OMDREB Celebrates 2026 Scholarship Award Winners
June 23, 2026
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The Oakville, Milton and District Real Estate Board’s (OMDREB) Scholarship Awards Ceremony recognizes the talented students and winners of our annual scholarship program. The 2026 Awards Ceremony was held virtually the afternoon of Wednesday, June 17. A full recap can be watched below.
This year, OMDREB’s Annual Scholarship focus reflected our 2026 President’s Charity, Support House. Support House is a community-based non-profit with more than 42 years of experience providing supportive housing, access to healthcare, peer support, and outreach services across Halton Region. Guided by the belief that everyone has the right to housing and healthcare, Support House delivers person-directed, inclusive supports for individuals with complex mental health, substance use, housing, and health needs, grounded in dignity, safety, and strong community connection.
Our essay submissions from students were creative, thought provoking, and well-researched! In alphabetical order, the winners of the 2026 OMDREB Scholarship Awards, each receiving a $2,000 grant, are:
Cameron Bradbury from Burlington, graduating from Burlington Central High School
Cameron is an excellent student who consistently earns strong grades while contributing positively to school life, primarily through athletics. He has been a committed member of both the basketball and volleyball teams and has demonstrated exceptional leadership as a captain in both sports. Furthermore, Cameron has shown independence, curiosity, adaptability, and a willingness to step outside his comfort zone through EduTravel, where he earned academic credit while studying in the United Kingdom, New York City, and Costa Rica.
A notable quote from Cameron’s essay was, “I thought supportive housing was mostly emergency shelter. Now I see it differently. It can be preventative, community-based, and life-changing in ways that are not always visible. It can help a single parent stay in school, support a senior with dignity, give a person with a disability independence, or help a student transition to adulthood. Housing is not just where people sleep. It is where they belong. It is what allows people to build a life. That is why services like Support House need to continue being funded in our society.”
Charlie Hune from Oakville, graduating from T.A. Blakelock High School.
Charlie always demonstrates superior conscientiousness and work habits. As a result, Charlie’s achievement has been consistently outstanding, with marks in the 90’s. Charlie demonstrates a keen understanding of concepts and theories, and is able to apply those concepts to real-world situations, illustrating his higher-level thinking, and problem solving skills. He is a very curious learner, always striving to absorb the most from his classes, and he asks insightful questions that drive classroom discussions.
A notable quote from Charlie’s essay was, “It’s also important to recognize the stigma and judgement that people face when struggling with homelessness or housing insecurity. Feeling looked down on or excluded is very damaging to a person’s sense of worth and can make mental health struggles even worse. In addition to this, unhoused people often face more barriers to receiving care. They are looked at as less than, dirty, criminal, and not worthy. Every person deserves safety, respect, and opportunity. Stable housing helps restore dignity and provides a sense of belonging and normalcy. It allows individuals to feel respected and valued, which is a key part of maintaining good mental health.”
Devin Kenny from Milton, graduating from Elsie MacGill Secondary School
Devin’s leadership in group settings shows his respect for diverse perspectives. When conflicts arise, he doesn’t push his own agenda; instead, he works to find middle ground where everyone feels heard. This ability to build a truly inclusive environment was a major reason he was awarded the “Elsie,” his school’s top honor for community members. Devin’s drive to create high-quality work, combined with his genuine care for social harmony, makes him a young man who will surely make a positive impact on society.
A notable quote from Devin’s essay was, “Young people in the Halton Region face significant challenges when trying to imagine their future, largely due to the lack of affordable housing and the instability of the rental market. High costs, low vacancy rates, and an over-reliance on private condominium rentals have made it increasingly difficult for young people to secure stable housing or work toward homeownership. By increasing the availability of purpose-built rental housing and by implementing supportive policies, these challenges can be addressed. Creating a more accessible and stable housing environment is essential not only for young people but for the long-term health and sustainability of the entire community.”
Kevin Rjeousski from Oakville, graduating from Iroquois Ridge Secondary School
Kevin not only excels academically, but he also approaches all things with enthusiasm and a positive attitude, even when tackling challenging problems. He seeks out opportunities to challenge himself, works well with others, and demonstrates excellent interpersonal skills. He is a very inclusive student who would always lend a helping hand to his peers. Kevin is truly an excellent, well-rounded student who stands out among others, and is kind, enthusiastic, and passionate.
A notable quote from Kevin’s essay was, “The Halton Region has and continues to be unattainable for the vast majority of young people. Changing that will require significant political will and support from all levels of government, purposeful investment, and public support. These changes can lead to the younger generation finally being able to imagine a future in the Halton Region, opening up the region to a demographic that has previously been largely locked out. With these measures, the Halton Region can become the inclusive and equitable community it seeks to be.”
Rida Salimi from Oakville, graduating from Garth Webb Secondary School
Rida prides herself on exceptional dedication to academic achievement, athletic commitment, and community involvement. In addition to her academic strengths, Rida possesses excellent communication skills—both written and oral—and displays remarkable empathy, leadership, and collaboration. Her volunteer work at Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital, alongside her roles as a swim instructor and youth library leader, highlight her genuine commitment to helping others and adaptability in diverse environments. These experiences have strengthened her passion for pursuing a career in healthcare, where she aims to combine her interpersonal skills and scientific knowledge to make a meaningful difference.
A notable quote from Rida’s essay was, “From an early age, I learned that the most meaningful forms of care begin not with action, but with attention. Listening, truly listening, has the power to restore dignity, build trust, and reveal needs that are often invisible on the surface. While I once associated this lesson primarily with healthcare, I have come to understand that it extends far beyond clinical settings. It applies just as urgently to one of the most pressing social issues today: housing insecurity. Communities, in my view, carry a profound responsibility to support vulnerable populations in accessing safe, stable housing, because housing is not simply a physical structure. Rather, it is the foundation upon which opportunity is built.”
Thank you to the judges and volunteers that helped make the 2026 scholarship a success:
- Heidi Noel, 2026 OMDREB President
- Lorraine McLachlan, OMDREB’s Chief Executive Officer
- Carole Caron, Heather Albertson, and Christina Jabalee from Support House
- Laura Pipes, OMDREB’s Manager of Operations and Administration
- John Rich, OMDREB’s Manager of Communications and Public Affairs
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.
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