Central Collegiate graduate Connor Johnson is the recipient of this year's Snowbirds Scholarship.
Johnson graduated from Central in June with an average of 91.6 per cent and has been accepted to the University of Regina, where he plans to study environmental systems engineering, Lori Meyer, co-ordinator of Prairie South School Division's Bursary Fund program, explained in a letter to city council. Besides his academic record, Johnson has also been a member of the Royal Canadian Air Cadets since age 13.
“He has been an inspiration and role model to younger cadets and has a deep appreciation for the cadet program and how he has benefited from it,” Meyer said.
Besides being a mentor, Johnson has acted as a parade commander and participated in several fundraising and community events. He has been a volunteer with CC RezQs, a dog rescue organization. He and his family have helped organize events and have taken several dogs into their home.
Johnson is also quite involved in curling, both at school and with cadets, Meyer said. His commanding officer, Clyde Garrett, has confirmed that Johnson is deserving of the Snowbirds scholarship.
During its Sept. 21 regular meeting, city council unanimously received and filed the report. Mayor Fraser Tolmie presented the scholarship cheque to Johnson at the start of the meeting.
“I'm extremely proud of you ... you are certainly deserving of (the scholarship),” Tolmie said after reading out Johnson's accomplishments.
In 1991, city council passed a bylaw governing how the Snowbirds Scholarship should be awarded. The bylaw indicated $5,000 was to be set aside for the purpose of annually awarding a scholarship to cadet members who planned to continue or pursue post-secondary education.
The amount of the scholarship is to be equal to 75 per cent of the income earned by the fund during the preceding 12 months, a council report explained. The remaining 25 per cent of hte income earned during the period would be added to, and thereby form, a part of the capital fund. The city would not be able to use the capital of the fund, or any portion of it, for any purpose other than for earning income for the scholarship award.
The next regular council meeting is Monday, Oct. 5.
