www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday April 4, 2007 - 23 Our Top Students Honouring top students The Oakville Awards for Academic Excellence encourage and reward academic accomplishments and community service. Now in its 12th year, the program operates in all of Oakville's publicly-supported secondary schools. Every year Rotary provides one award of $1,500 for academic excellence and community service at each of the public and Catholic high schools. In addition, a number of bursary awards of $1,000 each are provided where financial need on the part of the students is a requirement as well as academic performance. In total, all five Rotary Clubs in Oakville, donate approximately $40,000 to deserving high school students every year. MARTINA KUNOVIC Martina Kunovic is yet another student who has been touched by the generosity of the Rotary Club of Oakville West. Martina is currently a student at the University of Western Ontario, and is expected to graduate with honors. Her specialization is in Media, Information, and Technoculture- a program that allows students the opportunity to think about and explore the nature and impact of information technologies in today's world. She is also majoring in Sociology and plans on attending either the University of Toronto or McGill University next year for an MA or Ph.D. in Sociology. Martina explains that, "the focus of my dissertation will be the rationalization of the news production process and alternative media outlets." Throughout her post secondary career Martina has been involved in many extra curricular activities that have broadened her horizons and earned her the recognition and respect of her fellow students. Martina is well known as the president of the Sociology Students Association, and the Promotions Representative of the Breast Cancer Awareness Team- among many others. Her dedication and leadership skills have made her the recipient of many other rewards during her university years, such as the Sociology Essay Award, and the UWO Excellence in Leadership Award. Martina's hard work is certainly paying off; she is undoubtedly destined for remarkable things. TYLER COWAN The Rotary Club of Oakville West has greatly impacted the lives of local students with their generous scholarships, and unwavering interest in the needs of post secondary students. Tyler Cowan is one of many students who were deemed appropriate to receive a more than generous scholarship from The Rotary Club of Oakville West. Tyler was awarded the scholarship in May 2006. As a Ryerson University film student, Tyler explores the medium of motion picture film. "We are challenged through inventive exercises and assignments to push ourselves to new and creative boundaries as film makers," says Tyler. While his passion for his chosen area of study is clear, Tyler reveals the expenses that he has been burdened with: "Not counting tuition, meals, transportation, books and lodgings, - material costs for raw film stock, development, equipment rentals and computer software costs level at around $5000 annually." This is merely the beginning of Tyler's expenses as it is not uncommon for fourth year students to find themselves spending over $10 000 on their final projects, which are necessary for graduation. Tyler expresses his gratitude for the generosity of the Rotary Club of Oakville West, "Their generous donation has helped contribute to these staggering expenses and has made life for me, as a new student, that much easier. It has also helped me to develop a much needed confidence in interacting with the adult world." The effect that this experience has had on Tyler is clear. "It is encouraging to know that organizations such as the Rotary Club still exist to aid in developing and enhancing the minds of tomorrow. Oakville is blessed to have such a prominent and supportive association woven into its history," says Tyler. AARON SEQUEIRA The Rotary club of Oakville West has touched the lives of many students through their scholarships. One such student is Aaron Sequeira. Aaron's first step out of high school was to attend the University of Waterloo for Systems Design Engineering for two years.This unique program originated at the university and strives to teach students methods for designing almost any product, tool, task or system. During his two years of study at the University of Waterloo Aaron participated in co-op programs at Nortel and in Germany for IBM. As a classically trained pianist and drummer, it is no surprise that Aaron eventually chose to follow his passion for music. "I enrolled at the Trebas Institute for Audio Engineering," says Aaron. "Here, students learn to create professional recordings, film and television soundtracks, as well as learn about the business of the music industry." Aaron expresses gratitude for the generosity of the Rotary Club; "I'd like to thank the Rotary club of Oakville West and its sponsors for their support of the community, young talent and business enterprises." Lexus of Oakville IS PROUD TO BE A PLATINUM SPONSOR OF THE OAKVILLE AWARDS FOR BUSINESS EXCELLENCE 2007 LS 460 PRICES STARTIN G FROM *$86,400 2475 Wyecroft Road, Oakville · QEW and Bronte 905-847-8400 www.lexusofoakville.ca *Freight/PDI, taxes, license, registration and insurance areextra. Lexus Dealers are free to set their own prices. Please see Lexus of Oakville for complete details.