The Canadian Federation of University Women Parksville-Qualicum awarded a dozen scholarships and bursaries to area students to enable them to pursue their educational goals.
The group of community-minded women who fundraise throughout the year doled out a total of $33,000 to students in the PQB area.
This is the 36th year that CFUW-PQ has offered financial assistance to the students.
This year’s awards included three scholarships of $1,000 each to graduating secondary students — Keira Holman, of Ballenas Secondary, who will be studying humanities at University of Victoria; Jenna Falkenberg of Kwalikum Secondary, who will attend UVic to study biochemistry, aiming for a Bachelor of Science; and Kateri Belisle of CEAP, who will attend Vancouver Island University in the Bachelor of Kinesiology program.
Five Memorial Scholarships of $4,000 each were awarded this year. The recipients are: Shelby Bell, who will continue her studies in rural pre-medicine at Selkirk College in pursuit of a career as a physician; Emily Godfrey, who enters her fourth year of studies in kinesiology at UBC; Marcia Kent, who will attend Vancouver Island University to continue her second year of a Bachelor of Science in nursing; Jenna Rutherford, who enters her fourth year at VIU, also pursuing a Bachelor of Science in nursing; and Olivia Williams, who will be taking her third year of a Bachelor of Kinesiology program at UBC.
The James Craig Reid Scholarship of $3,000, administered by the CFUW, is unique because it’s open to both male and female students entering at least their fourth year of studies in liberal arts, music or education. This year’s winner is Christina Kruit, who will continue her second year of post-graduate studies at the University of Victoria, working towards completion of her MA in counselling psychology.
READ MORE: Sixth Ballenas Secondary student wins prestigious $100,000 scholarship
Teryn Dyck received the post-graduate scholarship of $3,000 that will help her complete her studies at BCIT in diagnostic medical sonography.
Melanie Tait was awarded the return-to-school bursary of $2,500. She will begin her Masters in Nursing, nurse practitioner, program at the University of Victoria.
Mirella Trozzo will continue her second year of studies in early childhood education at Pacific Rim Children’s Institute with the benefit of a $1,000 award.
The funds for these awards have been raised in a variety of ways, including an annual used book sale and donations from CFUW PQ members and the public. These events benefit the community as well as deserving students. The group is grateful for the support of members and the community who help support local women in their studies.
Over the last 36 years, the local branch of the CFUW has made 260 awards in the amount of almost $400,000 though the scholarship and bursary trust, enabling a myriad of local young women and men to pursue their educational dreams.
— NEWS Staff, submitted