Newmarket student awarded $2,500 scholarship from retiree organization

Newmarket student David Wheatle was among the lucky recipients of a $2,500 scholarship from the Municipal Retirees Organization of Ontario (MROO). 

The 21-year-old, who is in his second year of mechanical engineering at the University of Waterloo, was one of the recipients for Zone 4 of MROO which covers Toronto, Durham, Peel and York. 

“MROO is all about supporting our local members and through the Student Scholarship program we are able to encourage the next generation of students and help them achieve their life goals,” zone 4 director Gerry Pedwell said. “For the last 17 years the MROO Student Scholarship program has supported our members and their families. It’s a great program!”

Wheatle said he heard about the scholarship from his uncle who is a MROO member and decided to apply. 

“It was pretty simple and engaging,” he said of the application process which included an essay, uploading his transcript, and sharing some of his university experiences so far. 

When he found out he had won, he said he was elated. 

“It’s the second time I had applied to it so during that time I submitted the application then when I got the notification I was really elated and I know it will go a long way in helping to bridge the costs of university.”

For Wheatle, studying mechanical engineering was an easy choice. 

“I’ve always had an interest in finding out how things work, mechanisms, how they engage with each other, concepts and understanding how things work. So that over the years has developed an interest to invent, design, and create new systems that work and not only be profitable but be impactful to my community,” he said. 

Attending the University of Waterloo was also an easy choice. 

“It has always been on my radar,” he said. “They have a great opportunity for learning as well as the co-op. The co-op was something that really attracted me.”

Wheatle is currently doing a co-op with Magna. 

“I found the co-op experiences to be quite interesting and engaging. Even though I’m not able to go on campus to the school, I’m able to go into a working environment and still interact with people,” he said. 

Wheatle said he is hoping to return to the campus in Waterloo for the spring semester. 

He is one of five students in MROO Zone 4 who received $2,500. 

In total, the organization gave $18,500 worth of scholarships to local students in Toronto, Durham, Peel, and York.