Toronto couple innovatively repurposed their wedding gifts, yielding ongoing advantages for students three decades hence.
Weddings or Scholarships? An Unexpected Choice by Toronto Couple
When planning her wedding, fondly remembered Toronto resident Andra Takacs stumbled upon a unique idea: instead of wedding gifts, she'd create a scholarship in her family's name. Three decades ago, this forward-thinking decision set the stage for a remarkable legacy.
Inspired by a nod to scholarship funds set up in memory of loved ones, Takacs turned her wedding into an opportunity to invest in the future. Combining households with her partner, Bryan Davies, she decided to ditch the traditional gift demands in favor of a post-secondary scholarship for underprivileged youth.
"We didn't need another toaster," Takacs explained. "I thought, why not set up a scholarship and help young people go to university instead?"
Thanks to the generosity of their wedding guests and partnerships with U of T and Big Brothers of Toronto, the couple launched their first scholarship in 1995. Initially a $4000 grant towards tuition for a deserving eighth-grade student grappling with financial hardship, the award has since grown into a program of two $40000 scholarships and two $14000 runners-up each year.
Nicknamed the "Andra Takacs Scholarship," the award has impacted 101 students across Toronto. But it wasn't always meant to honor its creator. The name change came about when Big Brothers of Toronto merged with Big Sisters of Toronto, eventually forming the Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Toronto (BBBST).
To be eligible, applicants must be on the brink of graduating eighth grade, be part of the BBBST program, and demonstrate significant financial struggle that would otherwise prevent higher education. Applications require references from family, friends, and a BBBST caseworker, in addition to an academic report from the student's school.
Initially yearly awards, the program now benefits four students – two recipients and two runners-up – who gain not only financial support but access to a 13-week mentorship program through BBBST designed to help navigating higher education.
The financial aid remains accessible only upon starting university or college, a decision rooted in advice from U of T and the Toronto District School Board when the award was first developed in 1994. The aim was to provide early intervention, encouraging discussions about higher education and financial assistance early on.
Past recipients agree that receiving the award before high school instilled a sense of possibility about higher education. For them, the award was much more than just money – it represented belief and support that changed their outlook on life.
Seanice Dennis, an operating room nurse who received the scholarship in 2007, remembers feeling a "deep sense of worth" upon learning she had been chosen. Wing Tse, the 2014 recipient, credits the scholarship for making university aspirations seem attainable.
For Takacs, selecting the awardees during grade eight graduations has remained a cherished memory. A few years back, she fondly recalled a moment when a winner was lifted by his classmates in celebration.
The president and CEO of BBBST, Stachen Frederick, praises Takacs and Davies as "special" contributors due to their focus on personal interaction rather than purely monetary support. For Takacs, the scholarship program goes beyond simple financial assistance: she takes an active role in reading applications, offering encouragement, and providing hope.
Trevor Crowe, the second-ever scholarship recipient in 1996, sees the program as one of empowerment. Growing up, he benefited from the program's support, which inspired him to help others through his private English tutoring company in South Korea. Like a snowball rolling down a hill, he hopes his assistance will inspire others to help others, potentially creating a chain reaction of giving.
For Tse, the 'Andra Takacs Scholarship' served as a stepping stone towards becoming a Big Brother in Guelph. Inspired by Takacs's mentorship, he now seeks to extend the same help to others. "I believe that we all should be like Andra," he says.
- The media has often featured stories about the "Andra Takacs Scholarship," a unique educational initiative started by Toronto couple Andra Takacs and Bryan Davies, where they offer education-and-self-development opportunities for underprivileged youth in lieu of traditional wedding gifts.
- Recipients of the "Andra Takacs Scholarship" have shared their personal growth stories, ensuring that the program is not just about financial aid but also about fostering personal relationships and providing mentorship for students in Toronto.
- The "Andra Takacs Scholarship" annual news articles and success stories showcase how this initiative, initially meant to honor the couple's marriage, has transformed into a powerful tool for education, personal-growth, and community development in Toronto.
