Dr. P. Anthony Johnstone Scholarship Winner
Chandimal Nicholas of Dartmouth is this year's recipient of the Dr. P. Anthony Johnstone Memorial Fund Entrance Scholarship.
Mr. Nicholas' outstanding academic achievement and his active involvement in student and community affairs earned him the scholarship. Mr. Nicholas, a recent graduate of Auburn Drive High School in Cole Harbour, was selected from applicants across the province.
The $5,000 annual scholarship honours the life and work of the late Tony Johnstone. He was a long-time educator and human rights advocate in Nova Scotia, who devoted his life to promoting multicultural understanding and social equality. The scholarship is the largest university entrance award offered by the province.
"The purpose of this scholarship is to encourage young people to educate themselves on human rights issues in Canada, so they can continue bringing about the social change Dr. Johnstone worked so hard to achieve," said Education and Culture Minister Robbie Harrison.
"The scholarship requires academic excellence, but also looks at a student's leadership abilities and contribution to cultural and youth activities during high school. Mr. Nicholas' achievements - especially his membership on Auburn Drive's Race Relations Cross-Cultural Committee and on the school's focus group dealing with racism - easily meet these criteria."
Applicants are required to submit an original essay. This year the topic was, "What positive solutions could you offer to resolve the current unity issues that confront Canadians?" The selection committee makes its decision based on this essay, along with a combination of academic, non-academic and leadership criteria.
Recipients of this award must plan on entering the first year of a Bachelor program at a Maritime university. Mr. Nicholas is enrolled in the Bachelor of Science program at Dalhousie University.
Dr. Emily Freeman, chair of the selection committee, presented the award on behalf of Minister Harrison to Mr. Nicholas at his graduation ceremonies on June 24.
Students eligible for next year's Dr. P. Anthony Johnstone Memorial Fund Entrance Scholarship may obtain application forms from their school guidance counsellors early in 1999. The application deadline is April 1, 1999.