It came as a total surprise for Hanan Awneh to learn she was selected to receive this year’s Marion Dewar Scholarship.
“I didn’t expect to get it, but I was happy to win,” said the Lisgar Collegiate Institute graduate.
The scholarship, which goes to immigrant and refugee youth who are involved in their communities, “is really a celebration of a new and creative way to invest in our future leaders and pay tribute to a dear friend and a mentor,” said Hamdi Mohamed, executive director of Ottawa Community Immigrant Services Organization.
Awneh often helps out her mother by setting up events and fundraising in the Palestinian community.
After she receives the award Wednesday night, she plans to use the scholarship for her interior design program at Algonquin College.
“I’ll use it for tuition fees for my program because it requires a lot materials for projects like models and drawings.”
Brahim Jelassi from École Secondaire Publique Omer-Deslauriers will also receive the scholarship.
