MLA Bursary

2021 MLA Bursary Winner!

The Muskoka Lakes Association (MLA) has awarded its 9th annual MLA Bursary to Hayden Foley, a Grade 12 student who is graduating from Gravenhurst High School. 

Hayden is an honours student and an enthusiastic member of the school's FIRST Robotics Team of more than 30 members that participates in the annual international competition to build robots to solve an engineering challenge, develop community partnerships and promote STEM education (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) locally. His fundraising for the team included more than 50 cold calls on local businesses. He is also active in his church. 

In the fall he will begin the Engineering program at the University of Guelph. 

Hayden has been saving for his post-secondary education through part time work since Grade 9. During the pandemic, he was designated an essential worker. Informing him that he had won the bursary left Hayden uncharacteristically speech; he is very grateful to the MLA for this award. 

Congratulations Hayden!

2020 MLA Bursary Winner!

The Muskoka Lakes Association (MLA) Bursary recipient for 2020 is Makayla Smith-Lagrandeur. Makayla is a local resident, growing up on the Wahta Mohawks Territory in Bala. Makayla is an honor student from Gravenhurst High School, she successfully completed her grade 12. Makayla was also involved in Community and Volunteer Associations. She was a student delegate for the Indigenous Education Advisory Committee, a delegate for Youth Leadership and attended a conference for the Iroquois and Allied Indians in London in 2018.

Makayla will be attending the Law Clerk program at Georgian College in Barrie this fall. She looks forward to continuing her vision of becoming a Family lawyer one day in order to help people in her community. Makayla has many positive attributes. She is a mature, responsible, and caring friend and she has helped her mom at home raise her two younger brothers.

Makayla’s application to the MLA was exceptionally well written, organized, and thoughtful. 

Congratulations Makayla! 

The Muskoka Lakes Association (MLA) has awarded its 7th Annual MLA Bursary to Laken Hobson of Bracebridge Muskoka Lakes Secondary School in Bracebridge, Ontario.

Laken is involved in many extra-curricular activities and has multiple certifications. Laken has been on the school’s swim team since grade 9 and is a certified National lifeguard, Red cross lifeguard as well as a water safety instructor. Laken often finds herself volunteering to support her local community; Leadership Council, Rotary Youth Leadership awards camp, Special Olympics Ontario swim coach, Women’s advocacy group child care and many more.

Academically, Laken accomplished an outstanding achievement of receiving Honour roll four years in a row. She’s also been nominated for the Lieutenant Governor’s Volunteer award and the All-Round Student award.

Laken has accepted her offer to York University, Glendon Campus for International Studies.

Congratulations Laken!

MLA 2016 Student Bursary Winner!

The Muskoka Lakes Association (MLA) has awarded the 2016 MLA Bursary to Laiken Pratt of Gravenhurst High School in Gravenhurst, Ontario.

Laiken will be attending Sir Sanford Fleming College in the fall in the Ecosystem Management Technology program.  Laiken loves the outdoors and wanted to make a difference working to maintain and protect the health of the environment using sustainable environmental practices and would like to pursue a career that allows her to actively participate in environmental change from within the system.

Congratulations Laiken!