Nine students from the Estevan campus of the Southeast Regional College collected nearly $7,000 in scholarships on March 12 during a brief ceremony held in the campus conference centre in the Saskatchewan Energy Training Institute building.
Jeff Richards, vice-president of strategic development noted that about $60,000 in scholarship funds were being distributed throughout the region. They are made possible through donations from community organizations and businesses, and some are matched by the Saskatchewan Innovation and Opportunity Scholarship (SIOS) program from the Ministry of Advanced Education. A total of $2,850 was contributed to the Estevan campus recipients through SIOS.
Representatives from a number of businesses and organizations were on hand to make the presentations to the qualifying students who applied online and were then adjudicated by the scholarship selection committee headed by Becky Wock.
Dion McGrath, president and CEO was also present to congratulate the award winners and to join them and others for a social and refreshments after.
The scholarship values ranged between $200 and $1,000 each.
Lisa McGillis accepted the Southeast College Management and Employee Bursary as a student in the adult basic education course while Chona Rosario, a student in the continuing care program picked up a couple of scholarships, the Quota International Opportunity Scholarship (Estevan chapter) and the Boyle Belganer Saskatchewan Opportunity Scholarship.
Another double winner on the scholarship front was Kristopher Fortner, who is enrolled in the power engineering course. He received the Enbridge Pipelines Inc. Saskatchewan Opportunity Scholarship and the Southeast College Post-Secondary Opportunity Scholarship.
Other scholarship recipients included Kayla Doerr, who accepted the Enbridge Pipelines Inc. Opportunity Scholarship as a power engineering student and Pritpal Hans, another power engineering student who received an Enbridge bursary as did Jaspreet Kaur, who is another power engineering student attending the Estevan campus.
Sabrina Thibodeau-Bolton, who is enrolled in the adult basic education program picked up the Governor’s Bursary and Brandi Kalynuk, a continuing care assistant in training received the second Boyle Belanger Opportunity Scholarship.
Dylan Tourand, who was enrolled in the electrician’s program was awarded the Southeast College’s Post-Secondary Opportunity Scholarship but he was unable to attend the ceremony due to work commitments.
“The scholarships and bursaries we give out today would not be possible without our generous donors,” said Dave Harazny, manager of college advancement, who was also in attendance. “With their help, the students will be able to complete their programs without some of the financial strain that can accompany post-secondary education.”
The program is also supported through an annual golf tournament staged at Mainprize Park. Other scholarships are awarded in similar ceremonies held at campuses in Moosomin, Whitewood, Assiniboia and Weyburn.
