Arlington Street scholarship awarded

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 25/06/2009 (5992 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Gordon Bell Grade 12 student Lin Ruttan became the first recipient of the Arlington Street Investments Scholarship during the school’s graduation ceremonies this afternoon at Westminster United Church.

She was one of four finalists for the award that is funded through a $100,000 endowment granted to Gordon Bell by former student and Calgary businessman Frank Lonardelli.

To qualify students must have shown a straight-A attitude toward athletics plus academics, plus an ability to overcome a third “A” — adversity.

Lin Ruttan’s story meets all of those.

“In grade 6 I was diagnosed with ITP (Idiopathic Thrombocynic Purpora),” she wrote in a brief autobiography. “Doctors advised me to give up sports due to my condition, but they  didn’t understand the importance of playing to me. I’ve always been passionate about playing and working as part of a team. I’ve broken many bones, and my blood sometimes relapses, which then means I am then sitting on the bench helping out in any way possible. Throughout my time at Gordon Bell, I’ve been apart of many committees and have taken a role in educating others on the Holocaust and other world issues through group work. In one of my groups, Many Voices One World, we work towards bridging the gap between Canadian students and Immigrant students, while touching on our most painful experiences. Since this experience I have learnt to cherish everyday and live my life to the best of my abilities, as you never know what tomorrow will bring. In September  I will be attending the University of Winnipeg in the Integrated Education Program and plan to someday teach my students Human Rights Issues.”

As part of the scholarship, which includes tuition and books, Ruttan will meet three times a year with the endowment board members who selected her, and will now provide mentorship.