Ray Alba of Cardinal Leger receives the
Keith Tavares Spirit of Inclusion Bursary

Congratulations Ray Alba of Cardinal Leger Elementary School! Ray is the first-time recipient of the Keith Tavares Spirit of Inclusion Bursary.

This bursary honours the memory of Keith Adam Tavares, a grade 6 student who attended Cardinal Leger Catholic School. Keith was an exceptional student identified as Deaf/Hard of Hearing and as a student with a Learning Disability. Resilient in the face of medical adversity, Keith taught the world about inclusion. A fitting legacy, this bursary is designated to a TCDSB student who is deaf or hard of hearing and in grade 8. The bursary which recognizes the spirit of inclusion provides financial support in the amount of $100.00 towards hearing loss management for costs such as hearing aids, batteries and FM systems.

Ray Alba has a mild sensorineural hearing loss and wears two hearing aids. In his cover letter, Ray writes about his friendship with Keith. He wrote “Keith smiled a lot, he was very intelligent. Sometimes if I needed help, I asked Keith.”

Ray loves sports and has played with the Cardinal Leger Basketball and Volleyball Team. He participates in Youth for Christ, and loves visual arts. He has provided artwork for “Mayfest” at the St. Lawrence Market. Ray will attend Pope John Paul II in September. Best wishes in your future studies Ray!