W. Garfield Weston scholars

Brooks Thoring, 2007 W. Garfield Weston scholar

From a young age, Brooks Thoring (Upper-Year W. Garfield Weston Award 2007) has been fascinated by machines and sought to understand how and why they work. It was natural for him to develop his mechanical knowledge at the post-secondary level. “I decided engineering would probably be an interesting place to start, but I didn’t really have any desire to go to university,” he explains, “so I decided to go to the Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology.”

Mikeal Abramoff, 2007 W. Garfield Weston scholar

Music is more than a hobby for 2007 Upper Year W. Garfield Weston scholar Mikeal Abramoff. An aficionado of the viola and violin, he has explored many aspects of his chosen instruments. He has been playing and performing for many years, and last year he discovered violins from a new perspective: that of a maker. During his W. Garfield Weston summer, Mikeal moved from Calgary to New Hampshire to attend the Violin Craftsmanship Institute. “It was a wonderful experience to expand my knowledge of this art and learn new skills,” he says. He also valued the chance to study outside of Canada: “It was a learning experience to travel to the eastern U.S. and meet new people.”

Meriko Kubota, 2003 W. Garfield Weston scholar

Justin Gray, 2004 W. Garfield Weston scholar

Justin Gray (2004 Entrance) is an aspiring jazz musician. A graduate of Malvern Collegiate Institute in Etobicoke, he is completing a four-year applied degree in the jazz program at Humber College, where he is actively involved in his school and community. He volunteers as a Scout canoe tripper, youth swim instructor, and plays in a number of different bands and ensembles. He also teaches clinics. He is the founder, leader and bass player of the band Monsoon.
With funding from his national award, Justin travelled to India during the summer of 2005 to study under Shantanu Bhattacharyya, a renowned Indo jazz musician. It was a formative experience and the influence on his band’s music is clear. Monsoon has performed its unique style of Indo jazz at many venues in Toronto, including The Rex. In 2007, Justin organized a two-day Toronto international Indo Jazz Festival that brought together a number of world-class bands and musicians. The proceeds of the festival were used to help impoverished music students in India pursue education and music.
One idea from his time in India really stuck a chord with Justin: “One drop of action is better than a thousand theories.” Closer to home, he has put this philosophy into action, playing with the world music ensemble at Humber in the largest school concert of the year. The concert includes a performance by the artist in residence; this year’s artist was saxophonist and music educator Dave Liebman. Justin described it as
“the best concert that I have ever played.”
Whether at his college, at his old high school, in downtown Toronto or in Calcutta, Justin uses his muscial and other talents to better his community.