Advanced Education Minister Kevin Doherty paid tribute to 16 recipients of the Saskatchewan Scholarship of Honour at a ceremony at the Saskatchewan Legislature on November 3.
"Our government is pleased to bestow this scholarship to honour and remember the soldiers who have served and continue to serve our country," Doherty said. "It is because of their commitment, courage, and bravery that we are fortunate to live in a country where freedom and peace are preserved."
The scholarship honours returning soldiers as well as the spouses and children of fallen or disabled soldiers of Canada's Armed Forces. The scholarship provides a one-time award of $5,000 toward post-secondary education.
Army Combat Engineer Sergeant Justin Semenoff of Saskatoon is a returning soldier and is currently in pursuit of a Welder Fabricator certificate at Saskatchewan Poyltechnic. He was one of the 16 scholarship recipients recognized.
"After over a decade in the military, transitioning and becoming a student in college again was difficult," Semenoff said. "The Scholarship of Honour made the transition easier. It's only because of the scholarship that I was able to make the financial commitments of enrolling back into school. Being a single father, it meant the world to me to be able to demonstrate to my son that no matter how old you are, you're never too old to learn."
Since the program's launch in 2009, 129 scholarships have been awarded, totalling $645,000. Ten of these recipients are family members of fallen soldiers of Canada's Armed Forces.
The 2014 recipients include the following:
Major Kevin Mead, Saskatoon, SK
Captain Bryan McCulloch, Edmonton, AB
Captain William Lindsay, Saskatoon, SK
Sergeant Scott MacKay, Saskatoon, SK
Sergeant Mark Calow, Saskatoon, SK
Sergeant Brianna Rhind, Regina, SK
Sergeant Justin Semenoff, Saskatoon, SK
Petty Officer Linda Conarroe, Saskatoon, SK
Corporal Michael Miller, Big River, SK
Corporal Bjorn Hunter, Birch Hills, SK
Corporal Brandon Landry, Dundurn, SK
Gunner Shane Smith , Regina, SK
Ms. Sabrina Beason, Warman, SK
Ms. Katia-Angela Guzzardi, Regina, SK
Mr. Kristopher Reynolds, Moose Jaw, SK
Mr. Alexander McKenzie, Oromocto, NB
"As a member of the Canadian Armed Forces, I am proud to see our government recognizing the efforts and sacrifices we have made," Royal Canadian Army Engineer Sergeant Shaughn Wittman of Cold Lake, Alberta said. "It makes me proud to see my son pursuing his education and to see this government show its support to our families, since they are the ones enduring sacrifices on the home front."
Sergeant Wittman's son, Kristopher Reynolds, was another recipient recognized with the Scholarship of Honour.
Eligible candidates must be current or former Saskatchewan residents, and must be returning service men and women who actively served in designated military operations in the Canadian Forces (Regular or Reserves) after January 2001. The spouse and/or child of permanently disabled or deceased individuals who served in designated military operations after January 2001 may also be eligible. All candidates must be enrolled in a recognized Canadian post-secondary institution.
The Ministry of Advanced Education works with federal government to distribute scholarship information to returning soldiers and their families. Eligible candidates are encouraged to apply.
To learn more about the scholarship visit www.saskatchewan.ca/live/post-secondary-education/scholarships-bursaries-and-grants/scholarships.
