Cambridge, ON – the OHA is proud to partner with Dairy Farmers of Ontario (DFO) to present the Bursary Program, which recognizes OHA members for their outstanding commitment to:
- Community service: the applicant demonstrates “perseverance, originality and heart,” while assisting in building stronger and healthier communities
- Academics: dedication to their studies and attaining high grades in the classroom
- Athletics: on-ice success/achievement, as well as a passion for the game of hockey
Eight (8) DFO Bursaries will be awarded at $6,000 each.
To apply for the 2023 Bursary Program click here
One of the 2022 Bursary winners is Nathan Kellenberger
Watch Nathan’s 2022 bursary winner highlight video here
by Dan Carle
Nathan Kellenberger has always had a wing man. The hockey part started around age two.
“Following my brother to the outdoor rink,” said the former forward for the North York Rangers of the Ontario Junior Hockey League. “I kind of hated it at the start, to be honest with you.”
Eventually Kellenberger’s frown turned decidedly upside down. “I went out there and learned how to skate. And from there I just kind of started to love the game.”
And the game loved him back. Kellenberger moved from house league to rep hockey at age five and finished up last season with 42 regular season and five playoff games as an over-age player with the Rangers.
Along the way was a well-earned 95 per cent average in high school, and recognition from the Dairy Farmers of Ontario as one of six $8,000 Bursary recipients for some financial help at the next academic level.
“When I am at school I try and learn everything I can,” said Kellenberger, whose older brother Matthew, 24, is a defenceman at the Rochester Institute of Technology in New York State. “Whatever time I have after that I put into life.”
The younger Kellenberger emceed a Vex Robotics tournament while in high school. Upwards of 200 teams from 50 countries take on engineering challenges in the form of a game. Adaptability is a hallmark for many engineers, even aspiring ones. “The national anthem singer didn’t show,” Kellenberger said. “There’s a clip on YouTube of me singing O Canada in front of maybe 1,000 people.”
The next challenge(s) is/are there to be embraced. Attending Carleton University in Ottawa in an Engineering/Physics program, Kellenberger has an eye for the possible. “Working with a tech company to come up with something cutting edge would be something of interest to me,” he said. “While I am in this world I want to do something good to try to make the world a better place. This bursary is going to help me learn more things about this world. And things within it – so I can actually have a greater impact and do something good. I’d like to thank the Dairy Farmers for giving me this opportunity to do something special.”
How to apply for the 2023 Bursary Program – To apply click here
Candidates must complete the application form and submit it to the OHA by 8 p.m. on May 1, 2023. Each application will be reviewed by a panel and only the successful recipients will be contacted by the OHA. We wish the best of luck to all applicants.
