Winnipeg, MB - At an announcement at City Hall today, Mayor Brian Bowman awarded the five recipients of the inaugural Mayor’s Scholarship for Community Leadership. The five winners will receive a one thousand dollar scholarship in recognition of their consistent and outstanding dedication to solving a community problem or making their community a better place to live.
“I’m excited to be able to recognize these five students for their efforts at making their community and thus, our city a better place to live,” said Mayor Bowman. “It’s an honour to be able to reward those efforts with some support towards higher education. These students have set a great example for others to lead our community into the future.”
The five recipients are:
Kayla Lariviere
- Participated in Glenlawn’s Indigenous Voice and Action Council, including mentorship
- Helped plan and participated in Louis Riel school division’s reconciliation conference
- University of Manitoba, Faculty of Arts
Kakeka Thundersky
- Charity work includes: backpack drive for Siloam Mission, Collection of gifts for Salvation Army, clothing (pants) drive for Main Street Project
- Part of Aboriginal Leadership, CHS Leadership, Women’s Health and Wellness to educate peers on important issues like stigma of mental health, Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, impact of Residential Schools
- University of Winnipeg, Faculty of Education, major in English, minor of indigenous studies,
Tommy Semchysen
- Started a free sports program for low income and special needs kids, over 100 kids participate
- Organized athletes from St. Paul’s and St. Mary’s to coach the camp
- University of Manitoba, Arts/Education
Nina Lam
- Aims to be a positive role model in children’s lives, in particular children with disabilities and immigrants; Boys and Girls Club mentor; SwimAbility instructor; Folklorama volunteer; Manitoba Chinese Youth Committee finance coordinator
- University of Manitoba, Arts, Global Political Economy
Carly McFall
- Community volunteer focused on inclusion, Winnipeg Harvest, Westgrove Family Resource Centre, Habitat for Humanity, Koats for Kids, LBGTTQ* workshop, CancerCare volunteer
- University of Manitoba, goal of becoming a doctor or lawyer
The Mayor’s Scholarship rewards the achievements of Winnipeg’s future leaders and supports them on the path towards their educational and career goals. Community leadership can be demonstrated through activities that promote racial and social inclusion, drive reconciliation, encourage environmental stewardship, and support or empower Winnipeg’s less fortunate. The recipients were chosen by an independent panel consisting of members from Boys & Girls Clubs, Volunteer Manitoba, the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce and the Citizen Equity Committee.