TD Community Leadership scholarship awarded to student living in Vaughan

Scholarship covers tuition, living expenses and opportunities for paid summer employment

Yorkregion.com
June 12, 2023
Brian Capitao

A student from Maple has won up to $70,000 toward their education.

Jay Hung, who lives in Maple, Ont. but attends school at Holy Trinity School in Richmond Hill, has received the TD Scholarship for Community Leadership.

Hung won his scholarship for his non-profit project, 1Yard. The project started after Hung’s mother was diagnosed with late-stage lung cancer.

The impact of his mother’s condition left a lasting impression.

“It was obvious that her physical ability was declining. A lot of the things that she was doing every day, like gardening, she wasn't able to do those things,” said Hung of his mother’s declining condition.

Inspired by hospital visits to see his mother and how physical deterioration affected the lives of seniors, he wanted to make a difference.

“I would often get the opportunity to meet seniors and other people in positions similar to my mom, and I realized the true effects that this physical deterioration has on an individual, along with the people that are supporting them,” said Hung.

1Yard is entirely run by volunteers. Those who request the service are asked to make an optional suggested donation to the Princess Margaret Foundation from the non-profit’s website.

Hung plans on becoming a doctor and will be attending Queen’s University in the fall.

“I hope to be in medical school, hopefully. I hope to continue working on 1Yard as an organization, developing a chapter system where you can have 1Yard chapters in different high schools in Ontario. And I hope to bring one 1Yard to my university and register as a not-for-profit,” said Hung of his plans.