UFCW 1006A member Argenis Burgos Torres was elated to be awarded the 2024 UFCW 1006A Scholarship.
“I'm so happy I was selected – this has made my year,” said Torres, who is a first-year student at George Brown College for Animation. “This means the world to me. It’s a tremendous help, especially since my chosen career requires higher-budget electronics. I’m incredibly grateful to be part of the union.”
Torres was among the 42 members and/or dependents of members who received a union educational scholarship this year. Since the program’s inception a decade ago, the local union has helped hundreds of students and families across Ontario deal with the high cost of post-secondary education.
“This scholarship means a lot to me because it will help me focus more on my studies without worrying too much about financial stress,” said Alyssa Chung-Campbell, who is studying nursing at Toronto Metropolitan University. “I’ll be using this support towards my tuition – the scholarship allows me to pursue my goals and put more time into my education.”
“Receiving the UFCW Canada Local 1006A scholarship is such an honour,” said Hannah Bagley, who is studying at McMaster University with a focus on Environment & Society and Sociology. “This award is a great help in supporting my journey towards becoming an educator.”
Bagley’s father is a UFCW 1006A member at the Aspect. “The union's work towards fairness, equality and justice in the workplace is also foundational to my future goals in education,” she said. “I value the importance of fostering inclusive respectful environments where everyone has a voice in order to succeed.”
UFCW 1006A member Joshua Mandani, who is studying Computer Science at Toronto Metropolitan University, was also grateful to receive the scholarship.
"Receiving this additional funding means a great deal to me, especially given the current economic climate and the costs of being a full-time student,” he said. “Thanks to this scholarship, I can comfortably cover the upcoming semester of my program, giving me one less thing to worry about.”
UFCW 1006A member Sarah Daniel said the scholarship will greatly support her journey toward earning her Bachelor of Education.
“The financial support will allow me to focus more fully on my studies and develop the skills I need to positively impact my future students,” she said.
Frogh Hamdam, who is studying political science at the University of Toronto, was thrilled to learn she won the scholarship.
“This scholarship truly helps with the cost of school and gives me extra motivation to keep pushing forward,” she said. “I’m proud to be part of a union that supports its members and their families in such a meaningful way.”
President Wayne Hanley congratulated this year’s scholarship recipients.
“UFCW 1006A is proud to support our members and their families achieve their dream of post-secondary education,” said President Wayne Hanley. “Unions are at the forefront of making life better for all workers and this scholarship program is part of our commitment to building a fairer world for all.”
Oliver Bowes, who is studying at the University of Western Ontario, was thankful to receive the scholarship.
"Receiving the 1006A Union Scholarship is both an honour and a testament to the values of solidarity and support within our community,” he said. “It reaffirms my commitment to pursuing my education and career goals while upholding the principles of collective advocacy that the union stands for."
Scholarships for the 2025 school year are now open.
List of Scholarship Recipients
Mayomikun Afolabi
Kartik Agnihotry
Bashar Al-loos
Hannah Bagley
Anshleen Bajaj
Emma Beggs
Maxene Behrens
Oliver Bowes
Will Bruce
Melissa Cartagena Rivas
Alyssa Chung-Campbell
Angelina Couto
Maxwell Currie
Sarah Daniel
Emily Dewal
Emily Dubuque
Bereket Estifanos
Thaddeus Fajardo
Jacob Faulkner
Autumn Fogal
Remcy Guimban
Elisha Gacusan
Frogh Hamdam
Frederick Hayes
Kelsey Hazel
Mariam Hussain
Eleni Janic
Neveah Lozano
Joanne Luong
Ainsley Lyons
Joshua Mandani
Nadia MacLeod
Zoyeb Mansuri
Shubham Popat Mulay
Sanchuthan Nadeswarathasan
Marifel Parajas
Kyle Sarcol
Matthew Shin-Scott
Jennifer Siove
Kesan Sivaruban
Argenis Burgos Torres
Peyton Wilson
