A Northern Collegiate grad, who's racked up over 300 hours of volunteer time, is this year's recipient of the Maynard and Rene Walker Family Scholarship.
Nicole Luciani was awarded the scholarship during Point Edward Council's virtual meeting Tuesday.
Luciani, who went to elementary school at Bridgeview Public, said the award is going to help her immensely this fall when she heads off to Queen's University to pursue a career in teaching.
"After University I am hoping to return to Point Edward where I can start a career and give back to the village that has been so good to me. Thanks for this opportunity, I will do my best to make you proud!”
Luciani has volunteered with Interact, The Inn of the Good Shepherd, Lakers and Valhalla Basketball Clubs, Rotary, Pathways and Lambton College. She also has extensive involvement in athletics, and was on the school council and the Diversity, Equality & Inclusion Committee at Northern.
The Maynard and Rene Walker Family Scholarship was established in 2017 to honour Maynard and Rene.
Mary Ellen Walker said her parents would have been proud to have any of this year's applicants as winners of the scholarship.
"But after the judges' blind reviews, according to the criteria, there was one candidate that stood above the rest. Congratulations Nicole!"
Mary Ellen said it has been a joy to work on this scholarship.
“This is our fifth year of awarding the scholarship and I continue to be uplifted by how these applicants plan to secure a solid education and make contributions to society."
Applicants are rated on six criteria that have been deemed important contributions to the Village of Point Edward, including high school grades, financial need and the student’s financial contribution to their own education.
Maynard lived in Point Edward his entire life and was with the volunteer fire department for 35 years, serving as chief from 1956 until 1979. Rene married Maynard and moved to Point Edward in 1949. Rene was very active in the Point Edward Presbyterian Church.
