Nearly $35,000 was given to 77 students currently enrolled in North West College at a scholarship ceremony held Friday, Nov. 27.
Hosting the ceremony was Tavia Laliberte, president of North West College. Municipal politicians were also in attendance, with Councillor Kevin Steinborn representing the City of North Battleford, Councillor Judy Pruden representing the Town of Battleford and Battlefords MLA Herb Cox representing the premier, with each giving short speeches congratulating the recipients.
Fourteen scholarships ranging from $500 to $3,000 were gifted by local individuals and organizations totalling $14,750, with an additional $19,800 granted from Saskatchewan Innovation and Opportunity Scholarships program administered through the Ministry of Advanced Education. Through the government-funded grant, 44 $200 scholarships, 16 $500 scholarships and three $1,000 scholarships were awarded to students.
Following the ceremony, Laliberte highlighted the financial need of students enrolled in higher education in technical trades and college programs saying, "It's putting money in students' pocket at a time, in December, when money is tight. Many of our students are parents and the primary reason is to help them get through the academic year."
In cases of higher value scholarships, the funds are awarded in two installments, with recipients receiving their funds for next semester at a later date.
Laliberte also noted the ceremony offered another, non-monetary, benefit to students by offering a chance to network.
"It's a great opportunity for students to interact with the business community and the business community gets to see the great things our amazing students here at the college [are doing]."
One of these recipients, Jamie McHattie, a nursing student at North West College, summed up her feelings following the ceremony as "overwhelmed."
"I didn't know what I was expecting," said McHattie. "They told me I was getting a scholarship but they didn't tell me for what or how many, so it was kind of a surprise."
McHattie completed her upgrading at the college full-time and also worked during the evenings before enrolling in the nursing program this year.
"It took a lot for me. I'm 32 and I didn't do great when I was in high school, but the teachers were awesome."
McHattie received two scholarships, the Choose Excellence Scholarship of $1,000 for students with grades averaging 90 per cent or higher and the Battlefords Adult Education Committee Scholarship for $500. As for the cost of tuition covered for the upcoming term of nursing at North West College, McHattie said she is "really excited" for the February start date.
