News Article

CNA students win national scholarship


11/15/2002 4:19:12 PM


Stephenville native Alicia Gillis is a second-year student in the Tourism Studies program at Bay St. George campus.


Griquet native Candace Pilgrim is a second-year student in the Early Childhood Education program at Corner Brook Campus.

November 15 - Two College of the North Atlantic (CNA) students have won the Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited Scholarship. Alicia Gillis, second-year student of the Tourism Studies program at Bay St. George campus, and Candace Pilgrim, second-year student in the Early Childhood Education program at the Corner Brook campus, have each received the national award valued at $3,500.

Sandra Lewis, Student Development Officer at the Bay St. George campus says that usually only one candidate is put forth for this competition on behalf of CNA, but this year two were presented.

“We went to the table with all campus nominations and debated on who to nominate provincially,” says Lewis.

“It was a tough choice, and we decided to put forth two highly qualified nominees.”

In fact, the Fairfax scholarship is given to only 24 students at the college level in Canada each year, and it is unique that two should win from the same college, says Lewis.

“We hoped that a student from our college would win again this year. But two…we are thrilled!”

The nomination process begins with the student submitting an application, including a budget sheet (for living, tuition, books, etc.), references, and a personal letter. It took some work to put this together, which, in itself showed the award committee that the applicants were conscientious.

“There is a specific process here. The applicants went through a bit of work to get to the final nomination stages.”

When Candace Pilgrim’s instructor approached the class about applying, she wasn’t interested.

“I was negative about it first,” says Pilgrim.

“I figured I would never win anything like that.”

But after she was encouraged by instructors and others at the Corner Brook campus, she changed her mind.

“Marian Burnett, the librarian, asked me how the application process was going. I told her I decided not to bother,” she says.

“But she kept encouraging me to fill out the application, so I did.”

After doing so, Pilgrim forgot about it. Then she received a call from her Mom in Griquet saying she had won.

“I think Mom was more excited than I was!”

Working hard in her second year of Early Childhood Education, Pilgrim says that she is grateful to those who encouraged her. The funding helps tremendously with tuition and books. She recommends to students to apply for scholarships, even if they think they may not win.

“I would like to let people know that it’s possible, but you have to apply” she says.

“I never won anything in my life! That made winning this one even better!”

Alicia Gillis is a second-year Tourism Studies student. She applied in March of 2002 for the scholarship and was told in late September that she had won the award.

“Both of my parents were working when I found out, so I told my instructors Donna Pippy and June Hynes about it,” she says.

“We were all very excited, especially because last year was the first time someone at the college ever won, and she was also a Tourism Studies student.”

The Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited awards program is open to students completing the first year of a university degree program or college technical diploma program who are in need of financial assistance. They must also be enrolled full-time and have attained high academic standing in their program.

The scholarship money goes directly toward the second year of their program’s tuition costs, and the remaining is forwarded to the recipient. This is a great boost, says Gillis.

“It’s good knowing that I have this – I don’t have to get a student loan next semester,” she says.

“But even more than the money, it feels good to know that you’re being recognized for your hard work. That, and the fact that my parents Don and Mary, and my grandmother Alice Costello are so proud.”

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For more information contact:

Stephen Lee
Communications Manager
(709) 643-7929

or

Tanya Alexander
Public Information Officer
(709) 643-7928