Prestigious scholarships for McLuhan grads

Aaron Benwic and Carolyne Barker have done their school proud.

The 18-year-olds, who recently finished serving as student council president and vice-president, respectively, at Marshall McLuhan Catholic Secondary School on Avenue Road, received prestigious scholarships worth $100,000 and $250,000 before graduating in June.

Barker, of Leaside, who also played on the school’s field hockey team, won the Morehead-Cain scholarship, which is exclusive to the University of North Carolina. Valued at $250,000, it will pay for all expenses — tuition, books, food and housing — Barker incurs while studying at the university.

Benwic, who will be studying commerce at the University of British Columbia, was one of 30 students across Canada to win the $100,000 Loran Scholarship. Part of his legacy at Marshall McLuhan is a successful drive to change the school’s dress code: students no longer have to wear black socks as part of their uniforms.

“Aaron and Carolyne are exceptional students who have achieved extraordinary success as a result of their dedication to community service, academic excellence and extra-curricular involvement,” commented Elaine Barret, their academic advisor and English teacher.

Both students credit the school’s Advanced Placement program with giving them the opportunity and foundation to pursue their scholarships. Supervised by Barret, the program receives students identified as gifted from other schools and provides the same opportunities to exceptional pupils who “fall through the cracks.”

Benwic and Barker had been identified as gifted beforehand.

In addition to the Morehead-Cain Scholarship, Barker will be receiving a gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, given by the royal family to outstanding young Canadians.

A previous Marshall McLuhan graduate, Kris Todi, received a $200,000 scholarship to study at Yale University.