PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ORHMA and OHI Celebrate 2026 Student Bursary Recipients

MISSISSAUGA, ON | OCTOBER 1, 2026 - The Ontario Restaurant, Hotel & Motel Association (ORHMA), together with its workforce development division, OHI – We Are Hospitality, is proud to celebrate the outstanding achievements of the 2026 OHI Student Bursary recipients.

These deserving students have demonstrated passion, dedication and a commitment to building their futures in Ontario’s hospitality industry. Through OHI’s Be Our Guest program and other industry-supported opportunities, students are gaining valuable exposure to hospitality careers, connecting with employers and developing the skills and experience needed to take their next steps into the industry.

Congratulations to all of this year’s bursary recipients. Your hard work and enthusiasm represent the bright future of hospitality, and we look forward to seeing where your journey takes you.

ORHMA and OHI also extend our sincere gratitude to the hospitality partners whose generous support makes these bursaries possible. By investing in students and opening doors to education, training and career opportunities, these partners are helping develop the next generation of hospitality professionals and strengthen the future workforce of our industry.

Congratulations to our 2026 OHI Student Bursary Recipients:

Zeyi Liu

Zeyi (Zoey) is a detail oriented pastry professional, studying Baking & Pastry Arts Management at George Brown College. With Forbes Five Star experience at Shangri-La Hotel, she excels in classical French techniques and high volume production. Through this bursary, she is eager to bring her technical expertise and passion for excellence to the hospitality industry!

Rian Emmanuel Navarra

Rian is currently studying Flight Services in Operations and Cabin Management at Seneca Polytechnic. He wants to explore hospitality's aviation industry and connect with people globally. Through this bursary, Rian will go further in his passion - that hospitality goes far beyond customer service and establishments; it builds bridges between us for a better society.

Zielle Reader

Zielle Reader is an aspiring hospitality professional entering Humber Polytechnic’s Hotel and Restaurant Operations Management program. Through leadership, work, and volunteering, she has developed a passion for exceptional guest experiences. This bursary will support Zielle, in completing studies and pursuing long-term goals in the hospitality industry.

Elis Bryce

Elis is a Hospitality and Tourism Management Student at the University of Guelph. She chose to major in HTM after doing a co-op with the Be Our Guest program in high school. I Elis is excited to learn more about the industry and be inspired throughout the next few years. Through this she hopes to find her passion within the industry, and bursary will help Elis to succeed in her hospitality journey.

Devonte Black

Devonte has worked his way through hospitality from the ground up, all the way from restaurants to the front of house in hotels. He is currently studying Hospitality Management, at Durham College, and is focused on growing as a leader. Receiving this bursary matters to Devonte, because it recognizes how far he has come and where he is headed in his hospitality journey.

Stephanie Jantzi

Stephanie is a George Brown Polytechnic student and from a young age she has always been passionate about baking. In her final year of high school Stephanie participated in the Be Our Guest and the OYAP programs. Guided through these opportunities, with the help of amazing NHSS, GBP and BOG staff she is extremely grateful. This bursary will help her flourish in the field of baking and pastry arts. 

Joanna Marie Peñalosa

Joanna is a Hospitality Management graduate with Honors from Humber Polytechnic and a Guest Experience Leader at McDonald’s. Originally from the Philippines, Joanna is passionate about creating meaningful guest experiences. She believes every interaction, no matter how small, can become a meaningful experience. Joanna hopes to become a hospitality leader who inspires through exceptional service, inclusivity, and genuine care.

Maria Georgiou

Maria is a Hospitality and Tourism student at Niagara College. With a passion for creating meaningful guest experiences, she is eager to develop her skills across the hospitality industry and build a career centered around service, leadership, and connection. Maria is grateful for the opportunity to grow and contribute to Canada’s hospitality community. This bursary will help Maria continue her education to support her goal of becoming a hospitality leader.

Thank you to the industry partners who continue to invest in the future of hospitality:

Ontario Restaurant Hotel & Motel Association (ORHMA)

2600 Skymark Ave, Suite 8-201 Mississauga, ON L4W 5B2

905-361-0268 / 1-800 -668-8906

info@orhma.com | www.orhma.com