2023-2024 Letters

Award Recipients' Letters

I hope this message finds you well. Being selected for the compass award has been an invaluable support as I navigated through my final year in high school so I just really want to give a big thank you. The financial assistance that came from the compass award has played a pivotal role in helping me with expenses of education. I was able to focus more on my studies without the constant worry of financial constraints. This worked in favor allowing me to focus more on school work, even engaging in extracurricular activities and personal growth opportunities. I was able to engage in the frisbee, track, basketball and cheerleading teams in my school. I was also able to cover prom fees which was super helpful!

The compass award didn't just ease my financial burdens but has also given me motivation and encouragement. Knowing that my hard work and dedication were recognized by such a prestigious award has been really empowering.

I am deeply grateful for the generosity and belief that the compass award committee has shown me. Once again I extend my heartfelt thanks to the compass award committee for your unwavering support and belief in my potential. I am truly honored to have been chosen as a receipt and will strive to continue making the most of this opportunity

 I want to say thank you to the "Community Support for Students Program" for supporting me with money during my high school academy year 2024. This money has been helpful in so many ways like the buying of clothes during winter and also saving some money for my college. Thank you.

I am writing this letter to extend my gratitude for being selected as a recipient for the Compass Award. This recognition means a great deal to me as it acknowledges the level of kindness, generosity, and dedication that I strive toward others in my school community. When I was brought into the room where I would receive the award, I was shocked to see admin, guidance, and even my family being brought into the room. It was a heartwarming feeling to see the appreciation for the efforts that would go otherwise unnoticed. With the financial support that came with the Compass Award, I have been able to use it towards various needs for my education. Some of these include covering my university’s supplementary form fee, graduation photos fee, and ensuring that I have funds available on my Presto card for transportation on literal rainy days, to or from school. As I continue my journey through education I intend to use these funds towards education essentials such as textbooks and transportation to get to high school or even campus in the near future. My family and I are deeply grateful and proud for the opportunity to be provided with financial assistance from the Compass Award. No matter the amount, every bit of support would’ve helped us. I will forever treasure this acknowledgement and a sincere thank you for selecting me as a recipient of this award. 

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. 

I am writing this letter to express my deepest gratitude for the generous award I received from your foundation. Being selected as a recipient of such a reward has truly been an honor, and your support has made a significant impact on my academic and personal journey. Your financial support has alleviated financial stresses within my family and me, and has allowed me to be more focused and dedicated to my studies. Personally, your support has reassured me that my efforts are being recognized and has enabled me to stay on the right track. Your belief in me through this award has allowed me to bring pride to my parents, something I have yearned for ever since I was a child. Your support has given fullness to my personal life; seeing my parents’ smiles as you announced that I was winning the award gave me a sense of accomplishment. Everyone wishes to bring the same happiness to their parents. Moreover, your recognition of my efforts to serve my community has motivated my peers to also serve theirs. They now see that people are actively watching, and there are rewards for those who help others. Although I have not yet utilized the financial support you provided, I plan to invest it so that I can hopefully increase the amount and have much more to support my future plans. In the meantime, your support serves as an emergency fund for my family and me, something for which we are greatly appreciative. Thank you.

Thank you for the support of the compass award.

Since receiving the award and financial assistance I've been able to invest in my entrepreneurial journey, focus on school and take time off of work, afford school related activities and support myself whether it be for needs or wants.

Being a recipient of the award has given me some financial ease and flexibility while also allowing me to ensure my school expectations are met.

Once again thank you for the opportunity and help!

The Compass Award came as a shock to me, as I didn’t expect to be awarded anything in my last year of high school. It helped me feel acknowledged by my teachers, and that alone brought me joy and a boost of confidence in myself. I felt that the hard work I was putting in mattered. It also helped me strive to be even better as a student. During the school year, I didn’t have a job and wasn’t having any luck finding one. I would constantly ask my mom for bus fare or just plead with bus drivers to let me on because I just didn’t have it. But with the Compass Award payments, it took away that financial stress, helped me focus on my schoolwork, and made me feel at ease going to school and back because I did have the fare. I am forever grateful for the great opportunity that was given to me by the Compass Award, as I was able to get a phone plan and pay my phone bill, which was much needed as a young adult. The payments given to me made this possible! The Compass Award did more than just provide financial relief; it served as a constant reminder that my efforts were recognized and valued. This recognition motivated me to continue working hard and striving for excellence in all my endeavors. The award also gave me the opportunity to engage more fully in my studies and extracurricular activities, without the constant worry of how I would manage my daily expenses. In conclusion, the Compass Award had a profound impact on my final year of high school. It alleviated my financial burdens, boosted my confidence, and motivated me to excel academically. I am deeply thankful for this award and the positive change it brought to my life during such a pivotal time. And I know for the next recipient of this award will benefit from it too.

The Compass Award money helped me tremendously throughout the year, with bus fare, breakfast/lunch on days I didn’t have one, it was very nice having my own money, if I wanted something nice for myself as well, Thank you so much for considering me for this Award. I hope The Compass Award helped and continues helping students that are awarded with it.

Once I begun receiving funds from the compass award, I've been able to help support my family with groceries and other expenses. It's also

supported my travel to and from my school, during the winter especially when walking isn't an option. It's been a huge help to staying afloat during a more difficult time financially so for that I am grateful I received the award.

Firstly, I would like to begin by expressing gratitude for being honored with this award and, above all, acknowledging my worthiness to receive it. The timing at which I received the Compass Award was very convenient, as my mother came down with a chronic illness at the beginning of last year, so she’s unable to work to support me in the way she wanted in my last year of high school. My senior year came with a lot of expenses, way more than I thought, not to mention that I had to also think about future expenses in college.  The Compass Award relieved the financial burden on my family, enabling me to concentrate more on my studies without constant concern about our financial situation. The reward helped me buy the necessary items and pay the substantial fees to graduate. For instance, with money, I was able to purchase my dress and accessories for prom, pay the fee to apply for college, celebrate my eighteenth birthday by going out for dinner and karaoke with my friends, buy gifts, and treat my friends. In the near future, I plan on purchasing my graduation dress with the money. With a fair amount of money remaining, I intend to save it for future college-related endeavors. Undoubtedly, without receiving the Compass award, I would have significantly struggled to overcome the inevitable expenses and stress that come with senior year. But receiving the Compass Award made it easier for me to breeze through my last year of high school, knowing I don't have to spend my time worrying about my burden of financial issues. In summary, the Compass Award has crucially helped me, and I could not have been more grateful for receiving it. 

When I first received the Compass Award I was filled with gratitude and excitement. The fact that I was chosen to receive the award made getting it even more of an honor. I don't come from a very financially stable household so being able to have some money lifted some of that worry. I was able to buy food, better hygiene products, and better supplies for school and art. Thanks to the award I was able to help my mom buy food and relieve her of the growing prices of today's groceries. I was also able to buy general hygiene products that would normally seem like a waste of money. Art supplies are known for being cheap and being able to use some of the money to further my artistic abilities made me extremely happy. I was able to open up an art booth and sell my own art all thanks to the award. School was extremely stressful at times and having some way to express myself was very nice. I was also able to have more fun with my friends and not worry if I'll have enough for lunch the next day. One of the most influential things I gained from this was a laptop. For a couple months I saved the money and bought myself a nice laptop. This has given me the opportunity to use it for homework, drawing, and connecting with my friends. For the longest time I would use my phone for everything and getting a laptop helped a lot with any work I needed to do that required one. I am extremely grateful for being one of the students that received this award and I hope they continue to help other youth with taking away the financial stress that seems so common nowadays.

Again I am very grateful and thank you for the help. I hope you continue to help fellow youth through hard times as you have helped me and my family.

I hope this letter finds you well. I want to express my sincere gratitude for the financial

assistance you provided for me these past 7 months. Your support came at a critical time and significantly eased my burden. With the help of the Community Support for Student Program, I was able to help my parents financially. We used some of the money for our basic necessities, such as groceries, fare rides, emergency stuff, etc. Also, this helps me with my own personal expenses, such as school fees. This support has a profound impact on my life, allowing me to focus more on my goals and stay focused on school performance while being able to help my family. I’m deeply grateful for your generosity and belief in me. Your support continues to inspire, motivate me, and spread positivity towards my goals. Thank you for making a lasting difference in my life.

The monthly payments have helped me with more than just school, they have taken a massive amount of stress off of my day-to-day life. Thanks to the Compass Award I have been able to dull the burdens of my finances and take my life a little easier for once. Not having to make the people around me worry has really made me happy, and I'm sure they're happy too. I am really grateful for this life changing experience, it has brought me great happiness to be in this program. It was an honor to be in this situation and I wish you and everyone who helps with this program the best. Thank you all.

Upon being nominated and receiving the Compass Award, I had already made the decision to allocate the money towards my university education. I wanted to ensure that I had the financial resources necessary to support my academic journey, so I saved each installment into my RBC bank account. However, as prom season approached, I found myself in a challenging situation. The expenses associated with prom, including the dress and the ticket, were quite large. Thankfully, the Compass Award allowed me to cover these expenses as I used some of the award money to help pay for my prom dress and ticket. This experience highlighted the importance and impact of the Compass Award in my life. Not only has it been a crucial support for my future educational goals, but it also allowed me to enjoy a very important and memorable high school event that I will cherish forever. I am deeply grateful for the Compass Award, as it has provided me with memories that will last a lifetime while also setting a strong foundation for my academic journey ahead. 

The compass award really helped me in being able to spoil me and my friends, as well as my family. It made everybody around me, including myself, really happy. I was able to buy things for myself and my family to make them happy, and that’s all I ever wanted to do with this money. Thank you so much for this opportunity. 

I hope this letter finds you in good health and high spirits. I am writing to express my deepest gratitude for the incredible support you have provided me throughout the school year by contributing $100 each month. Your generosity and kindness have made a significant impact on my life and my education.

Thanks to your financial assistance, I have been able to focus more on my studies without the constant worry about covering essential expenses. Your monthly contributions have helped me with purchasing a lot of things. This support has not only lightened my financial burden but also boosted my morale, knowing that someone believes in my potential and is willing to invest in my future.

Throughout the year, I have been able to participate in various  activities and focus on my academic responsibilities without the added stress of financial constraints. Your unwavering support has allowed me to strive for excellence and pursue my goals with greater determination.

I want you to know that your kindness has not gone unnoticed. It has inspired me to work harder and to give back to my community whenever I have the opportunity. Your generosity has taught me the importance of helping others and the profound impact that such support can have on someone's life.

Thank you once again for your continued support and for believing in me. Your assistance has been a blessing, and I am immensely grateful for everything you have done. I hope to make you proud and honor your generosity by achieving my academic and personal goals.

With heartfelt thanks,

I hope this email finds you well! 

I would like to start by thanking you and your team for the award; it truly means a lot to me as it has been a significant form of financial aid this year! 

A portion of the payments were used to pay for my YMCA Exchange Program. This was a beneficial use for the payment as the program is meant to develop leadership skills while enhancing social interaction skills and improving my future resumes. On top of the essential benefits, this momentous program will serve as a break from the schoolwork and a nice chance to form new bonds with students my age from across the country. 

Another portion of the payment has been used to pay for my Prom tickets. This event will definitely be a highlight out of many from my Senior Year and I am truly grateful for the award making this a possibility. 

On a final note, the remaining portion of the award will go towards my University Application fee. As a university bound student, this financial aid is useful, but most of all, it is highly appreciated as it brings me closer to achieving my ambitions and duty to have a positive impact on society.

Once again, thank you for the financial support! I am deeply appreciative of this aid as it has served the purpose of alleviating financial burdens while making my senior year more enjoyable and memorable. I hope many more students will be fortunate enough to be able to enjoy the benefits this program offers! 

I am writing to express my deepest gratitude for awarding me the compass award to support my studies in the Automotive Technician program at Centennial College. This scholarship is a tremendous honor and will significantly impact my educational journey.

The financial assistance provided by this scholarship will enable me to focus more on my studies and practical training without the added stress of financial burdens. It will also allow me to invest in the necessary tools and materials required for my coursework, ensuring that I am well-prepared for both my classes and hands-on experiences in the automotive field.

Pursuing a career as an automotive technician has been a dream of mine. I am excited about the opportunity to gain the skills and knowledge needed to excel in this industry, and your generous support is making this dream a reality. I am committed to working hard and making the most of this opportunity, and I am eager to give back to the community by providing high-quality automotive services in the future.

Once again, thank you for believing in me and supporting my educational goals. Your generosity is making a profound difference in my life, and I am incredibly grateful for your trust and investment in my future.

I would like to say thank you for this opportunity! When I was a kid I was really fascinated to learn about photography. I had always admired such beautiful photos others took that I also want to take some myself. I started taking photos on my phone and I connected with this hobby I wanted to make it a career. I took media courses in my school to learn more about photography and my interest in photography grew. Now that I am about to be in college I want to do photography, but I don’t have a professional portfolio yet considering I took most of my art on my phone. I have been saving for a long time to buy myself a professional camera and this award helped me a lot to fulfill that dream to own my very own camera that I can use as a part of my photography career. I am really thankful for this award.

I recall the day I was called from class for an important meeting, where I was warmly greeted by both my principal and guidance counselor. Before me was Fred Cass, the president of the Community Support for Students Program, who had exciting news to share. To my delight, I learned that I had been chosen as a recipient of the Compass Award in recognition of my dedication to school. This acknowledgement of my hard work filled me with joy as it demonstrates that my efforts in school are recognized beyond my school community. The program's support has played a pivotal and positive role in my final year of high school, as I was able to attend prom! Before receiving the award, prom was a financial burden because of the expenses of a dress, hairstyle, accessories, and ticket. My family wished to provide this wonderful night in my senior year but could not, so I gave up on the dream. However, the generosity of the Community Support for Students Program lifted this financial barrier, allowing me to create cherished memories alongside my graduating class. Additionally, the program instilled in me a renewed drive in school, knowing that my hard work will be rewarded. I am utterly grateful for their assistance, which not only allowed me to enjoy prom but also fulfilled their commitment to lending a helping hand to students to remain in school and pursue their dreams with financial help.

As a 2023 recipient of the Compass Award, I wanted to extend my gratitude in this short letter to share how this award has benefitted me and my plans going forward. Before I share how the award benefitted me financially, I wanted to explain how much of a confidence boost I received being accepted. I try to do my best for myself given any scenario, but sometimes I find myself in moments where it’s hard to keep going, being only human after all. That being said, I am extremely grateful for your support and the confidence it has given me.

First and foremost, a huge thank you to Mr. Cass and the Compass Award: Community Support for Students Program for this opportunity to relieve a considerable amount of weight from my shoulders. As of early September 2023, I have been living on my own, temporarily taking care of my sister, fortunately, I managed to find a great deal on rent in Toronto and with the addition of The Compass Foundation’s contribution, I was able to comfortably maneuver my sister and me around that segment in our lives. So on behalf of me and my sister, I extend a tremendous amount of gratitude.

My plans involve finishing up the requirements for my OSSD and further pursuing academia, specifically in the realm of physics, hopefully at McMaster University or Waterloo University.

To end, I want to thank the Foundation once again, Mrs. Strazzeri, and Mr. Cass for the opportunity.

I wanted to thank you for the compass award. And on to what I have used money to have mainly used the money to buy netflix to watch shows. Another thing I have used money for is spotify as I would say music helps me work on tests. There have been other things like buying a snack from the dollar store or walmart to even a lunch on a day i have been too busy to eat before. Other than one or two games I haven't really bought anything else with the money.