RAYS sees uptick in STEM students
Today’s students are more focused than ever on their eventual career path when choosing a post secondary program, according to Barbara Lemaire, Board Chair of Resources for Area Youth Success (RAYS). Lemaire says applications to the Creemore based notfor profit were quite robust this year. Scholarship students can receive up to $20,000 to offset the cost of further education.
Lemaire says in the first 15 years since the organization was launched in 2008, only two winners have pursued degrees in engineering. This year’s crop of winners includes three students who are entering engineering programs, one on a full scholarship and two recipients of the award of merit.
“Our selection committees are impressed with the quality of our applicants particularly as they have carefully considered pursing diplomas or degrees which offer careers in areas of need – such as health care professions, engineering, aviation, the environment and health care technologies,” said Lemaire.
She says many students are choosing a gap year after high school to save money for post secondary studies and to carefully consider the career environment.
“Students are very focused on the end game,” said Lemaire. “They know the expense of post secondary education is going up, both in terms of time and funding and they’re really thinking it through. RAYS responds to this need by allowing applicants to apply for a scholarship after a gap year and for a bursary up to the age of 25.”
Lemaire credits groups like the Cybergnomes Robotics program with exposing students to career possibilities in the fields of Science, Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
Apprenticeship awardees are pursing trade programs where there is a demonstrated societal need. RAYS provides assistance by finding and linking apprenticeship recipients with local employers.
Scholarship and Award of Merit winners were announced at the recent RAYS summer social:
- Ava Hogben, a graduate of Stayner Collegiate is enrolled in Studies in Humanities at University of Toronto – Mississauga Campus (scholarship recipient)
- Oscar Krause, a graduate of Collingwood Collegiate is studying Engineering Science at University of Toronto – St. George Campus (scholarship recipient)
- Collingwood Collegiate grad Lindsay McDermid is enrolled in the Social Work program at Lakehead University – Orillia Campus (scholarship recipient)
- Sully Nabuurs, a graduate of Stayner Collegiate will be studying Electrical Engineering at Carleton University (award of merit recipient)
- Collingwood Collegiate graduate Lily Wice is enrolled in Environmental Engineering at Guelph University (award of merit recipient)
