Eight Local Students Receive Funding To Help With Post-Secondary Education
VANCOUVER ISLAND –The last year has been a tough one for our youth. As high school seniors look ahead to their next steps, Coastal Community Credit Union will be offering a helping hand as it lives out its vision and purpose to improve financial health. Eight grade twelve students will receive $2,000 each toward their post-secondary goals through Coastal Community’s scholarship program.
Since 2005, the Credit Union has been offering $17,000 in annual scholarships to local students who plan to attend undergraduate college or university, trade school or special interest school. The application comes with a twist: Students apply by submitting a plan for a project to improve their community.
Based on these plans, eight students are chosen for a $2,000 scholarship, with two selected as overall winners. This year Cameron Laturnus of Nanaimo District Secondary School and Manuel Perdisa of Carihi Secondary School in Campbell River took top honours. In addition to their $2,000 award, they will each receive up to $1,000 to implement their projects, as well as an additional $500 scholarship.
Cameron’s plan is to hold a Community Swim to Survive special event this summer at Nanaimo’s Kin pool. The high school senior feels children’s water safety skills and swimming are critical to drowning prevention and fostering a lifelong love of water.
Manuel’s project focuses on restoring a section of overgrown trail and removing invasive species at Hanks Beach Forest Conservation Park. After completion, the enterprising student will gift the tools purchased to the Friends of Cortes Island Society.
All eight winners sent in a thoughtful and creative plan. Congratulations to each of them!
Noah Aldinger, James Fazeli-Sinaki, Annika Funk and Kirsten Cook of Mark R. Isfeld Secondary School, Courtenay; Amelia Duncanson of Dover Bay, Nanaimo; Cameron Laturnus of NDSS, Nanaimo, Brin Nyvall of Spectrum Community School, Victoria and Manuel Perdisa of Carihi Secondary School, Campbell River.
“The way these young leaders rose above the challenges of the last year to focus on their communities shows our future is in good hands,” said Joe Cristiano, Chief Community & Marketing Officer for the Credit Union. “We’re honored to help them build that future, as we help improve their financial health, and that of our members and clients in our Island communities.”
