A pair of high school students from Ecuador and Honduras are the first two recipients of the Brock University International Award for Possibilities.

Alvaro Alejandro (Alex) Granja Jimenez, from Quito, Ecuador, and Eduardo Humberto Retes, from Tegucigalpa, Honduras, will officially be awarded their scholarships at a pro-sports-style signing event at 3 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 8 in Market Hall.

Launched this year, the International Award for Possibilities covers the four-year international tuition cost worth nearly $90,000 for two high school graduates from around the world.

The awards are given to high school students from partner schools who have demonstrated a positive contribution to their communities, and show the potential for future contribution with the help of a university education

For Granja Jimenez, it’s a dream come true.

“This scholarship is everything for me and my family,” he said. “It means that I did not fail my hard-working mother and didn’t let her down, I didn’t let myself down. It means I get a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to better my studies.”

Retes said he understands the responsibility that comes with the award.

“I can say that because of this opportunity Canadian education has given me, I am willing to work so that this opportunity opens up to others, especially those who would otherwise not have a chance to do so,” he said.

“It’s a privilege to be able to provide this opportunity to people as deserving as Alex and Eduardo and to be part of making their dreams come true,” said Shari Sekel, Interim Director, International Market Development and ESL Services. “This is a milestone for Brock University because they are the first students from Ecuador and Honduras to receive such awards.

Both young men are also hoping to become student athletes during their time here. Granja Jimenez plans to try out for the Brock Badgers soccer team while Retes wants to try out for the baseball team.

Everyone from the Brock community is invited to the event Thursday at 3 p.m. in Market Hall.