Niagara Falls, Canada – The McCall MacBain Foundation is proud to announce the 12 recipients of the 2025 MacBain Niagara Falls Scholarships. Each student will receive up to $44,000 to support their studies beginning this fall in a diploma or degree program at a public Canadian college or university.
Now in its eighth year, the MacBain Niagara Falls Scholarships program was launched by John and Marcy McCall MacBain to support youth from John McCall MacBain’s hometown of Niagara Falls. It recognizes students who demonstrate exceptional character, leadership potential and meaningful contributions to their communities. In addition, nine finalists will each receive a one-time award of $2,500 in recognition of their achievements.
The 2025 MacBain Niagara Falls Scholarship recipients are: Mark Al Makhoul (Saint Paul Catholic High School), Madeline Berardi (A. N. Myer Secondary School), Charlotte Clark (Saint Paul Catholic High School), Tommy Dallman (Saint Michael Catholic High School), Maya Dueck (A. N. Myer Secondary School), Immanuel Emareyo (Saint Michael Catholic High School), Amal Hersi (Stamford Collegiate), Ezekiel Ivri (A. N. Myer Secondary School), Piper Lewis (Saint Michael Catholic High School), Dayle McKay (Stamford Collegiate), Abigail Montgomery (Stamford Collegiate), and Shivani Patel (Westlane Secondary School).
Supporting young people from my hometown of Niagara Falls is one of the most fulfilling aspects of our work at the McCall MacBain Foundation. With this eighth cohort of MacBain Niagara Falls Scholarship recipients, we are investing in students who live the values of empathy, determination, integrity, creativity, and hard work in their schools and across the city. It is gives us great joy to contribute to their journeys to college, university, and beyond.
John McCall MacBain, OC
This year’s recipients will pursue studies across Canada in a variety of disciplines, including architecture, culinary management, economics, engineering, medical sciences, policing, and more.
True to the spirit of the scholarships, the selected recipients have already demonstrated leadership potential in their communities. Among them are students who have coached school and community sports teams, raised funds for local causes, led theatre productions, served as camp counsellors, headed robotics teams, organized film festivals, and supported their peers as school orientation leaders.
Recipients were chosen through a comprehensive selection process involving written applications, school nominations, and in-person interviews.
Since its inception in 2018, the MacBain Niagara Falls Scholarship has supported more than 50 students from Niagara Falls in pursuing their post-secondary goals. Applications for the 2026 cohort will open on September 23, 2025.
Learn more about the Scholarships here: https://www.mccallmacbain.org/macbain/
About John McCall MacBain, OC:
Originally from Niagara Falls, Ontario, John H. McCall MacBain is the co-Founder and 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 Foundation has made significant investments in the leadership potential of young people, most notably through the McCall MacBain Scholarships at McGill, the Rhodes Scholarships, the Loran Awards, and scholarships at several universities in Canada including McMaster University and Dalhousie University, as well as the Mandela Rhodes Scholarships based in South Africa and the Kupe Leadership Scholarships in New Zealand.
The 2025 MacBain Niagara Falls Recipients:
Mark Al Makhoul
Saint Paul Catholic Secondary School
Engineering, McMaster University (ON)
Mark leads his school’s basketball team as a captain and has played in volleyball and soccer teams. He has also volunteered as a manager and an assistant coach to the local volleyball and basketball teams for younger children. Mark has played chess since he was five years old and is a two-time champion of the Niagara Catholic District School Board’s chess tournament. Mark has worked for his family business, as well as at a warehouse, a cinema, and a local restaurant.
Madeline Berardi
A. N. Myer Secondary School
Engineering, McMaster University (ON)
Madeline served as the co-president of her school’s Key Club and a Lieutenant Governor for the club’s Eastern Canada District, where she led conferences, meetings, and fundraising efforts. Madeline has also served as a Senator at the school district senate, as Treasurer at the Arts Council, and as a member at her school’s student council. She volunteers with Pathstone Mental Health’s Youth Advisory Committee and at a local art gallery. Madeline plays for the regional soccer team and has previously competed in basketball. Currently, she works as a coach for a children’s sports academy.
Charlotte Clark
Saint Paul Catholic Secondary School
Concurrent Education, Queen’s University (ON)
Charlotte is the founder of her school’s Drama and Prologue Club, where she secured grants for arts productions. She also serves as Public Relations Lead on Student Council and was the Music Council President. Outside of school, Charlotte is both an actor and a youth mentor with Down the Rabbit Hole, a community musical theatre company. She is a flag football athlete, playing quarterback on her school team and U18 Travel Team and volunteering as a coach for youth teams. She has worked as a historical guide for Niagara Parks Commission, as a referee for the Niagara Youth Flag Football, and as a television actor.
Tommy Dallman
Saint Michael Catholic High School
Police Foundations, Niagara College (ON)
Tommy competes in track and field and football, as well as volunteers as an assistant coach to the teams in school and the community. As a member of the Athletic Council, he supports school events and helps plan tournaments. Beyond sports, Tommy has also volunteered at his local church’s soup kitchen and contributed to fundraising for educational initiatives in Rwanda. Additionally, he co-founded Student Lawn Care, a company focused on providing youth with opportunities to gain work experience. Previously, Tommy worked in retail, maintenance, and groundskeeping.
Maya Dueck
A.N Myer Secondary School
Architectural Studies, University of Waterloo (ON)
Maya was the co-Captain of her school’s Robotics Team, where she led programming, strategic planning, and design efforts while competing in regional competitions. She is an active volunteer with the St. David’s LEOs Club, having served as both President and Vice President. She is also a founding member of the Appreciating Cultural Diversity Club, fostering a more inclusive school environment. Maya has competed in soccer, basketball, and squash. She has worked as a co-op student at an architectural design studio and as a kitchen coordinator at a wedding venue.
Immanuel Emareyo
Saint Michael Catholic High School
Biomedical Engineering and Health Sciences, McMaster University (ON)
Immanuel serves as Vice President of his school’s Student Council, where he facilitates council meetings, liaises between the student body and school administration, and organizes school events and fundraisers. He has also been an active member of the School Chaplain’s Crew, Athletic Council, and Black History Month Committee. Over the past few years, Immanuel competed in several school sports teams, including curling, badminton, and volleyball. He is also a regular volunteer with school events such as Open Houses. He works as a host at two local restaurants.
Amal Hersi
Stamford Collegiate
Pharmacy Technician, Niagara College (ON)
Amal is a member of the Multicultural Club where she helps organize events that make other newcomer students feel welcome at her school. She is also helping launch a tandem language learning initiative to foster cross-cultural connections within her school community. She previously organized charitable events to support families in need and led a peer study group to help classmates prepare for exams. Amal also worked as a receptionist and translator at a hospital, as well as a cashier at a local supermarket.
Ezekiel Ivri
A.N. Myer Secondary School
Economics, Simon Fraser University (BC)
Ezekiel is a competitive wrestler, earning a provincial championship. He served as Treasurer of the St. David’s LEOs Club, supporting community initiatives and fundraising efforts. He is also a long-time member of the Leadership by Design program where he developed his leadership skills. At school, he is a member of the Roots Black Excellence Club, working to raise awareness of the contributions of Black Canadians to society. Ezekiel also competes in soccer and track and field and serves as an assistant coach for a junior soccer team. He has also worked as a dishwasher at a local vineyard.
Piper Lewis
Saint Michael Catholic High School
Culinary Management, Niagara College (ON)
Piper launched her own baking business, selling homemade goods to her friends, families, and community members. She also volunteered at her school’s Breakfast Club, providing healthy breakfasts for students, and for her church’s initiative that helps prepare lunches for people living with homelessness in Welland. Piper volunteered as a Team Leader at a summer camp. She has been an active member of the Mustangs Indigenous Education Committee and a peer tutor at her school. Piper has worked at a local restaurant and coffee shop.
Dayle McKay
Stamford Collegiate
Leadership and Civic Engagement, McMaster University (ON)
Dayle is the Indigenous Student Trustee Co-Chair for the District School Board of Niagara, where she organizes events and leads discussions to engage students in learning about Indigenous perspectives. In grades 11 and 12, she created and hosted an Indigenous Film Festival. Dayle has volunteered with the Simcoe Outreach Society, supporting community-building projects, and with the District School Board Niagara Ideas, promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in school communities. She is learning the Michif language. Previously, Dayle has worked for her school board as a student helper and teaching assistant.
Abby Montgomery
Stamford Collegiate
Mathematics, University of Waterloo (ON)
Abby is the founder and President of her school’s Math Club, leading math-focused activities and contests while mentoring members to take on executive roles. She also serves as a Link Crew Commissioner, supporting Grade 9 students in their transition to high school. Abby has led her volleyball team as captain and serves as a student representative of the Volleyball Club. She also volunteered as a manager at her school’s Junior Boys Volleyball team. In addition to her school involvement, Abby has worked as a Guest Ambassador for Niagara Parks.
Shivani Patel
Westlane Secondary School
Medical Science, Western University (ON)
Shivani serves on the District School Board of Niagara’s Student Senate, representing her high school. She also co-chairs the Healthy School Club and is an active member of the Business Club, Interact Club, and the Swim Team at her school. Outside of school, Shivani volunteers as a Medical First Responder at community events with St. John Ambulance and as a co-chair of the Mayor’s Youth Advisory Committee. Shivani has worked as a Recreational Therapy co-op student and as an Assistant at a local Kumon Learning Centre.
See the 2025 McCall Huron County Scholarship Recipients here.