The Aurora Chamber of Commerce is boosting the future careers of two Aurora high school graduates with $5,000 scholarships each.
Michael Quarcoopome, a student at Dr. G. W. Williams Secondary School won the $5,000 skilled trades scholarship, in support of his career as an auto mechanic.
Maria Khomyakova, a student at École secondaire catholique Renaissance won the $5,000 manufacturing scholarship, in support of her career in the manufacturing industry.
Quarcoopome said he knew had an interest in cars from a young age. His dad was a mechanic in Ghana and would often help family members with their cars. The family would also visit the auto show every year.
When Quarcoopome called his parents to share the news of his scholarship, he said his mother, Ruby, “was yelling over the phone and my dad was the same.”
“I think their excitement might have topped my own, they were very excited, they were very happy for me,” he said. “They were the ones who were pushing me to, ‘Get it done, get it done quick.’”
“Hearing that from them, honestly it was a heartfelt moment. It really, made me happy.”
Quarcoopome has already completed level one of three of his mechanic qualifications through Centennial College and is currently working on his apprenticeship hours. He said the scholarship would help cover the cost of his tools and school supplies.
Khomyakova plans to study business administration at York University in the hopes of launching her manufacturing career.
“When I got the call, I was relieved and happy, I remember just being very, very happy and being really excited to tell my family because it really is a huge help, and it means so much to us,” she said.
The 18-year-old’s curiosity was piqued by manufacturing when she was doing a summer co-op at INKAS, a Toronto-based company that manufactures armoured vehicles and safes.
“I think business will give me a solid base to go info manufacturing in the future,” she said. “My parents are in business, I had that business interest from an early age.”
The chamber launched the Business Engaging Youth scholarship program last year, and will continue to offer two scholarships each year as a legacy initiative, executive director Sandra Ferri said.
The program is supported by local businesses, including presenting sponsor Bazil Developments, skilled trades scholarship sponsor The Lind Realty Team, manufacturing scholarship sponsor Bunn, and event sponsors Almac Industrial Systems, KTI Industries and Magna International.
