OFSAA and the Brian Maxwell Memorial Scholarship Fund are pleased to announce the student-athletes awarded the 2014 scholarships and Ontario Awards for Excellence.
The scholarship fund is in memory of Brian Maxwell, a successful distance runner and entrepreneur, and co-founder of PowerBar, who later suffered a heart attack that claimed his life. Brian competed in Track & Field and Cross Country and achieved success as an OFSAA champion, Canadian junior, juvenile and senior champion, numerous international marathons, and as a member of the 1980 Canadian Olympic Marathon team.
The Brian Maxwell Memorial Scholarship is awarded each year to two student athletes that will be continuing their post secondary education at a Canadian College or University, and display qualities of honesty, integrity, compassion and an unwavering quest to accomplish the best he could academically and athletically while supporting his fellow team members.
One male and one female are awarded separate scholarships in the amounts of $5,000 each. The 2014 recipients are Mark Schmidt of Stratford, and Maggie Scheunert of Ottawa.
Mark Schmidt recently graduated from Stratford Northwestern Secondary School with a 90% average. As a distance runner, Mark finished 20th in OFSAA cross country in grade 12 and 10th in grade 10 as the three-time MVP of both his track and cross country team. Mark is also an award-winning youth hockey coach and has fundraised for Alzheimer Society, Muscular Dystrophy, and St. Martin of Tours Church. Mark will be studying engineering at Queen’s University this fall.
Maggie Scheunert is a graduate of Ecole secondaire catholique Garneau and finished with an average of 85%. She competed in OFSAA cross country grades 10,11, and 12, and won gold in 1500 steeple chase at 2014 OFSAA Track & Field. She helped coach school teams, set up Nordic skiing and volleyball teams, finished third in an Ottawa business competition, first in the Waterloo mathematics competition, and participated in a humanitarian trip to Jamaica. Maggie will also be studying engineering at Queen’s University and plans to pursue a career in research and development of prosthetics.
The Brian Maxwell Memorial Scholarship Fund also organizes the Ontario Award for Excellence that presents a $1000 scholarship to student-athletes continuing to Canadian University or College. This year, the Fund elected to recognize a record four student-athletes with this award. The 2014 recipients are Paige Nock, Cailie McGuire, Brandon Thomas, and Nicholas Vukelic.
Paige Nock recently graduated from Courtice Secondary School (Courtice) with a 90% average, overcoming a learning disability and reading disorder. Paige qualified for OFSAA cross country every year, and this year at Track & Field placed fourth at 800m and fifth at 1500m, and will compete in the World Junior Championships at the 800m. Paige organized cross country events in elementary schools and will be studying psychology at Simon Fraser University to pursue a career helping children with learning disabilities.
Cailie McGuire graduated from Loyola Catholic Secondary School (Mississauga) with a 91% average. In the field Cailie qualified for OFSAA cross country every year since grade nine and achieved success on the track culminating with OFSAA silver in steeple chase this year. She was instrumental organizing intramurals and fitness clubs at school, and organized workshops to teach skating to new Canadians. Cailie will study physical education at the University of New Brunswick.
Brandon Thomas wrapped up his high school career at Paris District High School (Paris) with a 92% average, and finished in the top-15 at OFSAA Cross Country every year including bronze in grade 10. Brandon prepared a video called “The Myth of Lactic Acid”, coordinated fundraising events for the Canadian Cancer Society, and tutored and coordinated programs for the younger grades. Brandon will study science at Queen’s University with plans to pursue a career in medicine.
Nicholas Vukelic graduated from St. Aloysius Gonzaga Secondary School (Mississauga) with a 97% average. Nicholas qualified for OFSAA cross country his final two years of high school and placed tenth in steeple chase this year. He was valedictorian of his class, traveled to Dominican Republic on an outreach mission, served as head prefect of his school’s leadership organization and won the Edward King Memorial Award for leadership and academics. Nicholas will study a combined engineering and business degree at the University of Western Ontario Richard Ivey School of Business.
“I am very proud and impressed by each and every one of the Brian Maxwell Scholarship recipients,” said Jennifer Maxwell, wife of Brian and co-founder of PowerBar Corporation. “I’m so glad that running and academics have been such an important part of all your lives. I wish you much continued success as you go on to college and beyond.”
Congratulations to all scholarship recipients and we wish you the best of luck in continuing your educations and athletic careers at the post-secondary level!
CLICK HERE for more information on the award, past recipients, and how to apply
