Johnstone Scholarship Awarded to Dartmouth Student

A high school student who helps immigrants settle in Nova Scotia and managed a small business at his school is this year's winner of the Dr. P. Anthony (Tony) Johnstone Memorial Fund Entrance Scholarship.

Ryan Livingston accepted the $6,000 scholarship today, June 25, at the Prince Andrew High School graduation ceremony.

The scholarship honours the life and work of the late Tony Johnstone, a long-time educator and human-rights advocate in Nova Scotia. Dr. Johnstone devoted his life to promoting multicultural understanding and social equality. The scholarship is the largest university-entrance scholarship awarded by the Nova Scotia government.

"This scholarship encourages young people to learn more about human-rights issues in Canada and get involved in continuing the social change Dr. Johnstone worked so hard to achieve," said Education Minister Jamie Muir. "Mr. Livingston is an excellent example for other young Nova Scotians and I'm pleased to congratulate him on this award."

Mr. Livingston is the 13th winner of the scholarship. A selection committee chooses one recipient annually who demonstrates outstanding academic achievement and active involvement in student and community affairs.

Mr. Livingston helps immigrants learn English and founded the International Student Community Support Group in the Halifax Regional Municipality. He is currently helping a Korean family adjust to life in Nova Scotia. He managed a second-hand clothing store at his school and is the skip for his team at the Dartmouth Curling Club.

"I think it's important for people from around the world to come together because they learn about themselves while learning about each other," said Mr. Livingston. "I'd like to encourage high school and university students to get to know international students and help them adjust to life here because that helps us have more open minds."

Applicants are required to submit an original essay on positive solutions to resolve current human-rights issues that confront Canadians. In his submission, Mr. Livingston suggested the Canadian government should give refugees more opportunity to plead their case for entry into the country. He also believes police officers should have more training to prevent the excessive use of force, particularly against visible minorities.

Recipients of this award must plan on immediately entering the first year of a bachelor's degree program at any maritime university. Mr. Livingston will pursue a bachelor of commerce degree with a major in global business management at Saint Mary's University.

Students eligible to apply for next year's Tony Johnstone Scholarship may obtain applications from their school guidance counsellors or at ednet.ns.ca early in 2005. The application deadline is March 31, 2005.