2026 Scholarship Recipients
It is with great pleasure that we present to you the 2026 winners:
Calgary Board of Education
Oliver Nardella, William Aberhart High School
Described as demonstrating balance, maturity and dedication and having the potential to change the world, by his teacher/coaches, Oliver exemplifies the character which the scholarship he is receiving strives for. As a passionate soccer player, he participated every year on his school team as well as on a club team. His desire to challenge himself and his drive to succeed were behind his decision to try basketball in grade 10, a sport in which he grew to become an impactful senior team player. An academic average of 95% will stand him in good stead as he pursues a dual degree in Engineering and Business at the University of Calgary.
Lily Oster, William Aberhart High School
Excellence in U18 AAA hockey (team MVP, team captain, AFHL all-star) has earned Lily an NCAA Division 1 scholarship, which she will pursue at Union College in Schenectady, New York. Her participation in William Aberhart High School’s basketball, track, field hockey, badminton and cross-country teams, while maintaining an academic average in the 90’s, adding her contribution to overall school spirit, exemplified by volunteering for the athletic council and grad committee, make her a worthy recipient for this scholarship. In her coaches’ words: “Very few can combine academic achievement, hockey excellence, and still be a grounded young person who can share of themselves to make those around her better players and better people…”
Calgary Catholic School District
Lucas Hinestoza Angel, All Saints High School
In the words of his teacher and coach, Lucas “… is a driven learner with an innate ability to balance academics and athletics.” He has captained the All Saints High School soccer team each year over the last 3 years, and his success led to his being asked to play U23 club soccer. Lucas has demonstrated his ability to balance athletics and academics, maintaining a 95% average in his AP courses. He gives back to his community by coaching youth soccer, peer tutoring, both at school and at the YMCA, and leading bible study on Saturdays. He has been accepted into the University of Waterloo’s Biomedical Engineering program.
Rania Bayot, Bishop O’Byrne High School
In her grade 10 year at Foundations for the Future Charter Academy (FFCA), Rania was a unanimous winner for the Best Leadership Award. The volunteerism, competitive nature, sportsmanship and willingness to help others she demonstrated while at FFCA have remained strong attributes throughout her ensuing years at Bishop O’Byrne High School. In grade 12, Rania captained both the school basketball and volleyball teams, was on the swim team and maintained an academic average of 90%. She also made time to volunteer for her school and her church, in addition to peer tutoring and coaching middle school basketball. Rania has chosen to pursue a Bachelor of Nursing at Mount Royal University.
Scholarship Award Reception
Please join us to honour this year’s award recipients! If you prefer, you may join us virtually. Everyone is cordially invited to this year’s reception held in honour of the 2025 scholarship recipients:
- Date: Sunday, June 28, 2026
- Time: 7:00 p.m.
- Location: Calgary Winter Club or virtually via Zoom
- Price: $50 per person
Please RSVP no later than June 18 to Lu Scarpino at 403-862-0065 or scarpinolc@shaw.ca to purchase a ticket or receive a link to join the reception.
Scholarship News
- The Executive would like to recognize Kelly Webster (1986 recipient Lord Beaverbrook High School) for his many years of service on the Executive Committee and wish him well in his retirement from the Calgary Board of Education.
- The following benefactors deserve recognition for their ongoing financial support:
- Calgary Booster Club
- Paddy-Luke Fraternal Society
- Calgary Italian Sportsmen’s Dinner Association
Alumni News
The Scholarship Alumni engagement is gaining some momentum, but there is still need for new ideas and energy. This year we benefited from help with the selection process (Ella Purdie – 2023- Crescent Heights), stepping forward to assist on the reception (Keyrai Kapcsos – 2023- Centennial), volunteering on process automation (Tunde Kadiri – 2013- Crescent Heights), engaging with alumni Atheena Attokkaran (2022 Father Lacombe)… these are just some of the contributions made last year by our Alumni. Please consider joining our team when we or Atheena reaches out to you or just drop us a line.
View a PDF copy of the newsletter here.