Bursary to encourage local youth
Young people from the community who compete at top levels in athletic or cultural activities, or who study or live abroad through a recognized exchange program, will be now eligible to receive a bursary from the municipality.
After several months of fine-tuning, Mapleton council approved implementation of a Township Athletic and Cultural Bursary Awards Program at the July 9 meeting.
The purpose of the program is to encourage youth who reside in Mapleton to “expand their life experiences through sport” and to help offset the cost of competing at the provincial, national or international level. The program is open to Mapleton residents under 18 (up to 21 if enrolled full-time in post-secondary education).
For the athletic or cultural competition bursaries of $250, applicants must have achieved a first-place finish at the provincial level or placed in the top three in national competition. Athletes who compete at the international level are also eligible to apply.
In a report to council, CAO Patty Sinnamon noted the cultural competition category was added to the program to recognize top local competitors in non-athletic activities, including arts, dance, writing or other cultural competitions.
A cultural exchange bursary of $500 is also available through the program. This bursary is open to young people studying outside of Canada for a minimum of one semester at a recognized educational institution or participating in a minimum two-month cultural exchange.
Exchange bursary applications must be accompanied by a letter of reference from the individual’s current school and a one-page typed essay about his/her long term goals and career objectives.
The municipality will create a bursary reserve as part of its annual operating budget.
