Announcing The 2024 McCall Huron County Scholarship Recipients

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HURON COUNTY, CANADA –  Eight students have been named 2024 recipients of the McCall Huron County Scholarships launched by John and Marcy McCall MacBain to recognize students from Marcy McCall MacBain’s hometown. Recipients will be supported by the McCall MacBain Foundation with an award of up to $44,000 each to pursue degree or diploma programs from their choice of post-secondary institutions in diverse fields. In addition to the full scholarships, six finalists will be awarded a one-time gift of $2,500.

The Scholarships are awarded to students with exceptional character attributes including empathy and hard work, who have shown passion to serve their communities, and leadership potential.

Born and raised in Huron County, I know that young people here have immense potential but fewer opportunities. Every year, it gives our Foundation a sense of joy and pride to encourage young talent in my hometown to pursue their big dreams through this Scholarship,” said Marcy McCall MacBain. “We know that an investment in young leaders can not only benefit the communities they come from but also build a better future for Canada and beyond. We wish the 2024 recipients all the best and look forward to supporting their journeys.”

The 2024 McCall Huron County Scholars are Morgan Bishop (F. E. Madill Secondary School), Liam Buckman (South Huron District High School), Corissa Cyr (St Anne’s Catholic Secondary School), Curran Forster (Goderich District Collegiate Institute), Caitlyn Thompson (South Huron District High School), Macy Tremeer (Central Huron Secondary School), Roman Valdez (F. E. Madill Secondary School), and Jacob Watson (Goderich District Collegiate Institute).

For the fourth year in a row, John Baker, Huron County entrepreneur and founder of Desire2Learn, and his family have directly supported one scholarship, and one finalist award recipient.

The selection process places importance on a variety of distinguishing qualities and abilities that add to impactful and grounded leadership. This year’s cohort includes individuals who have worked at a long-term care home, have trained as a Senior Warrant Officer with the Royal Canadian Air Cadet program, have led service projects for local charities and the environment, have volunteered to care for animals on a farm, have led operational excellence at their place of work, and have performed at the Blyth Festival.

The recipients will pursue distinct fields, including human kinetics, mechanical engineering, physiotherapy, agriculture, theatre, political science and more. The recipients were chosen through a comprehensive process that included a written application, school nomination, and in-person interview. Interviews were held with the support of Virtual High School in Bayfield, who generously hosted the volunteers, staff, and students in their office space.

Since its launch in 2019, the McCall Huron County Scholarships have supported more than 30 students to pursue post-secondary education. Applications for the 2025 cycle open on September 17, 2024.

Learn more about the scholarships here: www.mccallmacbain.org/mccall

About Dr. Marcy McCall MacBain

Originally from Huron County, Ontario, Dr. Marcy McCall MacBain is a Founder, Director and Vice-Chair of the McCall MacBain Foundation. Read More. 

About the McCall MacBain Foundation:

The McCall MacBain Foundation’s mission is to improve the welfare of humanity by providing scholarships and other educational opportunities that nurture transformational leadership, and by investing in evidence-based strategies to address climate change, preserve our natural environment, and improve health outcomes.

The 2024 McCall Huron County Recipients

Morgan Bishop
F. E. Madill Secondary School
Theatre, Brock University

Morgan is a theatre actor with Studio 410, putting on various musical productions including most recently Beauty and the Beast and The Little Mermaid. She now works to pass on her skills by volunteering at a performing arts camp in Teeswater in the summer, helping children create a showcase of performances. Off stage, she is a rugby player with the Bruce County Rugby Club and plays on her school team. She was the photographer for the school yearbook for two years in a row. Morgan has also worked on a farm and as a cashier at a local grocery store.

Liam Buckman
South Huron District High School
Mechanical Engineering, University of Waterloo

Liam is a Taekwondo instructor and Founder of the South Huron HC Indoor Soccer team. He also played volleyball for the school team and has been the Captain of the school soccer team for two years. Liam is involved in service projects with the Exeter Christian Reformed Church Youth Group and Eco Exeter, including planting trees, visiting the elderly, and living in Michigan for a week to help the local community with chores. He is the Student Council Sound Technician, managing events and musical productions. Liam has also worked on a farm and as a customer service representative at a hardware store.

Corissa Cyr
St Anne’s Catholic Secondary School
Occupational and Physiotherapy Assistant, St. Clair College

Corissa spent over five years as a caregiver of a child with a disability and their sibling, to provide respite to the family. Sparking her interest in pursuing healthcare, Corissa now works as a nursing student at Blue Water Rest Home, where she helps with hosting group social activities to help the elderly deal with loneliness and mental stress. Previously, Corissa also volunteered to deliver pet therapy to residents and maintain the premises. Corissa is a basketball player and is a member of the Anti-racism and Culture Club in her school. She also has experience working as a cashier at a retail store.

Curran Forster
Goderich District Collegiate Institute
Political Science, McMaster University

Curran is working as a co-op student in the office of Perth-Wellington’s MPP, gaining experience in policymaking. He is also a soccer player on his school team and has volunteered and worked as a referee locally. At his elementary school, Curran initiated a flag football program. He is also a trained piano and saxophone player and a self-taught guitarist. He has volunteered for multiple years as an actor for the Foundation for Education’s productions at the Blyth Festival. He has also volunteered at Camp Menesetung and helped organize events with Perth County Women’s Shelter. Additionally, Curran has worked as a voiceover actor and a sales associate at a local store.

Caitlyn Thompson
South Huron District High School
Human Kinetics, University of Guelph

Caitlyn is a Student Senator representing her high school at the Avon Maitland District School Board. In this role, she gives voice to diverse student needs and concerns, including prioritizing Indigenous reconciliation and promoting mental health awareness. She has previously volunteered at Huron Area Search and Rescue, hosting adventure days to help children learn outdoor skills. She completed her co-op at Russet Rehabilitation & Wellness, a local injury recovery clinic. Caitlyn also plays badminton and is a goalie in her school’s soccer team. She is a radio broadcaster at school and a math tutor for an elementary student. She has worked in customer service at two retail stores.

Macy Tremeer
Central Huron Secondary School
Agriculture, University of Guelph

Macy grew up on a farm surrounded by crops and horses and went on to explore additional areas of agriculture in her community. She volunteers with a Herd Health program, where she helps monitor and diagnose cow health and its impacts on dairy quality and animal welfare. She volunteered at the Thames Road Veterinary Clinic where she observed surgeries and expanded her expertise. She is involved with a local horse club and horseman society where she competes and helps younger participants. Macy is a hockey player and volunteers for the Seaforth Centenaries Hockey team, helping with fundraising and events. Macy also works as a herdsperson at a neighbouring dairy farm.

Roman Valdez
F. E. Madill Secondary School
Mechatronics Engineering, Ontario Tech University

Roman is the Co-president of the Student Council and one of the founding members of the Morning Announcements Club, through which he boosted morale during the lockdown by adding videos and fun skits. Roman has been Co-captain of the school volleyball team and Captain of the school soccer team. He plays the saxophone in the school band and was a guide for a robotics start-up course. Roman works at a fast-food joint where he has been promoted to the role of manager handling full-time staff members, after successfully leading operational innovations such as an opening prep process that helped save time.

Jacob Watson
Goderich District Collegiate Institute
Mechanical Engineering, University of Waterloo

Jacob is a Senior Warrant Officer at the Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron 532 Maitland where he works on training schedules, and morale and leadership building, including introducing an award to recognize cadets for their exceptional contributions and character. He has worked as a Museum Assistant at the Huron County Museum and was a co-op student at B. M. Ross and Associates Limited, an engineering consulting firm. He is a mental health liaison at school spearheading anti-bullying initiatives, is part of the swim and cross-country track teams, and participates in the Science Olympics, Math Club, and Leadership Club. Jacob is also a proficient piano player.

See the 2024 MacBain Niagara Falls Scholarship Recipients here.