The BC Hydro Power Pioneers would like to power up the education of a local high school graduate.
Each year the retired workers of BC Hydro work hard around the calendar to raise money (one of the main sources of their income is BC Hydro calculates their volunteer time and gives a contribution per hour) for these annual bursaries.
Unlike so many scholarships, however, this one is not contingent on being on the academic honour roll.
“We’re not looking for somebody who necessarily has straight As,” said Bill Chalmers, one of the 14 or so active Power Pioneers in Quesnel. “It’s not about having a great standing in school, it’s about people who are graduating and have done community service - either random acts of kindness, helping elders with firewood, helping move animals from the farms during the fires, that kind of thing that happens around here.”
The application must show that you are passing Grade 12, you must show proof of age, some reference letters, but the most important part is the 500-word essay on how you have been a help in the community.
“We’re looking for students who have made outstanding contributions in their local community for a considerable amount of time or have initiated, organized or contributed significantly to a one-time project,” said Chalmers. “Priority will be given to students who volunteer in their local communities.”
This philosophy is what the Power Pioneers do, year in and year out. In addition to the annual scholarships, they also help at the elders’ breakfast during Billy Barker Days, they made 2023-24 cash contributions in Quesnel to the palliative care organization, the hospital auxiliary, Amada House, and the Community Foundation.
“These are ways to get our hands out there in thanks for the people of the Cariboo communities,” said Chalmers.
He urged any helpful grad to go to the Power Pioneer website (CLICK RIGHT HERE), click on the Community tab, then find the Student Awards: Community Service Award headings on the right column. But do it right away, he urged. It takes some time to assemble all the needed materials, and the applications must be mailed in by Canada Post postdated no later than March 31.
The Quesnel branch of the BC Hydro Power Pioneers needs three applications from this city to make the selection of a student from among local candidates. Otherwise, the one or two who apply must go into a regional pool. There is also a provincial wildcard spot, however, so one more chance to someone local to perhaps receive one of the 20 awards of $500 each being handed out.
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