A new scholarship has been established in the name of a Quesnel woman who dedicated herself to helping women and children at risk.
The Josie Whitehead’s Award was recently set up in School District 28 to reduce the barriers to post-secondary education for a Grade 12 students from Correlieu Secondary School and/or the McNaughton Centre.
The award is named after Josephine Whitehead, who passed away from cancer, leaving a legacy of helping others and inspiring everyone around her.
“We will forever miss our dear friend Josephine Whitehead, who was a dear mother, a family member and an amazing friend,” says Lejla Muratspahic, who worked with Whitehead at Amata Transition House and established the award in her friend’s name. “Her dedication and commitment to helping others was unsurpassed. Josie worked at the Amata Transition House in Quesnel, helping many women and children find safe, healthier life and, when needed, make positive lifestyle changes. Josie believed that no matter what situation you are in, there is always a way to reach your goals and dreams. As a single mother who also came from a hard start in life, Josie was compassionate and strived for the better life opportunities for her own and all other children and she believed that education should be available to all people, without barriers. She reached her goals in life and strongly believed that if she could do it,everyone else can too.
We sincerely hope that this award will continue for many years in honour of Josie’s life legacy and that it will help many to reach their life goals and dreams.”
Anyone who wishes to donate funds for Josie Whitehead’s Award can donate directly to the school board office, specifying that the donation is for Josie Whitehead’s Award. All cheques should be made payable to the School District 28 Scholarship and Bursary Committee. Cheques can be mailed to School District 28 Scholarship and Bursary Committee chairperson Liane Kimmie at 1650-2222 Maple Dr., Quesnel, B.C., V2J 5B7.
Any Grade 12 Quesnel student going to an accredited post-secondary institution (college, trade school or university) can apply for Josie Whitehead’s Award. Preference is given to an Aboriginal student, a student from a single-parent family and/or a youth at risk who is considerate to others. No specified course of study is required.
READ MORE: Five students from Quesnel win post-secondary scholarships
editor@quesnelobserver.com
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