Dr. Johnstone Award to Glace Bay Graduate
Outstanding academics and active involvement in student and community affairs have earned Sherri Lynn MacLeod of Port Morien this year's Dr. P. Anthony Johnstone Memorial Fund Entrance Scholarship.
Ms. MacLeod, a recent graduate of Glace Bay High School, was selected from among applicants from across Nova Scotia to receive the largest university entrance award offered by the province.
The $5,000 annual scholarship honours the late Dr. Johnstone, an educator and human rights advocate who devoted his life to promoting multicultural understanding and social equality in Nova Scotia.
"The scholarship encourages young people to educate themselves about human rights issues in Canada, so they can continue bringing about the social change Dr. Johnstone worked so hard to achieve," said Wayne Gaudet, Minister of Education and Culture.
"The scholarship requires academic excellence but also looks at a student's leadership abilities and contribution to cultural and youth activities during the high school years. Ms. MacLeod's achievements, especially as a founding member of the Glace Bay High School STAR (Students Together Against Racism) group, easily meet these criteria."
Applicants were also required to submit an original essay. This year the topic was: "What positive solutions could you offer to resolve the current unity issues that confront Canadians?"
"The selection committee makes its decision based on this essay, and a combination of academic, non-academic and leadership criteria," noted committee chair Emily Freeman.
Recipients of the award must plan to immediately enter the first year of a bachelor's degree program at a Maritime university. Ms. MacLeod has been accepted by Acadia University where she will study for a bachelor of science with a major in chemistry.
Students eligible to apply for next year's Dr. Johnstone scholarship may obtain application forms from their school guidance counsellors early in 2000. The application deadline is April 1.
Note: The following is intended for use by broadcast media.
A graduate from Port Morien, Cape Breton is this year's
recipient of the province's largest university entrance
award -- the five-thousand-dollar Doctor P. Anthony Johnstone
scholarship.
Sherri Lynn MacLeod, who just graduated from Glace Bay
High, won for outstanding academics and her involvement in
student and community life.
She was selected from among applicants from across
Nova Scotia.
The entrance scholarship honours the life and work of
the late Tony Johnstone, a longtime educator and human
rights advocate.
The award is given annually to a graduating high school
student who plans to immediately enter university.
MacLeod will be at Acadia this September to begin
studying for a bachelor of science degree.