This community is second to none! I approached the staff at KDHS inquiring about funding opportunities for students graduating. What I discovered was more than a pleasant surprise, and something every resident should be aware of and celebrate!

It’s that time of the year where graduating students can apply for scholarships and bursaries. We have over 130 of them available in our community alone that range from $300 to $10,000!

There is a misunderstanding out there that students need to have a certain academic standing to apply for scholarships or bursaries. That is sometimes the case, but not always. There are many opportunities and it is impossible to share them all in this article.

Some examples (without citing all requirements) include memorial awards such as:

*  Aaron Kuhlmann Memorial Bursary — for a student attending St. Clair College who exemplifies kindness, compassion, optimism and lives each day to its fullest

*  Brady Rogers Memorial Bursary — for a student that has achieved a level of excellence in Drama

*  Dr. Michael W. Gutwein Memorial Bursary –for a student who has overall involvement in KDHS including music and sports

*  George Mantziouras Memorial Scholarship — for someone entering a culinary arts program

*  Bill Lamb Memorial Bursary — for a student applying to be in the Developmental Support Worker Program

*  KDHS Staff Memorial Award in memory of William Wigle, John Sabara, Richard Pazur, Paul Sethi, Arnold Barclay and Tom Campbell — for a student who has consistently displayed exemplary citizenship and does not have to be going to college or university

*  William A. Wigle Memorial Scholarship — for someone who has had a minimum 2 years involvement with Student Council Student must show exemplary leadership and school spirit

*  Mel Goyette Memorial Award — for the student with the most accumulated community service hours

*  Michael Kraus Memorial Scholarship — for someone who has overcome personal challenges in their physical or emotional health

*  Rick Chisholm Memorial Award — for a student in financial need who exhibits one of the following: extra-curricular involvement, community involvement or good citizenship

*  Poppy Fund — in memory of Jim Brown, for a student in financial need whose parent or grandparent is now or has in the past been in national service with an organization such as the Canadian Armed Forces, RCMP or Merchant Navy. For more information on eligibility click here.

*  Ryan Barrie Memorial Bursary — for a student who is a resident of Harrow/Colchester, is entering a youth apprenticeship program or a technology program at a community college

*  Ryan Scratch Foundation Bursaries — One is for university-bound and one for college-bound students who have a financial need and are involved in school, in community sports, and/or who displays good character traits

*  S. Paul Sethi Memorial Bursary — for a student who is worthy of a science bursary

*  Sherron Hogan Memorial Scholarship — for a student who has experienced the impact of cancer either personally or within his/her immediate family

*  Constable John Atkinson Memorial Scholarship Fund — for any and all students pursuing education in a law enforcement program

Community organizations such as the Rotary Clubs of Cottam, Harrow and Kingsville, the Royal Canadian Legion, Knights of Columbus, the Optimist Club, the Kingsville Horticultural Society, Copps for Charity, local businesses and churches are also very generous in supporting our graduating students.

Specific details about each application are posted on the Greater Essex County District School Board’s Edsby platform in a folder titled “Scholarships and Bursaries.” I encourage every student, parent and guardian to take the time to read through them as there are deadlines for applications, beginning in mid-April.

There are also additional Board and external bursaries and awards posted on the website at https://www.publicboard.ca/en/family-and-community-support/scholarships-and-bursaries.aspx

As a community, Kingsville thanks every local organization that supports the future of our students by opening doors to funding opportunities. This would also not be possible without the dedication of the KDHS staff. A special thank you to our senior secretary, Madeleine Kirzinger for sharing this information.

Photo by Mike Gosselin