Arts council director Mike Murray, school district 42 liaison to the arts council Dave Rempel, scholarship recipient Julya Rempel, scholarship recipient Claire Oliverio, author Annette LeBox, scholarship recipient Melissa Haavisto, arts council director Nigel Harvey, scholarship recipient Natasha Kloyber, and scholarship recipient Spencer Dodd.
Photograph by: Submitted , TIMES
Five local high school students received $1,000 scholarships from the Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows Arts Council for their post-secondary education. The recipients are Natasha Kloyber from Thomas Haney Secondary for visual and media arts, Melissa Haavisto from Maple Ridge Secondary for literary arts, Spencer Dodd from Garibaldi Secondary for technical theatre, Julya Rempel from Garibaldi Secondary for dance, and Claire Oliverio from Maple Ridge Secondary for music.
The arts council received 20 applications. Selection is based on demonstrated artistic impression, technical skills and level of presentation, grades relating to the artistic category, personal resume, planned attendance at a post-secondary institution.
“To be the visual and media arts scholarship recipient means the world to me,” said Natasha Kloyber. “Not only will it help me financially, when going to BCIT this October, but it gives me the self-confidence to peruse my field of graphic design.”
“It was so exciting and such an honour to receive this scholarship, both from a graduating student’s perspective and from a writer’s perspective,” Melissa Haavisto said. “I’m so grateful to have been chosen as a recipient; this scholarship will be a big help in enabling me to pursue my dreams and post-secondary educaiton. As for next year, I am currently enrolled in a graphic design program at Kwantlen Polytechnic University starting this September, which will combine my passion for the arts with my love of language and communication.”
“When I began playing piano at three years old, I had no idea of the dedication, love, and hard work it would require to take me to he place I am today. Music and the piano have become my passion, and to be chosen as a recipient for this scholarship means a great deal to me,” said Claire Oliverio. “With it, I am given the opportunity to follow my dreams and continue my musical studies by taking the Bachelor of Music in musical arts at Kwantlen Polytechnic University. From there, I plan to transfer to UVIC or UBC to ultimately establish a career in music, whether it be as a teacher, performer, adjudicator, or examiner.”
