Graduates shape our future

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 01/07/2021 (707 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

I want to acknowledge all the graduates this year, especially our local high school graduates. Congratulations to the graduating classes of Windsor Park Collegiate, Collège Béliveau, Louis Riel Arts and Technology Centre and J.H. Bruns Collegiate.

Many of our high school and university students adapted to a variety of challenges over the last 15 months. Your hard work and perseverance have not gone unnoticed. We are all very proud of you and congratulate you on reaching this milestone.

This month, I am pleased to provide several scholarships to some of our local hard-working and deserving students.

Congratulations to Austin Tomlinson, Ehren Strifling, Feyisayo Oluyemi and Lex Xavier Salanguit, each of whom received an Overcomer Award for demonstrating courage, resolve, and perseverance in addition to improving their academics and volunteering in their communities.

Congratulations to Anisha Subedi for receiving the Leadership Through Service award, which honours a student who constantly puts the interests of others ahead of their own.

Last, congratulations to Zachary Brass-Maud, the recipient of the Medical Internship scholarship which acknowledges his work in the medical careers exploration program. The multi-year program connects Indigenous high school students interested in health-care careers with local health-care facilities and mentorship from local health-care providers.

I also want to acknowledge a local university graduate whose name was put forward to me. Congratulations to Brooke McMullen, from Windsor Park, who graduated with her bachelor of arts with a major in women’s and gender studies. Brooke spent two years volunteering with the Mood Disorders Association of Manitoba (MDAM) and it was her work promoting mental health and support for women and youth that prompted her former colleague, Alysa Raposo, to put her name forward for recognition.

“Brooke has offered support, empowerment and inspiration through her advocacy,” explains Raposo.

Brooke facilitated art and music therapy with children in schools. She also went from being a beginner volunteer during the women’s mental health circle to becoming a speaker at the series that happened at MDAM.

In her spare time Brooke has a small business as a maker and donates proceeds to Alpha House which supports women and their children who are leaving an abusive relationship.

Aly says that Brooke is a true leader and knows she will go on to do amazing work in the community now that she has graduated university. Congratulations Brooke, on your hard work and thank you for your contributions.

I wish all our graduates the best as you move onto the next part of your journeys. I cannot wait to see more of your accomplishments in the coming years.