North Park Collegiate Grad Earns Significant Scholarship

Left to right: Liz Moruzi, head of guidance; Richard Humpartzoomian, science teacher; Markus Kunej; Phil Midgley, principal; Krista MacDonald, department head, English

Markus Kunej is set to start his studies in Engineering Science at the University of Toronto this fall, and his achievements in secondary school have earned him an impressive Schulich Leader Scholarship worth $100,000.

The award is a life-changing honour which distinguishes Markus as part of an esteemed network of national STEM scholars at some of Canada’s leading universities.

Earlier this spring, Markus’ entry in the 2018 Bay Area Science and Engineering Fair won a Gold Merit award and earned him a trip to the Canada-Wide Science Fair in Ottawa. For his project - “The Echo Belt: Navigation Technology for the Visually Impaired" - Markus employed his skills in computer programming and circuitry to create a belt that detects obstacles through ultrasonic sensors and provides feedback to the user. Earlier this month, Markus, along with fellow Grand Erie students Rianna Crawford and Joshua Clugston of Brantford Collegiate Institute and Vocational School, was awarded with the prestigious James Hillier Foundation Scholarship, recognizing outstanding contributions to innovation and science.

In addition to his academic achievements, Markus is active outside the classroom, taking in Brant County championship soccer, basketball, volleyball, and tennis teams. He's also a member of North Park’s Link Crew, devoting many hours to helping Grade 9 students make a successful transition to secondary school.

Markus' impressive secondary school career echoes Grand Erie's Multi-Year Plan, and the pillar of Achievement, which sets a culture of high expectations for students and staff.