TORONTO — Mon Sheong Foundation has awarded its 2026 Golden Jubilee Scholarships to two Ontario high school graduates, recognizing academic achievement, community involvement, leadership and innovation as the students prepare to begin post-secondary studies.
Kallem Manning and Grace You Shen were named this year’s recipients during an Aug. 12 ceremony at the Mon Sheong Volunteer and Community Services Centre in Scarborough. Each student received a scholarship valued at up to $4,000 to support their post-secondary education.
The foundation said more than 220 applications were reviewed for this year’s awards, highlighting strong interest in a program designed to support young people who combine academic performance with community service.
Golden Jubilee Scholarship Recognizes Academic and Community Leadership
The Mon Sheong Golden Jubilee Scholarship was established to recognize young people who demonstrate strong academic achievement while contributing to their communities and showing leadership potential.
The program reflects the foundation’s broader mission of “Caring for the Elderly and Nurturing the Young,” with an emphasis on encouraging recipients to pursue their educational ambitions while continuing to contribute to society.
Dennis Au-Yeung, Treasurer and Chair of Honorary Governors of Mon Sheong Foundation, stated:
“The purpose of the Mon Sheong Golden Jubilee Scholarship is to recognize and reward exceptional students. Our selection committee, composed of university professors and academics, evaluated applicants based on their academic achievements, involvement in community service, strength of character, leadership skills, and innovative spirit. We hope this scholarship will encourage the recipients to continue pursuing excellence, develop their talents, and make meaningful contributions to their communities in the future.”
Kallem Manning Recognized for Disability Inclusion Advocacy
Manning has focused much of his community involvement on narrowing the divide between mainstream and special education, particularly for students with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, or IDDs.
His activities have included promoting Best Buddies, Cultural and Community Week initiatives and Relay For Life fundraising events at his school. His work has sought to increase awareness of the needs of students with disabilities while encouraging greater communication and inclusion between special education and mainstream students.
Alongside his community involvement, Manning achieved a 100% average across his top 12 Grade 12 subjects.
He plans to study Health Sciences at McMaster University and continue advocating for people with IDDs. Manning aspires to become a developmental pediatrician and hopes to pursue a holistic approach to developmental health care that considers social interaction, critical thinking, purpose and identity.
Grace You Shen Combines Technology, Education and Student Leadership
The second recipient, Grace You Shen, has combined academic achievement with an interest in education, technology and student representation.
Shen began serving as a Student Senator for the Halton District School Board in Grade 8, representing students on issues including artificial intelligence policies and mental health breaks.
Game2Learn Project Highlights Educational Technology Focus
Her interest in educational technology also led her to participate in Python’s Pit, a business and innovation pitch competition for high school students. Shen won the competition with “Game2Learn,” a gaming platform she designed for educational use.
Academically, Shen earned a 99% average across her Grade 12 core subjects.
She plans to study Computer Science at the University of Waterloo, with a focus on game design and business. Her longer-term goal is to use educational technology to develop new approaches to teaching and learning.
More Than 220 Scholarship Applications Reviewed
Mon Sheong Foundation credited this year’s judging panel with reviewing the large applicant pool and selecting the two recipients.
The panel consisted of Professor Brad Klump of Humber College, Professor Peter Wang of the University of Toronto and Dr. Jack Leong of York University. According to the foundation, the judges contributed their time and academic expertise to assessing more than 220 applications.
The selection process considered academic performance alongside community service, character, leadership and innovation.
By supporting Manning and Shen as they move into post-secondary education, the Golden Jubilee Scholarship program continues Mon Sheong Foundation’s effort to encourage young people to combine academic development with community engagement. Both recipients will now take their respective interests in health care and educational technology into university studies while building on the community work that helped earn them the 2026 awards.