A unique honour was bestowed upon a St. Clair College student when the ATHENA Scholarship recipients were announced this past week.
Trevor Ramieri was named the 2021 recipient of a $5,000 ATHENA scholarship. Four students are awarded the scholarship annually for excellent academic achievement, increasing leadership opportunities for women and enhancing the quality of life in our community. Ramieri is one of few men to ever win the award.
"There are so many phenomenal female leaders who are truly deserving of this. The fact I was chosen is humbling," Ramieri said. "The glass ceiling has to be broken from both sides. Creating opportunities is so crucial and there are so many people whose work doesn't get highlighted."
Ramieri is a graduate of Culinary Management and is in his final year studying Horticulture Technology. But his personal growth skyrocketed four years ago after a chance encounter with a member of Enactus St. Clair led him to become a member of the group of which he is now president.
"As a trade student, I had no idea what Enactus was," said Ramieri. "But since then, it has led to me doing international competitions with like-minded students from around the world who are also trying to create positive change".
Ramieri has always had a passion for food sustainability and accessibility. He is hoping to combine that passion with his experience from two diploma programs at St. Clair and channel it into his dream of owning a farm-to-table restaurant. Ramieri was 22 when he first arrived at St. Clair College. Now at age 27, he understands the scope of what he has accomplished and how his experience in college has been to his personal development.
"What sets St. Clair apart from other colleges is the diverse range of programs that really understand the meaning of applied education," said Ramieri. "The ultimate privilege of success is being able to bring people up with you. That's the power you get from that growth."
Ramieri said the unique honour of receiving such a prestigious scholarship has given him momentum and motivation to pursue a strong finish to the final stretch of his college career and beyond.
"The objective was never to win awards but I am so truly fulfilled by what we do and I'm inspired by the people I work with. It's constantly invigorating," said Ramieri. "I know I want to help people and continue this element of mentorship and the power of connecting people with resources and opportunities. That is something I want to pursue for the rest of my life."
The 2020/2021 ATHENA Scholarship recipients will be honoured at a luncheon on Thursday, November 18, 2021 at St. Clair College Centre for the Arts. This year’s guest speaker is University of Windsor Chancellor Mary Jo Haddad.
- Brett Hedges