Caregiving and philanthropy hallmarks of the 2007 RBC Financial
Lifeskills Scholarship recipients Scholarships awarded to support student success in higher education
TORONTO, October 11, 2007 — RBC today announced
this year's recipients of the RBC Royal Bank's Financial Lifeskills
Scholarships. Each of the 10 award winners will receive a
scholarship worth $2,007 to be used toward tuition and school-related
expenses for their first year of college or university.
"These students have a remarkable sense of community
that is evident in everything they do," said Judith Murchison,
senior manager, Client Strategy, RBC Royal Bank. "We're
delighted to offer these scholarships as a way to lessen their
financial burden, to support their education and help pave
the way to success and fulfillment in the work force."
The RBC Financial Lifeskills Scholarships are designed for
students in any stream, pursuing studies in any field, and
are awarded to those who have demonstrated some involvement
with community leadership, extra-curricular activities, volunteer
service or the pursuit of career and educational objectives.
This year's student award winners are:
BRITISH COLUMBIA, YUKON AND THE TERRITORIES
Jacqueline "Blaike" Holding - Abbotsford, BC
graduated from St. John Brebeuf Regional Secondary School
in Abbotsford and is enrolled in a Bachelor of Arts program
with a major in History at University College of The Fraser
Valley, B.C. A quadruple amputee who has won medals at the
B.C. Winter Games and B.C. Summer Games, Blaike's goal is
to be a motivational speaker. She has also volunteered for
the War Amps of Canada as well as several sports organizations.
Khalil Jessa - Surrey, BC graduated from Southridge
School in Surrey and is enrolled in a Bachelor of Arts program
at McGill University in Montreal with a major in International
Development and a minor in Economics. Khalil's goal is to
be a UN diplomat. In high school he created a Model UN conference
that attracted 50 students from the Lower Mainland.
ALBERTA, SASKATCHEWAN AND MANITOBA
Kara Nadeau - Winnipeg, MB graduated from St. Mary's
Academy in Winnipeg and is enrolled in a Bachelor of Science
program in Agriculture at the University of Saskatchewan.
Kara's goal is to be a science researcher in agriculture.
She has conducted independent research in the Agriculture
and Agri-Food Canada laboratory facilities and was a leader
of the Mission Club, an organization that helps people in
need.
Miles Aronson - Okotoks, AB graduated from The Centre
for Learning @ Home in Okotoks and is enrolled in the Faculty
of Medicine with a major in Health & Society at the University
of Calgary. Miles's goal is to become a medical doctor. In
2002, he created Spread the Love, a charitable organization
that works with communities to combat hunger. The program
has delivered over 17,000 meals in Alberta and is opening
chapters in BC, Ontario and Nova Scotia.
ONTARIO
Sarah Schumann Johns - Oakville, ON graduated from
Iroquois Ridge High School in Oakville and is enrolled in
both Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education programs with
a major in Humanities at Brock University. Sarah's goal is
to become a teacher of students with special education needs.
Sarah created craft kits for children living at the Halton
Women's Shelter and has written a children's story to promote
self confidence and tolerance.
Corey Bricks - Thornhill, ON graduated from Westmount
Collegiate Institute in Thornhill and is enrolled in the Biomedical
Sciences Program at The University of Western Ontario with
a major in Molecular and Cell Biology and a minor in Spanish
Language & Linguistics. Corey's goal is to become a cardiologist.
He has volunteered for Free the Children and his school's
Peer Mediation Group where he helped students resolve conflicts.
QUEBEC AND THE MARITIMES
Samantha Milner - Beaconsfield, QC graduated from Beaconsfield
High School and is enrolled in the Social Sciences program
at John Abbott College in Montreal. Samantha's goal is to
continue to be a philanthropic entrepreneur. At age 11, Samantha
developed a dog and cat gourmet cookie mix and donated a portion
of the profits to the Montreal Society for the Prevention
of Cruelty to Animals. She now has branched out into fashion
accessories and has already donated over $35,000 to various
causes.
Michael Wexler - Montreal, QC graduated from Dawson
College (CEGEP) in Montreal and is enrolled in a Bachelor
of Arts program at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario.
Michael's goal is to be a medical doctor. Michael initiated
and organized a blue bracelet fundraising campaign to support
the victims of the Dawson College shootings. The program led
to the creation of the Anastasia de Sousa Memorial Award Fund.
The campaign raised over $ 60,000.
FRENCH LANGUAGE APPLICANTS
Norma Patricia Kimsi Palacios - LaSalle, QC graduated
from Cégep André-Laurendeau in LaSalle and is
enrolled in a Bachelor in Nursing Sciences program at l'Université
de Montréal. Since moving to Quebec from her native
Mexico, Norma Patricia has learned French, volunteered at
schools, a neighbourhood church, and child-care facilities.
Jérémie Maillet-LeBlanc - Moncton, NB,
a recent graduate from École l'Odyssée in Moncton,
is enrolled in a Bachelor of Civil Engineering at l'Université
de Moncton. Jérémie's goal is to become a civil
engineer. Jérémie runs his own lawn care business,
Jérémie Seasonal. His business plan won
first prize in the SEED category of the Youth Entrepreneurship
Challenge.
To qualify for the RBC Financial Lifeskills Scholarships,
students must be in their final year of high school, or completing
their final year of CEGEP in Quebec, and maintain a minimum
grade average of 65 per cent. Students must also be registered
or have been accepted at a college or university in Canada
for the Fall/Winter session. For more information about the
scholarships and past recipients, or to print the scholarship
application form, please visit www.rbcroyalbank.com/lifeskills.
The next application deadline is May 9, 2008.
The Financial Lifeskills scholarships are awarded in conjunction
with the Financial Lifeskills Seminars launched by
RBC in 2002 for high school students across Canada. The program,
which educates students about financial literacy, and career
planning, has since been expanded to different age groups
spanning grades four to twelve. Over the five years of the
program, more than 16,000 educators have ordered free student
resources, assisting hundreds of thousands of Canadian students.
RBC's Scholarship Awards Program offers a diverse range of
scholarship awards to help address the critical need for student
funding across Canada. In 2006, RBC awarded over 320 scholarships,
totalling more than $600,000. Scholarships are available for
students studying in high school, pursuing undergraduate studies
at college or university, and those entering professional
programs in medicine or dentistry. Specialized scholarships
are also available to New Canadians, Junior A hockey players,
and Aboriginal students. For more information about RBC's
Scholarship Program please visit www.rbcroyalbank.com/scholarships.
- 30 -
Media Contact:
Judi Levita, (416) 974-8810
|
