehart HS: “Sydney excels in all sports and is a modest, hardworking role model for her peers who always displays excellent sportsmanship.”
Jace McGrail is a grade 12 student at Lambton Central CVI. Jace was involved in numerous sports at the school including baseball, volleyball, hockey, cross country and track and field while at the same time maintaining an average of over 86%. Jace was also a two-year member of the school’s student council and part of the athletic association for three years. He has helped out in numerous school activities like the Terry Fox Run and the elementary school track and field competitions. His community outreach involvement is highlighted by his involvement in programs like Neighbour2Neighbour Rural Food Drive, Petrolia Minor Hockey and the Royal Canadian Legion poppy campaign. He also spearheaded a t-shirt sales campaign that raised thousands of dollars for the local Food Bank as well as assisting in the raising of funds for a young boy in the community who required significant medical attention. Jace believes that his involvement in school sport “has significantly influenced my life and shaped me into the person that I am.” One of Jace’s teachers had this to say about him: “Jace is a highly-skilled, selfless, exceptionally thoughtful young man demonstrating remarkable care and concern for his wider community in his service.” In the fall, Jace will be studying Instrumentation and Control Engineering Technology at Lambton College.
Summer Madronich is a grade 12 student at St. Joan of Arc CHS. Another outstanding student-athlete with an average of 90%, Summer participated in seven different sports during her high school career. Being involved in hockey, cross country, badminton, flag football, soccer, ultimate and nordic skiing clearly illustrate how organized and dedicated Summer was towards both her studies and athletics. In addition, Summer was a member of the school’s athletic council for four years, the Best Buddies program, the SHSM Leadership team and the school’s OFSAA Committee that hosted Girls’ AAA Volleyball in 2023. Her community involvement was extensive and included over 300 volunteer hours during her high school. Some of these activities include many as power skating instructor, learn to row instructor and as an evaluator for the Barrie WHA elite hockey team selection process. In her letter to the committee Summer emphasized that being a part of sports teams has allowed her to “learn time management, gained skills and confidence as an athlete, built incredible friendships, and thrive as a leader”. The athletic director at her school noted that “Summer has consistently demonstrated her understanding and belief of the OFSAA values of Leadership, Respect, Integrity, Equity, Diversity, and Resilience.” In the fall, Summer will be studying Nursing at Laurentian University.
For more information on the criteria for selection and application requirements, please go to: ofsaa.on.ca/recognition/scholarships/ofsaa-alumni
