Each year, we recognize and support outstanding students who demonstrate dedication to their education, perseverance and a commitment to making a difference in their communities. Through our scholarship, bursary and awards program, we’re proud to introduce the next generation of learners and leaders who reflect the values at the heart of our Teachers Life Member community.
Children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews of active Teachers Life Members who were entering any year of a recognized full-time post-secondary program in September 2026 were eligible to apply. Applicants who met the minimum grade average requirements were entered into a random draw.
We’re proud to highlight this year’s recipients and celebrate their achievements, hard work and potential for the future.
J.F. Allen Scholarship Recipients
The J.F. Allen Scholarship honours students who exemplify academic excellence, leadership, and community involvement, while maintaining an average of 80% or higher. Each recipient receives $2,000 per year for up to four years toward their post-secondary studies.
Keira Chang
Keira is interested in dentistry and has realized that dentists are essentially the architects and sculptors of the medical world, blending precise biological science with fine artistry every single day. The thought of masterfully using micro-tools to relieve someone’s pain and instantly restore their confidence is what drives Keira toward this field. She can’t wait to trade her student desk for a dental clinic, where she can finally turn this lifelong curiosity into a hands-on career of crafting healthy smiles.
Keira is thrilled to join the Western University community and officially call London, Ontario her home. Beyond the gorgeous ivy-covered campus, Keira is incredibly excited to immerse herself in Western’s unparalleled student culture, vibrant campus life, and rich traditions. Above all, she looks forward to collaborating with world-class faculty, joining dynamic student clubs, and pushing her academic boundaries alongside a community of passionate, driven peers.
Amara Cordoba
Amara is an urban Indigenous woman born in Tkaronto and enrolled in Naotkamegwanning First Nation, Treaty 3 territory. Amara’s ancestry includes Oneida and Nasa (Colombia, South America) as well as Scottish and English. She’s a powwow dancer who started dancing fancy shawl when she was little.
As Amara navigates university, she seeks to break intergenerational cycles of trauma and rebuild educational mistrust while representing her cultural identity and helping her communities flourish. Due to her personal and family context, she’s uniquely positioned in a way that allows for cross-cultural understanding and growth.
After completing her Bachelor of Arts, with a major in psychology, Amara would like to travel around the world to meet new people and understand how different people live. She would like to learn more about the connections across Indigenous nations, North and South, since this represents who she is. Amara’s future career would ideally be in psychology, helping people to be better versions of themselves, while honouring her own identity and creative spirit.
Ryan Ireland
Sports have always been a big part of Ryan’s life, and he is looking forward to joining intramural teams at university to stay active, meet new people, and continue doing something he enjoys. One of the biggest lessons Ryan learned in secondary school was how to balance academics, sports, and other commitments. Playing soccer and hockey while keeping up with school taught him time management, discipline, and perseverance. These experiences helped Ryan grow as a student and have prepared him for the challenges and opportunities ahead.
Ryan will study kinesiology at Brock University and continue into the Master of Professional Kinesiology program. He’s excited to learn more about human movement and health, gain hands-on experience, and be part of a new academic environment.
He plans to become a physiotherapist, ideally working in sports settings. Ryan is excited to build a strong foundation in human movement, health, and rehabilitation so he can help athletes recover from injuries and improve their performance and overall well-being.
Hannah Tram
Hannah not only loves volunteering with FIRST Robotics Canada, a non-profit organization that inspires young people to be STEM innovators through exciting events, but she’s also an adventure seeker who has bungee jumped off a 150-foot bridge three times!
Hannah’s excited to start Mech 2, the cornerstone program of the UBC Mechanical Engineering Department. Instead of many separate classes, she’ll take five modules over the entire year that combine academic and hands-on design topics to better connect diverse concepts. Hannah is also looking forward to contributing to the tiny home she’s creating with her design team, UBC Sustaingineering.
Hannah wants to travel internationally and work as an engineer to have a positive impact on people and the environment. Her first year of engineering was in a general program, and she chose to study mechanical engineering for the foundation and flexibility it provides to pursue her goals of working across various industries.
Teachers Life Bursary Recipients
The Teachers Life Bursary recognizes students who demonstrate dedication to their studies, strong character, and community engagement, maintaining an average of 70% or higher. Each recipient is awarded $2,000, paid one-time.
Keira Bryan
Beyond her family, Keira has also been inspired by her high school welding teacher, Mr. Barnes, who has continually opened doors to new opportunities. Mr. Barnes encouraged Keira to join the Welding SHSM and has helped her to achieve her goals in life. Keira told us that Mr. Barnes cares and sees the potential in all his students and pushes each of them to think outside the “normal” education box to try new things and keep constructing.
One of the biggest challenges Keira has faced as a female secondary school student has been trying to fit in and find her place in a trades class full of males. She learned to show them that she was capable by letting her work speak for itself.
Keira’s future plans are to go to college and then get an apprenticeship to become an Industrial Electrician. She’s always enjoyed building things and wants to be able to someday say that she helped construct that. She’s hoping that in school she can make connections within the electrical industry. Eventually, she would like to give back by becoming a trades teacher. Keira hopes this will show female students that there are opportunities for them and help them to feel more comfortable pursuing the trades.
Vassilios Liam Drivakos
Vassilios loves sports. His favourite is basketball, and he enjoys working out in the gym. While studying at Wilfrid Laurier University, Vassilios has learned how much of an impact discipline has had on his life. It motivates him to continue growing and advancing in both his academic and athletic life.
This year, Vassilios will be entering his third academic year at Laurier. He’s excited to continue his studies in the business and political science field, and to continue to participate in the various clubs and teams he participates in.
Vassilios is also the Executive Director of Marketing for the Laurier Asset Management Association (LAMA), and I can’t wait for the events and panels that they’ll host next year in Waterloo.
After obtaining his undergrad degree in political science, Vassilios plans to earn his Masters of Business Administration degree (MBA) in his 5-year specialty program at Laurier.
Sebastian Fusco
Sebastian’s family inspires him. He told us that seeing his mother, (Muling Chung, District 12) work hard each day with initiative and commitment to her students, drives Sebastian to work as hard as he can to make her proud.
Sebastian loves baseball and has played and/or coached the game for over 15 years! That kind of discipline and teamwork has helped Sebastian to become more self-reliant. He’s learned how to set his own goals and make daily steps towards achieving them.
Sebastian is studying applied math and financial modelling at Western University. He intends to continue his academic journey and do a master’s in financial engineering or mathematical finance abroad or maybe even become an actuary one day.
Emily Hopper
Emily is studying human kinetics at the University of Guelph, is a varsity athlete on the women’s rugby team and is an avid reader. She reads 40-50 books a year! As an athlete, Emily knows how hard it is, physically and mentally, to return to play after a big injury; which is what inspired her to pursue sports rehab/physiotherapy to help the next generation of athletes get back to the sport they love.
Like most students, Emily faced challenges in her first year of post-secondary; like time management and dealing with a large volume of work. She had to learn how to be more accountable and make a strict schedule to keep on top of studying while still saving time for friends and rugby practices. But she’s on track now and is looking forward to her third-year dissection lab-based course. Emily loves being in the lab and getting opportunities for hands-on learning.
Kyle Malone
Kyle is an avid sailor and traveller who is inspired by his parents and their hard work to raise Kyle and his sibling, ensuring their needs are met. Watching his parents work hard has helped Kyle overcome challenges he’s faced being a student with a learning disability. Kyle has achieved far greater success than he was told he could and he’s looking forward to gaining the skills and knowledge needed to fulfill his dreams and build a lasting career.
Sydney Weatherbie
Sydney’s mom inspires her to not only be a fighter, but to be a better person every day. She’s also inspired by thinking about the exciting and important things she knows she can accomplish in the future. It’s what keeps her motivated through hard times.
Sydney’s future plan is to go to post-secondary for flight services and pursue a career in flight attending. She’s excited to travel the world and meet many people. Sydney looks forward to learning French and eventually becoming great at speaking and writing the language.
Hall & Hall Award Recipient
The Hall & Hall Education Award was created to reward students enrolled in a consecutive Faculty of Education program, or in year 3-6 of a concurrent Faculty of Education program.
The winner of the Hall & Hall Education Award will receive $2,000, paid one-time.
Jeordie De Santo
Jeordie’s parents are her biggest inspirations. They taught her to work hard, remain determined, and always do her best. Their support and encouragement motivate Jeordie to continue pursuing her goals and become the best version of herself.
Jeordie plans to complete her kinesiology degree and then attend teachers’ college at York University. Jeordie’s experiences throughout university have helped her better understand her interests and made the path she wants to pursue much clearer.
This year, Jeordie is looking forward to completing her degree and spending time with the friends she’s made throughout university. She’s excited to create more memories together while preparing for the next stages of her education.
Investing in the Next Generation
Through the J.F. Allen Scholarship, Teachers Life Bursary, and Hall & Hall Award, Teachers Life proudly supports the next generation of students as they pursue their educational goals and build their futures.
Congratulations to all our 2026 award recipients! Your hard work, commitment to learning, and dedication to your communities are worth celebrating. We wish you every success and happiness in the years ahead.
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