Scholarship

Did you know that The Vintage Film Committee awards one or more bursary/Scholarships every year to students at West Northumberland High Schools (Cobourg & Port Hope)? The scholarships are worth $1000 and applications are submitted via the schools in the area. Applications are accepted from grade 12 students and this year we are making a special effort to increase the number of scholarships to be awarded by running a raffle. The previous winners of the scholarships are listed below.

2012 Heather Abrams – Heather graduated from C.D.C.I. West, Cobourg, and has been on the honour roll throughout high school. She is enrolled at Queen's University aiming for her B.A. (Honours) with a major in Drama. She has set her sights on becoming an actress, with dreams of stage roles at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival. She has spent the last two summers at the Shakespeare school.

Heather has been working part-time in a Cobourg cafe; assisted with fundraising for the Cancer Society; volunteered at Ten Thousand Villages shop, and created posters for Anti-Bullying campaign at her school.

2012 Patrick Quigley – Patrick graduated from St. Mary’s Secondary School, Cobourg, and has been on the honour roll since Grade 10.  He is enrolled in the Centennial College Broadcasting and Film program.

He has been a volunteer at TV Cogeco, assisting with the taping of council meetings.  He enjoys being behind the scenes and is interested in editing and producing movies.  Patrick created, produced and ran the school’s first news magazine program.  He has filmed school events such as the talent shows, the annual Terry Fox run and assemblies. 

Patrick has assisted with fundraising for the Art Show at Victoria Hall; coached the NCS softball team since grade 9; played and umpired for the Cobourg Legion Softball Organization for several years.  

2011 Christopher Joseph-Sudlow – CDCI West.  He has just completed his first year of film/media studies at Brock University.  As a young entrepreneur, he has brought Island Breeze Snow Cones to Cobourg this summer as a means to raise funds for his continuing education, taking advantage of the Summer Company 2012 program.

2011 Quinn McDermott - St. Mary’s Separate School. He has completed his first year at Humber College in the Applied Arts in Film and Media Production.  Between the intense script writing and shooting workshops, editing a number of short films, studying different global emerging media, and the unbelievable amount of essays he has written for Philosophy and Film studies, the time has passed so quickly. Now he is back home and working on videos for different contests and a few other projects. Soon he will be attending filming of the hit show Being Erica. Quinn is working for Port Hope Tourism for the summer and will be working on fun and exciting media things with them as well. “I’d like to thank the Marie Dressler Foundation for financially supporting me and other young aspiring artists and students in our area.”

2010 Melissa MacCoubrey - Trinity College.  Melissa continues studying at Bishop’s University.  At the most recent Festival, she won both Best Female in a new play; Most Memorable Performance; and Best Female in the TheatreActiv Festival. 

2009 Scott Leonard – St. Mary’s Separate School. Studied Theatre Arts Production at Cambrian College in Sudbury, then planned to continue studying at Fanshawe College. 

2009 Tom Henderson - CDCI West and he reports “Since I have received the Marie Dressler Award, I have gone on to change the world...”  Tom attended Ryerson for News media but soon realized this program just wasn't for him so decided to go to Algonquin College to study animation.  A year passed and he has found his passion. “Imagine drawing all day and night and getting paid for it!” After a year of honing his drawing skills, Tom was accepted into the prestigious Sheridan College Animation program. It is currently the only Animation Degree in Canada and the program was just ranked the number one school in the world for animation studies.  “The rest is history. I am currently studying and loving every second of it. I will be applying for internships at large studios such as Pixar and Disney in the near future, and soon you'll be seeing me accepting my Oscar for best animated feature film!”

2009 Juliana Wilton - Port Hope High School.  After taking a Communications Technology course at Humber College, she enrolled in their 'Film & Media Production' program. This Fall Julie will be entering Brock University to continue her search for stories. Ever since she was young she has been a storyteller and started writing her first "book" in grade five. In High school, she began combining her love of stories with filmmaking. So far, she has met many wonderful people and learned many things about the world and especially herself. Julie said she would like to thank all those who support the Marie Dressler Foundation and the people who make this Award possible.  A great gift to give to those who may be struggling financially to reach their dreams. She hopes future generations will be afforded the same chances that were given to her.

2008 Claire Stewart  -  Trinity College School.   She is now approaching her final semester at McGill University, Montreal, working towards her Bachelor of Arts with a Major in Cultural Studies and a double minor in Film and Costuming for the Theatre. Claire has enjoyed costuming for several different plays over the course of the last couple years and has worked with three of McGill's student-run theatre companies, McGill's Mainstage productions for the Department of English, and the Montreal Fringe Festival. She plans on applying to graduate school programs in both costume history/curation and costume design/construction, in New York and Montreal.  Claire would like to thank the Marie Dressler Foundation for their support.

2007 Alex Young – CDCI East. Studied Broadcasting and Film at Centennial College where he completed a variety of short films, radio plays and live programs. He entered several film festivals and competitions including the 24 Hour Toronto Film Race where his team won best film. During his time at school Alex met a small group of like minded people and formed a small production company, Lost Mile Studios. This company has produced several short films, corporate projects and even a viral video for the National Youth Orchestra of Canada. Alex completed an internship at CTV in the advertising and promotions department where he now works full time as a Production Coordinator. He continues to write and direct short films when not saving cities and galaxies in video games and comic books.

2006 Christopher Oliver - CDCI West.  Graduated from Queen's University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts and has been specializing in video and film for several years. He is the owner and operator of CCO Productions www.ccoproductions.ca, producing educational, promotional and corporate videos as well as independent short films in the Northumberland area. Finding success locally has provided Chris with the opportunity to begin branching into the Toronto and Ottawa markets. His work has been featured at the Kingston Canadian Film Festival, showcased through various film competitions and prominently online and on television as part of commercial work created for his clients.

2005 Karly Stothart - St. Mary’s Separate School.  She entered the Acting For Film & Television program at Humber College and then switched her focus to Media Studies and  Social Service Work. While completing her schooling she always found time to keep up with her passion for acting.

After her mother passed away in 2010, Karly made the decision, with her father, Dave, to move to Los Angeles for three months. While in Los Angeles, she trained, and starred in a few short films and studied at the The Acting Corps.  Karly also studied in Toronto, at the Dean Armstrong Acting Studio. She appears on several TV commercials. Currently, Karly travels between Canada and the United States with her professional hockey player boyfriend.  They plan to settle in either Milwaukee or Nashville.

2004  Christine Cleary -  St. Mary’s Separate School.  After traveling all over the world (South America, Central America, Europe), she decided to focus on her own music. She plays piano, sings and song writes. Christine’s music has become heavily influenced by comedy (similar to Flight of the Conchords) and she has performed in various comedy rooms in Toronto. Last year she was approached by musician/producer Bob Wiseman (formerly of Blue Rodeo) who offered to help to produce her own album. Last fall Christine took part in the annual Ontario Council of Folk Festivals’ conference, performing alongside Bob and two other musicians in a private showroom. Now she has begun teaching voice lessons and recently promoted her first show. 

2003 BRENT QUIGLEY – CDCI West.  Graduated from Ryerson’s New Media Program.  He was nominated for the best Music Video at the 2002-3 Toronto International Teen Movie Festival.     Brent went on to be a teacher at CDCI West, and now teaches in Bowmanville. 

2002 KERRI OUGH – CDCI East.  Graduated with an Honours Degree in Music Education from University of Western Ontario.  In 2006 Kerri met up with Sue Passmore and Caroline Brooks to form The Good Lovelies.  It wasn’t long before the trio was winging their way to Australia, England, the U.S. and various locations in Canada, to perform country/folk music.  It has been said their tireless rain or shine outlook has helped them weather their constant touring schedule.

The album The Good Lovelies won the 2010 JUNO Award for Roots & Traditional Album of the Year.  In 2011 they featured at the Australian National Folk Festival. 

2001 GILLIAN ORMEROD – CDCI East.  Studied Theatre Arts at Acadia University.  Currently is the Music Teacher at the International School Frankfurt, in Germany.

2000 MICHAEL MCBRIDE – CDCI East.  Since being awarded the Marie Dressler scholarship, Michael has developed into a classical opera singer, and is now working in the Kaiserslautern Pfalz Theater, Germany.   His early study was at the University of Toronto, in vocal performance, and he also achieved his Masters of Music from the Royal Academy of Music in London, England. He apprenticed for two years with the Bavarian State Opera, Munich. Michael is fluent in French and German. Aside from enjoying and learning about different cultures, and highly specialized operatic vocal performance, Michael loves returning to Cobourg to be with his family and friends. 

1999 YUSUN HA – CDCI West.  Completed 4 year course at the Ontario College of Art and Design. 

1998 LEE DODINGTON – Port Hope High School.  Attended Humber Theatre School.

1997 MEAGHEN QUINN – CDCI East.  Graduated in Musical Theatre at University of Windsor and received a Masters of Fine Arts in Acting from Pennsylvania State University. Studied in London, England and at the Canadian Stratford Academy.  Meaghen has appeared and toured in many theatre productions.  In the last five years she has taught ‘Introduction to Acting’ and ‘Public Speaking’ for various American Universities, as well as ‘Movement for the Actor’ for the University of Windsor. This past winter she was touring with a Shakespeare play.  Meaghen is thankful for those who have supported her on this journey, and wants to encourage artists of all ages to continue to follow their dreams.  

1996 RACHEL CRESSWELL – Trinity College School.  Attended University of Windsor.

1995 MARIA LISE - CDCI West, Cobourg

1994 ROCKY O’BRIEN - CDCI East.  Attended the Vocal Jazz Performance course at Humber College for two years, performing as a soloist as well as part of the Trish Colter Ensemble.  After working for a couple of years, Rocky once again began pursuing a career in music as a part of the band Dynamite Steven. Performing as a drummer and also sharing lead vocals, the band performed all over Ontario and parts of Quebec at local venues as well as festivals. The band opened for such artists as Trooper and The Tea Party. He left the band to pursue full time employment. Rocky and his wife Lindsay now enjoy passing their love of music on to their young son.

1993 ANGELA RIDEOUT - St. Mary’s, Cobourg

1992 CALLUM MORRIS – CDCI East.  Graduated in Music from McGill University and Arizona State University.  Since 2004 has been the Resident Musical Director at PCPA Theatrefest in Santa Maria, California.