RAYS announces this year’s recipients
The latest crop of RAYS (Resources for Area Youth Success) scholars is off and running. Chairperson Barbara Lemaire says the RAYS Summer Social was an opportunity to introduce honourees before sending them off to pursue post- secondary studies.
Since 2012, RAYS has awarded more than $600,000 to students moving on to university, college and apprenticeship programs. There are two categories of awards for university-bound students: the University award of up to $20,000 over four years and the Award of Merit of $4,000 over two years. College bound students are eligible for $2,000 per year and students entering apprenticeship programs, there are one-time awards of $1,300.
Lemaire says every RAYS student is a success.
“They’ve already graduated high school and thought long and hard to select a career path,” she said. “We see students these days becoming increasingly focused on what their interests are, past experience with school and extracurricular activities and world context.”
The 2025 graduates include several who have chosen further studies in math, science and engineering, several enrolled in skilled trades programs including a student who will be studying welding and fabrication at Cambrian College and another who is training to become a firefighter.
Lemaire says there are several families who have had more than one student in the RAYS program. She proudly notes that former student Rylie Farness, who used her scholarship to pursue a Bachelor of Social Work degree, has come back to this area to work in her field and has joined the RAYS board as director of communications and social media.
Mentorship is an important element of the RAYS program, and organizers are pleased to connect previous graduates with current students to share their experiences. The program is open to students attending Stayner Collegiate Institute, Collingwood Collegiate Institute, Our Lady of the Bay Catholic High School, Centre Dufferin District High School, Robert F. Hall High School, ESC Nouvelle Alliance and Ecole Secondaire Romeo-Dallaire.
The recipients are:
University awards
Miles Dempsey – Dempsey graduated from Collingwood Collegiate Institute in June of 2024 then took a gap year to work in construction and travel. While at CCI, he excelled not only academically but in all aspects of school life. As a member of several high school sports teams, he achieved many honours including Senior Athlete of the Year. He is a classical guitarist and played in a band that performed at school and community events. He has supported his community as a volunteer at the Village Green, as a youth basketball coach and as a member of a provincial championship hockey team. Dempsey has been admitted to the Bachelor of Engineering program at Dalhousie University, and he has been invited to run on the varsity track team.
Hailey Griffin – Griffin graduated from Our Lady of the Bay Catholic High School where she was recognized as an outstanding student. She was a member of the school’s debate team, participated on several sports teams, took on leadership roles as a manager for other teams and volunteered as a Grade 9 Link Crew leader. Outside of school, she has successfully balanced part-time jobs with her role on a dance team, both as a competitor and as an instructor for the younger dancers. She has been accepted to the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) program at Queen’s University where she plans to study Political Science and hopes to study law.
Alyssa Rowbotham – Rowbotham graduated from Our Lady of the Bay Catholic High School where she achieved outstanding academic results while also making a significant contribution to her school and community. She was the yearbook editor, a Student Senator on the Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board, a member of the Student Leadership Committee and the school’s representative to the Ontario Student Leadership Conference. She has also had lead roles in theatre productions both at school and in the community. At commencement, Rowbotham was valedictorian and received the Governor General Bronze Medal in recognition of achieving the highest average in her graduating class. She has been accepted to the Bachelor of Medical Science program at Western University.
Christopher Stephens – During his years at Stayner Collegiate Institute, Stephens was student council treasurer, led a committee in the NASA Space Apps Challenge and led a group of artists who painted a mural on the Township of Clearview’s Tourist Centre. He contributed to community events such as the arts festivals and he was a volunteered as a technology assistant at the Clearview Public Library. He achieved outstanding academic results in all of his courses while balancing his co-curricular activities and a part-time job. Stephens has accepted an offer to Honours Civil Engineering Co-op at the University of Waterloo with a goal of becoming a transportation engineer with a focus on rail transit.
Awards of Merit
Hannah Bloemendal – A graduate of Stayner Collegiate Institute, Bloemendal was student council president, a key organizer in numerous school events, including the Terry Fox Run, Grade 8 Day and Remembrance Day. Bloemendal made a significantcontribution to almost every school team, earning her the Senior Athlete Award. She received several other awards at commencement, including the Excellence in Education Award and the Math Award. Bloemendal has also held part-time jobs and has volunteered at numerous community events such as the Copper Kettle and the Purple Hills Arts Festival. This fall she will enrol in the Bachelor of Engineering, Biomedical and Mechanical, Co-operative Education program at Carleton University.
Isabella May – May is a graduate of Stayner Collegiate Institute, where she was highly involved in school life. She was the Social Convener on Student’s Council, managed the school’s Instagram account, created social media posts and digital posters and used her technical skills to support many aspects of school life. She contributed to Grade 8 day as a leader and by creating a digital slide show. In the community she broadened her social media skills, digital design capability and video editing skills when promoting the Siskins and Coyotes hockey teams. She balanced her part-time job, her community volunteer and extracurricular school commitments with her academic responsibilities and has achieved outstanding academic results. Isabella has accepted an offer to the Bachelor of Sport Management program at Brock University.
Apprenticeships
Shane Bowman – Bowman graduated from Stayner Collegiate Institute in June 2025. While at SCI, Shane worked with Steer Enterprises during his co-op programs. Shane has now joined Steer Enterprises as an apprentice (Truck and Coach Technician).
Graham Monahan – Monahan graduated from Stayner Collegiate Institute in June 2024. While at SCI, Graham participated in the Dual Credit Plumbing course at Georgian College, Midland campus. Graham has joined James Cober Plumbing as a plumber apprentice.
College awards
Viktoria Williams – During her Grade 12 year, Williams successfully completed a co-op placement with the Collingwood Fire Department. After graduating from SCI in June of 2025, she participated in the Fire Fighting Camp for Girls at Wasaga Beach before beginning a one-year Pre-Service Fire Fighting program at St. Lawrence College.
Keaghan Dea – Dea graduated from Collingwood Collegiate Institute in June 2025. While at CCI, Dea completed her co-op placement at MacLean Engineering in the welding division. She also participated in the welding competition of Skills Ontario. Dea has been accepted into Cambrian College (Sudbury) in their two-year Welding and Fabrication Technician program.
Jackson Mitchell – Mitchell travelled to New Zealand to work after graduating from Stayner Collegiate Institute in June of 2024. He is now ready to begin his post-secondary studies at Algonquin College in their two-year Electro Mechanical Engineering program.
Jack Walsh – Walsh graduated from Stayner Collegiate Institute in June 2025. While at SCI, he participated in a co-op placement with Barber Millwork and Cabinetry. Walsh has been accepted into the Architecture Technology program at Georgian College.
Erika Barton – Barton graduated from Stayner Collegiate Institute in June 2025. While at SCI, she participated in sports and student council. Barton has been accepted into the two-year Practical Nursing program at Georgian College.
Samantha Grohal – While at CDDHS, Grohal participated in a Dual Credit program at Conestoga College learning the basics of pastry making. Grohal has been accepted into Conestoga College in Waterloo in the Bakery and Pastry Arts Management program.
