Both of the latest recipients of a scholarship for high school graduates living in Point Edward aim to have careers in engineering.
Alaina Burns and Thomas Guthrie were named Friday as this year’s recipients of the Maynard and Rene Walker family scholarship and will each receive up to US$5,000 during two years to help pay for university.
The scholarship was created by Mary Ellen Walker, who retired from 3M, in memory of her parents.
Maynard Walker, a former village fire chief, was born in Point Edward in 1926 and lived on the same street there until his death in 2014.
Rene Maynard moved to the village from Sarnia when she and Maynard married in 1949. She was active at the village’s Presbyterian church and died in 2017.
“It’s always a tough decision, as we’ve had so many impressive candidates, and this year was no exception,” Walker said in a news release.
“It’s wonderful to hear about the plans these young students have to continue their education and learn skills that they can use to help others in their future careers.”
Both of this year’s recipients attended Bridgeview elementary school and are graduating from Northern Collegiate.
Burns plans to study computer science and software engineering at the University of Detroit Mercy, and Guthrie has applied to several universities and hopes to specialize in biomedical engineering.
“My ultimate goal is to create new technologies that will improve the lives of individuals with disabilities and those suffering from various illnesses,” Guthrie wrote in his application.
“I hope to get a technological job that allows me to further develop ever-changing technologies to assist people in their everyday lives,” Burns said.
There have been nine scholarships awarded since the program began.
The village’s mayor, deputy mayor, chief administrator and Walker sit on the committee that evaluates applications and selects recipients based on their grades, community involvement and volunteer service