I am proud to announce the seventh recipient of The Addolorata De Luca Leadership Scholarship, Larissa Dushime. Larissa immigrated to Canada from Bujumbura, Burundi, Africa. Larissa states, “having immigrated from Burundi at six years old and now being a Canadian citizen, I am determined to continue to surpass myself and create a journey for my family back home and the succeeding generations. Like many others, my heritage helps me examine my history and traditions and enables me to develop an awareness of myself. I am on a quest for identity and learning, and my heritage helps me understand and explain why we are the way we are and how we are unique in our ways. Knowing my heritage has made me more comfortable with myself, especially coming from a country facing hard challenges, including civil war and poverty. My Burundian heritage has shaped my values, goals, and the person I am today.”

 

Larissa, a fourth-year Civil Engineering student with over an 87% average, embodies the ADL Scholarship's mission—honoring our ancestors while giving back to the next generation of student leaders. Larissa is a leader for the University of Windsor's Concrete Canoe Team, is a member of the Outstanding Scholars Program (where she leads a research project with Dr. Lee on distracted driving), is a WINONE Tutorial Scholar (where with the Faculty of Engineering WINONE Office she provides free tutoring and course support for first-and second-year Engineering students), is a member of the African Diaspora Youth Conference, and is a student leader for the Faculty of Engineering's Anti-Black Racism Project.

 

Larissa was an Air Cadet and Flight Sergeant at the 364 Lancaster Squadron from 2013-2019. She was an Apache Flight leader and a Senior Staff Cadet at the Trenton Cadet Training Centre. Larissa has won various awards for her Poetry and Speeches and was featured in Ted-Ed Student Talks and the Poetry in Voice National Competition. Following graduation, Larissa hopes to pursue a Master of Applied Science (MASc) degree in the civil and environmental field, gain engineering experience, and apply the skills learned to help develop a safer and more sustainable future. She hopes to continue to showcase her Burundian heritage, culture, and values in all her endeavors.

 

To assist deserving students, such as Larissa, please feel free to contact me (info@adlscholarship.com) or visit the Donate section of this website for more information. I look forward to seeing this scholarship grow and continue to help new students every year.

 

Sincerely,

 

Cessidia De Biasio, Founder of The Addolorata De Luca Leadership Scholarship