Limestone Students Earn Prestigious Scholarships, Including National Loran Honour

Limestone District School Board graduates have received significant scholarships to support their post-secondary education.

Nathan Kashira

Kingston Secondary School (KSS) graduate Nathan Kashira has been selected as a 2026 Loran Scholar, out of more than 5,400 applicants across Canada. Of the 36 selected to become the Class of 2026, Nathan is among the nine from Ontario who were selected. 

Nathan owns and operates a drone photography and videography company. He also leads a church volunteer team dedicated to supporting the community through food security initiatives, sports programs, and social services. In addition to his entrepreneurial, volunteer work, and fundraising efforts, Nathan works in both food service and construction, and captains the KSS football team.

For more information about Nathan’s achievements, please visit the following coverage: 

• Kingston student awarded prestigious national scholarship | The Kingston Whig Standard 
• Update - Selected as Loran Scholar: Kingston Secondary School senior named a Loran Scholars Finalist – Kingston News 
• Building Bright Futures: Kingston’s Nathan Kashira named a Loran Scholars finalist | Watch News Videos Online 

Athena Andrecyk

Athena Andrecyk, also graduating from KSS, has received a full four-year athletic (Cross Country/Track and Field) and academic scholarship (Honors College - Biochemistry) to the University of Alabama.  

Athena is a multiple OFSAA champion in Cross Country and Track, and U20 National Champion who has represented Team Canada in the U20 World Cross Country Championship.  
 
She was also on MPP Ted Hsu’s Constituency Youth Advisory Council for four years and was co-chair last year. During that time, the group worked on municipal projects supporting food banks and youth engagement. 

Athena has successfully completed the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, and is grateful to everyone at KSS for helping her prepare for her post-secondary journey. 

For more information about Athena’s achievements, please visit the following coverage: 

• Visit Kingston | Athletes of Kingston: Athena Andrecyk 
• Canadian Running magazine: 16-year-old running star wins Canadian U20 XC title
• Three Gold Medals at OFSAA Track and Field Championships 

Haleigh Knetsch

Ernestown Secondary School graduate Hayleigh Knetsch has been awarded the Queen's University Promise Scholarship, valued between $60,000 to $100,000 over four years (depending on the program of study) to cover tuition, living costs, and educational expenses. 

Hayleigh is also a recipient of the 2025-2026 Limestone Student Achievers Award, which recognizes outstanding achievements of secondary students whose exceptional accomplishments merit recognition beyond school-level awards. Recipients demonstrate exemplary achievement in the following areas: leadership; positive attitude, energy, and school spirit; and academic standing. 

Kayl Vankoughnett 
Sydenham High School graduate Kayl Vankoughnett has earned the Queen’s University Chernoff Family Award. To receive this award, students must demonstrate various qualities including superior academic ability and proven leadership qualities. Students must also be involved in school and community activities and be original and creative thinkers. Award winners receive a total value of $48,000 to $72,000 depending on the program.  

Kayl was also a recipient of this year’s Limestone Student Achievers Award.  
 

Minh Ho 
Loyalist Collegiate and Vocational Institute (LCVI) graduate Minh Ho has won the University of Ottawa’s International English Admission Scholarship of $7,500 per term for up to 12 terms. This scholarship is to assist newly admitted international students beginning their first term of studies in Winter 2026 or later and undertaking their university studies in English in an approved undergraduate program at the University of Ottawa. 

Tooba Waseem 
LCVI graduate Tooba Waseem is the recipient of the Queen’s University Engineering International Admission Award of $10,000 to $25,000 per year. This is awarded based on academic achievement to international students entering first year of any first-entry undergraduate degree program in Smith Engineering. The award is renewable for three subsequent years provided the student continues to be registered full-time in a program of study within Smith Engineering. 
 
Yuyue Feng 
LCVI graduate Yuyue Feng has been awarded the University of Calgary’s Seymour Schulich Academic Excellence Scholarship for Students Outside the Calgary Area. This scholarship totals $30,400, renewable in the second and third year, and is offered annually for academic excellence to undergraduate students entering first year at the Schulich School of Engineering. 

Hannah Kim 
LCVI graduate Hannah Kim has won the Horatio Alger National Entrepreneurial Scholarship worth $25,000. It is awarded to 10 students across Canada who demonstrate a strong commitment to pursue and begin a Bachelor’s degree program at an accredited university in Canada starting fall 2026, the desire and ability to be entrepreneurial in a chosen field, who have been involved in co-curricular activities and community service, and who display integrity and perseverance in overcoming adversity. 

Malika Rouse 
LCVI graduate Malika Rouse has been awarded McMaster University’s Brighter World Entrance Award of $5,000. This award was established in 2020 by the university to celebrate the achievements of Black students entering an undergraduate program. 
 
Clara Christopher 
LCVI graduate Clara Christopher has been awarded the Ken and Ann Watts Memorial Foundation Scholarship of $3,000. This scholarship is awarded to students who will be entering a Canadian college or university program which will provide training for an arts career.  
 
Students must have participated in a National Theatre School of Canada’s District Festival production in the year of the application, and have demonstrated exceptional talent in, and commitment to, the arts in their school and community. 

Community Foundation for Lennox and Addington Student Awards 2026 
On Tuesday, June 9, 2026, the Community Foundation for Lennox and Addington held its annual “Take It for Granted” evening in Selby.  

This year, $84,000 in student awards were presented to Limestone District School Board graduating students from Lennox and Addington County who are heading to post-secondary school.   

Since inception, the Foundation has distributed $2.16 million to charitable causes and student awards thanks to the generosity of donors. 

Charlotte Uens Student Award

Established in 2009, this award is made possible by the donation of Stuart Uens in remembrance of his mother, Charlotte. The Uens family understood the value of working hard. It is designed to help those students who share the Uens’ values of hard work and education by providing annual awards to graduates of Napanee District Secondary School (NDSS) for their post-secondary education.  

Maya Bellegarde, Katie Buchan, Jocelyn Corriveau, Abby Kelsey, Natasha Kennedy-Eros, Chloe McArthur, Elizabeth Miller, Finlay Paul, Laney Wansborough, Vienna Ballance-Hinch, Megan Delarosbil, Richard James Punchard, Ryder Steven Punchard, Autumn Ramwood, Noah van der Werf 

Mary Jo Field Indigenous Student Award 

Established in 2024, this student award is made possible by the donation of David Field and family in remembrance of his wife Mary Jo. The Field family understand the value of working hard. They also made education a priority. Understanding that the cost of education could be prohibitive for some students, they established this fund. It is designed to help an Indigenous student, who shares the Fields’ values of hard work and education, to take the next step to a post-secondary school education. 

Abby Scott, North Addington Education Centre (NAEC) 

Werk Poole Student Award

Established in 2004, The Werk Poole Student Award was introduced as a tribute to Werk Poole, a leader in the Napanee community for many years. 

This fund annually disburses an award to a graduating secondary school student, resident of Lennox and Addington County, who has been accepted into a Leadership Training Program. The student will have demonstrated knowledge of, and interest in, the qualities inherent in leadership roles. Significant community ties and volunteer experience would be possible indicators of a student’s commitment to a leadership program. 

Chloe Mazurski, NAEC 

Camden East Women’s Institute Student Award

Established in 2006, this fund will provide an annual award for a Napanee District Secondary School student to attend a community college as follows: this student should be a resident of Camden East Ward #1 / Newburgh Ward #2 areas and awarded based upon criteria set out by the Camden East Women’s Institute. Candidates will be recommended by Napanee District Secondary School. 

Devan Maxwell 

Goodyear Student Award  

Established in 2002, the Goodyear Award provides an award to a graduating high school student from Lennox and Addington County, for the purpose of post-secondary education and training in technical education. 

Ryder Steven Punchard, NDSS 

Rotary Club of Napanee Service Above Self Student Award 

Established in 2024, the Napanee Rotary “Service Above Self” Award recognizes one graduating student from each Lennox and Addington high school who is planning on attending post-secondary education. It is designed to support a student who has demonstrated a dedication to serving their community by leading or actively participating in initiatives which improve an aspect of their community in a meaningful way. 

The three successful students will be chosen by their high schools – NDSS, Ernestown Secondary School (ESS), and NAEC. 

Karlee Hickey, ESS
Abby Kelsey, NDSS
Chloe Mazurski, NAEC 

Ross and Helen Oliver Student Award   

This award is made possible through the donation of John and David Oliver in loving memory of their father, Ross and mother, Helen. The Olivers were both passionate about education and its amazing platform that helps shape the future and personal growth of our young people.  

Students must be attending NDSS pursuing post-secondary education in the upcoming school year. 

Abigail Misevicius
Nara Rickard 

The Val Brooks-McEwen Memorial Award 

Established this year, 2026, in memory of Val Brooks-McEwen, recognizing 40 years of service at NDSS. Presented to a graduating NDSS student who exemplifies kindness, a strong work ethic, and a commitment to inclusion. 

Lauryn Card
Ellah Reynolds 

Congratulations to all scholarship winners!