Several graduating students from the Limestone District School Board have earned significant scholarships and awards, paving the way for their post-secondary education. Among them, Ernestown Secondary School graduate Haleigh Knetsch received a life-changing scholarship from Queen’s University’s Promise Scholars program, valued between $60,000 and $100,000 over four years. This program is specifically designed to support first-generation students from lower-income families, offering not only financial aid but also comprehensive academic, career, and mentorship support.
Haleigh Knetsch’s Transformational Scholarship
Knetsch described her disbelief upon receiving the email notification about the Queen’s University scholarship. “I just got an email one day saying, like, you have gotten a scholarship,” she shared. The Promise Scholars program aims to reduce barriers for students who might not otherwise have the opportunity to attend university. For Knetsch, whose parents did not attend college or university, the award is a critical enabler. “Neither of my parents went to college or university and there’s no way I would be able to afford to go to Queen’s,” she explained.
Initially, Knetsch had planned to attend Trent University, deterred by the cost of Queen’s. “I honestly wasn’t even planning on going to Queen’s because of how expensive it is,” she admitted. “Now, this happened. So, I need to try so hard. I need to do as best as I can throughout university, ’cause this is a crazy opportunity.”
Her mother, Dannelle Knetsch, expressed the family’s elation. “She called me crying from school,” Dannelle said. “We’re super excited. She’s worked so hard over the last four years. In school. She’s had extremely good academics. She’s been part of every athletic team. She was a leader of the school. She’s just been exceptional, so I’d say well deserved, but we are super excited that she doesn’t have to worry about the financial burden.”
Comprehensive Support Beyond Finances
Queen’s University emphasizes that the Promise Scholars initiative offers more than just financial assistance. Recipients benefit from mentorship, academic guidance, career advising, and paid summer work experiences tailored to their fields of study. Knetsch highlighted the value of these additional supports. “I also get a guidance counsellor who helps me around the school, and I also am guaranteed a summer job,” she noted.
Knetsch’s academic and extracurricular achievements have been extensive. She participated in a minimum of four sports each year, served on student council, accumulated over 100 volunteer hours, and engaged in tutoring. Her dedication was also recognized with the 2025-26 Limestone Student Achievers Award, which celebrates outstanding leadership, school spirit, and academic achievement.
Knetsch intends to pursue Queen’s concurrent education program, aspiring to become a high school teacher. Her passion for teaching stems from her own positive experiences with educators and her rewarding work tutoring a student who significantly improved their math grades and confidence. “It made me so ecstatic to feel like I was actually helping somebody,” she said.
Despite facing personal challenges, including significant anxiety since Grade 8, Knetsch has persevered. With the help of medication and support systems, including counselling and encouragement from educators and coaches like Ernestown Secondary School principal Tyler Wilson and volleyball coach Steve Hickey, she has built confidence and resilience.
Other Limestone Graduates Achieve Notable Awards
Haleigh Knetsch’s success is part of a broader trend of high achievement among Limestone District School Board graduates. Several other students have secured prestigious awards:
- Nathan Kashira (Kingston Secondary School): Selected as one of only 36 students nationally for the 2026 Loran Scholar award, valued at approximately $100,000 over four years. Kashira is an entrepreneur with a drone photography business, captained his school’s football team, and led community service initiatives.
- Athena Andrecyk (Kingston Secondary School): Awarded a full four-year athletic and academic scholarship to the University of Alabama to study biochemistry. Andrecyk is a decorated athlete in cross-country and track and field, a national champion, and a former member of MPP Ted Hsu’s youth advisory council.
- Kayl Vankoughnett (Sydenham High School): Received Queen’s University’s Chernoff Family Award, valued between $48,000 and $72,000, for academic excellence, leadership, community involvement, and creative thinking. She was also a Limestone Student Achievers Award recipient.
- Ava Sauve (Sydenham High School): Also earned the Chernoff Family Award from Queen’s University, recognizing her academic achievement, leadership, and community engagement.
- Minh Ho (Loyalist Collegiate and Vocational Institute): Received the University of Ottawa’s International English Admission Scholarship, worth $7,500 per term for up to 12 terms, supporting international students in English-language undergraduate programs.
- Tooba Waseem (Loyalist Collegiate and Vocational Institute): Awarded Queen’s University’s Engineering International Admission Award, ranging from $10,000 to $25,000 annually, for outstanding academic achievement in engineering.
- Yuyue Feng (Loyalist Collegiate and Vocational Institute): Secured the University of Calgary’s Seymour Schulich Academic Excellence Scholarship for Students Outside the Calgary Area, valued at $30,400 and renewable.
- Hannah Kim (Loyalist Collegiate and Vocational Institute): Received the Horatio Alger National Entrepreneurial Scholarship, a $25,000 award for students demonstrating entrepreneurial potential, community involvement, and perseverance.
- Malika Rouse (McMaster University): Awarded the Brighter World Entrance Award, a $5,000 scholarship for Black students entering undergraduate programs.
- Clara Christopher (Ken and Ann Watts Memorial Foundation): Received a $3,000 scholarship for students pursuing arts education with demonstrated talent and community commitment.
Inspiring Future Aspirations
The Limestone District School Board highlighted these accomplishments as a testament to the diverse talents, leadership, and dedication of its graduating class. For Haleigh Knetsch, her journey to becoming the first in her family to attend university serves as a powerful message to other students facing obstacles. “Try as hard as you can,” she advised. “Have faith that things will go well in your future.”
