Deadline for scholarship looms

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The deadline is fast approaching for Aboriginal students wanting to apply for the Alberta Blue Cross 50th Anniversary Scholarships for Aboriginal Students. The closing date is June 1.

This is the second year the scholarships will be awarded. Two go to Aboriginal students each year, with the amount varying depending on the size of the institution the applicant will be attending. The scholarship ranges from $375 to $1,250.

Applicants must be registered Indian, or Metis or Inuit and they must have resided in Alberta during their previous year of study. They must have just completed their final year of high school, and must be entering into the first year of post-secondary studies at an accredited Alberta post-secondary institution.

The scholarships are part of a $1 million fund established in 1998, celebrating Alberta Blue Cross' 50th anniversary. Over 50 scholarships are offered through the fund, including the two earmarked specifically for Aboriginal students.

Applications are evaluated on high school marks, financial need, and students' community involvement. Students are ineligible for the scholarship if they will be receiving more than $3,500 in other scholarships or bursaries in the current academic year.

Applications are available on the Alberta Blue Cross website at www.ab.bluecross.ca/abor.html, or by calling 780-427-8640.

Last year's recipients, announced in February, were Lana Thomas of Beaverlodge and Tamara Rose of Fort Vermillion. Each girl was awarded $750.

Thomas is studying to become a teacher, and is currently enrolled in the bachelor of education program at Grande Prairie Regional College, while Rose in enrolled in the two-year office administration diploma program at Red Deer College.

In addition to exceptional academic achievements, both recipients were very active in school sports.

Rose played hockey for eight years, attending an international hockey camp in the Czech Republic for two summers, and was named to the Northern Alberta Allstar girls' team. She was also named most sportsmanlike player and most dedicated player on her hockey team, and was ranked fourth in points in her league. Her team took the gold medal in the Native provincial competition in1999.

Rose also played volleyball and badminton, and won badminton medals in divisional and zone competition.

Thomas was on her school's badminton team, track and field team and basketball team, and was captain of the basketball team during her final year of high school. She was a member of a junior ladies' league soccer team. Thomas was also involved in the students' union, and her school's chapter of Students Against Drunk Driving (SADD). She canvassed for a number of non-profit organizations too.