Winners of the tenacity and achievement awards took home $1,000 each as they pursue post-secondary education
This year’s Base Fund Scholarship ceremony saw six different community members receive $1000 each on 22 August to assist in their first steps towards post-secondary education.
The Base Fund Scholarship was created to promote a sense of community on CFB Borden by allowing local youth to gain financial assistance once they’ve completed secondary level education. Second-Lieutenant Johnny Hoang sat on the selection committee and says the scholarship considers high academic achievers with a heavy presence in their surrounding community.
“What [the selection committee] is looking for is well rounded individuals that have both academic success as well as extracurricular community involvement success,” said 2Lt Hoang.
“At the end of the day, it’s also not about how many things you volunteer for, necessarily, because you can volunteer for a lot of things and spend only a couple of hours doing it. In some cases, like these applicants, they volunteered for one or two things, but they were extensively involved in them over a prolonged period of time.”
The five recipients of the 2023 Achievement Scholarships were Amanda Duck from Angus, Ont., Ian Ward from South Orillia, Ont., Fiona Tremblay-Snelgrove coming out of Everett, Ont., Jonathan Robinson from Angus, Ont. and Alina Todd-Quesnelle representing Tiny, Ont.
Duck will be attending Nipissing University for a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics and a Bachelor of Education. Amanda is the daughter of Kristina and Brian Duck of RP Ops.
Ward will be attending Lakehead University for an Honours Bachelors of Arts & Science in Criminology. Ian is the son of Mark Ward of Tech Services and is joined today by his father, his mother Ann Ward and his grandmother, Joann Ward.
Tremblay-Snelgrove will be attending Bishop’s University in Quebec for a Bachelor’s of Education in Teaching and Learning of the Creative Arts – Drama Concentration program. Fiona is the daughter of Nicole Tremblay from 31 CF H Svcs C and is joined today by her mother, her grandparents, Phyllis and Paul Tremblay, and Daryl Daley.
Robinson will be attending Ottawa University for an Honours Bachelor of Science in Physics. Jonathan is the son of Sgt Maryse Masse of RCSU and Sgt Sean Robinson of RCEME.
Todd-Quesnelle will be attending Trent University for an Honours Bachelor of Science in Forensic Chemistry. Alina is the stepdaughter of MWO Jasmine Krlin Quesnelle of the CFSTG Comptroller and Rejean Quesnelle.
Additionally, one recipient is selected each year for the “tenacity” scholarship, which is awarded to a student who has “demonstrated incredible persistence, determination and perseverance in overcoming obstacles to their learning and academic achievement”, according to the scholarship outline.
The recipient of the Tenacity Scholarship was Quinn McPhee hailing from Alliston, Ont. McPhee will be attending Brock University for a Bachelor of Sports Management. Quinn is the son of Jennifer McPhee of the Transition Centre.
In attendance to hand out the Scholarships at the ceremony were Deputy Commander, Lieutenant-Colonel Catherine Michaud, Base Chief, Chief Petty Officer, 1st Class Robert Wilcox, 16 Wing Commander, Colonel Gabriel Doré, and Wing Chief, Chief Warrant Officer Geoff Rusconi.
The Base Fund Scholarship has been an integral part of 16 Wing’s effort to connect with the CAF community on CFB Borden since May 2011 and it prioritizes education by enabling applicants to pursue post-secondary learning opportunities.
By: Caleb Hooper
