Agriculture in the Classroom Canada and Dairy Farmers of Canada announce 2023 scholarship recipients

(Ottawa, ON) - Agriculture in the Classroom Canada (AITC-C), a Canadian charitable organization with a vision to bring agriculture to every classroom, and Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC), the voice of Canadian dairy farmers, are proud to announce the winners of the DFC Here for Tomorrow Scholarship, powered by thinkAG.  

Over 110 submissions were received this year from across the country, an increase by over 50% from year 1. The 2023 scholarship recipients are: 

• Lena Park: Grade 11 student from British Columbia (Visual Arts piece on The Three Sisters) 

• Victoria Pitsiaeli: Grade 12 student from British Columbia (Video- Setting her sights on being an Agronomist) 

• Olivia Szerepi: Grade 11 student from Ontario (Written Essay on caring for those who care for us) 

• Calvin Cao: Grade 12 student from Ontario (Video on the AI future of Pest-Busting) 

• Edward Sy: Grade 12 student from Ontario (Written essay on Biotechnologists being the Guardians of Sustainability) 

Open to students in grades 10-12 across Canada, this scholarship aims to invigorate and equip the next generation with the understanding and belief that they have the power to make informed, sustainable food choices and career decisions.   

Young people are the future big thinkers and decision-makers who will lead the Canadian agriculture and food industry into a sustainable future," said Sara Shymko, Acting Executive Director, Agriculture in the Classroom Canada. "The exceptional imagination and forward-thinking showcased in the students' submissions made selecting the winners a difficult task. We are thrilled to have received so many submissions from coast to coast. AITC-C is grateful for the support of DFC and their belief in the vision of thinkAG!" 

“In supporting the DFC Here for Tomorrow Scholarship (powered by thinkAG), our goal was to encourage young Canadians to explore careers in sustainable agriculture, by helping them recognize how they could apply their knowledge and skills in this burgeoning field,” said Pierre Lampron, President, Dairy Farmers of Canada. “We are extremely proud of all of this year’s entrants and congratulate the 2023 recipients.” 

Fueled by AITC-C’s career exploration initiative, thinkAG - the scholarship directly connects students with the multitude of important roles and professions that exist within the agriculture and food sector, helping them recognize how their interests and skills can be utilized in this evolving industry.  

This scholarship aims to inspire Canadian youth to reflect on the impact they can have on a sustainable future by informing, empowering, and arming them with the knowledge and skills to think critically about their food choices and career decisions.   

All scholarship applicants went through a competitive application process. They needed to submit one of the following: a written essay (1,500 words), a video (3 mins), or a visual arts piece (ceramics, drawing, painting, sculpture, design, craft, photography, architecture), answering three key questions pertaining to their interests, agriculture and food careers, and global sustainability. 

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