LAC LA BICHE - The Jean Clark Memorial Scholarship for 2020 has been awarded to Erin Berland. Berland is a recent graduate of J.A. Williams High School in Lac La Biche.
The scholarship is for $1,000 and is awarded each year by the family of Jean Clark, an area nurse who worked in the Athabasca and Lac La Biche area, including time with the local Health Unit from 1981 to 1986 and at the W. J. Cadzow Hospital for several years.
The Jean Clark Memorial Scholarship Society has been handing out the annual scholarships since 2012. The scholarships are awarded to Lac La Biche or Plamondon high school graduates who are enrolled in a registered nursing post-secondary program.
Berland is enrolled in the Nursing program at the University of Calgary.
The recent recipient was also a successful candidate for the scholarship because of her existing commitment to community care, and working with the seniors at Lac La Biche’s Points West seniors facility while she was attending school.
Because of that rewarding experience, explained Kathy Lawson, a trustee of the scholarship society since it first began, Berland decided to pursue a career in nursing.
Due to COVID-19 precautions, this year’s recipient is using the scholarship for virtual classes, but Lawson said that hasn’t deterred the young student.
“Erin was very excited to receive the scholarship,” said Lawson.
The Jean Clark Memorial scholarship was established to commemorate Jean's dedicated, caring service in the nursing field. It is a way to recognise the importance of nursing by encouraging students who wish to become nurses . It is available annually for students from Lac La Biche and Plamondon high schools who are enrolled in a registered nursing program.
The application for the scholarship can be found online at www.nlpsab.ca/download/137171