Enlarge Image

Riley Chervinski, a Grade 12 Dakota Collegiate student, was handpick by CBC’s The National anchor Peter Mandbridge for a $10,000 journalism scholarship. (SUBMITTED)

A few weeks ago, Riley Chervinski was shocked to hear the deep voice of Peter Mansbridge on the other end of the telephone.

But the news he delivered was even more of a surprise — the CBC news personality had personally selected Chervinski as the winner of Junior Achievment’s Peter Mansbridge Journalism Award, a $10,000 scholarship.

"It was so cool," said Chervinski, a 17-year-old aspiring journalist who is currently a Grade 12 student at Dakota Collegiate.

Mansbridge proceeded to praise Chervinski on the essay she wrote for her award, which compared her work with business in Junior Achievement to journalism.

"One of the connections was that in a business, you have to get your product known," Chervinski said. "Journalism is also about getting ideas out there."

Lauren Checkley, Junior Achievement Manitoba’s company program manager, said she knew just from looking at Chervinski’s application that the teenager had a good shot at winning.

"I was really excited to send it off, and really proud to send it off, because I thought she really had a chance," she said.

Checkley said she’s known about Chervinski’s desire to become a journalist since the two first met last fall.

"She very quickly expressed her passion to go to journalism school, and that made her stand out."

Chervinski first became involved with Junior Achievement earlier this year through her curiosity about marketing. Along with about half a dozen other students, she helped run a business selling reusable bags.

"It was like a practice business," she said, adding that she learned a lot about marketing while making new friends. "It’s a bunch of other students I’m working with, so that’s fun."

And while Chervinski said she’s enjoyed her taste of the business world, she said she’s ready to start pursuing her journalism dream.
"Writing and marketing are two of my interests, but especially writing," she said.

In the fall, Chervinski plans to attend University of Winnipeg and Red River College’s Creative Communication program, which she said is a perfect fit.

"Everything I’m interested in is in the program," she said, adding she continues to learn about marketing while studying journalism.

While she’s not yet decided what type of reporting she wants to do, Chervinski said meeting Mansbridge — who presented her with the award in Toronto at the Order of the Business Hall of Fame 2010 Induction Ceremonies on May 11 — has caused her to seriously consider a career in broadcast journalism.

Checkley said she has no doubt Chervinski will become a successful journalist, adding the 17-year-old is the first Manitoban to win the Peter Mansbridge Journalism Award.

"She really, really demonstrates just that passion that is needed," Checkley said.

arielle.godbout@canstarnews.com