Editor:
Students in the class of 2012 from Ladysmith Secondary School are making their way into the world this year, with many of the graduates pursuing post-secondary education in the fall.
For numerous students, a scholarship, award or bursary from the Nanaimo-Ladysmith Schools Foundation (NLSF) is the reason they can achieve that step towards pursuing their dreams.
This year, our wonderful Ladysmith donors (individuals, businesses and service clubs) gave $103,325 in the form of community-based scholarships, awards and bursaries to 67 deserving Ladysmith grads.
In 2008, the Foundation inherited the worthwhile work of the Nanaimo Schools Financial Awards Society, and we continue this important 30-year legacy of raising money for scholarships and bursaries and helping graduating students in our district pursue their dreams.
The funds for all of the awards, bursaries and scholarships are completely supported by the service clubs, community organizations and private donors within the Ladysmith community.
This program is completely reliant on community donors. Without these opportunities, many of our graduating students would not be able to continue on with their post-secondary education.
The Foundation distributed 360 awards, bursaries and scholarships totaling $372,125 in both Nanaimo and Ladysmith this year.
Our award program has grown over the years, and the Foundation is able to support more students than ever before, but the reality in our community is that more bursaries are urgently needed.
The rising cost of post-secondary education and the increase in poverty in our community means many young people can’t afford to get further education without help.
Many deserving applicants didn’t get a bursary this year.
Please consider making a difference by sponsoring an award, bursary or scholarship for local students for next year.
To learn more about the Schools Foundation, watch our video online.
To make a donation, please go online or phone the Nanaimo-Ladysmith Schools Foundation office at 250-753-4074.
Thank you.
Duck Paterson
Board member, Nanaimo-Ladysmith Schools Foundation