What the Pride Scholarship means to Mackenzie Kundakcioglu

“There is no one correct way to be you.”
— Mackenzie Kundakcioglu

Recognition can mean different things to different people. For some, it’s reassurance that they’re on the right path. For others, it’s a reminder that their voice and experiences matter.

Each year, IGNITE awards five $1,000 Pride Scholarships to Humber Polytechnic and University of Guelph-Humber students who demonstrate leadership, community involvement and a commitment to creating more inclusive spaces. While the scholarship helps ease financial stress, it also celebrates students who help everyone feel like they belong.

One of this year’s recipients is Mackenzie Kundakcioglu, a voice major preparing to begin the second year of Humber’s Bachelor of Music program at the Lakeshore Campus, who talks about what this recognition means to them.

Making space to focus on music

Image of Mackenzie Kundakcioglu at an event — *Picture by Mackenzie Kundakcioglu*

For Mackenzie, returning to school was an opportunity to pursue music, reconnect with their community and continue becoming the most complete version of themselves. The Pride Scholarship will give them more space to focus on that journey.

“Every avenue for financial aid allows me to shift my focus away from finding other avenues for employment and to focus on my studies,” Kundakcioglu explains.

With some of that financial pressure eased, Mackenzie can invest more time and energy into their classes, strengthen their skills and make the most of the opportunities available through the music program.

Finding strength through community

Image of Mackenzie Kundakcioglu with their friends. — *Picture by Mackenzie Kundakcioglu*

Mackenzie’s educational journey has not been completely straightforward. A lot of people did not always understand their gender identity and sexuality.

So their wider community became a source of strength, particularly when they decided to pursue education again following the pandemic lockdown.

“The support and love I receive from my family and my community help to spur me on in my lowest moments,” Kundakcioglu says.

During their first year, Mackenzie gave some of that support back as part of the Music Student Representative team. In the role, they connected with students, advocated for their peers and organized activities that encouraged involvement within the program. They hope to continue serving as a student representative in the years ahead.

The importance of feeling seen

Image of people at the IGNITE Pride parade in a t-shirt with the print, "IGNITE YOUR PRIDE." — *Picture by IGNITE*

“Giving students a way to be seen and the potential to feel honoured for who they are explicitly with regard to how they connect to their community and peers can and will be life-changing for many students,” Kundakcioglu says.

For 2SLGBTQ+ students, being recognized for their identity, experiences and contributions can carry meaning beyond the financial value of an award. Scholarships created for specific communities recognize that there is no single student experience. And that traditional eligibility requirements may not reflect every student’s circumstances.

There is no deadline for becoming yourself

Image of Mackenzie Kundakcioglu at an event with a mic in hand. — *Picture by Mackenzie Kundakcioglu*

Mackenzie understands how complicated it can feel to find your place within the queer community. In their early twenties, they did not know that identifying as trans was a possibility for them. At another point, they questioned whether identifying as bisexual meant they truly “belonged” at Pride.

Today, seeing queer and trans classmates speak openly and confidently about their identities gives Mackenzie hope.

Their advice to other 2SLGBTQ+ students is simple but powerful: Do not measure your journey against somebody else’s.

“We will all have unique life experiences and grow into the most complete version of ourselves at different rates,” Kundakcioglu says. “There is no one correct way to be you.”

Looking ahead

Image of people at the IGNITE Pride parade holding a Pride flag with text, "We are proud." — *Picture by IGNITE*

Although every recipient’s journey is different, their stories have something important in common: resilience. Whether through advocacy, leadership, education or simply creating spaces where others feel seen, they are already shaping the futures of their communities.

Through Pride Scholarship, IGNITE remains committed to celebrating 2SLGBTQ+ students like Mackenzie.

Not just during Pride Month, but every day of the year.

Feature image by Mackenzie Kundakcioglu

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