Scholarship set up for Sussex High grads entering trades programs

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As we approach summer the Sussex Area Community Foundation reminds high school graduates to apply for scholarships and bursaries if they plan to move on to post-secondary schooling in the fall.

This year, the Waterford Gems LOBA started a scholarship for students entering a trades program and who are in financial need. The Waterford Gems LOBA is a non-partisan women’s organization that has been supporting local students with scholarships for decades. The group donated to a scholarship where the Sussex Area Community Foundation will hold the funds and administer the scholarship on its behalf. This scholarship is available to Sussex Regional High School students through the general application.

The Sussex Area Community Foundation also administers the following scholarships:

The Earl and Joan Cunningham Scholarship was started by Joan Cunningham in honour of her husband Earl. Two scholarships are available for students who are active in the community, have strong grades and are in need of financial assistance. After Joan Cunningham passed away, the scholarship name was changed and the family continues to contribute to the fund to help students from the community.

In 1944, Gerry Friars left his family farm in Wards Creek but never forgot his roots. In 2019, Gerry donated to scholarships in memory of his parents and his wife Dorothy’s parents. Three scholarships in business, agriculture and nursing are available for students at Sussex Regional High School. There is also one scholarship for a Hampton High School student who will study business in memory of Gerry’s parents-in-law, James and Laura Dann from the Kingston Penninsula.

The Sussex High School class of 1978 initiated a scholarship on behalf of all Sussex High School and Sussex Regional High School alumni. This scholarship is in the Sussex Class Memorial Fund and awarded as the School Spirit Award for a student who is active in student life of Sussex Regional High School.

The Fran Simpson Memorial Scholarship was established in 2010 by the family of Fran Simpson. Each year the family raises money to help local students who are continuing their studies in agriculture or are from an agriculture background. Fran Simpson was a strong supporter of local agriculture. These scholarships are available at the Sussex and Belleisle high schools.

The Norman MacLeod Humanitarian Award is presented to a graduating Sussex Regional High School student who shows kindness towards others. Norman MacLeod’s sister Ella donated this award in memory of her brother who helped others and was a community builder.

The Sussex Regional High School class of 1998 raises money each year to support two scholarships for a Sussex Regional High School student who works hard for the school community, but without the benefit of public praise. This award is for a student who is hard working, an earnest contributor, and quick to follow instructions.

The Sussex Area Community Foundation provides five scholarships for students with strong academics, and who show involvement in the school and community while having financial need. Started from the donation from the estate of Leo Forbes, these scholarships have increased in value thanks to other donors in the community who want to help local students.

Scholarship applications are available from local high school guidance offices or by contacting the Sussex Area Community Foundation.

The Sussex Area Community Foundation will be holding its annual lobster dinner on June 1 at the Sussex Area Seniors Centre. All tickets are pre-sold and the dinner includes a fresh cooked lobster, potato salad, coleslaw, roll and dessert for $35. Tickets are available by calling (506)433-6244 or from a Community Foundation director. Proceeds from the dinner will support the programs and services of the Community Foundation.

This column is a monthly contribution from the Sussex Area Community Foundation.