Four Cathedral High School students are celebrating a significant achievement as recipients of the McMaster University Access Award, a prestigious scholarship designed to support academically qualified students from equity-deserving and historically under-represented groups in Hamilton and the surrounding area.
The Access Award provides funding for four years of post-secondary education at McMaster University, along with mentorship, employment opportunities and academic supports to help recipients succeed throughout their university journey.
For Cathedral students Oluwatomi Odunfa, Najma Hassan, Barakat Adedeji and Farel Ngoida, the award represents not only financial relief, but an opportunity to pursue their goals and build a bright future. Each student has been awarded $40,000 over four years, which will support their post-secondary education as they pursue studies in social sciences.
Oluwatomi Odunfa, Vice President of Cathedral's Black Student Union, said the scholarship is “life changing, an answered prayer, and truly a dream come true.”
“It is an honour to be selected as a recipient among so many students with demonstrated financial need from equity-deserving backgrounds,” she said. “The Access Award provides the financial relief and opportunities I need to grow academically, professionally and personally. It eases the financial burden of post-secondary expenses, allowing me to focus fully on my education and make the most of my undergraduate experience. It also lifts a great weight off my single mom who is supporting me while also helping my sister through medical school.”
The same sentiment is shared by Najma Hassan, Community Outreach Representative of Cathedral's Black Student Union.
“Growing up in Hamilton’s inner-city taught me to work hard, take initiative, and not let my circumstances define my future, she shared. Receiving this award is an opportunity to focus more on my education and goals. It has helped me feel more secure about being able to afford my education. Most importantly, this award represents an opportunity reach my full potential, and build a better future for myself, my family, and my community.”
For Barakat Adedeji, Social Media Representative of Cathedral's Black Student Union, the award has made university feel possible and less overwhelmed financially.
“As someone who tried her hardest throughout high school while also balancing responsibilities at home, receiving this award felt like recognition of all the effort I put into getting here,” she said. “It has given me the opportunity to focus more on my education and my goals at McMaster without having to worry as much about the financial barriers of university. I'm grateful to McMaster for giving me this opportunity”
Finally, Farel Ngoida said:
"Receiving the Access Award means a lot to me because it gives me the opportunity to pursue my education at McMaster University without putting as much financial pressure on my family. Coming from a large family, I understand how important financial support can be. This scholarship motivates me to work hard, make the most of my university experience, and continue building a future that I can be proud of. I’m forever grateful to everyone who made this opportunity possible."
All students' achievement is a reflection of their academic accomplishments, leadership and commitment to their school community, noted Katrina Collins-Samuels, Graduation Coach for Black Students.
“Their involvement in Cathedral's Black Student Union has also helped create opportunities for other students and establish a legacy of leadership within the school,” added Collins-Samuels.
“I've had the pleasure of knowing Barakat, Najma and Tomi since they were in Gade 9. I’m so proud of them. They are the epitome of what Cathedral stands for – excellence. They have established a foundation of excellence within the Black Student Union that hundreds of students will have the opportunity to look up to and build on.”
