Meet Our 2024 Mark and Dorothy Danzker Scholarship Winners
Evan Berdesis
Evan Berdesis has been involved the Winnipeg Greek Orthodox community for as long as he can remember. After attending Greek school from nursery to grade 6, he participated in the junior KEFI dance group, performing in multiple years of Folklorama. Evan graduated from St. Paul’s High School in 2024 and is continuing his education at the University of Manitoba to pursue a degree in Political Studies.
Raylyn Koshowski
Raylyn Koshowski began Ukrainian dancing at the age of 4 with the Zirka Ukrainian Dance Ensemble in Dauphin, MB. Raylyn has performed at many festivals and competitions, as well as at Folklorama. She plans to explore her traditional language further while attending the University of Calgary to obtain a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology.
Chiara Biondi-Wilson
Chiara Biondi-Wilson began singing in Folklorama’s Italian Pavilion at the age of 7, delighting audiences with her vocal talents. She has performed consecutively ever since, sharing her passion for culture through acting and song. Chiara graduated from St. Mary’s Academy in June 2024 and proudly served as class valedictorian. She is currently enrolled in the University of Manitoba, pursing an education in the Faculty of Science.
Ava Kriskovic
Ava Kriskovic is proud to be Croatian and Anishinaabe. She was introduced to both of her cultures at a young age and is strongly connected to her roots. At the age of 5, she joined the Croatian dance group Hrvatska Zora and has been a member ever since. Ava graduated from Collège Garden City Collegiate, where she developed her passion for science. Ava is presently attending the University of Manitoba, enrolling in the Faculty of Science.
Ethan Blain
Ethan Blain started his journey of learning how to play the bagpipes in September 2014 after joining the Lord Selkirk Robert Fraser Memorial Pipe Band. Ethan will be continuing his piping career with the Winnipeg Police Pipe Band and is studying Sciences at the University of Winnipeg after graduating with Honours with Distinction from Miles Macdonell Collegiate.
Arianna Plante
Arianna Plante is a bilingual university student enrolled in her second year of a Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Manitoba. She has been dancing and volunteering for the Belgian Pavilion since 2008, and volunteers at other events within the Belgian community. Her future plans include entering medical school and to later pursue a career in cardiology.
Ainsley Bosak
Ainsley Bosak started dancing at age 4, spending her time gaining confidence, performing, learning, and sharing her heritage with others. From ages 12 to 16, Ainsley volunteered her time in dance classes helping students learn and grow while she was studying to become a dance teacher. Ainsley graduated from Windsor Park Collegiate in June 2024 and is continuing her studies at Asper School of Business.
Tunteya Stoller
Tunteya Stoller has been involved in Folklorama with multiple Pavilions since age 3, as a dancer, choreographer, and Ambassador for the inaugural Ghana Pavilion. She has co-choreographed two Ghanaian-style dances to teach and pass on her knowledge to the next generation. Tunteya graduated from French-Immersion high school in June 2024, entering the U1 program at University of Manitoba in the fall. She aims to complete a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology.
Applications are now closed for 2024
Check back in February 2025 for updated application information!
MARK & DOROTHY DANZKER SCHOLARSHIP FOR EXCELLENCE
Together with the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba, Folklorama is pleased to present the Mark & Dorothy Danzker Scholarship for Excellence, an annual award of excellence for ethno-cultural heritage preservation. The Scholarship honours the memory of philanthropist and former Winnipeg city councillor Mark Danzker and his wife, Dorothy.
HISTORY
Mark Danzker was born in Poland in 1902. His family immigrated to Canada in 1907, settling in Winkler before moving to Winnipeg in 1911. With his mother’s passing in 1909, his formal education ended, and he entered the workforce at the age of 10. The next year he left home to work in a lumber camp, and by the age of 16, he bought a pharmacy in Lac du Bonnet. Eventually, he was successful with investments, oil exploration, and development companies, as well as the owner of Danzker Dress Limited, a manufacturers’ wholesale company that saw the Danzkers travelling through western Canada working with many independent shop owners.
While the Danzkers did not have children of their own, they were very active in the community. Dorothy worked for many years supporting the Misericordia Hospital as a volunteer in their gift shop. Mark was particularly active in amateur and professional sports, bringing the minor league team, the Winnipeg Goldeyes, to the city in 1954. He also played a major role in attracting the Pan-American Games to Winnipeg in 1967. Mark served as a Winnipeg City Alderman from 1960 to 1968 and was awarded the Manitoba Good Citizenship Award in 1974. He was inducted into the Manitoba Order of the Buffalo in 1957 and named a member of the Order of Canada in 1978.
SCHOLARSHIP OVERVIEW
- Eight (8) post-secondary scholarships of $1,000 each are available
- The scholarships will be awarded in September 2024
ELIGIBILITY
To be eligible for a $1,000 scholarship, the applicant must:
- Be accepted to or be currently enrolled in a university, college, or other recognized post-secondary institution within Canada with a full-time course load (as defined by the institution)
- Be 17 to 25 years of age
- Be a resident of Manitoba for a minimum of six (6) months
CRITERIA FOR SELECTION
- Demonstrate active involvement in preserving cultural heritage. This may be done through volunteer work or employment within Canada. It may involve any cultural heritage.
- Volunteer in a cultural activity in the general community.
- Have achieved a minimum academic average of 70% or a cumulative 2.5 GPA.