December 15, 2019
Introduced to coding and computer programming in Grade 10, Russell Brooks is on course for a fulfilling career in technology.
Though the first-year University of Windsor student is pursuing Mechanical Engineering studies, he hopes to make a living in the growing Aerospace Engineering field in either the public or private sectors.
With the industry growing at an exponential rate in Canada, there are nearly 1,700 job openings for engineers.
In the United States, the National Aeronautics & Space Administration’s (NASA) annual budget this year is almost $20 million, meaning there’s a lot of funding for new research and job opportunities.
“I am aiming to find a position where I can design and test various components for aircrafts and space shuttles,” said Brooks who graduated from St. Marguerite d’Youville Secondary School in Brampton and was one of 15 recipients of Markham African Caribbean Canadian Association (MACCA) scholarships presented on November 15. “I have strong analytical and maths skills and enjoy problem solving which are essential for that discipline.”
Leaving Jamaica at age four, Brooks effusively praised his parents, George Brooks and Olwen Needham-Brooks, who attended the event.
Russell Brooks & his mom Olwen Needham-Brooks (Photo by Ron Fanfair)
“They taught me how to be focussed and respectful and also time management,” he said. “I have a Caribbean upbringing for which I am very grateful.”
Brooks is the middle of three children. An older sister is in Humber College’s Nursing program while the youngest sibling is in Grade Five.
“I am extremely proud of Russell,” said his mother who has a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of the West Indies, a Master of Business Administration from the University of Manchester and a Bachelor of Education from the University of Toronto’s Ontario Institute for Studies in Education. “He’s very quiet and focussed.”
In the last few years, St. Robert Catholic High School Vice-principal Andrea Steele has been encouraging students to apply.
“Many of them don’t know how to navigate the system while others are too overwhelmed and busy even though the scholarship will benefit them,” said Steele. “They need an adult to guide them through the process and I am happy to do that.”
Gabriele Douglas, who is in Ryerson University’s International Economics & Finance program, was unaware of the scholarship before Steele brought it to her attention. 
“I thank her for that and it’s good to know there’s a community out there that care enough to honour us for our hard work and academic achievements,” she said.
Graduating with a 90 per cent average, Douglas – who plays the trumpet and enjoys singing — aspires to be a lawyer. She also received the inaugural Dale Carnegie Award and the Allon McKenzie Memorial Prize which is presented to a student who best exemplifies leadership and community engagement.
McKenzie founded the MACCA in his basement in 1987 and served as the organization’s second president a year later. He died in a tragic accident in 1995 and his family launched the award in his name 21 years ago.
Other St. Robert winners were Selena Meikle who is also at Ryerson studying Accounting & Finance, Krisy Iyorah and Egheghe Ade-Akhani are pursuing Social Work studies at York University and Centennial College respectively and Megan James who is at McMaster University.
St. Robert Catholic High School graduates Megan James (l), Selena Meikle, Gabriele Douglas & Krisy Iyorah were MACCA Award winners (Photo by Ron Fanfair)
Interested in robotics at a young age, James’ interest in Computer Science peaked in Grade 12.
“My career goal is to be a Software Engineer at a start-up or large tech firm like Google,” said the Engineering student who started to play the piano at age eight and chalked up almost 400 hours of volunteer service at her high school and the Markham Stouffville Hospital.
At the funeral for Ordene Bramwell last April, family and friends announced they would keep her legacy alive by making a contribution to a scholarship in her name that would be presented at the MACCA awards.
Ordene Bramwell (Photo contributed)
The married mother of twin sons succumbed to intestinal cancer at age 46.
“Ordene was an absolutely amazing person who inspired many people,” said her mother-in-law, Bernice Carnegie, who presented the scholarship. “Though she was battling the disease in the last five years of her life, she never wanted anyone to feel sorry for her. In fact, she went out of her way to uplift those who were close to her and she donated her eyes.”
Ontario Scholar Abigail Holmes graciously accepted the inaugural award.
“When you look at Ordene’s body of work and the many lives that she touched, it’s quite an honour to receive a scholarship bearing her name,” said the Pierre Elliott Trudeau High School graduate and aspiring Physiotherapist who is pursuing Kinesiology studies at the University of Toronto.
Bernice Carnegie (r) presented the Ordene Bramwell Memorial scholarship to Abigail Holmes (Photo by Ron Fanfair)
Erma Collins believes that everyone should have a reason to give back to their community.
For the retired college professor, that purpose was instilled early in life while growing up in Kingston, Jamaica.
As she recalls, there was always moral and financial support in her quest for higher education.
“If it was not a family member, it was a teacher,” said Collins who has volunteered with many community organizations, including the Jamaican Canadian Association (JCA) and the Black Business & Professional Association (BBPA) which honoured her with a Harry Jerome Award 19 years ago. “There was always someone there for me and I made a promise that I would do the same for others. Education is very important to me and it was something my mother stressed. She said that if you didn’t have it, you might be subjected to the whims and fancies of the man you married. She was right in making it clear that education provides independence.” 
In the past two decades, Collins has donated thousands of dollars in scholarships through MACCA and the JCA.
“I have no children, so it’s easy for me to donate,” said the 1955 St. Joseph’s Teachers graduate who taught at the elementary school level before heading to the University of Manitoba where she received her first degree in 1963.
After two years back in Jamaica, she returned permanently to Canada in 1965 and secured her Master’s in Education a decade later from the University of Toronto’s Ontario Institute for Studies in Education.
During a distinguished 32-year career at George Brown College that ended with her retirement in 1998, Collins served as chair of the St. James campus English and Liberal Studies department and monitored the development and delivery of 60 post-secondary English, French and Social Science courses.
Pierre Elliott Trudeau High School graduate Halle Daniel was the Erma Collins scholarship winner. Enrolled in Queen’s University Concurrent Education program, she plans to become a high school teacher or university professor.
Erma Collins presented a scholarship to Halle Daniel (Photo by Ron Fanfair)
Chapel Ridge Funeral Home & Cremation Centre director Eric Tappenden and his wife Susanne have been donating scholarships through MACCA for over a decade.
“We have a partnership with MACCA in that when anyone associated with them signs up with us to pre-arrange a funeral, we donate $300 to the scholarship fund,” he said. “For me and my wife, this awards ceremony is the highlight of the year in that we get to meet these gifted and amazing young people who are pursuing higher education. We are thrilled to be able to help in a small way by giving back to the community that we live and work in.”
Natasha Vassell, who graduated from Pierre Elliott Trudeau High School and is attending George Brown College, was presented with the award. She intends to be a registered nurse.
“She’s the older of my two children and she’s hard working and knows what she wants,” said her mother, Camille Vassell. “I am so proud of her.”
Natasha Vassell (c) with her proud mom Camille and scholarship donor Eric Tappenden (Photo by Ron Fanfair)
The other scholarship winners were American-born Mariah Brown who aspires to be a lawyer, Brianna Glanville-Forrest who is enrolled in the University of Ottawa French Immersion program, University of Guelph-Humber student Ashley Oluwasola who is aiming to be an elementary school teacher, Jordan Hunter who is pursuing Applied Science Studies at Queen’s University, Ryerson University Computer Science student Deandra Spike-Madden and Khalil Wheatle who is in the University of Waterloo Honours Physics program.
Deandra Spike-Madden attends Ryerson University (Photo by Ron Fanfair)
In the last 32 years, MACCA has presented 350 scholarships worth $304,000.
Ti’Shauna Turner, the recipient of a scholarship eight years ago, was one of the musical entertainers at the annual awards ceremony.
Ti’Shauna Turner (Photo by Ron Fanfair)
“Had it not been for the MACCA scholarship, I might have had to take a semester or even a year off,” said the University of Guelph-Humber graduate who is a Child & Youth Worker with the York Region District School Board. “I was able to focus on my education even though I had three part-time jobs. I know the value of a scholarship and it’s for that reason that it’s important for me to give back to this organization that has been a big part of my life.”
American-born Mariah Brown aspires to be a lawyer (Photo by Ron Fanfair)
Brianna Glanville-Forrest (Photo by Ron Fanfair)
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