The Lake of Bays Heritage Foundation (LBHF) has announced the recipients of its 2026 Harriet T. Weaver Bursaries, awarding $1,500 each to two graduating Muskoka students pursuing post-secondary studies in environmental and biological sciences.
This year’s recipients are Jonah Gonthier of Huntsville High School, who will study Biology at Nipissing University, and RJ Maksymchuk of Bracebridge and Muskoka Lakes Secondary School, who is heading to the University of Guelph to study Animal Biology.
“The Harriet T. Weaver Bursaries reflect our commitment to supporting local students as they pursue post-secondary education and build bright futures for themselves and their communities,” said LBHF President Margaret Casey. “We are delighted to recognize Jonah and RJ and wish them every success in their studies.”
The bursaries are presented annually to graduating students from Huntsville High School and Bracebridge and Muskoka Lakes Secondary School who have been accepted into college or university programs related to the Foundation’s conservation, environmental or educational mission.
The awards were established through an endowment created by Brink Weaver, a former president of the Lake of Bays Association, in memory of his mother, Harriet T. Weaver. A longtime Lake of Bays cottager, Harriet’s legacy continues through the bursary program, which has supported 23 local students since the first awards were presented in 2014. The Foundation says additional donations have helped ensure the program’s long-term future.
Gonthier said he was “honoured” to receive the award.
“I would like to give my thanks to the Lake of Bays Heritage Foundation for awarding me this bursary. This bursary will help me continue to engage myself in learning about Biology and the Environment during my post-secondary studies. I am eager to be able to give back to my home, Muskoka, in the future,” said Gonthier.
Maksymchuk said the bursary will help him pursue his dream of becoming a veterinarian.
“My mom and I were so excited when we got the email and grateful to the Lake of Bays Heritage Foundation for choosing to help me on my post-secondary journey. I hope to put this bursary to great use in the future, to one day become a veterinarian and help animals big and small.”
Founded in 1985, the Lake of Bays Heritage Foundation is a charitable, volunteer-run land trust dedicated to protecting the natural heritage of the Lake of Bays region through land conservation, stewardship and environmental education. The organization currently stewards 765 acres of protected land and is a member of the Ontario Land Trust Alliance.
For more information, visit www.lakeofbaysheritage.ca
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