RAY’s Place celebrates with students
To accommodate the growing number of scholarship and bursary winners, this year’s RAY’s Place holiday reception was held at the Creemore Branch of the Canadian Legion – with kudos to the Legion members who did a superb catering job.
There are currently 12 university students receiving RAY’s Place scholarships.
In 2018, four one-time bursaries awarded and over the past eight years there have been a total of 28 recipients. The holiday reception brings together RAY’s Place board and committee members, scholarship sponsors, other financial supporters along with scholarship and bursary recipients and their families. This year approximately 60 people attended the event.
The annual holiday reception is an opportunity for the students to connect with each other to share their stories, and for all members to the RAY’s Place community to hear about the students’ experiences.
Josh Swift, a fourth-year student at the University of Western Ontario thanked the audience for the support he has received during his university years.
He highlighted the value of both the financial assistance he has received as well as the broader support provided by RAY’s Place.
Rosalyn Martin, a second-year student at Queen’s University, echoed his remarks and her enthusiasm for the mentoring aspect of the program.
Michael Noble, a 2017 bursary recipient spoke about how the financial support he received assisted him with travel costs to Conestoga College for welding courses. He is currently employed at Howie Welding on Airport Road.
For 2019, RAY’s Place has funding for 10 bursaries in the amount of $1,000 each to support students pursuing further studies at community college, trade school or apprenticeships.
At least one four-year scholarship with a total value of $20,000 will be available for a student attending a Canadian university.
This years’ application deadline will be in early May for both programs. Eligibility requirements and selection criteria details can be found at www.raysplaceyrc.com.
–James McSherry
