Leaving home for college is both scary and exciting for young people starting a new phase in their life.
Maidstone's Cougen Pegg is starting out with a bit more of a boost than usual. The recent graduate was one of 837 applicants from across the country selected to be part of a group of 90 finalists who flew to Toronto or Moncton for a series of interviews for a W. Garfield Weston Award. She left the interviews believing she didn't get the award and was surprised to get a phone call with the good news the next day.
The foundation's press release stated, "Nationally, only 46 W. Garfield Weston Awards were granted to well-rounded students who are passionate about their fields of study, community minded and truly interested in becoming involved and making a difference in society."
Pegg has been involved in the Maidstone Gully Multiple 4-H Club for seven years ,holding several leadership roles including president. She has been involved in sports including volleyball and curling and has taken time to help officiate and work at tournaments. She has been involved in school, church and community volunteer activities, but her most unique volunteer work has been branding calves for local farmers.
"The scholarship is based on passion. They take volunteering into consideration and want you to be a beneficial Canadian citizen," said Pegg.
She spent the summer working for Misty Valley Farms and although she knows she'll miss the food, she is looking forward to her two-year program of agricultural management at Olds College and life in the dorms.
Pegg's award includes the waiving of tuition from the college, a cash stipend of $4,000 per term, $3,500 for summer programming, a one-on-one mentorship program and a trip to Toronto for a leadership conference later this month. She is eligible to receive the award for both of her years in the program.
At graduation in June Pegg also received the Maidstone Agricultual Society Scholarship.
She plans to be active in the community of Olds and wants to play recreational volleyball and join the rodeo club and judging team. Her classes will include agronomy of agriculture, accounting, communications, crop management and cattle diseases.
An area 4-H leader suggested Pegg apply for the award with a process she described as peculiar.
"We're very proud of her, we didn't help her, she did it, we're proud someone else would think she deserved it. It's nice to not have to worry about student loans and mom and dad's wallets," said her mother Eleanor Pegg as they prepared one of her daughter's favourite meals.
Applications for the awards are available every January to students planning to attend participating colleges across the country for programs of study lasting at least two years and Pegg encourages other students to apply. She is excited but nervous to be leaving home and starting school, looking forward to the challenges and grateful for the support as she begins her new adventure.
