Oro-Medonte hockey player earns Dairy Farmers of Ontario Bursary

ONTARIO MINOR HOCKEY ASSOCIATION
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Drake Moore grew up on a century farm and has worked with tractors all of his life.

Combined with his active leadership at school and in the community, he’s being recognized with a post-secondary bursary.

As a result of his excellence on and off the ice, Moore was selected for the Ontario Minor Hockey Association (OMHA) and Dairy Farmers of Ontario (DFO) Bursary program. The program selects eight high school graduates from across the province who have made a big impact in their schools and in their communities in the 2023-24 school year. Recognized for their roles as players, coaches and referees in the OMHA, as well as their grades and extracurricular work outside the rink, each winner receives $5,000 to go towards their post-secondary education, with a total of $40,000 being awarded.

“Since I’ve been young, I’ve loved working on the tractors that we have here (at the farm),” said Moore, who was a member of Oro Minor Hockey since he was six years old. “I just enjoy turning wrenches and taking something apart and being able to put it back together.”

Moore will be able to put those skills to good use next school year at Centennial College in the heavy equipment technician program (421A).

“I know Drake is passionate about farming and it’s something he’s always been interested in,” said his Twin Lakes Secondary School teacher, Melissa Hewitt.

He was signed to the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program in Grade 11, with all of his co-op hours counting towards his apprenticeship. Moore has already earned more than 1,000 hours.

“From farming to hockey, I’ve learned commitment … That’s what has driven me to put the best effort you can into everything,” said Moore.

Moore has surpassed the minimum requirement of 40 hours of community service for a graduating high school student by over four times — earning more than 180 hours through his volunteerism. He’s assisted at the Orillia Fall Fair, Kiwanis Auction, his local 4H chapter since 2016 and was a LINK Leader at his school.

“We are proud partners of the OMHA to help recognize eight outstanding student-athletes who excel on and off the ice,” said Cheryl Smith, chief executive officer at Dairy Farmers of Ontario. “Through MilkUP, DFO awards each recipient with $5,000 to go towards their post-secondary education. Congratulations to the winners, who are inspirations to their teammates, classmates and community and exemplify perseverance, originality and heart — MilkUP’s values.”

“Whether on the ice, in the classroom or through their volunteerism, the OMHA-Dairy Farmers of Ontario Bursary program is a shining example of what it means to be a student-athlete and a leader,” said Ian Taylor, the executive director of the OMHA. “These recipients are also good citizens — making their schools, arenas and communities better places for all and showcasing the life skills that minor hockey teaches. Congratulations to all the winners and best of luck in your post-secondary education next year.”