Entente Education Canada Scholarships 2026 (image)

Toronto, Ontario, Aug. 10, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In Canada, a new generation of leaders and changemakers is taking shape. To support them, Entente Education Canada (formerly RTOERO) is awarding $105,000 worth of scholarships to 35 students this year.

“When we invest in students, we invest in the future of our communities. Our scholarship program champions students who are set to make a positive social impact, representing the compassion and commitment that Canada needs,” says John Cappelletti, Chair, Board of Directors, Entente Education Canada.

The scholarships include two programs:

Inspire scholarships (30 this year) support students who are pursuing careers that align with our organization’s vision for aging well.
Legacy scholarships (five this year) support teacher training candidates, which is one way that we honour our organization’s roots and legacy in education.

Both programs are available to the friends and family of Entente Education Canada’s 88,000-plus members. Students are nominated by members from Entente districts across Canada. Since 2006, Entente Education Canada has awarded over $864,000 in scholarships to more than 519 students. The 2026 scholarships are valued at $3,000 each.

“Beyond the financial support, these scholarships are a vote of confidence in young people who are ready to make a difference,” says Cappelletti. “Every one of these students has a story of purpose and service.”

Here are those stories.

Inspire Scholarships

Student	Program	Student interests and goals
Matt Andersen Nominated from District 49 The Prairies	Diploma, Advanced Care Paramedic – Northern Alberta Institute of Technology	Matt is driven by a deep commitment to service, shaped by his time in the Canadian Armed Forces. He was also moved by the excellence of paramedics through his experiences as a patient. After earning a Primary Care Paramedic certification, he chose to pursue advanced training to better support patients with complex health needs. Matt hopes to work in community paramedicine, providing in‑home assessments and interventions that prevent hospitalizations and help seniors stay active and independent.
Christina Benec Nominated from District 15 Halton	MSc, Occupational Therapy – Queen’s University	Christina’s experience working in a retirement home, especially during the COVID‑19 pandemic, shaped her understanding of how isolation affects cognitive and emotional well‑being. That strengthened her desire to support seniors through client‑centred care. She’s passionate about helping older adults age in place through rehabilitation, adaptive strategies and meaningful activities. Whether working in community, rehabilitation or acute care settings, Christina hopes to support older adults in living fulfilled and engaged lives.
Marissa Bonilla Diamond Nominated from District 13 Hamilton-Wentworth & Haldimand	MSc, Physiotherapy – McMaster University	With a strong foundation in kinesiology and six years working in a retirement home, Marissa has seen firsthand how illness and mobility loss affect seniors’ well‑being. She’s committed to evidence‑based care that supports chronic disease management, fall prevention and functional rehabilitation. She hopes to work closely with older adults across community and clinical settings, and also advocate for more equitable and inclusive care.
Zachary Bordan Nominated from District 34 York Region	BSc, Life Sciences – Queen’s University	Zachary is committed to improving cardiovascular health and active aging through both clinical care and research. His volunteer work in cardiac rehabilitation and adapted exercise programs has helped older adults rebuild strength and independence after cardiac events. Zachary has contributed to major research initiatives, including creating a SportsCardiology BC Registry, to help advance clinical decision‑making and long‑term outcomes. He hopes to become a cardiologist‑researcher focused on designing scalable interventions that support mobility and functional capacity for older adults.
Sarai Cameron Nominated from District 22 Etobicoke and York	BScN, Nursing – Sheridan College	Sarai’s path to nursing is rooted in seeing the difference compassionate care made in the lives of older adults in her family. She hopes to work closely with this age group, focusing on preventive care, resilience and community connection. Her volunteer work in church programs and shelters reflects her dedication to service, belonging and well‑being. She plans to carry those values into her nursing career.
Adam Courchesne Nominated from District 43 Nipissing	MD – Queen’s University	Adam’s background in biomedical engineering included developing a wearable device to improve physiotherapy adherence for seniors with osteoarthritis. As a software developer, he also contributed to healthcare technology that improves emergency department access. Adam combines his technical skills with a deep respect for patient autonomy. He aims to address critical gaps in seniors’ care by becoming a family physician near his home in North Bay, Ont.
Isabella Forbes Nominated from District 24 Scarborough and East York	BScN, Nursing – Western University	After starting her program, Isabella gained an even stronger passion for nursing when she supported her best friend through a major injury. She saw how skilled, compassionate nurses shaped her recovery. Isabella aims to have that sort of impact with older adults in intensive care, combining clinical skills with patient‑centred advocacy. Isabella is also committed to advocating for system‑level improvements that enhance patients’ overall well‑being.
Fayth Frank Nominated from District 23 North York	MD – McMaster University	Fayth’s early experience teaching aquafit classes showed her how the right routines can be restorative for seniors facing pain or mobility loss. She later co‑founded a community initiative that has connected hundreds of seniors with health advocates, social programs and wellness resources. She hopes to become a doctor who prioritizes preventive care, clear communication and dignity for people as they age.
Pamela Fryia Nominated from District 3 Algoma	Masters of Nursing – Athabasca University	Pamela’s commitment to older adults is shaped by 12 years of home care nursing. The shortage of primary care providers in her community, and the strain it often placed on older adults, motivated her to pursue advanced practice. Pamela hopes to offer more comprehensive visits that reflect the complexity of aging. As a future nurse practitioner, her goal is to help seniors stay healthier for longer through prevention, early detection and strong therapeutic relationships.
Graeme Halfyard Nominated from District 14 Niagara	MSW, Social Work – Carleton University	Graeme is committed to improving the well‑being of older adults through social work grounded in dignity, inclusion and systemic change. His experience working in long‑term care showed him how deeply seniors are affected by having unmet needs and facing the impacts of understaffing and staff burnout. He has supported seniors through recreation therapy, dementia outreach and community programming. Graeme hopes to work in settings where he can champion inclusion and meaningful participation for older adults, while contributing to research that strengthens age‑friendly systems.
Lauren Hoogenraad Nominated from District 48 Leeds and Grenville	Bachelor of Kinesiology – Brock University	Lauren’s passion for supporting older adults began at home, where she helped her grandfather navigate the mobility challenges of Parkinson’s disease. She hopes to work in physiotherapy roles that prioritize fall prevention, chronic pain management and personalized movement plans. Through her community volunteering and student advocacy, Lauren has also demonstrated a commitment to leadership, accountability and promoting environments where people of all ages can thrive.
Isabella Ieraci Nominated from District 34 York Region	MA, Architecture – University of Waterloo	Part of Isabella’s passion for designing supportive environments comes from personal experience. She has watched her grandparents navigate living in long‑term care and her great‑grandmother struggle with mobility in her own home. That’s a reminder of how profoundly architecture shapes safety, independence and quality of life. Isabella is committed to creating spaces that foster comfort, connection and autonomy through accessible layouts and community‑centred design.
Sanjana Jones Nominated from District 16 City of Toronto	Master of Public Health – University of Toronto	Sanjana is committed to improving health equity for older adults, particularly those who’ve faced barriers to preventive care. Her work developing a toolkit for breast and cervical cancer screening has expanded access to early detection for Black women aged 55-plus. She brings deep cultural awareness and compassion to her work. Sanjana hopes to become a frontline doctor who integrates public health insight with clinical practice to decrease health disparities.
Lily Johnson Nominated from District 13 Hamilton-Wentworth & Haldimand	BScN, Nursing – Queen’s University	Guided by her mother’s example as a public health nurse, Lily has seen how dignity, advocacy and small acts of care can transform an older adult’s day. She hopes to bring those same ideals to her nursing career. Her experiences supporting seniors in her own condo community – advocating during medical appointments, encouraging physical activity and fostering social connection – have also shaped her commitment to addressing the social determinants of health.
Islay Graham Nominated from District 10 Bruce Grey & Dufferin	BSc, Biomedical Sciences – University of Guelph	Islay is committed to advancing healthier aging through a future career in medicine that blends clinical care with research. Her experiences as a long‑term care volunteer, pharmacy assistant and day surgery volunteer have strengthened her belief in patient‑centred support. Having overcome early life and health challenges herself, she also understands the importance of empathy and compassionate care. Islay hopes to pursue surgery.
Bianca Karschti Nominated from District 40 Brant	MN, Nurse Practitioner – Athabasca University	Bianca is committed to strengthening primary care for older adults through advanced practice nursing grounded in prevention, accessibility and holistic support. Her experience in the emergency department has shown her how gaps in the system can lead to avoidable complications. That motivated her to pursue a role where she can provide timely and comprehensive care. Bianca hopes to work in community and primary care settings, focusing on early detection, chronic disease management and aging‑in‑place supports.
Abigail LaBranche Nominated from District 8 London Middlesex	BA, Kinesiology and Business, Western University	Abigail combines her academic training in kinesiology with hands‑on experience as a lifeguard, aquafit instructor and adaptive rock‑climbing volunteer. Together, that has shown her how accessible physical activity can transform well‑being at any age. She hopes to become a physiotherapist who supports older adults through injury prevention, rehabilitation and strength‑building strategies that promote active aging. She is passionate about creating inclusive environments where people can stay active, capable and engaged throughout the aging process.
Geneviève Lefebvre Nominated from District 44 Franco-Nipissing	MD – Northen Ontario School of Medicine	Geneviève is committed to strengthening primary care for older adults in rural northern Ontario. Her prior experience as a registered dietitian has given her a strong foundation in chronic disease management and nutrition‑focused counselling. It also showcased for her how limited access to primary care affects health, often leading to avoidable complications. She hopes to provide accessible care that promotes healthy habits and supports healthy aging.
Aaron Leonard Nominated from District 27 Ottawa-Carleton	PhD, Economics – University of Chicago	As a doctoral student, Aaron is specializing in behavioural economics with a focus on seniors’ mental health and well‑being. His research examines loneliness, depression and purpose among older adults, and how things like income supports, caregiving structures and “sense of purpose” interventions can make a difference. He aims to return to Canada to help shape programs and policies that promote healthy, active aging.
Natasha Lupien Nominated from District 51 Quebec	PhD, Psychology – Université de Montréal	Natasha aims to advance healthier aging by addressing one of the most powerful determinants of well‑being: social connection. She hopes to focus her clinical psychology and research work on that critical aspect of health. He extensive volunteer work supporting seniors, including those experiencing homelessness, demonstrates her commitment to reducing barriers. Natasha hopes to translate her research into tangible clinical solutions – ones that help older adults build stronger relationships and participate more fully in their communities.
Carson Lyons Nominated from District 33 Chatham-Kent	Diploma, Osteopathy – Canadian Academy of Osteopathy	Carson is committed to supporting healthy, active aging through osteopathic care that prioritizes independence and whole‑body well‑being. His work in rehabilitation clinics and patient‑transfer services has shown him the impacts when mobility is limited, whether due to pain, conditions or aging. He has seen how attentive support can make a difference and restore confidence. Carson hopes to build a practice that removes barriers to care.
Leah Mindorff Nominated from District 34 York Region	BScN, Nursing – Queen’s University	Leah’s clinical experience in physical rehabilitation has strengthened her understanding of how mobility, prevention and emotional support shape recovery for older adults. Her personal experiences with family members receiving home‑based and hospice care have inspired her too. She hopes to prioritize all aspects of well-being in her future practice, whether through recovery or end‑of‑life transitions.
Gemma Moffat Nominated from District 39 Peel	MD, McGill University	Gemma aims to strengthen healthy aging by integrating clinical care with community‑level advocacy. Through her work in a family medicine clinic, she supports seniors in staying proactive about their health and connected to their communities. She has also been inspired by watching her grandparents remain active and engaged well into their eighties, supported by health care teams who prioritized ed their personal goals and autonomy.
Isabelle Moy Nominated from District 22 Etobicoke and York	MD – Northern Ontario School of Medicine	From living and working in both northern Ontario and the greater Toronto area, Isabelle has seen firsthand how geography shapes access to health care. Her passion for family medicine is rooted in a belief that seniors deserve high quality care close to home. With a Masters in climate change, she is also dedicated to addressing how environmental impacts can also bring health impacts.
Luka Parikh Nominated from District 39 Peel	BSc, Health Sciences – Queen’s University	Luka’s commitment to seniors began at home, where he supported his grandmother through cancer treatment and helped his grandfather navigate mobility challenges. Along with his studies, he has volunteered at a seniors’ residences and community food bank, and was a founder of the Kingston Homeless Alliance. Luka hopes to become a doctor who focuses on prevention and equitable access.
Catherine Ross Nominated from District 27 Ottawa-Carleton	MSc, Nursing - Université de Montréal	Catherine is committed to advancing healthy aging through advanced nursing practice grounded in prevention and holistic care. Her clinical experience has shown her how fragmented services and limited time for assessments can undermine well‑being for patients. She hopes to develop a practice focused on preventing functional decline, supporting aging-in-place and improving quality of life.
Alana Skilling Nominated from District 8 London Middlesex	BSc, Kinesiology – Western University	Alana is committed to supporting healthy aging by combining her background in kinesiology with a future career in nursing. Her academic work including research on how swimming can affect function and symptoms for older adults with osteoporosis. She hopes to work in a long‑term care, rehabilitation or community health setting, where maintaining independence and quality of life is a central focus.
Erica Stachiw Nominated from District 24 Scarborough and East York	MSc, Occupational Therapy – Western University	Erica is developing expertise in functional assessment, assistive devices and environmental modifications that help older adults remain active and engaged. Her volunteer work in adaptive fitness programs, as well as her hands‑on experience supporting people with disabilities, has shown her how tailored movement and thoughtful modifications can transform daily life.
Chloe Strauss Nominated from District 47 Vancouver Island	MPH, Public Health, University of Edinburgh	Chloe is committed to improving healthy aging by addressing one of the most urgent determinants of well‑being: housing security. Her public health research focuses on improving hospital discharge planning for unhoused seniors. That’s a critical point where system failures often lead to readmission, worsening health and prolonged homelessness. She hopes to advance evidence‑based solutions, in government or the non‑profit sector, that help ensure seniors can age with dignity and joy.
Arden Warin Nominated from District 49 The Prairies	BScN, Nursing – University of Lethbridge	Arden saw the power of compassionate nursing through the care her mother received during cancer treatment. Her training has prepared her to support older adults through health promotion, fall prevention strategies and navigating complex health care systems. She hopes to advance into a geriatric nurse practitioner practice. Arden aims to strengthen healthy aging by combining clinical skill with advocacy for accessible and coordinated care.

Legacy Scholarships

Student	Program	Student interests and goals
Jordan Andrews Nominated from District 47 Vancouver Island	BEd – Simon Fraser University	Jordan aims to advance inclusive education by drawing on his experience supporting learners with diverse academic, behavioural and social needs. His work as an educational assistant helped teach him the importance of collaboration, differentiated instruction and creating environments where mistakes are treated as part of learning. One of his most meaningful experiences involved helping a disengaged student reconnect through outdoor skills lessons, reminding him of the power of creativity and relationship-building.
Olivia Brown Nominated from District 29 Lanark	BA, Teacher education stream – Trent University	Olivia has been shaped by the example set by her mother, now a principal, and seeing how deeply an educator can affect a child’s life. She has also supported students with special needs in a sports leadership course, where she saw how a focus on inclusion, patience and small victories can transform confidence. Olivia hopes to bring that same understanding to her future classroom, creating a space where every student feels safe and empowered to grow both academically and personally.
Kyle Dungey Nominated from District 34 York Region	MEd – University of Toronto, OISE	Kyle’s journey to teaching has been influenced a family legacy of public school educators and his own experience as a learner with a disability. A teacher who reframed his challenges as strengths helped him see himself differently, and now he hopes to pay that forward. Kyle aims to teach in a way that honours every learner’s potential, fosters belonging, and supports students’ social, emotional and academic growth.
Isabel Suffel Nominated from District 41 Elgin	BEd – Brock University	Inspired by a family of educators, Isabel views teaching as a calling rooted in shaping the future. Her work with youth in classrooms and at summer camps has strengthened her belief that small acts of empathy can profoundly shape a student’s confidence and sense of belonging. Isabel hopes to become a teacher who fosters curiosity, critical thinking and emotional well‑being for all.
Shane Tracey Nominated from District 7 Windsor Essex	BEd – University of Windsor	Shane Tracey is committed to creating inclusive and supportive learning environments. His volunteer work with Miracle League baseball, as well as his practicum experience, have shown him how encouragement and trust can transform a child’s learning journey. Shane hopes to become a teacher who’s adaptable, builds trust and helps students feel seen.

Entente Education Canada is a national social enterprise, providing non-profit group insurance designed primarily for people who work in or have retired from the education sector. With more than 88,000 members and 100,000 plan participants across Canada, Entente offers leading group health insurance, meaningful opportunities for community engagement, and advocacy focused on healthy aging and environmental stewardship. Entente is a dynamic, bilingual, member-engaged organization.

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Attachments

CONTACT: Danielle Norris
Entente Education Canada
416-962-9463, ext.224
dnorris@entente.ca

Entente Education Canada awards $105,000 in scholarships Investing in the students shaping Canada’s future