WINKLER, MB (February 1, 2018) – Local students will gain access to $73,000 in post-secondary scholarships this spring. One of the largest scholarships programs to be developed by a rural community foundation in Manitoba, the Gordon Wiebe Post-Secondary Scholarships will grant 15 new awards, and honour eight existing awards ranging in value from $2,000-$20,000 to students from Winkler and the surrounding community.
Last year’s recipients have demonstrated to us their gratitude and the life-changing potential of these awards through thank you notes and letters. This week, we received a handwritten card from one 2017 GVSD Award Recipient that reads,
“I have been dreaming of going to university since I was in kindergarten. It has been my lifelong goal, and I wouldn’t have been able to achieve this without your generous scholarship. My first semester was hard, and unlike any other challenge I have ever faced. When I had finished my semester at University of Manitoba, I had gained a deeper understanding of my courses, but I had also learned new study skills, made new friends, and really began to experience life. I enjoy every day, and it is because of you. Thank you so much.
Forever grateful,
Isabel Wallace.”
In late Fall, Aganetha Peters (also a 2017 GVSD Award Recipient) wrote to us expressing how she plans to use her scholarship to be of service to hearing-impaired youth:
“Thank you for your generous donation of a scholarship of $2,000. It is greatly appreciated and it will help me to cover the costs of my American Sign Language studies. I believe that sign language interpreters are in need in our community. I want to do my part in contributing to that aspect of our community. I am currently working as a high school teacher at Valley Mennonite Academy in Chortitz, and planning on going back for more studies come school year.
I thank you again for your generosity.”
The Foundation seeks applicants who show care for their community, willingness to lead and/or excellence in their work. To be eligible for awards, applicants must be 30 years or under and planning to pursue their first degree or diploma through an approved post-secondary program within Canada. Deadline to apply is February 28th, 2018. Application information and materials are available at http://winklercommunityfoundation.com/what-we-do/scholarships/.
