Each year an awards assembly is held at J.M. Olds Collegiate to present scholarships and achievement awards (see page 3B). Nothing unusual there you might think. But what makes this ceremony so special is that it's not just for students who have graduated. These awards are extended into other Grade levels, right to Grade 7. Imagine earning a scholarship when you are in Grade 7. What a feeling of accomplishment that must be. Not only is there a sense of pride in what the student has achieved, it gives them motivation to work towards attaining a scholarship in subsequent years. It must act to encourage those in the primary and elementary grades to do their best, that one day they will walk up in front of their school community to be rewarded for their hard work.
Those receiving a scholarship in Grade 7 may not put it towards their post-secondary education at this point, but it gives them an idea that if they work hard, there are opportunities out there for financial assistance with future studies. This is a hard reality they will have to face when graduating from high school and moving on into the "real world". A post-secondary education doesn't come cheap, but if you are dedicated to your studies and to developing yourself as a well-rounded person, there are many opportunities for scholarships, grants and bursaries to help ease the financial burden.
To other schools/communities that follow suit with this type of reward, cheers to you as well. You are encouraging your students to achieve the very best.
Some naysayers might think this is a way of bribing students to work, but don't we as adults strive to do the very best in our selected career options? And when that work is rewarded with a bonus or incentive, doesn't it make the effort all the more worthwhile?
Keep up the good work J.M. Olds Collegiate and your community of supporters.
- Karen Wells
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