Aspiring architect receives student achievement award
The Ontario First Nations Technical Services Corporation (OFNTSC) recently announced their Student Achievement Award winners and the Derrick Kamanga Memorial Award winner. Honouring First Nation, and Metis students for their commitment to post secondary education has become a signature event of the OFNTSC, and it has done it for over 19 years.
This years winners come from across the province of Ontario, in a variety of disciplines. A winner of a Student Achievement Award, Kevin (Chris) MacDonald comes from Webequie First Nation in northern Ontario. He is currently studying computer sciences at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay. Macdonald wishes to contribute to his community in the future by “Applying what he has learned to help communities in their technical and computer needs”.
Larissa Roque a Student Achievement Award Winner, from Wahnapitae First Nation is currently studying Architecture at Dalhousie University. Currently on a co-op in the Yukon, Roque is helping northern communities address housing design and needs issues. She said “returning home to work, or start a business, in my field of study” is how she hopes to contribute to her community in the future. Roque also stated, “Given the current state of my community I am hoping to address the issues of affordable housing and sustainability”.
Deneen M. Cole is a member of the Mohawks of Akwesasne, and a Student Achievement Award Winner. She recently just completed her undergraduate studies at SUNY Potsdam in Biochemistry. Cole is now furthering her education by pursuing biomedical graduate studies at George Washington University in Washington D.C. The path to a great education was not easy one however for Cole. She said, “Through the years of struggling to find my path, I’ve come to realize the massive amount of support I’ve gained in the community.” She continued, “I’m humbled by all of the support and respect from my community in recognizing all the hard work and dedication it took to get to this point.”
Noah Bero is studying electrical technology at SUNY Canton and is a Student Achievement Award Winner. From Mohawks of Akwesasne, Bero is the oldest child of parents Gary and Melissa Bero. In the winter Bero tries to be as helpful as possible to his elderly neighbours. He has also participated in a student panel to talk about his educational and career goals to other youth from the community. Bero said, “once I graduate from college I hope to use my degree at a local company to help better the community I was raised in.”
This year’s Derrick Kamanga Memorial Award recipient is Lauren Ashley Adams. Adams is a graduate of Civil Engineering from Clarkson University. She has concentrations in structural and architectural engineering. While she comes from a large family, she is no stranger to endured hardships. Adams grandfather was maintenance foreman on a bridge and his hard work ethic has resonated with Adams, and her family. She said, “His hard work throughout his life taught me what it really meant to be someone your family can lean on. My family is full of hard workers, and it is where I get my work ethic, and my determinedness to succeed.” In the future Adams aims to contribute to her community by designing new housing projects and assisting in the updating/renovation of older homes so they become more energy efficient and therefore less costly.
The OFNTSC Board of Directors would like to congratulate and thank all of the winners from 2014, and all the applicants. To learn more about the Student Achievement Awards, Derrick Kamanga Memorial Award, and the OFNTSC please visit www.ofntsc.org.