MELFORT — Quoting the captain of the Titanic, Melfort MLA Todd Goudy warned Cumberland College scholarship recipients against hubris as he congratulated their achievement.
“Not even God could sink this ship,” he said to the crowd at the ceremony at the Melfort Kerry Vickar Centre. The phrase was based off what someone claimed they heard Edward John Smith, captain of the Titanic, say, which was, “even God himself couldn’t sink this ship”.
Goudy meant this in a much different way to the students.
“I think sometimes we need to be not so sure of ourselves, we got to be a little cautious, humble and careful, and that was the downfall of the Titanic,” Goudy said to The Recorder. “I think in Saskatchewan we need to realize we have a great province, but our future isn’t guaranteed.
“Our future is bright, but we still have to be cautious. We still have to work hard. I think that was what I was challenging the kids of today.”
Over the afternoon on March 7, 66 students received 78 awards valued at more than $89,600. Matching funds for the majority of the scholarships were provided through the Ministry of Advanced Education’s Saskatchewan Innovation and Opportunity Fund.
Resmi Thomas, studying to be a continuing care assistant, was one of the award winners.
“I’m so happy that they are recognizing us for our good work, and supporting the students. I’m so happy to receive it,” Thomas said. “To the school, I’m thankful to them that they considered us.”
Corinna Stevenson, board chair with Cumberland College, gave a speech focused on the concept of “excellence”.
“At Cumberland we like to celebrate the spirit of excellence among our students,” Stevenson said. “I would like to say bravo to their excellence and just continue to be a strong ambassadors for the college and promote the spirit of excellence in their homes, in their workplaces, in their communities and in our great province.”
To Stevenson, excellence and success means two different things.
“Excellence is about doing your best and not comparing yourself to any other, and that I think makes this award ceremony so much fun... All the students are doing their best in their chosen field of study.”
Scholarship winners
| Concepcion Dimaano, Continuing Care Assistant - Part Time | $500 Beeland Coop Award |
| Erica Simon, Continuing Care Assistant - Part Time | $500 Walker Wood Foundation Award |
| Meagen Cook, Early Childhood Level II | $1000 Melfort Kinettes Award |
| Trinity Foster, Early Childhood Level II | $700 Cumberland Cares Award |
| Aldina Lathlin, Youth Care Worker | $500 Walker Wood Foundation Award |
| Ruby McLeod, Youth Care Worker | $500 Walker Wood Foundation Award |
| Tracey Beaven, University | $500 Smith Agencies Award, $500 SGEU Education Sector |
| Samantha Cole, University | $1000 R.M. of Flett’s Springs |
| Kristina Cycay, University, Bachelor of Education | $2000 Alex Prytula Award |
| Melissa Dmytrow, University | $2000 Katherine Montgomery Community Trust Entrance Award, $1000 Walker Wood Foundation Award |
| Shelly Ekren, University | $2000 Alex Prytula Award, $1000 Walker Wood Foundation Award |
| Myriam Fortier, University, Bachelor of Education | $2000 Alex Prytula Award |
| Trudy Klassen, University | $500 Charlie’s Charters & Tisdale Eye Care Centre |
| Danae McTavish, University | $2000 Pineland Coop Entrance Award |
| Braden Olson, University | $1000 JBN Promotions Award |
| Andrea Coleen Panahon, University | $600 Ferne Warner Memorial Award |
| Paige Powell, University | $1200 City of Melfort Award |
| Desiree Anne Puno, University | $1000 Walker Wood Foundation Award, $2000 Dr’s Wingate, Steffen, Stoll and Strydom Entrance |
| Natalie Quesnel, University | $2000 Nipawin Lions Entrance Award |
| Shawna Shellenberg, University - Bachelor of Education | $2000 Alex Prytula Award |
| Lydia Steffen, University | $600 Carson & Co Award, $600 Melfort Knights of Columbus Award |
| Bailey White, University | $2000 Chernoff Family Foundation Entrance Award |
| Taylor Wingert, University | $1000 Tisdale Lion L’s Award |
| Alana Clysdale, Adult Basic Education, Melfort | $250 Instructor Nominated Adult Basic Education Award |
| Rachel Huntley, Adult Basic Education, Nipawin | $250 Instructor Nominated Adult Basic Education Award |
| Jordan Marienhoff, Adult Basic Education, Tisdale | $250 Instructor Nominated Adult Basic Education Award |
| Girard Barks, Building Systems Technician | $1000 Walker Wood Foundation Award |
| Jose Kelamkunnel, Building Systems Technician | $400 Cumberland Cares Award |
| Jalen Nelson, Building Systems Technician | $2000 Fabmar Communications Entrance Award |
| Riley Perkins, Building Systems Technician | $2000 John Barron Community Trust Entrance Award, $1000 R.M. of Star City Award |
| Stephanie Anderson, Business | $2000 Cornerstone Credit Union Entrance Award, $1000 Melody Motors Award |
| Michelle Burns, Business | $550 Tisdale YBEX Award |
| Alannah Cotterill, Business | $1000 Diamond North Credit Union Award |
| Rachel Selinger, Business | $1000 Lynn Verklan Award |
| Ethan Thomas, Business | $550 Tisdale YBEX Award |
| Keenan Head, Carpentry | $500 New Sask Community Futures Award |
| Joel McGillivary, Carpentry | $1000 Walker Wood Foundation Award |
| Aislinn Chuason, Continuing Care Assistant | $2000 Chernoff Family Foundation Entrance Award, $1000 Walker Wood Foundation Award |
| Kathleen Rae Dufault, Continuing Care Assistant | $1000 Walker Wood Foundation Award |
| Kaylee Jackson, Continuing Care Assistant | $1000 Nipawin Royal Purple Lodge No 67 Award |
| Serina Mercredi, Continuing Care Assistant | $1000 Sarah Cochran Memorial Instructor Nominated Award |
| Solita Paet, Continuing Care Assistant | $1000 Prairie North Coop Award |
| Resmi Plamkoottathil Thomas, Continuing Care Assistant | $400 Cumberland Cares Award |
| Judy Rohel, Continuing Care Assistant | $700 Cumberland Cares Award |
| Justine Sanderson, Continuing Care Assistant | $1000 Walker Wood Foundation Award |
| Merrissa Stonestand, Continuing Care Assistant | $1000 R.M. of Kinistino Award |
| Mimi Thomas, Continuing Care Assistant | $400 Cumberland Cares Award |
| Kole Barks, Practical Nursing | $2000 Walker Wood Foundation Entrance Award, $1000 Nipawin Kinettes Award |
| Katherine Gramlich, Practical Nursing | 1000 Tisdale Kinsmen Award |
| Jodi Seilstad, Practical Nursing | $1000 Town of Tisdale Award |
| Bailey Rice, Practical Nursing | $2000 Walker Wood Foundation Entrance Award |
| Kurtis Mahood, Primary Care Paramedic | $1000 Nipawin Royal Purple Lodge No 67 Award |
| Easton Pelletier Armitage, Primary Care Paramedic | $2000 Walker Wood Foundation Entrance Award |
| Lorri Jung, Victim Services Coordinator | $700 Cumberland Cares Award |
| Tannis Baerg, Continuing Care Assistant | $500 Walker Wood Foundation Award |
| Bruce Daniels, University, IATEC | $2000 Alex Prytula University Award |
| Christine Dodds, University | $2000 Rotary Club of Melfort Entrance Award |
| Sydney Giasson, Primary Care Paramedic | $1000 Walker Wood Foundation Award |
| Nadine Gordon, University | $2000 Chernoff Family Foundation Entrance Award |
| Seth Moostoos, Bachelor of Education | $2000 Alex Prytula Award |
| Iryna Myroniuk, Early Childhood Level II | $500 Beeland Coop Award |
| Tianna Schmaltz, University | $2000 Chernoff Family Foundation Entrance Award, $1000 Walker Wood Foundation Award |
| Janel Smith, University | $2000 Alex Prytula University Entrance Award |
| Kelly-Rose Sprenger, University | $2000 Chernoff Family Foundation Entrance Award, $1000 Walker Wood Foundation Award |
| Chantel Steptoe, Early Childhood Level II | $500 Gus’ Greek Ribs & Tisdale Lanes Award |
| Morgan Svenkeson, University | $2000 Town of Kinistino Entrance Award, $1000 Walker Wood Foundation Award |
