Weston Family Scholars are encouraged to give back to the program by participating in building a strong community. Attending secondary school career fairs, mentoring students less advanced in their program, and supporting skilled trades programs at their college as alumni are all examples of ways the Scholars support the program. They engage with students during open houses, campus tours, outreach events and on-campus trades sampler events.
Explore some of the projects and events that Loyalist College Weston Family Scholars have been a part of:
Magic Wheelchair Satellite Project
“On Halloween night of 2018, a special costume made its debut on the streets of Belleville: a shiny to-scale replica of the Big Red Car from the TV show, The Wiggles. The car’s six-year-old ‘driver’, Brady, lives partially blind with Cerebral Palsy and has limited verbal skills.
Loyalist students Stephen, Rebecca and Cameron were inspired to create Brady’s dream costume as part of their volunteer component for the Weston Family Scholarship in the Skilled Trades. The trio worked with more than 20 students from across the college to design, create and decorate Brady’s costume. In so doing, these Scholars founded the first satellite chapter of Magic Wheelchair, an American non-profit organization that builds custom costumes for children in wheelchairs. In a feature in the local newspaper, Stephen shared: “It’s a perfect example of how the little things can make such a big difference. Being a Weston Family Scholar inspires us to be role models in our community. I want to inspire someone the way my mentors have inspired me in the skilled trades. We’re building something that matters and we’re getting everybody on board.”
Discover Skilled Trades at Loyalist
We were delighted to welcome Grade 8 students from Centennial SS, who participated in their first in-person experience of our campus and facilities hosted by Loyalist College and The Weston Family Scholarship in the Skilled Trades! Students heard from our knowledgeable faculty and participated in some hands-on learning opportunities and had the opportunity to hear from two of our Weston Family Scholars during a panel presentation, where they shared their own stories and pieces of advice with the students.
Skills Ontario: Young Women’s Career Exploration Event
Exploring the Skilled Trades with Trenton High School
Skills Ontario Cardboard Boat Race
During the first annual Skills Ontario Cardboard Boat Race held in the Quinte region, Fellows and the Project Lead participated as judges. Nineteen teams, including up to four students per team, took part in the competition. The competitors were judged on various attributes that are involved in skilled trades and technology careers, including direct comprehension of the essential skills. In addition, many Fellows assisted in the set-up and preparations prior to the successful event
Loyalist College 2019 Fall Open House
On October 9, 2019, 7 Weston Family Scholars volunteered during the Loyalist Fall Open House. They engaged in a variety of tasks around campus to help new students learn about post-secondary education. On November 16, 2019, 12 Weston Family Scholars volunteered during the second Fall Open House. Weston Family Scholars led campus tours, lab tours, program booths and helped to make the day a great success.