October 21, 2005
Millenium Scholarship Look For Those That Standouts Not Just Participants
I noted the reference to leadership in sports and in other activities. It's not enough to take part; leadership and excellence is what the top scholarship awarders look for. This is a message I've tried to impart for the past 15 years in my work in this area, with somewhat mixed success. Of course they are seeking the best and the brightest.
The Winnipeg Free Press - Local NewsApplications out for Millennium scholarships Sat Oct 15 2005 By Nick MartinPosted by BR at October 21, 2005 08:32 AM
GRADE 12 students should hustle to their guidance counsellors' offices -- applications for Canada Millennium Scholarships of up to $20,000 each are up for grabs. "January 20 is the deadline -- students should be going to their guidance counsellors in the next week and saying, 'Do you have the stuff in?'" Andrew Woodall, director of the Millennium Excellence Award program from the Canada Millennium Scholarship Foundation, said.
Applications are being distributed to high schools across Canada this week for the 2006 awards, he said. Manitoba is eligible for 38 Millennium scholarships for students now in Grade 12 -- three for $5,000 a year renewable for a total of four years, nine at $4,000 a year renewable for a total of up to four years, and 26 worth $4,000 for one year. Woodall was in the city to attend a reception at the University of Manitoba for 22 first-year students who received entrance awards, and an additional eight students in at least their second year of university, who received Millennium Scholarships in a separate awards category for university students. "We're looking at academic performance -- they have to have high marks," Woodall said. But marks aren't enough for high school students, he said. The CMSF is looking for students with a strong record of community involvement, volunteerism and leadership.
Having a sense of innovation in volunteer or non-profit activities is very important, Woodall said.
As for school athletics, "Being on the team isn't enough. You have to have led the team," he said.
Recipients will learn in May if they have received a Millennium Scholarship for university next fall, he said.
More information is available at www.millenniumscholarships.ca.
nick.martin@freepress.mb.ca