NIAGARA CATHOLIC DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD
Lakeshore Catholic graduate receives $20,000 Schulich Builders' Scholarship

Niagara Catholic is proud to share that Justin Mehlenbacher, a member of Lakeshore Catholic High School's Class of 2024, is the board's third alumni to receive a Schulich Builders' Scholarship. He is one of 120 students attending 12 Ontario colleges to receive a Builders' Scholarship this year.

The Foundation launched Schulich Builders' Scholarships in 2023 "to serve as a catalyst to help promote the lucrative and in-demand job opportunities that exist across Canada, often overlooked by parents and future students."

A student at Mohawk College in Hamilton, Justin received a $20,000 scholarship to offset the cost of his one-year certificate program in Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Techniques. Blessed Trinity Catholic Secondary School graduate Isaac Shaw, and Niagara Catholic Virtual School graduate Adam Mongelluzzo, received Schulich Builders' Scholarships last year.

Justin finished third in the HVAC competition at Skills Ontario in the spring. He said he is grateful for the scholarship and for the teachers who guided him on his pathway then nominated him.

"Winning this scholarship was such an honour," he said. "The money I received will give me a head start in reaching my future goals. I had no idea there were these opportunities for students going into the trade programs until the school nominated me."

Director of Education Camillo Cipriano congratulated Justin for receiving the prestigious scholarship.

"Justin has shown himself to be very capable in his field of choice, so it comes as no surprise that he would be selected for a Schulich Builders' Scholarship," said Director Cipriano. "I am proud to congratulate Justin on behalf of Niagara Catholic. I'm sure that the financial support will help set him up for success, and being able to list being a Schulich Builder on his resume will certainly open doors with employers looking to hire exceptional young workers like him."

Principal John Markovich had high praise for Justin.

"On behalf of the Lakeshore Catholic High School community, congratulations to Justin on this accomplishment," he said. "He has a strong capacity for and interest in the skilled trades, particularly as he aspires for a career in HVAC. Justin will, no doubt, be successful in his field as he continues his education at Mohawk College. He has a bright future ahead - and we wish him all the best."

Director Cipriano also thanked the teachers at Lakeshore Catholic High School and Niagara Catholic's technology team for their commitment to promoting the skilled trades to students.

"Niagara Catholic has led the way in technological education in Ontario for many years and remains committed to providing students with leading-edge learning opportunities" he said. "We begin introducing technology programs to students in elementary school, so they know the diversity of programs available to them when they go to high school. Niagara Catholic's broad range of technology programs allows secondary school students to explore career pathways and, through the Specialist High Skills Major program, gain important certification while still in high school. These programs help set student up for the next stage of their journey in apprenticeships, college, university, or the working world, and I am very proud of the commitment of our staff to supporting this important student pathway."