A group of 32 students at Williams Lake’s Thompson Rivers University were particularly grateful this Wednesday, when more than $32,000 worth of awards were handed out to help fund their educations.
Part of TRU’s annual awards, the financial awards were given to students who may need financial help to finish their education, or who were particularly in need.
It was also a chance for donors to show their support for the “brightest and most in need.”
Chloe Sylvain and Ashley Straza are both second year nursing students who received an award at the event.
“It’s really going to help me financially just to move forward with my education and pursue my career as a nurse and just not having to worry about being a financial burden,” said Sylvain. “Just being able to focus on my studies is going to help a lot.”
“It’s a huge help to have a little bit of support because school is so expensive,” said Straza.
“It just takes a little bit of the edge off.”
Among the awards given out by the school this year were two new entrance awards given out by TRU earlier this year: The Cariboo Chevrolet Buick GMC entrance award gives $5,200 to a student who is a 4-H member or who has been a 4-H member within the last five years and is going into the applied ranching program, while the Bill Freding Memorial entrance award gives $5,000 to a first-year student in the Applied Sustainability Ranching program.
Bill Freding was a agriculture pioneer and longtime cattleman and farmer Doug Haughton has added $1,000 more for the winner in memory of his friend.
At a time of year where financial strain hits many, and with the prospect of sometimes two or more years of school in the future, students were more than appreciative.
“Any help is appreciated,” said Sylvain.