2022-2023 Letters

Award Recipients' Letters

During this academic year, I was fortunate to be awarded the Compass Award, which has been tremendously beneficial to me. The award provided me with funds that helped me pay for necessary school equipment, such as an iPad that I use exclusively for school activities, including taking notes, emailing, and completing assignments. I had initially saved up the money for the iPad, but thanks to the award, I was able to purchase it without depleting my savings.

Furthermore, the award allowed me to cover the cost of my post-secondary applications. I am thrilled to say that I have been accepted into my dream university, the Ontario University Institute of Technology, to pursue a Bachelor of Engineering and Co-op (Hons), Mechatronics Engineering program.

I am extremely grateful for the Compass Award since it helped me achieve my goal of attending this university. Prior to receiving the award, I had no plans of applying to a university due to financial constraints. With the award’s financial assistance, I was able to fulfill my dream of attending this university. In addition to these benefits, I used a portion of the award to invest in stocks and cryptocurrency when I turned 18, which has resulted in a doubling of my investment, providing me with additional financial stability. I plan to utilize the remaining funds to purchase textbooks and perhaps some university merchandise as a small reward to myself.

Receiving the Compass Award has also had a significant positive impact on my academic life. As I come from a single-parent household, I have always been aware of the financial difficulties my family faces. The award has eased some of the financial burden on my family, enabling me to concentrate more fully on my studies. I appreciate the struggles and sacrifices that single-parent households must endure, and I am grateful for the assistance provided by the Compass Award.

The Compass Award has helped me how to ensure of how important it is to obtain money. It has been very helpful through tough times since my father doesn’t help me with child support. I appreciate your kindness for choosing me as one the selected winners for this award.

 I’m very grateful for this award you have given me.

“Receiving the Compass Award was something I never expected I would receive, but here I am. I am very grateful for the opportunity this program has given me because I was able to not worry about money regardless of where my finances are at. I saved more than half of what they have given me and spent the remaining money on myself. I usually treat myself food or something bigger like albums whenever I accomplish something big or small depending on what it was. I like to collect albums from my favorite groups such as nct, seventeen, and enhypen. These small things I reward myself made me happy. Once again, thank you for this program as I was able to save money for university and reward myself for my accomplishments! :)”

Simple, but short. Please continue to do this as it helps a lot of students like me. Thank you once again for your hard work!

Thank you for everything that you have done for me, it made my high school life feel so much better ever since I got the Compass Award. I feel more confident entering university as I have money to help support me quite a bit at the start of the year. Also, as a 12th grader, expensive assets such as prom and graduation fees show up, so having the money to pay with those feelings so much better than asking my parents, who arent in the best financial situation possible. Going out with friends have also been a lot easier as I can also pay for my own stuff when we go out together, which is very comforting and convenient. This award helped me build memories because of the potential gatherings I was able to attend to and helps secured me a great mindset, so thank you so much for nominating me once again. 

With the compass award, I’ve been able to spend more time with my friends by going out with them to get lunch and not having to worry about having enough cash. it’s been great being able to not have to worry as much about how much I spend. 

I am very grateful to have received this award earlier in the school year, as it helped me immensely. I have been able to put the money towards my personal computer, clothing for school and several lunches. I will continue to put this money toward the items previously mentioned. Once again, I am grateful for receiving this award and will continue to be grateful. 

The compass award helped me in so many ways. It’s helping to go into college and to pay off my stressful finances.  Also helping me to invest in businesses that hopefully in the future I will own a business I’m very grateful and thankful for the compass award. Because it’s just helping to build my career and to finish school and to be successful in life.  Thanks for acknowledging my hard work and rewarding me with a compass award to help me while I complete college. 

I hope this letter finds you in the best of health and high spirits. I am writing to express my deepest gratitude for your generous contribution towards my saving for university fund. Your kindness and support have made a significant impact on my life, allowing me an opportunity to work toward my education and achieving my dreams.

Receiving your financial assistance has been a tremendous blessing, relieving a significant burden off my shoulders. As you may know, I was struggling with family and facing homelessness However, your timely support has not only provided the means to pay for my University application  but has also given me the motivation and confidence to excel academically.

With the funds you have graciously provided, I am now able to focus more on my studies and fully immerse myself in the learning experience. Your contribution has eased the financial strain on me and allowed me to devote my time and energy to my coursework, extracurricular activities, and personal growth. Moreover, it has enabled me to explore additional opportunities, such as internships and research projects, which will further enhance my knowledge and skills.

Beyond the immediate impact on my academic pursuits, your generosity has instilled in me a profound sense of gratitude and a desire to give back to the community. Your support has inspired me to strive for excellence and become a responsible, compassionate citizen who contributes positively to society. I hope to one day make a difference in the lives of others, just as you have done for me.

Please accept my heartfelt appreciation once again for your invaluable contribution. Your belief in my potential and investment in my future will forever hold a special place in my heart. I am committed to making the most of this opportunity and using my education to create a better future not just for myself but for those around me.

I would be honored to keep you updated on my progress and achievements throughout my academic journey. If there are any specific updates or reports you would like to receive, please do not hesitate to let me know. Your continued support and encouragement mean the world to me.

Thank you, once again, for your incredible generosity and belief in my abilities. I am eternally grateful for your support. May your kindness and compassion be rewarded manifold. 

Over my grade 12 year I have been blessed to have been gifted a scholarship for $1000. With this money I was able to treat myself after long hours of schoolwork. Things I would treat myself to are Lunch’s on Fridays, gas for my car for all my trips from home to school and finally I bought myself a watch. I am very grateful I was chosen for this scholarship. 

I am writing to express my gratitude for the award I received. I am MT from MPJ, and I was thrilled to learn that I had won. The $1000 prize has been incredibly helpful, and I wanted to let you know how I spent the money.

Firstly, I used $250 to pay for my college seat. This was an important expense that I was struggling to cover, so the award money was a huge help. I also used $110 to pay for my graduation fees, which were another expense that I was worried about. I decided to treat myself with the remaining $640. I used $200 to purchase a prom dress, which was a fun and memorable experience. I am so grateful for the opportunity to attend prom, and the dress made the occasion even more special.

Finally, I put the remaining $440 towards my college savings. Investing in my education is very important to me, and I am grateful for the extra support.

Once again, I want to thank you for this award. It has made a significant difference in my life, and I am grateful for the opportunity to pursue my dreams. Thank you for your generosity and support.

I want to express my gratitude for the reward I received this year.  I appreciate this indication of your approval.  This unexpected recognition gives me a sense of security and confidence.  I’ve put half of the income into my savings account while the other half I spent on food and living in necessities as I do live and take care of myself.  I’m very thankful and I wish that in the future, I will be able to stand in a situation to pay this chance forward to another individual and make a variety of students’ existences as mind has done by you.  Thank you so much for noticing my efforts and for giving me this monetary pat on the back.

Money has always been a struggle for me. I always had a roof over my head and food on the table, but I haven’t always been able to do the things that I wanted to do, especially with my friends. It’s always been “Sorry man, I have a lot of homework to do.” Or maybe “I’m too tired, maybe next time.” Only recently, I’ve just been straight up with them and told them “That’s too expensive for me.” Since my friends are my friends, they insisted that they pay for me if that’s the only thing keeping me from going. That was really sweet, but I always felt bad that I could never pay them back, and it felt like I was almost leeching off of them. It’s stupid, I know, but I could never shake the feeling. Lunch was another hassle. I would normally have to go home during my lunch hour to make myself some food if I ever forgot to pack any.

The Compass Award has helped me be able to spend time with my friends uninhibited by that ugly feeling I used to get, and it also helped me not have to worry about if I forgot to pack a lunch. I’ve been able to buy things like school supplies to help with my studies, and food on a night out to celebrate a birthday.

It also feels great to have a good amount of cash in reserve while being a full-time student, as trying to balance a job and academics can feel almost impossible. Now I have some resources to use if I ever need it. The security that I have been given from the Compass Award has been a big reason that I have been able to complete this school year.

The Compass Award has helped me greatly as I finish off my last year of high school. It has helped me pay for things like my prom ticket and prom outfit. It has especially helped me pay for groceries and other necessities for my family. 

I hereby want to express my gratitude to the program and its team for selecting me to receive a $1,000.00 Compass Award. Thank you so much for supporting me and recognizing my commitment to school, my strong work and dedication towards my academic programs. When I received the news that I was selected to receive the Compass Award, I felt a relief because I got a solution to pay my high school and university expenses. I used $150 to pay my Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC) fee and $500.00 from the award to pay my university deposit in Toronto Metropolitan University since I want to continue my education and get a Professional Communications degree. The rest of the money I used for my graduation expenses, I spent $80.00 to pay for my gown for my graduation, $40.00 to pay for my graduation photo, $200.00 for school trips, and $30.00 on school supplies. Thanks to your Community Support for Students Program, I was able to afford all my school expenses and I did not have to worry about those expenses. I will always remember and eternally grateful for the help you gave me. Thank you so much for everything!