‘Give them a fish or teach them to fish’

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This article was published 29/03/2025 (509 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

John Prystanski imagines what Winnipeg would look like if every high school student graduated and attended university or college to pursue a degree or certificate.

“Education changes a person’s life,” he says, believing every child deserves to go to school and should have the right to do so.

But finding funds to cover tuition costs these days can prove to be a mighty challenge. The former city councillor, now a lawyer, is the founder of the Westland Foundation, a non-profit organization that helps students with scholarships to alleviate financial barriers to post-secondary education.

The foundation was created in 1993. With one paid executive director, a diverse volunteer board and up to 50 volunteers, Westland Foundation, which holds a $2.5-million scholarship endowment, has awarded 1,260 scholarships, totalling approximately $750,000.

This academic year, there are 39 students pursuing post-secondary education as Westland scholars: 26 at the University of Manitoba, five at the University of Winnipeg and eight at Red River College Polytech.

Born and raised in Winnipeg’s North End and now living in North Point Douglas, Prystanski noted graduation rates in area schools were lagging consistently behind those in other parts of Winnipeg. The organization was created to help students attending schools within the boundaries of Inkster Boulevard on the north, the Assiniboine River on the south, Route 90 on the west, and the Red River on the east.

U of M faculty of science student Rafael Manangan, 19, was born in the Philippines and immigrated to Canada with his family when he was a year old. He is majoring in genetics and minoring in chemistry in hopes of becoming a physician specializing in cardiology, oncology or family medicine. His plan B is to do a PhD and be a medical lab researcher, working in microbiology, biochemistry and genetics.

Manangan’s educational journey is being made easier with the help of Prystanski and his team.

“The Westland Foundation has been nothing but positive,” Manangan said. “They have supported me financially, which has made a huge difference in my academic journey and has given me a sense of confidence and motivation to continue pursuing my goals.

“This scholarship has impacted my life in many ways, including financially, mentally, emotionally, and also time-wise. It helped cover the costs of textbooks and other related course material. The stress of balancing a job and school as well as the thought of paying tuition has been removed.”

Manangan says the scholarship support has allowed him more time to devote to extracurricular and volunteering activities in addition to focusing on his academics more intensively.

The fundraising director for the U of M’s SciFUNdamentals, a group that aims to spread the fun of science to the youth, is also a student volunteer for Let’s Talk Science, a group that focuses on science, technology, engineering and math outreach to the youth. He’s a student executive for Science Rendezvous, an event that promotes science education and careers, and an active volunteer at the campus food bank.

“Receiving this scholarship meant a lot to me,” Manangan said. “It serves as a validation of my hard work and commitment, reminding me that all the effort I have put into my studies and personal growth has paid off. It has inspired me to keep striving for excellence and to keep putting in my best effort, as opportunities do arise. It also motivates me to push through challenges and to keep working towards my goals and dreams.”

Manangan, who received a scholarship of $1,485 last December, says his experience with the Westland Foundation serves as a reminder that perseverance and determination can lead to achieving greater things.

“I truly appreciate all they’ve done to help me get closer to reaching my goals and dreams. I would highly recommend other inner-Winnipeg high school graduating students to apply for the Westland Foundation Scholarship, as the foundation truly values education and is committed to empowering students like myself to reach their full potential.”

The foundation’s incentive-based program is open to students from grade 7 to 12 within the qualifying geographical area.

For Red River College Polytechnic, every 70 per cent-and-higher final mark per subject becomes a credit toward the scholarship. Students have to achieve a minimum of 3.0 GPA from their first year of studies and continue with their original program in their second year of studies to receive the Year 2 scholarship.

For the U of M and the U of W, every 80 per cent-and-higher final mark per subject is credited. Eligible students for a scholarship toward the U of M will receive their scholarships provided they are registered in 24 credit hours. Scholarship amounts range from $150 to $1,500.

“We eliminate the biases, we are totally blind to a student’s social-economic background,” said Prystanski.

“Students earn it. Give them a fish or teach them to fish. We want the students to put their best foot forward. We are teaching them about real life. You apply yourself, you seek, you learn, you stay with it.

“It’s a good feeling in my heart and soul, knowing we can contribute to others’ lives in meaningful ways. Education is the greatest gift to give to anyone.”

A breakfast event to raise funds for the foundation with Winnipeg Police Service Chief Gene Bowers as keynote speaker will be held May 8 at the Winnipeg Convention Centre from 6:30 am to 9 am. Tickets are $50. For more information, visit: http://wfp.to/westland.

fpcity@freepress.mb.ca