OMDREB Celebrates 2024 Annual Scholarship Winners

The Oakville, Milton and District Real Estate Board’s annual Scholarship Awards Ceremony recognizes the talented students and winners of the OMDREB Annual Scholarship. This year’s Awards Ceremony was held the afternoon of Wednesday, June 12, 2024.

This year, OMDREB’s Annual Scholarship focus reflects our 2024 President’s Charity, which is the Shifra Homes Inc. Shifra Homes Inc. is a maternity residence in the Region of Halton that assists young, homeless, pregnant women between the ages of 16 and 27. This year’s essay submissions were creative, thought provoking, and well-researched.

In alphabetical order, the winners of the 2024 OMDREB Scholarship Awards are:

Abbey Boone – Garth Webb Secondary School

Abbey pushes herself to be her very best. She excels in English and enjoys writing stories. During the pandemic, Abbey found exercising lifted her spirits, and in doing so found her passion. It changed her life. She goes to the gym everyday, has reached her fitness goals, feels great and now wants to help and motivate others to do the same. Abbey will be attending the Health, Wellness and Fitness program at Mohawk College in September. She is determined to realize her dream and become a Fitness Trainer.

A notable quote from Abbey’s essay was, “Shifra Homes Inc. is a lifeline for homeless pregnant women in our community. It’s a place where they can find safety, support, and understanding during one of the most challenging times of their lives. By supporting organizations like Shifra Homes Inc., we’re showing homeless pregnant women that they’re not alone and that there are people who care about them and want to help. Having this supportive and safe home will make the pregnancy easier, and empower these young mothers to approach their futures with a positive outlook, knowing they have the stability and resources to thrive.”

Asiya Khan – St. Francis Xavier

Asiya shows considerable dedication and interest in her schoolwork and extra-curricular activities. She consistently applies herself to difficult tasks with an optimistic attitude and always reaches for the highest standards in all that she does.

Asiya applies professionalism, attention to detail, and dedication to any task she undertakes.

A notable quote from Asiya’s essay was, “Homelessness is a multifaceted issue that affects individuals from all walks of life, but its impact is particularly profound when it intersects with pregnancy, especially among young mothers. The challenges faced by homeless pregnant young mothers are unique and complex, and they can have far-reaching implications for both the mothers themselves and their children. By looking at how the barriers faced by homeless pregnant young mothers affect their children, and examining the potential long-term implications of these challenges, possible solutions to address this pressing issue can arise.”

Sarah Kolbasnik – Oakville Trafalgar High School

Sarah is confident, organized and outgoing. The true mark of her character is that none of these traits feel forced or brandished to impress, but come in a natural and easy way that makes her both charismatic and reliable.

Any task Sarah is given is done with care and consideration. She is not afraid to ask questions when guidance is needed but will also seek her own solutions when appropriate. When asking for help, Sarah is always respectful and considerate.

She is a mature student and would have no trouble fitting into any professional environment.

A notable quote from Sarah’s essay was, “Governments are increasingly recognizing that home affordability is a true societal crisis, and needs to be a priority for public policy. There is a risk of bifurcating society based on home ownership, and based on generational status as most younger people and families struggle to afford homes, while older generations have purchased homes during a much more affordable time. There is risk of societal disruption and unrest if these divides worsen. Governments need to find ways to make homes affordable and accessible.”

Mariam Mahmood – Oakville Trafalgar High School

Mariam stands out as a student who pushes herself to be better, who connects with people, and who isn’t afraid to take risks and tackle important issues.

She is dedicated, positive, and thoughtful, and is easily recognized as the type of student who will take the lead to help others and commit to a grinding schedule in order to get the best out of herself and her experiences. 

A notable quote from Mariam’s essay was, “By fostering collaboration among stakeholders and prioritizing the needs of Ontario’s diverse communities, the province can embark on a path toward sustainable and equitable housing solutions. Through collective effort and commitment, Ontario can create a future where individuals and families can thrive in safe, affordable, and accessible homes, ensuring the well-being and prosperity of all its residents.”

Thank you to our panel of judges for their time and effort in determining the winners:

• Nancy Romic, Executive Director of Shifra Homes Inc., which is OMDREB’s President’s Charity for 2024.
• Yiin Shayegan, OMDREB Director and the Chair of OMDREB’s YPN Committee
• Laura Pipes, OMDREB’s Manager of Operations and Administration

We also wish to thank Mayor Rob Burton of Oakville for joining us and celebrating our winners!

To our award winners, we wish you the best of luck in your future academic endeavours.

Watch the virtual Scholarship Award Ceremony below: