2021/2022 Emma Kanceljak
$2,000 Scholarship Award Recipient
Emma is a student at Queens University working towards her Bachelor of Commerce degree. Emma has always taken her skills and talents and put them to good use in helping her fellow students and colleagues. She has been actively participanting in the community as a musician in Vatroslav Lisinski Tambura, played for Mississauga Croatia Soccer Club, gave her time to RAMA Gaming House as a volunteer and wrote inspirational letters for the charitable organization Sending Sunshine. Emma was presented with the University of Toronto Book Award.
2021/2022 Franka Subic
$2,000 Scholarship Award Recipient
Franka is a student at McMaster University working towards her Kinesiology degree and plans to pursue her Master of Business Administration so she can combine her knowledge of science and business. Franka has immersed herself into a highly competitive and demanding sports regimen in the McMaster Women’s Varsity Soccer Team. She has been awarded the McMaster Scholar Athlete, OUA Academic and U-SPORTS Academic. Franka also offers her limited free time to various organizations including the Varsity leadership committee, ENVISAGE program research assistant, coaching the Hamilton Sparta soccer team, volunteering for Aspiring Young Doctors and Holy Trinity Church banquets.
2020/2021 Nikolina Vrdoljak
$2,000 Scholarship Award Recipient
Nikolina is a first year Master of Science student at the University of Guelph specializing in Food Science. She recently graduated from Guelph where she obtained an Honours Bachelor of Science degree with Distinction, majoring in Bio-Medical Science and minoring in Nutritional and Nutraceutical Sciences. Spending time participating and organizing community events has developed Nikolina’s leadership skills and led to several leadership roles in her academic career. She currently sits on the Ontario Agricultural College Graduate Student Council as the Food Science representative. Nikolina’s career goal is to develop her own natural health product company. This will allow her to conduct more research on food derived molecules in disease, leading to product development. These products involve extraction of molecules from foods, which she plans to export from Croatia as much as possible.
2020/2021 Zachary Rezler
$2,000 Scholarship Award Recipient
Zachary is pursing a career in medicine and public health research, studying Health Sciences at McMaster University while also working towards a concurrent certificate in Immunology, Microbiology, and Virology. Zachary balances his academics with multiple extracurricular activities. As President of BHSc Outreach, Zachary has organized 10+ virtual volunteer programs and charitable events and coordinates over 100 student volunteers to support local Hamilton students and residents at long-term care facilities. During his involvement in a COVID-19 research project, Zachary held a full-time job and volunteered at his local youth centre servicing at-risk youth. In 2019, Zachary participated in an Africa Mission Trip, helping build sustainable classrooms and delivering deworming medication. Zachary values community engagement and gives back to the community through his skills and expertise.
2020/2021 Marko Pejic
$2,000 Scholarship Award Recipient
Marko is majoring in Chemical Engineering with a minor in Nano- Engineering at the University of Toronto. Marko’s outlook for future career paths is focused around nanoengineering as well as machine learning since both are on the frontier of engineering and have the highest potential for revolutionary changes to the world. Alongside his academics, Marko has gained incredible experience as a Research Assistant at the Institute for Quantum Computing Department at the University of Waterloo. He completed 4 major projects and has been acknowledged as the best Undergraduate Research Assistant the Professor has ever had in her research group. Marko participates and contributes to the Croatian community in Canada through various organizations and events.
2020/2021 Viktoria Cubelic
$1,500 Bursary Award Recipient
Viktoria is a student at the University of Waterloo working towards her Bachelor of Science degree and Doctor of Pharmacy degree. Viktoria was chosen as one of 25 exceptional high school students to be granted Conditional Admission to Pharmacy (CAP) status and is now on an accelerated path to her career goal of becoming a pharmacist, and being able to positively impact both the health and lives of people on a daily basis. In addition to her academic achievements, Viktoria is an active member of the Croatian Canadian community, with a passion for basketball. She is a member of the Varsity Women’s Basketball Team at the University of Waterloo and a youth basketball coach and mentor. Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, she made the commitment to become a frontline worker as a Pharmacy Assistant helping to ensure the health and safety of the general public.
2019/2020 Sandra Janjicek
$2,000 Scholarship Award Recipient
Sandra is a student at the University of Toronto working towards her Master of Information. Sandra is an active member of the Croatian-Canadian community, with a passion for researching intellectual property rights. She has distinguished herself within the Faculty of Information (iSchool) and globally, relative to her research in the intersection of copyright and human rights. Sandra has travelled to Geneva, Switzerland to attend the World Intellectual Property Organization’s thirty-eighth Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights where she had the privilege of observing negotiations, networked with the Canadian delegation, and proactively consulted Croatian delegates on fair dealing (copyright exceptions) for libraries, archives, and museums. Upon graduation, Sandra aims to fulfill a career in the public sector as an information professional, developing digital policy and returning to academia to research principles of data governance in pursuit of a PhD.
2019/2020 Helena Kunic
$2,000 Scholarship Award Recipient
Helena is majoring in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Guelph. She is an advocate for women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) roles. Through her position as the Big Sister Little Sister Coordinator, she partners first-year women in engineering with women in upper-years of engineering and plans events to help the first-years with the challenges of engineering. Additionally, through the University’s Women in Science and Engineering Club, Helena volunteers at outreach events that encourage young women to pursue careers in STEM. While on a mission trip to Peru, Helena witnessed first-hand the devastating effects of poverty
on wellbeing and healthcare and is determined to use her education to better the lives of those less fortunate by creating more accessible technologies to detect various diseases. A participating member of the Croatian-Canadian community, Helena has both played soccer and coached young children.
2019/2020 Gregory Georg Radisic
$2,000 Scholarship Award Recipient
Believing in the Croatian tradition of “work hard in school or else!”, Gregory holds two Bachelor degrees and a Master degree. He is currently pursuing a Juris Doctorate in Law at the University of Calgary. Gregory has managed a non-for-profit with over 130 staff members, raised over $150k for various charitable organizations, was a vocal member of the university senate and student union, has resurrected a struggling magazine from debt and managed a team of students that over saw 5000 annual cases of student misconduct. He is currently the Marketing Manager and Host for Hearsay on CJSW station, a Canadian law radio show. Gregory is an active member of UCalgary’s Student Legal Aid Office, where he works as a student advocate where he even represented a fellow Croatian-Canadian in provincial court last month.
2019/2020 Veronika Salamun
$2,000 Scholarship Award Recipient
Veronika is a first-year graduate student currently completing her Masters of Architecture at the University of Toronto. She is committed to her education as well as preserving and celebrating her Croatian heritage. Veronika was selected to participate in an international exchange program in Spain as well as a collaborative research-based summer studio course. While she appreciates the value in academic success, Veronika believes it just as important to be involved in the communities we serve. At the University of Toronto, she was the President of the Croatian Students Association for three years, and is currently a Senior Mentor to younger students in her faculty. Having witnessed problems cities face such as overcrowding and unaffordability has inspired her. She believes in architecture of altruism; in order to be effective, design must have meaning, and to do this, it needs to respond to the ever-changing needs of society. It is her hope that as a future architect, she will play a role in an architecture that seeks to improve the quality of life for all individuals.
2019/2020 Marina Culo
$1,500 Bursary Award Recipient
Marina is a Bachelor of Science and Engineering student majoring in Biomechanics at the University of Calgary. She is also a member of the Dino Women’s Volleyball team, one of the top teams in Canada that competes every weekend and travels across Western Canada for competitions. Marina trains six to seven days a week with the team during her eight-month academic calendar year and has achieved Academic All-Canadian status, awarded only to a select few students. In addition to playing volleyball, Marina coaches Kids Camps at Junior Varsity Center and Dinos Camps, mentors pre-teens through the Calgary Catholic Family Services Mentorship Program and volunteers with the Croatian Catholic Parish in Edmonton. With a keen interest in Rehabilitation Science, Marina will pursue a Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy upon completion of her undergrad.
2019/2020 Caleb Robin Zeljko Milatovic
$1,500 Bursary Award Recipient
Caleb is an Art & Design student at George Brown College. He works as a Student Ambassador at George Brown College and volunteers his time at the Ontario College Information Fair (OCIF), helping high school students with their program specific questions and applications to George Brown College. Along with volunteering at OCIF, he also dedicates his time towards helping the Toronto Humane Society with building winterized feral cat shelters. Upon completion of his current program, Caleb will transition into the Graphic Design Advanced Diploma Program and upon graduating plans to work at a design firm to create campaigns for socio-economic causes as well as develop experience as a freelance Graphic Designer. Beyond volunteering, Caleb enjoys playing football and guitar.
2018/2019 Brian Bursic
$2,000 Scholarship Award Recipient
Brian is a student at Western University studying Honours Specialization in Pharmacology. He has a demonstrated commitment to academic achievements and diverse leadership roles, continuing to contribute to the Croatian-Canadian community. Brian is currently a Dean’s Honour Roll student, President and Founder of the Western University Technology Review Publication and President of the Croatia Club at Western. After his undergraduate degree, Brian aspires to attend Medical School to become an Oncologist.
2018/2019 Elena Grbac
$2,000 Scholarship Award Recipient
Elena is a third year Medical student at the University of Toronto, pursuing a career in paediatric medicine. She was drawn to work with children from immigrant families, providing mentorship and tutoring and now works with a diverse population, each with their own unique migration story. Through a partnership with YWCA Arise, a shelter for women and children experiencing abuse, she created an initiative to improve health literacy. Elena looks forward to exploring the health inequities that are prevalent in immigrant children and advocate for the health and well-being of her future patients.
2018/2019 Nicholas Grubic
$2,000 Scholarship Award Recipient
Attending Queen’s University and majoring in Life Sciences, Nicolas will also earn a Certificate in Business from the Smith School of Business. Nicholas is heavily involved in two cardiovascular projects and is looking forward to expanding his research interests and experiences to develop the necessary skills needed to pursue a career within cardiovascular epidemiology. In addition to his studies, Nicholas has participated at the Ontario and Canadian University Rowing Championships, achieving gold medal finishes and represented Team Ontario at the 2017 Canada Summer Games.
2018/2019 Viktorija Burcul
$1,500 Bursary Award Recipient
Viktorija is a Biomedical Science student in her fourth year at the University of Ottawa. Upon graduation, Viktorija will continue to follow her life’s passion and pursue an accelerated nursing degree in anticipation of becoming a Public Health Nurse. She firmly believes in interdisciplinary learning and engages with youth in her community as a clubhouse volunteer with the Boys and Girls Club, and as an Ottawa Branch Leader of Indigo Girls Group Ontario (IGG) – a youth-run, non-profit organization, that is devoted to empowering girls aged 6-18.
2018/2019 Julia Gradiski
$1,500 Bursary Award Recipient
Julia is majoring in Family and Community Social Services at the University of Guelph-Humber. Upon graduation, Julia plans to pursue a Master’s degree in the field of mental health and fulfill her long-standing career goal to incorporate art therapy in the form of dance as a treatment tool for children struggling with mental illness. Julia currently volunteers at the Vitanova Foundation, a residential treatment program for adult men dealing with substance abuse and will spend her summer in California volunteering with the Fostering Dreams Project which uses dance to foster youth.
2018/2019 Emma Sara Juracic
$1,500 Bursary Award Recipient
Emma is a second-year Ph.D. student at the University of Waterloo, with a research focus on calcium ion regulation in skeletal muscle. She has completed her Honors B.Sc. in Biomedical Sciences at the University of Waterloo as well as her M.Sc. in Kinesiology. Emma strives to exemplify the mentorship she has received onto graduate and undergraduate students, as both a researcher and teaching assistant and has thus been awarded the Doctoral Excellence Award and the Graduate Teaching Award. She hopes to follow in her mentors footsteps to become an assistant professor and develop her own research program.
2018/2019 Anastasia Turalija
$1,500 Bursary Award Recipient
Currently a second year student at McMaster University in their pre-law honours program JPPL (Justice, Political Philosophy and Law), with a minor in French, Anastasia hopes to pursue a career in the field of law. Anastasia was one of only sixty students chosen to enroll in McMasters extremely competitive pre-law program. She has been an active member of the Croatian-Canadian community, an active volunteer and is a member of the McMaster University Croatia Club. Anastasia firmly believes education is more than just acquiring information, it is the fundamental precondition to developing your own identity and role in today’s world.
2017/2018 Ivana Kajic
$2,000 Scholarship Award Recipient
Ivana is working towards her PHD in Computer Science at the University of Waterloo. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from the University of Zagreb, Croatia and a Master of Science in Computational Neuroscience from Berlin, Germany. Ivana has organized events aimed at improving the quality of the academic environment for female graduate students including workshops that are targeted for individuals who would benefit from the knowledge of programming, but do not have an opportunity to learn within their workplace or academic curriculum.
2017/2018 Ivana Osojnicki
$2,000 Scholarship Award Recipient
Ivana is majoring in Honours Planning with a minor in Environmental Assessment at the University of Waterloo. Amongst other community volunteer activities, Ivana is a volunteer at Waterloo’s Sustainable Campus Initiative and Planning Student Association. She is on the Dean’s Honors List and has received Honourable Mention for the Jack Rosen Memorial Award for Environmental Innovation.
2017/2018 Nicholas Vukelic
$2,000 Scholarship Award Recipient
Nicholas is currently a student at the University of Western, Ivey Business School studying Engineering and Business. Nicholas is a mentor in the Ivey Consulting Club and a pro bono consultant for the United Way of London and Middlesex. He is a member of the Ivey Case Competition Club and the Western Croatian Club.
2017/2018 Damien Sabljak
$1,500 Bursary Award Recipient
Damien is a student at McMaster University studying Electrical Engineering. Damien is a member of the McMaster Solar Car Team as well as the Golden Key International Honors Society. He is on the Dean’s Honour Roll and is competing in the McMaster Sumobot Competition, a robotics organization that challenges students to design their own autonomous fighting robots, which are pitted against each other in tournament-style, one-on-one wrestling matches.
2017/2018 Liam Hrvoje Kunic
$1,500 Bursary Award Recipient
Liam is majoring in Bio-Medical Science at the University of Guelph, upon completion of his degree he will pursue a career in Optometry. Liam is an active volunteer at The Riverside Glen and Arbour Trails Retirement Home as well as the coach and captain of his own intramurals team. He is the recipient of several honours and awards and a founding member of the Guelph Croatian Students Association.
2017/2018 Ana Mrazovac
$1,500 Bursary Award Recipient
Ana is majoring in Honours Health Sciences with a minor in Psychology, Biology and Chemistry at Wilfred Laurier University. On campus Ana is a member of Habitat for Humanity and Laurier Team Up Against Concussions while outside of school she volunteers at the Waterloo Wayside Centre. Ana aims to pursue a Masters of Epidemiology and Biostatistics and excel in a career in Public Health.
2016/2017 Agnes Crnic
$2,000 Scholarship Award Recipient
Agnes is studying towards her Doctorate in Medicine at the University of Ottawa, having already completed a Bachelor and Master of Science. Agnes is a very active volunteer, dedicating her time to the Rape Crisis Centre, Mothercraft Birthing Centre and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada. She has been granted the unique opportunity to pursue an additional year of training in her field of study.
2016/2017 Igor Huskic
$2,000 Scholarship Award Recipient
Igor, a student at McGill University has completed a Bachelor and Master of Science from the University of Zagreb and is pursuing his PhD in Chemistry. With six (6) published scientific papers, Igor has already achieved great success in his discipline. He has received two T. Sterry Hunt Awards and he is co-chair of the Gordon Research Seminar in Crustal Engineering.
2016/2017 Mateo Menalo
$1,500 Bursary Award Recipient
Mateo is currently a student at the University of Toronto studying Paramedicine. Mateo is a councillor for underprivileged youth at Camp Ozanam and a cross country enthusiast. He is a member of the University of Toronto Varsity Track and Field Team and was awarded Engineering Idol Champion in 2015.
2015/2016 – $2,000 Scholarship Award Recipient
Ryan Bacic
Ryan attends Ryerson University, studying International Economics. He is the Deputy of Events for the International Economic and Finance Union, a member of Ryerson’s mentoring program and a course builder for a first year basic math course. Ryan is also a member of Ryerson’s track and field team and was the National runner up for the Terry Fox Humanitarian Award.
2015/2016 – $2,000 Scholarship Award Recipient
Lauren Vrbanic
Lauren, a student at McGill University is pursuing a degree in Biological and Biomedical Life Sciences. She is a musician trained on the Saxophone and a member of the Croatian National Home Folklore Group. Lauren is a recipient of the “Lifer Award” and her ultimate goal is to be a neurosurgeon.
2015/2016 – $1,500 Bursary Award Recipient
Melisa Okanovic
Melisa is currently a student at York University enrolled in the Schulich School of Business. She is majoring in Accounting with a minor in International Business. Melisa has planned and organized several fundraisers for charities, she is a mentor and a volunteer at local shelters and homeless hubs. Melisa is experienced in planning professional development events in Toronto and is president of the York Rotary Club.
2015/2016 – $1,500 Bursary Award Recipient
Filip Trstenjak
Filip attends Niagara College studying Computer Science. He is an Honours standing student and an active member of the United Nations Association. Filip is fluent in English, Croatian and German and he stays active by participating in volleyball, swimming and tennis.
2014/2015 – $2,000 Scholarship Award Recipient
Julijana Hajdinjak
Julijana attends Wilfrid Laurier University, studying Vocal Performance and Composition. While an active choir and Composers Union member, Julijana is also a private piano and voice teacher. She is a winner of the HKD Napredak Festival as well as a volunteer at the Canadian Croatian Library. In 2013, Julijana was honoured with the opportunity to perform with the Rolling Stones.
2014/2015 – $2,000 Scholarship Award Recipient
Maja Petrović
Maja, a student at the University of Toronto is pursuing her degree in Criminology & Political Science with a minor in Sociology. She is Vice President of the UFT Young Liberals, a UFT Campus Experience Coach and a mentor with the UFT Mentor Program. Maja is also an active participant in Mladifest.
2014/2015 – $1,500 Bursary Award Recipient
Nina Omerović
Nina is currently a student at Humber College, majoring in Food & Nutrition with a minor in Food & Nutrition Management. Nina is a volunteer for International Development Week, The Marketplace and a member of the Canadian Association of Foodservice Professionals and the Canadian Society of Nutrition Management. While supporting her studies, Nina is working at Bronte Natural Health clinic where she applies her experience and knowledge to support patients with nutrition based lifestyle therapies.
2014/2015 – $1,500 Bursary Award Recipient
Stefanie Petrina
Stephanie is pursuing her Bachelor of Education at Brock University with a minor in Geography. She is an active member of Hamilton Croatia and in addition to volunteering at the Brock University Reading Clinic, also volunteers at various Catholic elementary and secondary schools. Stephanie enjoys soccer, bocce, dodge ball and beach volleyball.
2013/2014 – $2,000 Scholarship Award Recipient
Nikolina Beg
Nikolina, who is pursuing her Master in Biostatistics at Carleton University after completing her Bachelor of Mathematics, has achieved a remarkable academic record. She has been an active member of NCRCFE “Croatoan” in Ottawa since childhood and continues to teach tamburica and folklore, while still an active performer in the group. Nikolina looks forward to becoming an influential statistician in the analytics field.
2013/2014 – $2,000 Scholarship Award Recipient
Peter Grbac
Peter, who is pursuing his Law Degree at McGill University, has an extensive scholastic record after having graduated from the prestigious Harvard University and studied at Oxford University and L’Institut d’Études Politique de Paris. He has won countless academic awards, written several published papers and continues to volunteer his time with various non-profit and academic organizations.
2013/2014 – $2,000 Scholarship Award Recipient
Nicholas La Delfa
Nicholas, who is pursuing his PdD in Kinesiology at McMaster University, has an outstanding academic record in his pre and post-graduate programs. He has been a volunteer in several worthwhile philanthropic organizations and can be seen teaching tamburica as well as playing tamburica in the well-known Tamburaški Sastav ‘Frajeri”. We look forward to seeing Nicholas become a professor in the field of Ergonomics.
2013/2014 – $2,000 Scholarship Award Recipient
Kristina Zilic
Kristina, who is pursuing her Law Degree at the University of Ottawa, recently graduated with a Master of Science from Western University and has a achieved a remarkable academic record. She has been an active member of the Croatian community in London through her volunteer efforts on and off campus and her active involvement in church, soccer and Folklore Ensemble “Dubrovnik”.
2013/2014 – $1,500 Bursary Award Recipient
Igor Kremnjas
Igor, who is pursuing his Master of Financial Economics at the University of Toronto, has achieved an outstanding academic record. He was awarded several business and leadership awards both in his undergraduate and postgraduate programs at McMaster and Uof T. Igor has been actively involved in the Hamilton Croatia soccer program and looks forward to completing his academic program to become an economist.
2012/2013 – $2,000 Scholarship Award Recipient
Luka Filipović
Luka, enrolled at the University of Waterloo, majoring in Mathematics and Computer Science, has achieved an outstanding academic record. He is the winner of serveral academic competitions both on a national and international level. Luka is actively involved as a volunteer for various associations and is an enthusiastic member of the Croatian-Canadian community.
2012/2013 – $2,000 Scholarship Award Recipient
Ana Komparić
Ana, enrolled at the University of Toronto , majoring in Bioethics and Immunology, has achieved an exceptional academic record. She has volunteered as a student research assistant at various medical institutions and laboratories. Ana is a member of the Croatian Students Association at the University of Toronto and an active member of the Croatian-Canadian community.
2012/2013 – $1,500 Bursary Award Recipient
Franjo Stanić
Franjo, enrolled at the University of Toronto, majoring in Engineering, has achieved a remarkable academic record. He has proven leadership skills organizing and participating in international soccer camps as well as playing against Europe’s best youth teams. Franjo is a former member of Toronto Croatia of the Canadian Soccer League and a dynamic member of the Croatian-Canadian community.
2011/2012 – $1,000 Scholarship Award Recipient
Michael Mitar
Michael, who is enrolled in his final year at the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto (Doctor of Medicine), has achieved an excellent academic record, has shown commendable leadership skills, and is an active member of the Croatian-Canadian community.
2011/2012 – $1,000 Bursary Award Recipient
Kasandra Julia Mrežar
Kasandra, who is enrolled at King’s University College at the University of Western Ontario (Bachelor of Arts), achieved very good academic records and have actively participated in the Croatian-Canadian community and contributed to various charitable events.
2011/2012 – $1,000 Bursary Award Recipient
Stephanie Paulina Pisačić
Stephanie, who is enrolled in her second year at the University of Toronto (Bachelor of Commerce), achieved very good academic records and have actively participated in the Croatian-Canadian community and contributed to various charitable events.
