The My Broadcasting Corporation Community First Scholarship celebrates young people who demonstrate passion, purpose, and a deep understanding of what it means to give back.
Each year, MBC awards $2,500 to a student who not only excels academically but also exemplifies community spirit. For 2025, that honour goes to 17-year-old Emilio Geremia of Welland, a young man whose dreams are taking flight, quite literally. Selected from hundreds of applicants across Ontario, Emilio stood out for his vision of community within the world of aviation, where collaboration, responsibility, and service all take to the skies.
Emilio says he has his sights set on aviation school. He says that’s a field where there’s definitely a sense of community.
Emilio, who will be going to Florida Tech Aviation to do his schooling, has already done some training at the St. Catharines Airport.
He says he’s had a love of planes since he was a kid, and now it’s time to chase his dreams.
While his goal is to be a commercial pilot for a large airliner one day, Geremia says he’s open to being diverse as a pilot.
Right now, with over 600 wildfires burning in Canada, he says something in the emergency sector of aviation could be where he lands.
Geremia says he chose to do his schooling in Florida as the school offers a great reputation, as well as favourable conditions year-round to continue his learning.
(Written by: Matt Latour)