MEDIA RELEASE – MAY 20, 2025 – R0063
Helping others isn’t just a calling for Adriel Dela Paz, it’s the family business.
Inspired by family members in nursing, including an older brother in Brock’s Nursing program, Dela Paz is driven by a passion for helping others and an admiration for the role nurses play in society.
“I see nurses as heroes,” said the Denis Morris Catholic High School student. “They put their lives at risk every day to make their communities healthier and happier.”
Dela Paz was one of 63 Niagara Principal’s Scholarship recipients celebrated at Brock on Thursday, May 15.
The $2,500 entrance scholarships are awarded to two graduating students from nearly every public, Catholic and private secondary school in Niagara, recognizing a combination of academic success, school and community involvement, and financial need.
Held in the Sean O’ Sullivan Theatre, the annual reception brought together more than 120 students, family members, school administrators and guidance counsellors to mark the achievements of the 2025 recipients. Now in its 10th year, the scholarship program has awarded more than $1.6 million since its launch in 2015.
Dela Paz said receiving the scholarship eased a significant burden for his family.
“With the cost of so many essentials going up, paying tuition on top of that would have been really stressful for us,” said Dela Paz, who attended the reception with his family. “Knowing my hard work in high school paid off makes me feel thankful and blessed. This scholarship is helping clear my mind as I get ready for this new chapter.”
Dela Paz hopes to one day become a pediatric or travel nurse and wants to support future health-care workers in feeling confident and prepared.
“What excites me about Brock’s program is the perfect balance between classroom and clinical learning,” he said. “The opportunity to stay close to home, use the gym and basketball facilities, and keep up with physical exercise to support my mental health also played a big part in my decision.”
Among the other students honoured was Holy Cross Catholic Secondary School’s Soraya Felice, an incoming Integrated Engineering student whose passion for design and construction began in childhood.
“I’ve always been fascinated by the art of building, whether that was through Minecraft or inventing toys as a kid,” said Felice. “Brock’s program gives me the chance to embrace the complexity of engineering while combining hands-on learning and small class sizes, which I believe will help foster meaningful connections with professors and peers.”
Felice also hopes to take advantage of the program’s co-op placements and global learning opportunities, with the goal of studying abroad in Italy and immersing herself in the country’s architectural heritage.
Thursday’s ceremony included a formal recognition of each student, who received a scholarship certificate and a box filled with Brock gear and resources to help them start strong.
In addition to the scholarship celebration, the evening also featured Brock’s Niagara Applicant Reception, a drop-in event designed to support students from the region who are considering attending the University this fall.
Prospective students and their families had the opportunity to connect one-on-one with Brock staff at a variety of booths, explore academic programs, and attend helpful presentations on next steps, course registration, financial aid and the student experience.
“We are so excited to welcome these outstanding students to Brock,” said Matt Melnyk, Director, Student Recruitment. “The Niagara Principal’s Scholarship celebrates their hard work, passion and potential, and we can’t wait to see the incredible things they will achieve on our campus and in the wider community.”
Recipients of the 2025 Niagara Principal’s Scholarships:
- Isabella Krick, A.N. Myer Secondary School
- Niko Zapata, A.N. Myer Secondary School
- Emerson Pergentile, Blessed Trinity Catholic Secondary School
- Molly Berecz, Blessed Trinity Catholic Secondary School
- Jason Ideozu, Bronston Canadian Academy
- Adriel Dela Paz, Denis Morris Catholic High School
- Claire Cuthbert, Denis Morris Catholic High School
- Khoi Tran, DSBN Academy
- Scarlett Greenburey, DSBN Academy
- Michael Varga, E.L. Crossley Secondary School
- Mila Burattini, E.L. Crossley Secondary School
- Cora McGlynn, Eastdale Secondary School
- Fatima Salman, Eastdale Secondary School
- Nina Edwards, Saint-Jean-de-Brébeuf Catholic Secondary School
- Sophie Filion, Saint-Jean-de-Brébeuf Catholic Secondary School
Aicha Kaba, École Secondaire Franco-Niagara - Spencer Ellsworth, École Secondaire Franco-Niagara
- Danae Dyck, Eden High School
- Landon House, Eden High School
- Zoe Onomononi Akarutu-Balogun, Fort Erie International Academy
- Briar Rogers, Governor Simcoe Secondary School
- Taliyah Washington, Governor Simcoe Secondary School
- Mackenzie Cook, Great Lakes Christian High School
- Posie Tuinstra, Great Lakes Christian High School
- Alyssa Havill, Greater Fort Erie Secondary School
- Mackenzie Arts, Greater Fort Erie Secondary School
- Anjali Singh, Heritage Christian School
- Emily Koopman, Heritage Christian School
- Hannah Diamond, Holy Cross Catholic Secondary School
- Soraya Felice, Holy Cross Catholic Secondary School
- Adriana Rumbos, Jordan Christian School
- Keirsten DeBoer, Jordan Christian School
- Michaela Atkins, Lakeshore Catholic High School
- Ryleigh Gannon, Lakeshore Catholic High School
- Camryn Haycox, Laura Secord Secondary School
- Walli Bukhari, Laura Secord Secondary School
- Cassidy Heil, Notre Dame College School
- Trista Sammutt, Notre Dame College School
- Alisha Azhar, Port Colborne High School
- Ava de Waard, Port Colborne High School
- Ethan Postma, Ridley College
- Abby Shaw, Saint Francis Catholic Secondary School
- Rachel Boyd, Saint Francis Catholic Secondary School
- Preston Campbell, Saint Michael Catholic High School
- Reem Ghabayen, Saint Michael Catholic High School
- Emilia Martuccio, Saint Paul Catholic High School
- Kathryn Bishop, Saint Paul Catholic High School
- Olivia Honsinger, Sir Winston Churchill Secondary School
- Sameera Ahmad, Sir Winston Churchill Secondary School
- Charlotte Lee, Smithville Christian High School
- Kaitlyn Nywening, Smithville Christian High School
- Rees Storring, St. Catharines Collegiate
- Toufiq Ahmad, St. Catharines Collegiate
- Ivy Moreau, Stamford Collegiate
- Tamiya Cox, Stamford Collegiate
- Makenna MacCormack, Thorold Secondary School
- Sarah Robichaud, Thorold Secondary School
- Emily Lukacsy, Welland Centennial Secondary School
- Kaycie Mayhew, Welland Centennial Secondary School
- Abigail Sivyer, West Niagara Secondary School
- Kiera Bacchus, West Niagara Secondary School
- Claire Culp, Westlane Secondary School
- Hannah Braye, Westlane Secondary School
For more information or for assistance arranging interviews:
*Sarah Ackles, Communications Specialist, Brock University [email protected] or 289-241-5483
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